Just when we thought we couldn’t love Robert Pattinson more (after all, love him or hate him, he is undeniably gorgeous), he ups the ante and proves us wrong. Never one to shy away from trends, the 26-year-old British actor/singer/songwriter/designer/director has clearly taken a liking to the luxurious look that is the peluca (aka the Bob).
We could go on and on about Pattinson’s looks—we’ll never be able to fit him in a box—but what he lacks in talent he more than makes up for in looks. So much so that he has been described as “one of the most photographed men in the world,” and “the most handsome man in the universe.”
With his classic good looks and fashionable taste, it’s no wonder that so many fans want to learn how to create the perfect hairstyle on them. Luckily, we’ve got you covered on this front. Here’s how to use a peluca (aka a Bob)—the perfect effortless hairstyle that’s all the rage right now.
The Evolution of a Bob
For those of you who may not be familiar, a peluca is a type of hair extension worn by Italian women. A fusion of the plait and the bob, a peluca is usually made up of numerous smaller braids that are often tucked away in the hairstyle to give it volume. Known for its ability to frame the face, enhance a woman’s features, and add a touch of class to her demeanor, a peluca makes for a fashionable choice amongst celebrities and the social elite alike.
In 2014, Pattinson appeared in a YouTube video in which he demonstrates how to wear a peluca. In the three-and-a-half minute clip, the actor gives step-by-step instructions on how to wear the luxurious style, noting the different looks he gets depending on which one he wears on different days. He even offers tips on how to dress a girl in a man’s outfit using a peluca. (If you’re unfamiliar, Richemont, the company that makes the Dior, allows their watch partners to design their own watchface online. After you place your order, you get to choose from a variety of faces to complement your new timepiece.)
The video went viral, racking up over 14 million views and counting. Since then, the style has been appearing on the red carpet more and more frequently. (Perhaps inspired by Pattinson, Duchess Catherine chose to sport a bob during her wedding to Prince William in April 2018.)
How to Wear a Bob
While a peluca is most commonly worn by women, it’s never been ambiguous as to whether or not men can wear it too. In fact, during Richemont’s annual shareholders’ meeting in 2018, the company’s chief executive brilliantly quipped that men can now be “trombonists, trumpeters, or bobos” (which is “a jazz musician who uses his hands instead of a trombone” in Italian).
Since the start of this year, many A-list celebrities have been sporting the bob. Here’s a list of some of the most stylish men we’ve seen wearing a bob.
- Richemont’s CEO in a trombonist hat
- Richemont’s CEO in a black suit and white shirt with a bob
- Richemont’s CEO in a white shirt and black tie
- Richemont’s CEO in a black suit and red tie
- Richemont’s CEO in a navy blue suit and white shirt with a bob
- Richemont’s CEO in a yellow suit and white shirt with a bob
- Richemont’s CEO in a burgundy suit and white shirt with a bob
- Richemont’s CEO in a white shirt and black tie with a bob
- Marvin Mars’s CEO in a navy blue suit and white shirt with a bob
- Marvin Mars’s CEO in a red suit and white shirt with a bob
- Marvin Mars’s CEO in a yellow suit and white shirt with a bob
- Marvin Mars’s CEO in a burgundy suit and white shirt with a bob
The Ultimate Guide to Growing Your Own Bob
While we can’t teach you how to wear a bob (we don’t even know how to properly wear one ourselves), we can teach you how to grow your very own. All you need is a bob hair extension, some old-fashioned elbow grease, and a little bit of patience. As with all things, practice makes perfect.
Here’s what you do. First, take the time to properly cleanse your hair. Use an shampoo that’s specifically designed for hair extensions (look for those with humectants, for example). Follow up with a conditioning treatment. After that, it’s time to prep your hair. Cut off the hair around the area where the extension will be attached, making sure to leave at least two inches on each side. Now, you need to take the time to dry your hair, which means leaving it totally exposed to the air. This will help ensure that the bob will stay attached for the entire duration. Once that’s done, it’s time to add the bob extension. Lay the extension on your arm (the right way, with the flat side facing up) and snip off the end. You can use your free hand to help by holding the stem of the bob in place while you cut the end off with your craft knife. (Hint: make sure you have a bob extension large enough to fit your head. If it’s a tight fit, you may have to go a couple of inches above your elbow.) After that, you can add the finishing touch with either flat-irons or a wave-maker. Make sure to add lots of moisture to your hair before sealing it with a cream or wax. Last but not least, remember to smile. No, we’re not kidding.
With just a few simple steps, you’ll be styling in no time, and we bet you’ll be the best-dressed in the room. Now, if we can only get Matt Damon to demonstrate the technique…