The lob: How to pull off the year's most stylish hairstyle

And the most coveted haircut of the year award goes to… the lob!

As 2014 progressed, we saw more and more celebrities ditching their signature long lock in favour of the newer, cooler variation on the traditional bob.

But make no mistake, the lob is no ordinary bob, says Lora Sousa, owner of Toronto-based Fringe Hair Salon.

“The lob is a longer more textured bob,” she says. ” It tends to be below the shoulder and one length, but not blunt.”

It’s easily one of the most desired haircuts of 2014.

“People are gravitating towards the lob because it’s a haircut that’s stylish, low maintenance and tends to work on all face shapes,” she says.

If you’re searching for an example of celebs who rock the chic ‘do, look no further than celebrities like Alexa Chung, Halle Berry and Lauren Conrad, who Sousa names as her favourite lob-wearers of the year.

So what’s a girl to do if she’s contemplating transforming her locks into a lob?

As Sousa mentioned, the lob is one of those great haircuts suitable for a variety of face shapes — but there are still a few things to think about before getting the snip.

“It’s important to consider how curly or straight your hair is, and to be realistic about how much styling you’re willing to put into it,” she explains. “Really consult with your stylist about what it takes to maintain it, or if it should be enhanced with colour.”

Your hair stylist can also help you curate the perfect lob based on your face shape.

“A women can adjust the lob to suit them more by adjusting the length,” Sousa says.

“For instance, if you have a heart-shaped face, I would do a longer lob with less layers then I would a round face, which I would do shorter with no layers, whereas an oval face I would layer,” she says. “Also, adjusting the tones in the hair will soften the lob for someone with stronger features. But keep in mind, the less layered, the more modern the lob is.”

Beyond that, the lob seems to be a safer bet than its popular short hair counterpart: the pixie cut.

And besides, says Sousa, it’s just hair.

"If you want to try something new, the chances of the lob suiting your face is high, so try it!" she says. "It will grow back.”

Will you be making a major hair change in 2015?