Before Instagram and Pinterest, you might have looked to Hollywood for inspiration on how to style your wavy or curly bob haircut. Over the years, countless stars have been photographed with eye-catching versions of the textured hairstyle, whether they were natural, heat-styled, or both. While the days of saving and printing those photos out for your hairdresser to understand the look you want may be over — replaced by people pulling it up on their iPhones — the celebrity bob inspiration lives on (as it should).
We've done the work for you by rounding up the most memorable wavy and curly bobs to ever grace a red carpet. Prepare to be inspired by Chrissy Teigen's lived-in waves, Rihanna's "wet" take on the style, Jennifer Lopez's glamorous curls, and more. Whether you are looking for a big change or a new way to style yours, check out the iconic looks ahead.
— Additional reporting by Allison Ingrum
Sarah Jessica Parker was photographed on the set of Sex and the City with her bob in tight curls in 2002.
Jessica Alba styled her golden bob with curls during the Cannes Film Festival in 2005.
Jennifer Lopez walked the 79th annual Academy Awards carpet with glamorous curls.
One of the most glamorous bobs we've seen, Maria Menounos made waves at the Los Angeles Premiere of Tropic Thunder.
Viola Davis arrived at the 2009 Academy Awards nominee luncheon with the perfect bob and flipped-up ends.
Christina Hendricks styled her curly bob in an old-Hollywood style for Women in Film's 2009 Crystal + Lucy Awards.
Salma Hayek's curly bob looked undone in all the right ways at the 18th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar party.
Rita Ora's vibrant blond bob looked curly and cute for a New York City celebration in 2013.
Beyoncé had a balayage wavy bob during the 56th annual Grammy Awards.
Anne Hathaway's bob had loose waves for a Good Morning America segment in 2015.
Ashleigh Murray's curly bob looked stunning during a CW Network event in 2016.
We can't stop staring at Janelle Monáe's pinned-back, curly bob.
Rihanna styled her curly bob to give it the wet look for a New York benefit in 2017.
Chrissy Teigen's bob haircut made waves when she attended a New York City event in 2017.
Singer Jhené Aiko performed a concert with her wavy bob in 2018.
We are still not over Zendaya's futuristic bob at the 2018 Met Gala — everything from the blunt ends to the subtle waves to the straight-across bangs were perfect.
Yara Shahidi had a bluntly chopped bob haircut at the 2018 MTV Movie & TV Awards that she paired with a deep side part (and nailed it, obviously).
The only thing better than Adina Porter's statement suit at Television Academy's 2018 Performers Peer Group Celebration was her statement curly bob.
Kerry Washington styled waves into her bob for an appearance at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival.
Kristen Bell has had the bob haircut for years, but we especially loved this sleeker look that she brought to the 2020 Build Series.