One of the best compliments I\u2019ve ever received was being told that I looked \u201c\u201990s fine.\u201d My then-boyfriend said it as we were heading out for date night, and I knew exactly what he meant: that effortless, low-key sultry energy embodied by icons such as Halle Berry, Naomi Campbell, and Nia Long during that era. You might think the praise was referring to my outfit, but it had nothing to do with what I was wearing\u2014it was for my hair. I had a freshly pressed, softly curled, fluffy bob that moved like silk, and conveyed just the right amount of drama.<\/p>\n
\u201cBounce, volume, and playfulness are the hallmarks of the fluffy bob,\u201d says Brenton Diallo, a New York City-based hairstylist who\u2019s been working behind the chair since the early \u201990s. He recalls clients routinely bringing in photos of the great Whitney Houston and Tisha Campbell as reference points.<\/p>\n Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n \u201cSoft, strategic layers are what give this cut its movement and fullness while keeping it light and bouncy,\u201d says Alex Vann, a hairstylist and salon owner in Duluth, Georgia. \u201cWhat makes it special is the lift at the root and those soft bends throughout the hair. It\u2019s polished, touchable, and frames the face beautifully while still feeling effortless,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n Lead stylist at Twelve12 Salon, @hair.journies styling a fluffy bob.<\/p>\n <\/span>Instagram \/ @twelve12salon<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n According to Diallo, the look was partly shaped by the tools of the era; heat-styling technology wasn\u2019t as advanced at achieving pin-straight results on textured hair, so a silk press in the \u201990s often yielded airy volume and soft fullness rather than the glassy, ultra-sleek finish that\u2019s common today.<\/p>\n As trends tend to do, the fluffy bob has circled back around into the spotlight, though you could argue it never really left. Recently, Beyonc\u00e9 debuted a bouncy, jaw-skimming blonde bob that promptly sent the internet into a tizzy. And if history tells us anything, her co-sign alone is enough to propel a hairstyle straight into trend territory. Says Vann, \u201cThat\u2019s the energy we\u2019re channeling with today\u2019s fluffy bob, nostalgic but modernized.\u201d<\/p>\n Ahead, pro hairstylists share their techniques for achieving this timeless look, plus the best tips for making your fluffy bob last as long as possible.<\/p>\n \u201cThe cut itself is the foundation of the style,\u201d Vann says. \u201cTo achieve the fluffy bob properly, soft layers must be added to create body, volume, and natural movement.\u201d The stylist recommends booking an appointment for a layered bob haircut and bringing in reference images to communicate the exact look you want. After your cut (which usually happens after the hair has been washed and blown out), a classic silk press and pin-curl set (the large curls created with a barrel wand and held in place by clips) is the styling method that brings the fluffy bob to life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Halle](\"https:\/\/media.allure.com\/photos\/699f963ac4f27314682fc6d2\/master\/w_1600%2Cc_limit\/GettyImages-138481434.jpg\"\/)
<\/picture><\/span><\/div>\nHow to get a fluffy bob<\/h2>\n