If you didn't know any better, you may be under the impression that all bob haircuts [1] are the same. In reality, there are countless variations of the cut, and they're all decidedly different in their own special way. Some names are obvious — a "lob" [2] is a long bob, a "choppy" bob is, well, really textured, and a blunt bob [3] has sharply-cut ends — but other names are a bit harder to decipher, like the "stacked-bob" haircut.
When considering what popular haircut [4] to try next, it's always a good idea to do your research. With the stacked bob, you should know what hair types [5] and textures it looks best on, plus how to style it after you leave the salon. Luckily, celebrity hairstylist Michelle Cleveland [6] is breaking it all down for you, below.
What Is a Stacked-Bob Haircut?
"A stacked bob, also known as a "graduated bob," [7] is a bob haircut that has been cut in the back with a graduated elevation, which creates volume in that area," Cleveland tells POPSUGAR. At the back of the head, the hair is cut into layers [8] of varying lengths to add volume and fullness. Cleveland says some "refer to this cut as the 'posh spice' haircut, as she made it popular when she famously cut her hair in 2006."
In some cases, the stacked layers are combined with an A-line cut in the front where the hair is longer to frame the face, but that's not always the case. You can have a stacked bob where the overall length looks equal from front to back or add more layers throughout the head to give the style a softer feel.
"This haircut works especially well with fine hair," says Cleveland. As mentioned above, how hair is cut with a stacked bob adds volume, faking the look of fuller, thicker hair.
How to Style a Stacked Bob
Because a stacked-bob haircut is all about increasing volume, texturizing products will be your best friend. "This cut works best when you use a volumizing product and a round barrel brush to blow dry," says Cleveland.
Learning how to give yourself a blowout with a blowdryer in one hand and a round brush in the other is hard, so we recommend investing in the T3 AireBrush Duo Blow Dry Brush [9] ($190) or the Revlon Salon One-Step Hair Dryer and Volumizer Hot Air Brush [10] ($40).