Rounded Graduated Bob Cut Tutorial with a Razor and Scissors

by JATAI Academy, 02 Jan 2026

This is a cute, fun graduated bob cut that's modern with a lot of movement. It's one of those short bob hairstyles that fit a person who has a similar personality. This short hair look has layers, volume and graduation all in one.

With bangs that frame the face and a style that can be easily maintained, this graduated bob haircut is a good one to learn. Watch this short graduated bob cut tutorial and follow along with the transcript below.

Graduated Bob Cut Tutorial:

Welcome back to Jatai Academy. I'm Russell Mayes, Director of Content. Today we're going to be doing a takeoff on the classic round graduation. But we're going to mix it up a little bit.

We're going to be using a Feather Styling Razor. We're going to be using some Tokyo Thinning Scissors. We're even going to be doing some scissor over comb. So, I would call this more of a round-ish graduation. So, let's get started.

From the Sides to the Back

So, we're starting here on the side. We're going to take a horizontal parting right above the ear. And that's going to go across the back. And then we're going to take the parting on both sides. Pin the other hair up and out of the way. I'm going to use my Feather Styling Razor with the Standard Blade.

And this is how I'm going to start the cut. I'm going to start here on the sides so that I can determine the length of my one length over the ears.

I want to match both sides before I start my round graduation in the back. And I'm just taking a horizontal section and just cutting my line blunt. A little longer in the front, a little shorter in the back.

Now, we're going to take a vertical section angled back. And I'm going to use that length that I cut right above the ear as my guide. And I'm going to angle that down, cutting it shorter at the nape.

So, I'm actually graduating the shape, shorter at the nape, longer at the top of the ear. Now, I'm going to angle my parting. I'm going to pivot from where I started my parting and pivot that towards the center of the back.

Following my previously cut guide, I'm going to continue to taper that in closer at the nape, a little longer at the top of the section there. Working everything straight back into the middle at an angle. You can see my angle developing there.

Now, I'm going to pivot again. And with each pivot, that section gets more and more horizontal. So I start out with a very very vertical section and by the time I finish I'm going to go straight horizontal across the back.

And this is going to give me that kind of round beveled graduation where it's shorter at the hairline right behind the ears and at the nape and a little longer in the center back right at the occipital bone.

Now we're just going to pivot again. And each section gets a little bit more horizontal. And as I elevate, it's going to get a little bit higher.

So I'm going with a very, very low elevation right behind the ear. And then as I work towards the back and as my parting pivots, my elevation gets a little bit higher. So, there's a little bit of a feel that goes into this because I have to visualize in my mind what I want my graduation to be and then lay that in.

Now, if I'm using a scissor, it's easier to see the line develop than if I'm using a razor. But the advantage of the razor is it gives me a much softer line and it gives me more movement.

I don't have to be as precise with the length, but I do have to be more precise when I lay that initial cut into it because it's hard for me to go back and fine-tune it and clean it up where the scissor is a lot easier.

Building the Graduated Hair Bob Shape

Graduated Bob Cut - Building the Graduated Bob Shape

After I cut it on both sides and I get everything matching, now I'm going to go through and take a horizontal section parallel to the first sections that I took. Now, this is going to help me start building my stronger bob-ish shape

Because I'm using a razor, it's going to bevel it. It's not going to be a real hard edge bob, but I want it a little longer in the front and then just kind of even all the way around. Working from the ear all the way back into the center of the hair. Just using the underneath length as my guide as I'm working from the sides into the back.

Now I'll follow with a parallel section and do the exact same kind of motion and methodology that I was doing before. I have a little bit of elevation here. So I soften up that line.

A little longer in the front, a little shorter right at the ear. And then we're just going to go straight across the back and doing a horizontal cut so that I don't create any kind of pieciness or separation. I'm just creating softness in my cut line.

And I'm just going to follow this right on through and be patient as I work these small sections. If you work with too big of a section with the razor, you're going to end up dulling the blade pretty quick and your line's not going to be nearly as precise as it needs to be for this type of haircut.

Following with another horizontal section and following the previously cut guide. A little longer right at the front, a little shorter at the ear, and then work that all the way around.

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Now, I'm just going to continue following the same parting that I was doing at the initial section, my very first section. I'm just following that horizontally up until I start to run out of hair.

Anything that hangs over, I'm just going to cut off. Now, since I'm cutting this fairly blunt, I want the elevation to bevel the line, but the razoring is going to give me a nice solid line. You'll see I'll take a nice short kind of stroke right through there. I'm not really filleting this by taking a large stroke and making it softer.

The longer the stroke, the broader the stroke that you take, the softer that the line gets. Checking that out. And I think that that's looking pretty good. Now we got our last section on this side and I'm going to go through and do the exact same thing on the opposite side once I finish this right side.

Fine tuning there. I like that. And that's looking pretty good. Perfect. And I like that little bit longer in the front there as well. Now let's go through and cut a little bit of the bangs.

The Graduated Bob with Bangs

Now, she already had a little bit of bang cut. So, I'm just going to go through and clean that up. Make it a little shorter over the right eye and a little longer towards the left eye.

So, I'm just pulling everything right to that right eye. Taking my angle and then just cutting it short to long. Short at the eyeball, a little longer as it goes to the right. That's going to give me a little bit of movement. And if I need to soften this up later, I can certainly do that.

But this gives me a nice moving shape to where it doesn't hang completely in the eyes without some sort of movement going back and forth. And since I'm cutting it shorter over the right eye of my model, it will actually move to its longest piece. So wherever it's short is where it moves from. Wherever it's long is where it moves to. So shorter over the eye, a little longer towards each side.

Scissor Over Comb

Now I'm going to go through and use my Jatai Tokyo Scissor. This is the 6-inch scissor. And I like to do, I like to use this scissor for scissor over comb because it's a nice long skinny blade and its got a good point. So I'm going to go through right here in the nape right at both tendons and taper that line in a little bit shorter.

I want that to be very very clean right there at the corners and the tendons and a little longer towards the center. So, I'm just going to go through, take my time, scissor over comb, work that in. I'm not going to go through and recut everything underneath. I just want to cut right there at that hairline behind the ear and clean that line up so it's nice and strong and structured.

And it makes that really pop. It makes the shape really pop. When you have a soft shape sitting on top of a harder shape, it really supports it and gives it a little juxtaposition and a contrast in textures. There we go. That's looking pretty good.

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I'll just keep working this until I get it in tight like I want. Now, when I'm doing something very, very detailed like this, I want to take my time and be patient and really exert the amount of energy and effort that this little section here really requires because it is almost the main focal point of this entire haircut, is the structured nape that gives me that kind of round graduation. And when I make it really clean right behind the ear, that really makes everything pop. So, I want to take time and make sure everything fits in just properly.

Now, I'm just going to go through and just clean up a little bit right there in the middle. Anything that hangs over that's too long, I'm taking off. I'm not recutting the whole shape. I'm just taking any kind of long pieces that are softening that up and giving it a little bit more structure.

Now, let's go through and blow dry and just get everything dry so I can see how much weight that I have because wet hair hides how dense the hair is and it hides how much texture that I have. You can use your hands or a round brush to shape it with the blow dryer.

Fine-Tuning the Graduated Layered Bob

Graduated Bob Cut - Fine-Tuning with Thinning Scissors

Now, I'm going to go through and use my Jatai Tokyo Thinning Scissor. This to me is really the perfect thinning scissor. It removes the exact amount of weight that you need. I can go through and hit it several times and remove a lot of weight. I can go through and hit it once and remove a little weight. It's very very seamless. It doesn't give me like big chunky lines left over.

Even though I'm going in straight horizontal and thinning this out from roots to ends, well, from mid-shaft to ends, it doesn't leave me any kind of lines. So, by going through and cutting it horizontal like I am to the head, it doesn't introduce any sort of movement to it. It just evenly thins out the hair.

Now, I've been having some problems here holding the comb, so I like, oh, there we go again. I dropped it twice in the same haircut. There we go. And once I get everything fit in like I want and just pay attention to it and fine-tuning.

Fine-tuning to me is the last 20% that can really make or break a haircut. Getting the basic shape in is easy. It's the fine-tuning that makes it the work of a master.

Final Look of the Graduated Bob Cut with Fringe

Here is our end result. And I really like this shape. I think it is fun. It's cute. It's interesting. And for somebody with the right personality that demands something fun and inspiring and really kind of cute and kawaii ('cute' in Japanese).

I think that this really opens up a whole new world of possibilities by combining the Styling Razor to create texture with a classic type of shape where it's normally very, very solid. This opens up a lot of different variations. So, I really encourage you to incorporate this, not only the shape, but also the technique of applying it and getting that soft texture to it into your repertoire.

Please check out the Jatai Academy. There's all kinds of fantastic information on there that will make you a better hair stylist and barber. Let us know what you'd like to see in the future. Thank you so much for watching and we will see you next time.

A graduated bob can be done on straight, wavy or even curly hair. It can be done on thick hair. It can be made sleek or made voluminous. It can work with various face shapes such as square faces or round faces. Victoria Beckham made popular her bob looking haircut that's similar in style. Thanks for watching this short graduated haircut tutorial.

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14 Back to School Haircut Inspiration Ideas for Kids

by JATAI, 23 Aug 2023

When it comes to kid's hair, sometimes it's easy just to cut their hair at home if it's a simple trim. But sometimes having a professional do the work is necessary and maybe a fun splurge or even a back-to-school look. Without being over the top, here are some cute inspirational cuts for kids that set the tone for a fun, fresh look for the kiddos. Girls @halcyonsalonshelby What's more classic than some curls. This cutie looks ready for her first day back to school with her hair color and beautiful curls on point. It's not too short but not super long either. This is a great look for any little girl. @impactbeauty_byshay A simple bob is always in style. Sometimes a little girl just doesn't want to fuss with long hair. With a one length pretty bob that's curled at the end, this little girl is rockin' it. It's low maintenance, can be styled in various ways and shows off her youthful, feminine energy. @topnotchbeautycorner Adorable, trendy and cute. This little girl has got it going on in a stylish, fun way. The small details like the gold crown trinkets and gold coil around the braid make any little girl look and feel like a princess. @definitionssalonspa Say yes to the curtain bang. Simple curtain bangs that frame the face add some style and depth to long straight hair. Part the hair down the middle for curtain bangs or style them for a side swept bang with a side part to change it up. The curtain bang is versatile! @hairby_angelina_ine This little girl is beyond her years with this asymmetrical bob that is to die for. And with straight one length bangs, her look is sassy and fun. It's sure to catch a lot of adoring attention...from the parents. @balayagemary A heavy chunky bang is always super cute on little girls. They can somehow pull it off much better than adults. Why is that? Combine it with some waves and you've got a feminine, sweet look. It's easy to maintain and very versatile. @holykale.hair Is she growing up too fast? This little girl looks like she has an adult haircut. With a cute French bob, highlights and slight wave, she's letting everyone know she's the queen of trending hair. Maybe not easy to maintain, but it sure is cute! Boys @luiselbarber Doesn't he look sweet? This gentleman's...or should we say gentleboy's haircut is clean, classic and tidy. It's short on the sides with a little length on top and combed to the side. This little man is ready for school. @salonsuccess This little guy is just cool. While it's temporary, a little hair art shows off his creative side. This kid has great hair so having his hair very short on the sides but longer on top makes his look more edgy and stylish. It's a bit higher maintenance, but it's fun! @machitong Can we say mullet? It's not for every little boy, but they sure look cute with one, much cuter than adult males. This kind of cut looks best when the hair is naturally a bit textured. He's pulls it off well. @xv.josh How cute is this little boy? That smile is adorable and the precise and clean lines of his haircut are on point. The extra design at the top just set this hairstyle off. A bit high maintenance, but it's mainly just the outlining that needs regular attention. @hairbiz.withizz Scroll through all the images and you'll see this haircut is more than it seems. At first it looks like a pompadour, but when you look at the back, it's a whole other story. This look works well on a boy with a great head of hair. It's edgy, relatively easy to maintain and stylish. @a1errthing This little boy looks so happy and he should be! This haircut fits him perfectly. It's clean and stylish at the same time. He definitely looks school ready with his perfectly razored outlined hairline and simple hair design in the back. @hairbyscheila For a more tidy, classy look, try a side hard part. It's easy for any barber to create with a razor and it gives an extra pop to any boy's hairstyle. Comb the top of the hair to the opposite direction of the part and use a little product. He's ready to go!

The Evolution of Hairstyles Throughout the Decades

by JATAI, 16 Aug 2023

Hairstyles have always been a significant aspect of human culture, reflecting the trends, values, and social norms of different eras. Let's explore the history and evolution of hairstyles over the decades: 1920s The Roaring Twenties introduced a major shift in women's hairstyles. The iconic bob haircut became popular, characterized by short, straight hair that was often worn with a side parting. This style symbolized women's liberation and a break from traditional gender roles. 1930s The 1930s saw a transition from the boyish bob to more feminine and glamorous looks. Soft waves and curls were fashionable, and women often used hot rollers or pin curls to achieve the desired effect. The Hollywood influence played a significant role in popularizing these glamorous hairstyles. The most popular look was the Hollywood wave which has continued to be a popular look in the 2020s. 1940s The World War II era influenced hairstyles as practicality and functionality became essential. Victory rolls were popular among women, involving rolling and pinning sections of hair to create a prominent wave at the front. Shorter, cropped hairstyles were also prevalent due to the practicality of working women. The victory roll is a popular hairstyles for pinup girls of today. 1950s The 1950s embraced femininity and elegance. Women's hairstyles often featured voluminous curls, poodle cuts, and the iconic bouffant. The advent of hair spray helped maintain these elaborate styles. Men's hair was often slicked back or styled into a pompadour. 1960s The 1960s brought about a revolution in hairstyles, influenced by the counterculture movements and the rise of British pop culture. Women started to experiment with shorter haircuts like the pixie cut and the mod bob. The beehive hairstyle, popularized by icons like Audrey Hepburn, was also a notable trend. 1970s The 1970s showcased diverse hairstyles influenced by the hippie movement and disco culture. Women embraced long, flowing hair, often with center parts. The Afro hairstyle gained popularity among African-Americans as a symbol of pride and identity. Men's hairstyles became more relaxed, with longer hair, shaggy cuts and facial hair. 1980s The 1980s were characterized by bold and dramatic hairstyles. Big hair was in, with women teasing their hair to achieve volume and using copious amounts of hairspray. Perms, mullets, and feathered hairstyles were all the rage. Men also sported voluminous hairstyles, including the famous "mullet" style. 1990s The 1990s witnessed a more casual and grunge-inspired approach to hairstyles. The "Rachel" haircut, popularized by Jennifer Aniston's character on the TV show "Friends," became incredibly trendy. Short, pixie cuts also gained popularity among women. Men's hairstyles ranged from long, unkempt looks to shorter, textured styles. 2000s The turn of the millennium brought a mix of hairstyles. Straight, sleek hair became fashionable, often achieved through the use of straightening irons. Emo and scene subcultures popularized asymmetrical cuts, choppy layers, and bold colors. Men's hairstyles varied from buzz cuts to spiky hair. 2010s The 2010s embraced a diverse range of hairstyles. The ombre trend gained popularity, with hair transitioning from dark to light colors. Buns, braids, and top knots became go-to styles for women. Men's hairstyles incorporated undercuts, fades, and more intricate beard grooming. 2020s And finally, we reach the modern day hairstyles. The 2020s have seen a diverse range of popular hair trends. These trends reflect a blend of past styles with contemporary influences and individual expression. These types of cuts and looks have all been popularized so far. Natural Textures There has been a growing emphasis on embracing natural hair textures and celebrating diversity. People with curly and wavy hair have been encouraged to let their natural textures shine, leading to the popularity of hairstyles like the curly afro, twist-outs, and braid-outs. Bob and Lob Haircuts The bob and lob (long bob) haircuts have remained popular in the 2020s. These versatile styles can be customized to suit different face shapes and hair textures. The blunt bob, textured bob, and asymmetrical lob have been particularly trendy. Pixie Cuts Short pixie cuts have made a comeback in the 2020s, offering a bold and chic look. This style allows for low-maintenance haircare routines and can be customized with different textures and lengths to suit individual preferences. Curtain Bangs Curtain bangs, also known as Bardot bangs or '70s bangs, have gained popularity. This style features long, face-framing bangs that are parted in the middle, creating a soft and romantic look. Curtain bangs can be paired with various hairstyles, from long waves to updos. Shag Haircuts The shag haircut, inspired by the '70s, has been a popular choice in the 2020s. This layered cut adds texture and movement to the hair, often with feathered or choppy ends and best achieved with a razor. The modern shag offers a versatile and effortlessly cool aesthetic. Balayage and Face-Framing Highlights Balayage, a technique that creates soft, natural-looking highlights, has continued to be a sought-after trend in the 2020s. Face-framing highlights, where lighter tones are strategically placed around the face, have also gained popularity as they can brighten and accentuate facial features. Sustainable and Low-Maintenance Styles With increasing environmental awareness and thanks to the pandemic, sustainable and low-maintenance hairstyles have become popular. Effortless, air-dried looks, minimalist haircuts, and styles that require minimal product usage have gained traction. This trend aligns with the desire for a more eco-friendly and time-efficient approach to haircare. Throughout the generations, hairstyles have changed dramatically. Every generation has been characterized by different looks and styles. As people continue to express their creativity with their hair, as new products are developed and as social and political climates change, these all influence how we decide to express ourselves through our personal styles. While some trends have lasted for decades, others have come and gone. Who knows what the rest of the 2020s or 2030s will bring. Whatever it is, we're sure it's going to be memorable.

Bobs, Bobs and More Bobs: The Trend of 2023

by JATAI, 24 May 2023

It seems 2023 is starting off with some fun looks. After a couple years of shagadelic haircuts and mullety styles, the trending looks are taking a more classic approach these days. While shags and mullets may have had their run, the bob is turning out to take centerfold. The great thing about a bob is that it's so versatile. There are many ways to cut and style a bob to match a personality or persona. Bobs can be long or short, blunt or textured, curled or straight with or without bangs. The creative possibilities are endless! Let's look at 10 popular bob styles that get the most love. The Graduated Bob The graduated bob is a type of bob with stacked layers in the back with longer strands in the front. The back of the hair tends to be more curved instead of a hard angle. It is it a difficult haircut to achieve but it looks great when done right. It's a very common and popular short haircut. It can be achieved by using scissors or a razor. A-Line Bob Alternatively, the A-Line haircut refers to the perimeter of the haircut. It is the same as a graduated bob in that the hair is shorter in the back and longer in the front. However, it does not have the stacking of layers in the back. And the front is usually more pointed than a graduated bob. Asymmetrical Bob This type of bob's distinct characteristic is that one side in front is longer than the other. It can have layers or no layers and it can be stacked or not stacked in the back. There are different renditions of an asymmetrical bob, but it's usually a style for someone who wants a little edge to their bob style. French Bob The French bob is a classic bob hairstyle characterized by very short hair, either at the chin line or above. Sometimes it's paired with short bangs too. Think of the movie Amelie and you'll know what this looks like. It usually has lots of layers and texture for a choppy look. For the extra texture, a razor works well. Italian Bob Similar to a French Bob, the Italian bob is slightly longer, usually grazing the chin or below but above the shoulders. It's sophisticated and elegant and has a blunt straight edge. The Italian bob carries weight at the bottom with a lot of volume. It can be achieved by using scissors or a razor...or both at the same time. Lob Lob stands for 'long bob' so the hair generally skims the shoulders or goes slightly past it. This is a popular look in modern times as it gives a happy medium between having short and long hair. When curled it can look shorter and resemble a traditional bob, but when straightened it can look more like medium length hair. Straight Bob A classic, simple no frills bob is the straight bob. With no layers, no texture, no curls or stacking, this look is very basic. It can be cut with bangs if desired, but the general look is one of sleek sophistication. The look is completely symmetrical and lays flat against the head. It can look quite sultry and sexy if done right. Layered Bob This style is also known as a textured bob. Simply stated, this type of bob has more body and movement to give volume. While the straight bob has no layers or volume, the layered bob is all about the extra lift. The extra texture is often achieved by using a razor. Curly Bob With even more texture is the curly bob. The curly bob is full of bounce and volume. It could be layered but it doesn't have to be. This bob is fun and full of life and energy. The curls could be natural or intentionally made with a curling iron or curling tool. The curls can be tight and small or big and loose. There are so many ways a curly bob can look! Modern Bob The modern bob is so 2023. It's what has been trending for bobs in the last few years. And it's THIS bob. While it won't last forever, it is the 'it' style as of late. The modern bob is characterized as casual, cool, soft and feminine. It usually has a slight curl in there and a little volume. It's a simple yet stylish bob that's attractive and eye catching. It's no wonder the modern bob has become so popular. So that's it! 10 bob hairstyles for 2023. Although most of these bobs have been around for many many years, it just goes to show how classic the bob really is. It will never go out of style and there will always be new innovative ways to cut and style a bob. Here's to short hair in 2023. Hair Trends, Women

Women

Rounded Graduated Bob Cut Tutorial with a Razor and Scissors