Shag haircuts have reemerged as a top trend in hairstyling, offering a versatile and edgy look that suits a wide range of hair types and face shapes.
According to celebrated U.S.-based hairstylist Sally Hershberger, known for her innovative cutting techniques, the key to a perfect shag lies in its layered texture which adds volume and movement.
Hershberger advises that the shag should be tailored to individual hair texture and lifestyle, ensuring that it not only looks effortlessly chic but is also easy to maintain.
This style, characterized by its cascading layers and often incorporating bangs, provides a modern, rock-inspired edge that can be adapted to both casual and sophisticated looks.
#1: Textured Blonde Shag with Curtain Fringe
Embrace the trend with a choppy blonde shag, complete with curtain bangs.
This style features shorter layers around the crown to boost volume and a soft, textured curtain fringe that enhances fullness.
To achieve the desired look, style your hair with a ¼” barrel curling iron and finish with a spritz of Evo’s She-Bang-A-Bang for added texture and hold.
#2: Layered Shag with Bottleneck Bangs
Enhance your layered haircut, often referred to as a shaggy cut, with the addition of bottleneck bangs.
These bangs, which taper down at the sides, blend seamlessly into medium to long-length haircuts.
Incorporating multiple layers along with bottleneck bangs not only adds volume but also creates the illusion of longer, more dynamic hair.
This style offers a modern twist on the classic shag, making it a perfect choice for those seeking to refresh their look.
#3: Modern Mid-Length Shag
Embrace a contemporary and youthful look with a mid-length shag.
This hairstyle stands out with its choppy layers and deliberate unevenness.
It’s particularly well-suited for those with straight hair, as the layers and texture enhance the hair’s natural sleekness and hold.
By reducing hair weight on the sides, the cut avoids appearing too harsh, while maintaining sufficient length ensures that the hair retains an impression of length and fullness.
#4: Textured Short Shag for Fine Hair
Opt for a short shag haircut to add texture and edge, especially suitable for fine hair.
This style works well with low-density hair, creating a weightless and airy silhouette.
For styling flexibility, you can choose to either air-dry or blow-dry your hair, depending on the desired finish and texture.
This haircut is ideal for those seeking a manageable yet stylish look for their fine hair.
#5: Voluminous Shag for Full-Bodied Hair
Transform your full-bodied hair with a shag cut that maintains length while reducing bulk.
This style focuses on removing excess weight to enhance movement, particularly around the crown, and creates a lighter, wispier edge.
If you’re looking to refine your voluminous hair with this textured cut, it’s advisable to discuss with your stylist the most effective styling routine and products that cater to your specific hair type.
This approach ensures your shag cut is not only stylish but also perfectly tailored to your hair’s natural characteristics.
#6: Retro-Inspired Jaw-Length Shag
Redefine classic style with a jaw-length shag, offering a retro twist that rivals the French bob.
This cut is particularly flattering for petite frames and suits hair densities from fine to medium.
Personalize it with variations in fringe, side parts, or face-framing layers to keep your look fresh and adaptable through different seasons.
This haircut merges vintage charm with contemporary styling, making it a versatile choice for various occasions.
#7: Edgy Rounded Shaggy Bangs
Embrace a unique and edgy look with rounded shaggy bangs.
This style stands out for its distinctive appearance, adding a bold touch to your overall look.
Particularly well-suited for long or oval-shaped faces, these bangs offer a striking yet harmonious complement to your facial features, making a bold fashion statement that’s hard to replicate.
#8: Feminine Chin-Length Shaggy French Bob
Experience the epitome of style with a chin-length shaggy French bob.
This haircut exudes femininity and elegance, offering a delicate and graceful look.
It’s an especially flattering choice for those with round or fuller faces, although considering a slightly longer length than shown in typical styles can enhance its appeal, ensuring the cut complements your facial shape beautifully.
#9: Vibrant Mid-Length Shag for Women Over 60
For women over 60, a mid-length shag haircut radiates youthfulness and vitality.
Featuring wispy bangs, long layers, and voluminous waves, this choppy and playful style is easy to maintain.
It perfectly balances a youthful spirit with elegance, making it a fantastic choice for those seeking a fresh and lively look.
#10: Textured Angled Bob for Thick Brunette Hair
For those with thick brunette hair, a modern shaggy angled bob is an excellent choice.
Request heavy layering to reduce weight and enhance texture.
To achieve a softer, more feathered look, opt for razor cutting instead of traditional scissor cutting.
The IGK product line is ideal for maintaining this style.
Start with Call Time as a primer to prepare and nourish your hair, ensuring a smooth and stylish finish.
#11: Chic Short Shaggy Bob for the Contemporary Woman
Revitalize your look with a stunning short shaggy bob, tailored for the modern woman.
By texturizing the ends, this haircut exudes a stylish and chic aura.
For an added boost of volume, try parting your hair in the opposite direction to your usual style.
Enhance the look with some barrel waves and a spritz of hairspray to showcase the haircut’s rich texture and dynamic finish.
#12: Shoulder-Length Modern Shag with Side-Swept Bangs
Opt for a contemporary twist with the modern shag haircut, featuring elegant side-swept bangs.
This style, particularly when cut at shoulder length, gracefully adds width to the sides of the face, accentuating the cheekbones with its stunning effect.
The seamless blending of the side fringe with the rest of the hair enhances the face’s natural contours, making it a sophisticated choice for adding dimension and shape to your look.
#13: Subtle Sombre Soft Shag
Consider a hairstyle that blends soft layers with a subtle sombre color, especially suitable for natural hair levels 5 and below.
This approach creates a soft brunette look that complements the skin tone without excessively lightening the hair.
The mid-length, textured choppy layers form a delicate shag complete with bangs, which also serves to elongate round face shapes, offering a balanced and flattering appearance.
#14: Voluminous Short Blonde Shag for Women Over 50
For women over 50, a short blonde shag can be a game-changer, particularly for fine hair.
The addition of side-swept bangs and layered cuts, styled into elegant waves, adds the desired volume and fullness.
This hairstyle is not just about adding body; it also offers a fresh, rejuvenating look, perfect for those seeking a layered haircut that combines style with practicality.
#15: Elegant Shag for Women Over 40
For women over 40, an attractive shag haircut features face-framing layers seamlessly transitioning into long, flowing waves.
This style strikes the ideal balance between simplicity and elegance, easy to maintain yet rich in texture.
It offers the perfect combination of volume and length, making it an ideal choice for women seeking a haircut that is both practical and stylish.
#16: Chic Long Layered Shag for Thick Hair
For those with thick hair, a long layered shag with choppy layers throughout is an excellent choice.
Style this cut with rich curls and side-swept bangs to elegantly elongate the face and neck.
This approach not only showcases the fullness of thick hair but also adds a sophisticated dimension to the overall look.
#17: Dynamic Curly Shag Bob
The curly shag bob is a versatile style that suits both fine and thick hair textures.
Defined by its curls, this shaggy hairstyle features abundant crown layers, enhancing its dynamic appearance.
For styling, apply mousse and then gel to the mid-lengths and ends, working in sections.
Diffuse until dry, and then gently apply a small amount of oil, warmed in your hands, to soften the curls and reduce any crunchiness.
This method ensures the curls are both defined and beautifully soft.
#18: Effortless Dark Brown Shag with Thick Bangs
Achieve a lived-in, effortless look with a shag hairstyle featuring dark brown layers and thick bangs.
This style is ideal for medium-density hair, offering the flexibility to wear it naturally wavy or to enhance the waves with a soft texture spray.
For fuller bangs, introduce texture and layers, and apply a root lift powder after drying.
This combination not only adds volume but also creates a relaxed yet stylish appearance.
#19: Chic Layered Shag with Feathered Ends for Thick Hair
For women with thick hair, a trendy layered shag haircut with feathered ends is an excellent choice.
This style lightens the hair, allowing the ends to flick out gracefully, resembling delicate feathers.
If you’re a working professional and considering this haircut, opt for long, rounded layers around the face, styled to curl back.
This approach combines professional elegance with a touch of playful flair, making it a perfect balance for the workplace.
#20: Sun-Kissed Honey Blonde Shag with Long Bangs
Embrace a summery, beach-inspired look with a honey blonde textured shag featuring long bangs.
This hairstyle is perfect for capturing the essence of sunny days and laid-back vibes.
Adding tousled waves further accentuates the long-length cut, enhancing its breezy and carefree appeal.
This style is ideal for those seeking a relaxed yet stylish look that mirrors the spirit of summer.
#21: Effortless Medium Shag in Light Brown with Bangs
For a refreshing and stylish look, consider a medium shag haircut in light brown, accented with bangs.
Request feathered and textured layers to add depth and movement to the hair.
When styling, use a 1 ½ inch barrel curling iron to wrap sections of your hair, intentionally leaving the ends uncurled for a more natural and effortless finish.
This approach creates a balanced, modern look that’s both easy to maintain and chic.
#22: Playful Dark Brown Short Shag with Bangs
Opt for a low-maintenance yet versatile look with a dark brown short shag haircut featuring bangs.
This style offers endless adaptability, with bangs that can be styled to sweep across the eyebrows, highlighting your eyes beautifully.
The playful, messy layers add lift and a sense of fun to the hair.
This short cut is an excellent choice for women with fine, medium, or thick hair, providing a stylish yet easy-to-manage option for a variety of hair types.
#23: Edgy Disheveled Purple Shag
Embrace the bold and carefree vibe with a disheveled short purple shag.
This textured haircut is deliberately choppy and messy, embodying an undone, just-rolled-out-of-bed aesthetic.
Ideal for those who prefer a rebellious and effortless look, the key to mastering this style lies in its styling, which emphasizes its edgy and unconventional appeal.
#24: Versatile Soft Pixie Bob Shag
Discover the perfect blend of styles with the soft pixie bob shag, a harmonious mix between a bob and a pixie cut.
Thanks to its abundant layers, this haircut offers incredible versatility.
Style it with a messy, textured look for a bold statement, or opt for a more conservative appearance when the occasion calls for it.
This haircut adapts effortlessly to your styling preferences, making it a fantastic choice for various looks and lifestyles.
#25: Effortless Long Shag with Dark Roots
Embrace a carefree and playful look with a long shag haircut featuring dark roots.
This style is the epitome of low-maintenance, requiring only a trim every six months to keep it in perfect shape.
Textured long layers add depth and movement to long hair, creating an effortlessly beautiful style.
The versatility of shag haircuts makes them suitable for all hair lengths and a variety of textures, ensuring that anyone can find a shag style that looks great and is easy to manage.
#26: Casual Long Shag with Bangs
Opt for a lovely and relaxed style with a long shag haircut accompanied by bangs.
This hairstyle features choppy layers beginning at the cheekbones, which not only serve as an additional focal point but also promote added texture throughout your hair.
This approach enhances the overall look, creating a harmonious blend of style and effortless charm.
#27: Relaxed Dark Auburn Mid-Length Shag
For those who adore the allure of undone hairstyles, the dark auburn mid-length messy shag offers a perfect solution.
This style exudes a loose, textured vibe, ideal for capturing a laid-back yet stylish look.
With straight shag haircuts, abundant layering is key, as it contributes to the fullness and vitality of your hair, enhancing both its appearance and feel.
#28: Retro-Inspired Mid-Length 70s Shag
Embrace the classic charm of the 70s with a mid-length shag haircut characterized by even and choppy layers.
This retro-inspired style is particularly suited for thicker hair, enhanced with abundant texture.
Style it with flowing waves to achieve even volume and a seamless blend of layers, capturing the essence of the 70s while showcasing the hair’s natural beauty and movement.
#29: Modern Brunette Shag with Bangs for Thin Hair
Drawing inspiration from the iconic 1970s shag haircut, this modern brunette variation with bangs has maintained its relevance through continual reinvention.
Tailored for thin hair, this cut emphasizes the hair’s natural texture, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a low-maintenance yet stylish look.
The beauty of this haircut lies in its simplicity – the less styling, the more its natural charm shines through.
#30: Modern Light Brown Shag with Face-Framing Layers
For those with long hair, introducing layers can transform your style into a modern shag haircut.
This cut, especially when paired with beach waves, excels in accentuating both volume and texture.
Incorporating face-framing pieces further enhances this style, creating a free-flowing, feathery appearance that perfectly complements your light brown hair, adding both depth and movement to the overall look.
#31: Layered Mid-Length Shag for Mature Women with Dark Hair
For older women with dark hair, a medium-length shag cut offers a sophisticated and contemporary look.
This style features abundant layers and a subtle asymmetrical touch, ideal for adding volume and softening facial features.
The layered approach brings a dynamic and youthful edge to the haircut, making it a stylish and flattering choice for mature women.
#32: Natural Wave-Enhancing Long 70s Shag
Embrace the vintage allure of the 70s with a longer shaggy hairstyle, designed to naturally enhance the waves in your hair.
This style captures the essence of the era while showcasing the beauty of your hair’s inherent texture.
#33: Edgy Shaggy Lob for Mature Women with Glasses
For the adventurous, risk-taking older woman, a messy shaggy lob offers a bold and edgy statement.
This style is perfect for those who wish to add a touch of wildness to their look.
When it comes to styling, Hairstory’s hair balm is an excellent choice for enhancing the haircut’s waves, adding both body and texture.
This hairstyle proves that age is just a number when it comes to embracing daring and stylish looks.
#34: Textured Layered Bob for Fine Hair
Opt for a layered bob to bring a textured and lively vibe to fine hair.
The shag cut, with its strategic layering, is ideal for adding width and enhancing the overall shape of your hair, making it a perfect choice for those with finer hair textures seeking to add volume and dimension to their look.
#35: Contemporary Short Curly Shag with Layers
Embrace a modern and stylish look with a short curly shag haircut featuring layers.
This hairstyle is particularly suited for those with curly or wavy hair, providing the much-desired volume and dynamism.
The combination of super short layers on top and cute textured bangs allows for a range of versatile styling options, making it a chic and adaptable choice for various occasions and preferences.
#36: Rock’n’Roll Long Shag for Curly Hair
Opt for a long shag haircut to enhance the natural waves in curly hair.
This style exudes a rock’n’roll vibe, perfect for weekend adventures, especially when styled with a root lift product for added body.
During the workweek, it can be transformed into a professional look with the use of a simple styling balm to accentuate the waves.
This versatile hairstyle adapts to your lifestyle, offering both casual flair and polished elegance.
#37: Platinum Retro Shag with Choppy Bangs
Experiment with a playful and fun look through a white blonde wispy shag haircut featuring choppy bangs.
This platinum retro cut suits every hair thickness and length, offering a modern twist on a classic style.
The shag cut adds texture and a unique, retro vibe to your hair, making it an excellent choice for those looking to combine contemporary flair with a nod to vintage fashion.
#38: Chic Long Wavy Shag with Texture for Thick Hair
For a modern and stylish update, consider a long shag haircut for thick hair, emphasizing added texture.
This approach creates an incredibly fashionable look, and when combined with choppy bangs, it results in a trendy and captivating style.
This haircut is perfect for showcasing the natural volume of thick hair while introducing a fresh, contemporary edge.
#39: Bouncy Medium-Length Curly Shag
For those seeking to rejuvenate their curls without sacrificing length, a medium-length curly shag hairstyle is an ideal choice.
This cut features shorter layers throughout, effectively removing excess weight and revitalizing your curls, making them tighter and more bouncy.
#40: Youthful Shag for Women Over 70
For women over 70 looking to add a youthful and gentle touch to their appearance, a dimensional shag hairstyle is a fantastic option.
This style is particularly suited for those who typically prefer short hair but are interested in experimenting with a bit more length for a fresh look.
It’s a perfect blend of sophistication and a subtle, rejuvenating twist.
This approach not only enhances the natural beauty of your curls but also adds a fresh, lively dimension to your overall look.
