7 Hair Color Ideas That Are Just So Good for a Bob Haircut (2025)

• Cassie Cohen is a professional colorist with Chris McMillan Salon in Los Angeles.
• Doug Theoharis is a professional colorist and the director of education for Danger Jones.

Jet Black

Jet black is pretty self-explanatory, and is among the most popular bob colors for good reason: The singular hue creates a striking look that's all too easy to fall in love with. "An all-over, jet black bob is a classic cut-color combo," says Theoharis. "Black enhances the sharp lines and amplifies the sleek shape of the bob." To keep the look striking, "Gloss toners always give me a smooth, shiny result, and the hair looks and feels healthier afterward," he says.

Auburn or Copper

Whether you already have auburn hair or are looking to make a major change, we think this is one hue that looks stunning with bobs. And while the color is by no means low-maintenance, we think the frequent trips to the salon are well worth the results. "Auburn and copper colors can be great to accentuate a bob's texture and dimension because of the warmth and light reflection they offer," says Theoharis. "'Cowgirl Copper' is still trendy thanks to Riley Keough, Tessa Thompson, and Megan Fox. Ask your colorist for something in the copper family."

Honey Blonde

"Honey blonde gives a bob a softer and more natural overall look," Cohen shares with Byrdie. "While bobs can tend to lose dimension with a heavy highlight, honey blonde naturally creates an interesting and multi-tonal feel. The deeper blonde also allows for more shine, which ashier and paler blondes can lack." When asking your stylist for this hue, Cohen says to lean into the descriptors "warm, honey, and deep butter."

Chestnut Brown

Another hair color we love to see on bobs is chestnut brown, thanks to the neutral hue it gives off. Cohen describes it as the "ultimate rich" brown hair color, and we couldn't agree more. "With a bob, this color... [has] a striking look and can emphasize the sharp lines," she adds. "This is the ultimate chic color and style combo." Ask your colorist for a neutral, dark shade of brown, and "avoid red and caramel tones," she says.

Platinum Blonde

Platinum blonde—you just had to know this was coming! A perennial favorite in the blonde community, this is a shade that will never go out of style. If you're going from dark to platinum, though, note that it will take some time. You'll want to consult with a colorist before beginning the process, Theoharis says. "You may need a double process to achieve it, and they can help you with realistic results on your goal," he explains. All that work is totally worth it, though: "A fresh, blunt bob haircut is the perfect finish to a platinum blonde color service," he says. "It makes the hair look healthy, strong, and full."

Deep Chocolate

This sultry shade is a great low-maintenance option. "Similar to jet black, chocolate brown shades enhance a bob's sleek silhouette, but they offer a softer overall look for the client," says Theoharis. This shade is especially bookmark-worthy if you've been considering getting bangs. "My best tip for brunette bobs is to add a fringe," he says. "[It's] a beautiful way to highlight your eye color next to the deep chocolate. Ask your colorist for a rich, warm, balanced brown shade."

"Lived-In" Brunette

Similar to ombré, "lived-in" brunette is perfect for those who can't (or don't want to) make it to the salon every six to eight weeks. "The lightness is focused on the ends of the hair, giving it a beachy feel," says Cohen. "The dimension is very tone on tone, so the lightness is not obvious. This gives the illusion that the bob is a little longer than [it is]." She suggests asking your stylist to keep the highlights toward the ends of the hair.