Lovers of ’70s style, rejoice! The shag haircut is officially back. Best of all, the versatile cut suits a wide variety of hair types – from straight and fine to thick and curly – as well as in different lengths. If you’re tired of your standard blunt cut or simple soft layers, a shag is one of the easiest ways to transform your look, and its edgy attitude is practically guaranteed to get you noticed.
1. Short Shag Haircut
A shag haircut is a great way to add volume and texture to your short hair. The style is also known as a shaggy bob and has a timelessly chic vibe while still maintaining an edgy feel. A short shag haircut can be adapted to suit most face shapes, depending on the length of the bob, the placement of the layers, and whether you add a fringe.
2. Long Shag Haircut
While the classic shag haircut is usually seen on medium-length hair, long-haired ladies can also rock the layered look. The layers add movement and dimension while taking some of the weight out, making a long shag haircut ideal for those with thicker hair. At the same time, the front layers will frame your face beautifully, so it doesn’t get lost in the ‘mass’ of your hair.
3. Medium Shag Haircut
Medium-length hair is classically suited to the shag haircut as all the layers frame and flatter your face. Low-maintenance and effortlessly cool, a medium shag haircut suits almost every face shape. Plus, it’s a versatile choice as it works for different hair types. Straight, fine hair in particular benefits from the added texture, volume, and movement of a shag – add a spritz of sea salt spray to give it that chic ‘undone’ finish.
4. Modern Shag Haircut
The modern shag haircut is a little more wearable than the classic ’70s version. It incorporates the shag’s signature choppy layers and fullness at the crown but is often cut with a razor to achieve a softer, more feminine vibe. Your stylist will also shape the cut so that it frames your face and balances out your features. The result is a fresh, youthful, and effortlessly chic haircut that can take you from day to night without any styling required.
5. Curly Shag Haircut
The shag haircut is not just for straight-haired ladies – it also looks great on a full head of bouncy curls! If you’re a fan of the ‘70s look, a curly shag is an excellent option for you. While the layers are less visible than on straight or wavy hair, they will provide your curls with more movement and direction. At the same time, the shag haircut gives the hair more shape while taking out some of the ‘weight’ of the hair, so the curls don’t look like one ‘mass.’ Choose a hairdresser who specializes in cutting curly hair for the best results.
6. Wavy Shag Haircut
One of the coolest styles for women is the wavy shag haircut. If your style leans more toward the retro, rock’n’roll side, or you’re just looking for the perfect cut for summer, move the wavy shag haircut to the top of your list. It is ideal for those with naturally wavy hair who want a low-maintenance and laidback look that’s still stylish and sexy. Whether your hair is short, medium-length, or long, this layered cut will flatter you.
7. Straight Hair Shag
The original shag haircut was on straight hair, so the layers are the most visible on ladies with this hair type. While straight hair can sometimes look flat or lifeless, a shag cut adds fullness and direction, breaking up the surface of the hair to create a cool textured finish. For that reason, a shag haircut also looks great on fine hair. Pair your straight hair shag with wispy bags for extra cool points.
8. 70s Shag Haircut
Step back in time with a ’70s shag haircut! It has a slightly more masculine feel than the modern shag haircut, as well as having more volume at the crown and less in the ends. Ideal for ladies who love a cool, androgynous look, a ’70s shag has a relaxed vibe and a retro appeal. Plus, if you’re a fan of fashion inspired by this decade, you can complete your look with an era-appropriate hairstyle.
9. Shag Haircut with Bangs
Bangs are a great addition to many haircuts, including the shag. They help frame the face and make a hairstyle more flattering, balancing out different features, such as a pointed chin, or minimizing a broad forehead. Heart-shaped and square faces can benefit from curtain bangs and a shaggy lob or bob, while round faces can try a wispier, piece-y fringe with a medium-length or long shag.
10. Shag Haircut for Women over 50
Because of its added volume and texture, a shag haircut can be an excellent choice for women over 50. That is because hair often thins over time, losing some of its body and thickness. At the same time, layers can be cut to frame and flatter the face, shaped to bring out the cheekbones and cover fine lines. Plus, if you are over 50, a shag haircut could recapture your fun memories and refresh your style, as well as revive the cool spirit of the ’70s.
11. Blonde Hair Shag Haircut
When teamed with blonde hair, a shag haircut brings to mind iconic rock stars like Debbie Harry and Stevie Nicks. It has an undeniably edgy and rebellious feel – perfect for those with a wild sense of style and an independent spirit. Plus, if you’re looking to bleach your hair to a very light blonde, a shag haircut could be an excellent choice for disguising any damage such as split ends.
12. Brown Hair Shag Haircut
Brunettes looking for a new hairstyle that will change their look should consider a shag haircut. Because it has so much movement, direction, and texture, the cut pairs perfectly with brown hair with highlights. While its choppy layers will show off the dimension of your color – from chestnut to a deep coffee brown – it will also stop your hair from looking like one flat, solid mass, which can be an issue with darker colors.
13. Black Hair Shag Haircut
Black hair always makes a dramatic statement, just like a shag haircut. If your black hair doesn’t have highlights, the choppy layers will help give your mane movement and stop it from looking like a ‘hair helmet.’ If you decide to add highlights, the flowing, dynamic look of a shag haircut makes the lighter pieces pop. Ask your stylist to concentrate the highlights around your face and at the mid-lengths for a flattering finish.
14. Red Hair Shag Haircut
If you’re feeling adventurous, why not give yourself a hair transformation with a super fresh cut and color? From rose gold hair color to strawberry and wine, ginger, copper, and dark auburn, there is a gorgeous red shade out there for you. Red hair always attracts attention, so it’s perfect for those wanting to make a dramatic statement. When paired with a shag haircut, your new color is bound to turn heads for all the right reasons.
15. Pink Hair Shag Haircut
For those wanting to try the e-girl hair trend, a pink shag haircut is a gorgeous option. The edgy, choppy layers of the cut contrast beautifully with the soft and feminine color. From pastel rose to bold fuchsia, choose a hue of pink that flatters your skin tone and eye color. For extra e-girl points, have your stylist add a ‘money piece’ – that is, chunky blonde highlights that frame your face.
FAQs
What is a Shag Haircut?
The shag is one of the most iconic haircuts out there. Invented in the 1970s by barber Paul McGregor for Hollywood A-lister Jane Fonda, it has become synonymous with that rock'n'roll decade due to its edgy, artistic, and deliberately messy look. While there are many different variations on the shag, they all feature the same layered finish. Today's modern shag haircut is all about choppy texture and an effortless cool-girl vibe.
How to style a shag haircut?
If your hair is naturally curly or wavy, you can use a blow dryer with a diffuser attachment and either your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to dry the hair and keep your natural wave pattern in the finished style. For extra fullness, bend over at the waist and dry the hair from the underside. This will give you maximum lift and fullness in the natural wave pattern.
What is a modern shag haircut?
A modern shag haircut is a wearable update from the original ’70s version – think less glam rock, and more Paris chic. While it retains the classic cut's choppy layers and fullness at the crown, the overall effect is softer and more feminine, rather than edgy and androgynous. The layers are often cut with a razor and positioned to flatter your face's natural shape. While it keeps shag cut's iconic messy texture, it has a more put-together and sophisticated yet carefree feel.
How do you ask for a shag haircut?
When you visit a salon to get a shag haircut, ask your stylist for a heavily layered, choppy cut with plenty of movement. You should also request volume at the crown, sliced ends, and soft bangs, with a 'lived in' or textured finish. It's important to take into account the natural texture, curl pattern, and thickness of your hair, as well as your face shape, when trying a shag cut for the first time. Ask your stylist for their advice on where the layers should end, how thick your bangs should be, and where they should fall. And as always, if in doubt, bring a photo!
How do you style a short shag haircut?
Also known as a shaggy bob, a short shag haircut is on-trend right now – and luckily, it couldn't be easier to style. Ensure there is plenty of volume by applying a small amount of mousse to the crown of your head, focusing on the roots. Then, allow your hair to air dry or loosely blowdry it on a cool setting using a diffuser. The final result will be a messy, textured hairstyle that shows off your hair's natural movement.
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