On a brisk October evening in New York City, Ayo Edebiri stepped onto the set of "Late Night With Seth Meyers" sporting a hairstyle that seemed to capture the very essence of autumn’s evolving beauty trends. Her dark brown hair, cut neatly to chin length, was accented by micro bangs just skimming the tops of her eyebrows—a look both retro and refreshingly modern. According to WWD, this wasn’t Edebiri’s first foray into the bob; in fact, she’s become something of a poster child for the style, which is making a notable return to the red carpet and beyond.
Earlier that same day, Edebiri was spotted in Chelsea, her hair transformed into a cascade of curls, each ringlet meticulously defined by celebrity hair artist Lacy Redway. Redway, whose client roster boasts names like Chappell Roan and Michelle Williams, is well-known for her ability to craft hair that feels both editorial and approachable. Her work with Edebiri, as WWD points out, is just one example of how the actress seamlessly shifts between looks, embodying the versatility that’s now at the heart of contemporary hair fashion.
But Edebiri’s embrace of the bob isn’t just a personal style choice—it’s emblematic of a broader movement in hair. The micro bang, once the hallmark of ingenue Hollywood stars like Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and Natalie Wood, is enjoying a renaissance. The cut, first popularized in the 1920s by the likes of Louise Brooks, has been spotted on runways, in film, and across social media, signaling a return to the sharp, statement-making styles of old. As WWD notes, Edebiri’s appearance at the September 26 premiere of "After the Hunt" in New York featured yet another iteration of the bob, this time with her hair cropped well above her collarbone and her bangs brushed softly to the sides—a nod to classic glamour with a distinctly modern twist.
This cyclical nature of hair trends is nothing new, but it’s being shaped in real time by stylists and artists who see hair as a form of storytelling. Chris McMillan, whose career behind the chair spans four decades, recently launched a new haircare line on September 26, 2025, designed to help clients recreate salon looks at home. In an interview, McMillan reflected on the cultural impact of his work—most famously, "The Rachel," the iconic cut worn by Jennifer Aniston on Friends, and Leslie Bibb’s sharp bob in The White Lotus.
"‘The Rachel’ will always be one of those lightning-in-a-bottle moments. It was the right cut on the right person at the right time, and it just took off," McMillan told WWD. He credits his inspiration to Tom Ford’s Gucci campaigns and the effortless cool of Amber Valletta, adding, "I wanted to give Jennifer that cool girl, sexy hair to match her character." For McMillan, the sweet spot is when a haircut tells a story about who you are right now—a philosophy that resonates with Edebiri’s ever-shifting styles.
Of course, the bob isn’t the only trend making waves this fall. Jacob Rozenberg, Redken artistic ambassador and stylist to stars like Meghann Fahy and Rose Byrne, offered his predictions for the season. While micro bangs didn’t make his list, Rozenberg told WWD, "I have seen a big shift from more high-contrast colors to more tonal, warmer tones. I just feel like natural colors and keeping within a close range of your own natural color is just more what we’re going to see this fall." He specifically mentioned copper coloring as a major influence, suggesting that understated elegance is taking precedence over bolder, more dramatic looks.
It’s a sentiment echoed in the broader industry. The resurgence of micro bangs and the bob, while rooted in nostalgia, is less about strict adherence to the past and more about reinterpreting classic styles for a new generation. As Edebiri demonstrates, a single cut can be endlessly reinvented—straight and sleek one day, tumbling with curls the next, or styled with subtle, side-swept bangs for a red carpet event. This adaptability is part of what makes the bob so enduring, and why it continues to capture the imagination of stylists and clients alike.
For McMillan, the evolution of hair is deeply personal. "It’s wild to think about. I’ve always been passionate about hair, but I never set out to shape culture. I just wanted people to look and feel like the best version of themselves. If I’ve played even a small part in helping people feel confident or seen through their hair, that means everything to me," he reflected. His new product line is designed with this ethos in mind: professional-grade, but accessible enough for anyone to use at home, blurring the line between salon and self-care.
Men’s grooming, too, is undergoing a transformation. McMillan observed, "Guys are embracing haircare and skincare in a way that’s less about vanity and more about self-expression and feeling good. It’s not just about fades or buzzcuts anymore. It’s about texture, movement and individuality. Hair is hair. We all want to feel like ourselves, just a little better." This shift toward individuality and self-expression is apparent across the board, as more people—regardless of gender—experiment with styles that reflect their unique personalities.
The interplay between celebrity, stylist, and cultural zeitgeist is perhaps nowhere more evident than in the current wave of bob and micro bang enthusiasm. With stars like Edebiri at the forefront, and stylists like Redway and McMillan pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, the conversation around hair has never been more dynamic. It’s not just about what’s in vogue; it’s about how a cut or color can signal confidence, creativity, and a willingness to embrace change.
As autumn sets in, the streets and screens of New York—and far beyond—are alive with the spirit of reinvention. Whether it’s a sharp bob, a cascade of curls, or a subtle shift toward warmer, more natural hues, the message is clear: hair is more than just an accessory. It’s a canvas for self-expression, a marker of identity, and, for many, a source of empowerment. And as the likes of Edebiri, Redway, and McMillan continue to shape the conversation, one thing is certain—the bob, in all its forms, is here to stay. For those looking for a change this season, perhaps the answer lies just above the shoulders.
