For more than a decade, Ariana Grande’s sky-high ponytail has been as recognisable as her voice. Now it is, in the words of her hairstylist, “taking a hiatus”. On 22 October the 33-year-old singer and actor shared a set of Instagram selfies showing a brand-new bob, and fans quickly nicknamed the look “Bobiana”. Vanity Fair Italia describes it as a retro, Betty Boop-style cut, and it is easy to see why.
A jaw-grazing bob with a vintage flick
The cut and colour are the work of Brandon Pietsch, the Los Angeles hairstylist who has worked with Grande for years. The bob is cut to a single length that sits around the jaw, with a deep side parting, a glossy finish and ends flicked up and out. The colour is a rich chocolate brown, which Vanity Fair Italia notes is close to her natural shade. In her photos she wore it with a blush-pink ribbon tied at the neck, a white lace top, long lashes and a French manicure, a softly romantic mix that suits the vintage mood.
The Betty Boop comparison points to the cartoon flapper created in the early 1930s by animator Grim Natwick, whose short, curled-out hair became a symbol of playful Jazz Age glamour. The new look also marks a clear break with recent years: as USA Today points out, Grande wore her hair well past her waist when her Eternal Sunshine tour ended in September with a run of shows at London’s O2 Arena.
How to wear the flicked bob
Milan hairstylist Matteo Orlando told Vanity Fair Italia that the shape depends on a full perimeter, minimal layering and ends turned outwards, with the length adjusted to the face and hair texture. He suggests it flatters oval and longer faces in particular, because the volume at the sides balances the proportions. To recreate it at home, blow-dry with a round brush, use a flat iron to turn the ends out in a gentle curve, and always apply a heat protector first, finishing with a light shine spray rather than anything heavy.
Vogue notes that the flipped bob has become a celebrity favourite this season, and one bonus of a shorter cut is that it puts jewellery centre stage. With the neck and ears on show, statement earrings and a delicate pendant from our pendant necklaces collection come into their own, or try a matching piece from our jewellery sets for an easy, polished finish.
Sources: Vanity Fair Italia, “Ariana Grande taglia la coda di capelli, il nuovo caschetto rétro” (26 October 2026); Vogue, “Ariana Grande Is Now Bobiana Grande” (23 October 2026); InStyle; USA Today (22 October 2026); Us Weekly. Featured image: AI-generated illustration.
