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We are about to enter the peak season for new haircuts. Is there some ancient human rhythm that dictates this? When winter comes, I love to let my hair grow. The moment the sun rises, I find myself craving a cut: something flirty and fleeting to emphasize what’s left of my bone structure.
Priyanka Chopra, 41, took advantage of just this kind of spring adventure in Rome last week.
Modeling a 200-carat Bulgari choker, she rocked a choppy, square bob, tousled and current, to show off her stones. The next day, she had flyaway locks again, so it must have been a wig or extensions. Still, the star looked so stunning in her shorter cut that a chop could well be on the cards.
Priyanka Chopra, 41, wearing a bob that helped her show off her Bulgari necklace, in Rome
George Northwood says: “Big, blown-out bobs look great – and a little ironic – on Zendaya (pictured) because she’s young and cool. But that’s a pretty middle-aged hairstyle.
In the 1960s, you didn’t say “bob” without thinking of Vidal Sassoon and his severe, angular incarnation, which suited fabulous beauties.
Today, one doesn’t utter the term without evoking George Northwood, king of the 21st century’s fluid and universally flattering bob.
Spring skin aromas
Acne Studios x Frederic Malle (£200, libertylondon.com
A crystalline, sparkling and sublime fragrance, with sweet and floral notes.
Maison Crivelli Iris Malikhan (from £90, Selfridges
An exquisite iris offset by green elements of musk, mimosa and amber.
Experimental Perfume Club Pistachio Haiku (from £45, experimental perfumeclub.com)
A nutty opening that evolves into a cedarwood and resin base with real summer neck appeal.
Narciso Rodríguez for his Musc Nude (£50.40, look fantastic.com)
Aroma of musky skin infused with jasmine, rose and tonka bean.
And Other Stories Illustrated Plants (£29, stories.com/en)
Green, with underlying earthiness; pear and black pepper give way to musky woods.
When asked to define his opinion, George says: “My bob is always slightly undone, even if it is straight and soft, nothing too set or dated, but with a natural and effortless feel.” Or, as we know her, ‘The Alexa’, named after her longtime muse, Alexa Chung.
But what is it about style that Northwood obsesses? “What fascinates me is that the bob is a striking and powerful cut,” he enthuses. ‘I love the power of the bob. I love its timelessness and that it is easy to grow. It’s a great way to make impactful changes and at the same time, it’s an easy cut to maintain. Alexa’s was iconic, and now we have Zendaya’s. The bob is always a defining moment in someone’s career.
So how is it done? George maintains that there’s a bob for everyone: “If you have hard features, go for a softer, looser, choppy bob.” But if you have soft features, you can opt for a harder, blunter bob, which will add definition and frame the face.
“So if you have a round face, avoid bangs (which cut the shape in half) and keep them a long length.” In 2021, George was championing the ‘Flob’, or flat-iron bob, for which he created a tutorial on YouTube, in case you want to try it at home.
This summer we have several options. In fact, Vogue has classified 11: princess, Italian, emo, mermaid, glamorous, mob, bubble, micro, beachy, hairy and elegant.
George keeps things simple: ‘Basically, there are two ways to go: the extreme bobbed and cropped bob. Or what I call a ‘purist bob’, which is natural, quite graphic, full length, but worn undone.’
When I tell him I love Hollywood legend Zendaya’s voluminous, less structured, S-shaped version, he warns, “Big, blown-out bobs look great—and slightly ironic—on Zendaya because she’s young and cool.” But that’s a pretty middle-aged hairstyle.
“On someone middle-aged it’s going to look disheveled.” Granny chic looks different on a 50-year-old woman.’ Plus point.
If you’re going for a glassy Hailey Bieber-style look, then Dream Coat Supernatural Spray Color Wow (now £22.95, lookfantastic.com) is the way to go.
This best-selling wonder features heat-activated droplets that cross-link to form a waterproof veil for a smooth finish that lasts up to two to three shampoos.
For those who take their bobs on tour: invest in small travel irons. I have a pair that must be almost a quarter of a century old, but they sorted me out when I got a new bob that I still couldn’t control in crazy humidity. Stylocks Mini Hair Straightener (£13.72, amazon.co.uk is a bargain).
Run towards it!
Beauty Pie Holly Willoughby’s On-the-Glow Edit (members, £55; non-members, £133, beautypie.com) launched last week. This collection features the host’s “no mirror needed” kit, her favorites for lips, cheeks and lashes, housed in a sleek clear case.
My icon of the week: Gillian Anderson
Actress Gillian, 55, declares Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (£42, spacenk.com) “a big part of my life”. Makeup artist Florrie White used British mid-life brand Reeson Bronzing Balm (£38, reesonbeauty.com) on the movie star to great success. Gillian also loves Sarah Chapman Skinesis products (from £13, sarahchapman.com)
Cosmetic craving
Many of us pine over our hooded and hooded eye area, especially as we age, and correcting this is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures today.
By comparison, eye creams can feel a lot: a leap of faith rather than something that makes a visible difference. This is the reason why Dermalogica Phyto Nature Firming Eye Cream (£115 for 15ml, dermalogica.co.uk) It feels so revolutionary. After just one night of use, you look at yourself the next morning and see a noticeable lift.
Powerful peptides, botanical blends and CoQ10 (an antioxidant used for growth, whose levels decrease with age) provide an immediate firming and tightening effect and defend against free radicals.
It’s not cheap, but it offers great profitability.
