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 haircut is one of the easiest ways to transform your look, and its edgy attitude is practically guaranteed to get you noticed.
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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 haircut, 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 to frame your face and balance 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 give your curls 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. This layered cut will flatter you whether your hair is short, medium-length, or long.
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 bangs 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 and has 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, refresh your style, and revive the cool spirit of the ’70s.
11. Blonde Hair Shag Haircut
When teamed with blonde hair, a shag haircut brings iconic rock stars like Debbie Harry and Stevie Nicks to mind. 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 transform your hair 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
Pink hair is a fun option for those wanting an e-girl hairstyle. 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‘ – chunky blonde highlights that frame your face.
16. Shag Haircut with Balayage
The shag is a versatile haircut that looks good on various hair types and can be adapted in many ways. The choppy layers add texture and can help frame your face and draw attention to your features. Plus, the style also lends itself well to color. One of the most gorgeous coloring techniques is the balayage hairstyle. It is a way to make your hair lighter more naturally. Balayage involves painting highlights onto the hair, and the seamless blending of color adds dimension and gives your hair a lift. It can also help highlight the layers of your cut and make your hair look healthy and sunkissed.
17. Punk-inspired Shag Haircut
Nothing is boring about the shag, and its choppy layers are interesting and help to create volume. If you are a woman who likes to express herself and wants a fun and simple way to do this, embrace a punk shag haircut. This is an excellent option without being too in-your-face and will lend itself well to various settings. You can style it in such a way to suit your personality, whether this is with bold or bright-colored highlights. Or run a styling mousse through the hair to make the layers even more noticeable and slightly spiky. This is the ultimate option for a cool girl.
18. Shag Haircut for Thin Hair
One of the best things about the shag haircut is its versatility; women of various hair textures can wear it. The cut is highly adaptable, including for women with thin hair. The key is to limit the layers, though, as too many may highlight the thinness of your hair. Work with your hairstylist to find a subtle approach to this 70s classic that boosts the volume of your hair and adds dimension and movement. It may also be worth considering hair extensions, as these can increase the fullness and make your hair appear thicker.
19. Shag Hairstyle for Thick Hair
The classic shag is a heavily layered haircut defined by its choppy appearance. This can benefit women with thick hair as the layers can remove weight from thicker textures, leaving you with gorgeous hair full of movement. It is also easier to manage and style. Women with thicker hair should also opt for a longer cut; a medium-length or long shag is ideal. The fringe around the face will frame it and highlight your best features; this can also be incredibly flattering. Add in a bit of styling mousse to enhance the texture of your hair, and enjoy the attention you will receive!
20. Shag Haircut for Women Over 60
If you are looking for a chic haircut that works on women of all ages, then there are very few better options than the shag. The cut was first popular in the 70s, created by barber Paul McGregor, but has come back because of its versatility. The choppy layers can be worn on various hair textures and adapted to suit different lengths, fringes, and coloring. It is a look that helps add texture and volume to your hair, which is great for older women as the hair naturally thins when we age, and the growth rate slows. The shag can suit almost anyone and can help achieve a youthful appearance with the face framing layers.
21. Bright Orange Shag Haircut
One way to ensure you stand out from the crowd is by dying your hair a bright orange hue. It is a color that is hard to miss and will highlight your cut but also demand attention. This is the perfect way to express yourself and a natural pairing with the shag because it is a cut that has long been a favorite look among rockers and fashionistas. The choppy layered finish produces volume and texture but also has an edgy feel to it. You can adapt the cut to suit your hair texture and face shape and play around with the length of your fringe; keep it short and subtle or longer and more dramatic. This look will take some confidence to pull off but will make you feel great!
22. Shag Haircut on Natural Hair
The original shag of the 70s was defined by its layers that gave the hair plenty of movement, but this classic also inspires more modern approaches. If you have natural hair with an interesting curl pattern, you can layer it this way. This helps remove some weight from the hair but still allows for movement and dimension. It also helps achieve a softer, more feminine look. The shag is gorgeous on natural hair, and the way it falls around your face will be incredibly flattering. It can be challenging to maintain curly hair, and it can be time-consuming to style. So, opting for a short or medium-length cut can help tame your curls while still defining them.
23. Split Dye Shag Haircut
The beauty of the shag is that it is surprisingly versatile and can be adapted to suit hair of all textures and most face shapes. This includes allowing you to experiment with different colors and techniques. The split dye trend has a grunge feel and is the perfect option for those who want to have some fun with their hair. The method sees you dye your hair in two different colors, split directly in the middle of the head. Or you can dye just one side and keep the other natural, depending on how dramatic you want it to look. This is an expressive way to wear your hair and show the world that you are a woman who doesn’t like to conform or wants to have fun. For a more subtle approach, opt for colors that complement each other, for example, dark blue and black.
24. Blunt Bangs with Shag Hairstyle
The shag hairstyle is created with choppy layers and fullness at the crown. It can be cut on various hair textures and adapted to different lengths and face shapes. One of the most appealing things about the shag is its messy appearance. It looks full of movement and texture but also has a fashionable yet relaxed aesthetic. You can use blunt bangs with your shag to create a contrast. The fringe is cut across the face and has a very structured appearance. Blunt bangs can make your hairstyle more interesting, and the difference between the layers and the fullness of the fringe is cool. The bangs highlight your face and complement your best features, namely your eyes, and lips. It can also create a more youthful appearance by hiding any fine lines or wrinkles on the forehead.
25. Shag Hairstyle with Colorful Highlights
What is not to love about the shag? In addition to being incredibly versatile and highly adaptable to hair of all lengths and textures, it can also be modified to suit your personality and fashion sense. Add a few colorful highlights to your cut for those who want something different. They are a fun way to add color to your appearance, draw attention to the cut, and add to dimension. Choose face-framing streaks for a 90s vibe, or release your inner punk rocker chick with bold colors throughout. There are many options, so work with your hairstylist to find the look that best suits you and your hair texture.
26. Wolf Cut Shag Hairstyle
The shag haircut is an incredibly versatile style, with many versions of it. This includes the wolf cut shag. The wolf cut is a haircut that combines the shag and the mullet and is defined by the heavy layers and volume at the crown. It looks great on all hair textures and lengths and is styled in various ways, including with bangs or experimenting with different colors. This is an ideal option for younger women with a youthful appearance.
27. Permed Shag Haircut
The appeal of the shag haircut is its versatility, and the heavily layered haircut can be adapted to suit all hair types. The angles and layers are more visible on straight hair, but it appears softer and more blended with curly or wavy locks. You can do this with a perm if you do not have naturally curly hair or want to enhance your curl pattern. The original perm from the 80s was big and voluminous, creating hair that made a statement, but you can also take a modern approach that is natural and easier to wear. Perming involves a chemical process that structurally alters the hair texture. For this reason, a professional should always do it to minimize the risk of damage.
28. Pixie Cut Shag
The pixie cut is a popular short hairstyle for women that can be easily adapted to suit your preference. The cut looks great on women of all ages and can be incredibly flattering. It can also work with all hair textures, and although it is a traditionally short haircut featuring a short back and sides with length on the top, it can also be cut slightly longer. For a pixie shag, this combines the two styles, leaving you with an edgy and voluminous appearance. It is excellent for thin hair, making it look thicker and fuller, but it can also remove weight and bulk from thick hair.
29. Shag with Middle Part
The shag can be styled to suit your preference; this includes a middle part. This parting works well with all hair textures and lengths but is more noticeable on straight hair and softer with curly textures. The sharpness of the parting can be offset by the curls, which can be flattering. The middle part is a stylish addition to any hairstyle and is a fantastic way to draw attention to facial features. It can be challenging to wear, though, and although it complements the symmetry of your face, it should be avoided by those with asymmetry on their face.
30. Shag with Side Part
The shag is a voluminous cut that gives the hair movement and dimension. The appeal of the haircut is that it can be adapted to suit your preference and best reflect your personality; this includes how you choose to style it. A side parting is one of the most flattering ways to part the hair and suits most hair types and all hair textures and lengths. You can create a more dramatic parting on long hair, whereas on short hair, it can look simple and natural, brushing the hair to one side. The way the parting falls can create a softness, complementing your features.
31. Shaggy Bowl Cut
The bowl cut is defined by the hair of the same length around the head with a straight cut and defined bangs. It is a challenging hairstyle to pull off, but it demands attention and can highlight your hair texture. To create a more voluminous appearance, you can pair it with a shag hairstyle, combining the best elements of both cuts. The shag will add layers to the cut, creating volume movement and producing a deliberately messy look. This is also a style that will give you a youthful glow.
32. Shag Haircut with Extra Long Bangs
The shag haircut is heavily layered, giving the hair volume and creating a deliberately messy and unstructured appearance. The hair at the crown appears fuller, while the ends thin out, creating a subtle and interesting contrast. Shag cuts will work well with all hair types but will look softer and more blended with curly hair. There is also a lot of versatility in style, including full or wispy bangs. Bangs are a wonderful way to draw attention to the face and can complement your features. Opting for a very long fringe that falls over the eyes is not the most practical look, but it will make a statement.
33. Violet Hair Shag Style
The shag hairstyle looks great with all hair colors, but opting for an artificial hue will draw even more attention to your cut. Violet is a lovely light shade of purple. It is a soft, pretty color and an excellent addition to any hairstyle. This is an ideal option for someone who wants to have fun with their appearance and experiment with color, but it is easier to wear than other brighter and bolder tones. There are many ways to introduce this hue to your shag, either with strands, dip-dye effect, or dyeing the entire head purple hair color.
34. Ombre Shag Hairstyle
The ombre hair coloring technique is a beautiful way to create depth and dimension. The hairstyle combines two hues, one light and the other dark, subtly contrasting the hair. The colors can be of your choosing, but for the best results, stick to colors that are a shade or two lighter than the natural hair color. This is also a low-maintenance option compared to traditional foil highlights, and you do not need to worry about regrowth. In addition, it will look fantastic on a shag haircut, lightening the ends and drawing attention to the iconic layers.
35. Rainbow Shag Haircut
The best thing about the shag haircut is its versatility, and there is nothing you cannot do. A rainbow-colored hairstyle is ideal for those who love expressing themselves through their hair and do not mind standing out from the crowd. This is a cool way to wear your hair and give you a youthful appearance. It can also be a way to show pride and support for the LGBTQA community. How you add the colors depends on your preference; you could dye your entire head or strategically place the color to frame your face, highlighting your features.
36. Vibrant Pink Shag with Braids
Pink hair is associated with love and femininity. There are multiple shades to choose from, depending on how vibrant you want your hair to be, and the deeper pink you choose, the more noticeable your hair will be. The shag haircut benefits from color, allowing you to show off your natural hair texture and highlighting the heavy layers of the cut. You can wear the shag at multiple lengths but appear less choppy with longer hair. Longer hair also gives you versatility with styling; this includes adding finishes like braids.
37. Peekaboo Highlights Shag
Peekaboo hair highlights add color to the underneath of the hair. It peeks out and is often a more subtle way to try out bright or bold shades that contrast with the rest of the hair. Your highlights can also be placed strategically, focusing them around the face and creating a framing effect. This can be incredibly flattering and can also lighten and brighten your appearance. The colors you pick for your highlights can be of your choosing and as contrasting or as subtle as you wish.
38. Shaggy Bob Haircut
The bob haircut is a timeless and classic style. It is incredibly versatile and eternally chic and can be worn with multiple hair textures and types. The cut suits women of all ages and can be adapted to suit your preference, including combining it with elements of a shag. For this hairstyle, you will keep the standard length and shape of the bob haircut, but it will appear messier and feature the iconic layers of the shag. You can also focus the volume on the top of the head, creating fullness at the crown. You can add subtle highlights throughout to add even more depth and dimension to the hair.
39. Shag with Wispy Bangs
The shag haircut is a 70s hairstyle favorite that has been adapted over the years to feel fresh and modern. The same benefits of the original cut remain, though, creating a textured and heavily layered appearance that can frame your face and balance the features. This can be enhanced by pairing the haircut with bangs. You can choose from full bangs to piecey, wispy bangs; the latter option is less maintenance and ideal for those with thin or fine hair. Wispy bangs can also soften the cut and look romantic and feminine.
40. Shag with Curtain Bangs
The curtain bang hairstyle is one of the most popular looks at the moment and has been trending heavily on social media. The appeal of these bangs is their youthful appearance, and the way they are parted helps frame the face and draw attention to the facial features. These bangs are also incredibly versatile and can be worn with all hair textures and varying lengths. Plus, curtains can be added to most hairstyles, including the shag, giving it more structure.
41. Blue Hair Shag
Blue hair color demands attention. It is a great way to highlight your cut and hair texture but is also a way to express yourself. Bold hair says a lot about your personality, including that you have a playful side or are not afraid to go against the norm. Depending on your preference, there are multiple shades of blue to choose from, making it easy to find a hue that will complement your hair texture. The shag is an ideal cut for bold hair colors because it is a style that is designed to stand out, too. This is done by the heavy layers, which create an edgy appearance.
42. Dip Dye Shag Haircut
The dip-dye coloring technique is a great way to experiment with different colors. Rather than adding streaks of color throughout the hair, it focuses only on the ends. It is often created with artificial colors that are bold and bright, but focusing the color on only the ends makes the hair more subtle and much easier to wear. The shag haircut is heavily textured and can be worn at various lengths, but for the full effect of the dip dye, it is best to opt for medium-length hair.
43. Two-Tone Shag Hairstyle
Two-tone hair is the combination of two colors. These colors can be similar, with only a shade or two differences or contrasting. You also have variation with how you choose to add it to your hair, which can be subtle by dying the dips for a blended approach, or contrasting, focusing on two distinct sections of the hair; for example, adding a second color to only your bangs. This is a fun and expressive addition to the shag haircut and has a youthful appearance.
44. Voluminous Shag Haircut
The shag is a layered haircut to produce fullness at the crown, with hair thinning toward the ends. It is a stylish and edgy style for creating volume. Keeping even more length on top will add to the voluminous nature of the cut. The appeal of the shag is that it can frame your face and balance the features, making this style for everyone and will suit all face shapes. It is also surprisingly low-maintenance despite the heavy layers.
45. Shag with Shaved Sides
The shag can be styled in various ways to complement best your hair texture, face shape, and desired length. It has a voluminous and edgy look, but you can make it even more rebellious by adding shaved sides to the hair. Combining a shag with shaved sides creates contrast and results in even more fullness at the crown. Shaved sides can also add structure to the look and are an excellent option for someone who wants an expressive hairstyle.
46. Shag with Braids
When personalizing your shag haircut, you can do this in several ways, including with braids. A braided shag is an unusual combination but a gorgeous one nonetheless. You can add a crown braid to the top of the head, wrapping around it, or add thin plaits throughout the hair. To achieve a braided look, you need hair that is medium to long in length. Braids can add some structure to the iconic layers and deliberately messy and undone appearance of the shag haircut, producing an interesting contrast.
47. Cropped Shag Haircut
There are many versions of the shag haircut, from long to short, and with varying hair textures. The cropped shag is a low-maintenance hairstyle with more structure than longer lengths and appears less choppy and undone. Cropping the hair can be flattering, framing the face and drawing attention to the jawline and mouth. The look is best with long, textured bangs, which can soften the facial features and show off your hair texture. Long bangs can also give the illusion of length despite if your hair is short.
48. Grey Shag Hairstyle
Many women choose to forgo dyeing their grey hairs and embrace them instead. Grey hair is surprisingly flattering and complements all skin tones, textures, and lengths. It often appears full of depth and dimension as there are various shades, but the most important thing about grey hair is that it makes a powerful statement. There is nothing wrong with covering greys, but showing them off can be freeing. You can not go wrong with a shag when deciding on the perfect haircut. As we age, our hair naturally thins, and the shag hairstyle can disguise this with heavy layers. Opt for a short to medium-length cut and take care to ensure the hair is conditioned and in its best condition.
49. Shag with Statement Highlights
Statement highlights are an excellent way to draw attention to the face without the hassle of bangs or layers. It is a simple and easy look to create, inspired by the 80s. Choose a shade, or several shades, lighter than your natural hair and strategically place these highlights around the face to frame it. This will draw the eye in and complement your facial features, which can be incredibly flattering. The shag is so textured and layered already that the highlights tend to have a more natural and blended appearance, but this is a pro as it makes the look easier to wear.
50. Shag with Choppy Bangs
How you style your shag haircut can reflect your preference, but it can also be a way to frame your face and flatter your features. Bangs are a wonderful way to transform your face and make you look youthful; they can hide signs of aging like fine lines and forehead wrinkles. Choppy bangs are angled and textured, which complements the rest of the hair, which is also defined by heavy layers. The lack of structure with these bangs makes them easy to style and simple to grow out; with straight or blunt-cut bangs, you would need regular trips to the salon to keep them in place.
51. Asymmetrical Shag
The asymmetrical hairstyle adds an interesting and unbalanced element to your shag. It is defined by the hair is longer on one side of the head and shorter on the other and letting you play with proportions. It can focus the attention on your jawline and balance the features. There is a lot of versatility with the asymmetrical shag, and it can be worn long or short and created on various hair textures and types, although the cut has precision when on straight hair. When styling the hair, consider pairing it with a fringe or side parting, which can soften your face.
52. Burgundy Shag Hairstyle
Burgundy hair is a deep shade of reddish-brown and has become an increasingly popular hue because it is flattering on most complexions and can be worn in various ways. You can highlight the red tones, pair the color with blonde balayage, or add burgundy streaks to dark hair to lift it. It is an unnatural color so that it will stand out, but it is also great for drawing attention to your cut and texture. The shag hairstyle is an effortlessly cool look defined by the layers which create volume at the crown. It is flattering on most face shapes and low maintenance and will look great when paired with your favorite burgundy hue.
53. Shag with Pinned Fringe
The shag is often worn with a fringe that can add to the volume on the top of the head. Fringes can also transform your appearance, adding youthfulness, framing the face, and complementing the features. You can choose from various bangs with different thicknesses, lengths, and angles. Try pinning it if you are looking for a pretty way to wear your fringe to keep it out of the eyes but still benefit from the softness it gives your face. This can be with cute hair clips that channel the 80s or 90s or sophisticated pieces that add a touch of glamor to your look.
54. Windswept Shag Hairstyle
If you are looking for hair with a lot of texture and volume, the windswept shag is for you. The appeal of this hairstyle is its messy and deliberately undone appearance, and the windswept look only adds to this. You can achieve this look by brushing up the hair at the front of the hairline, creating a voluminous finish. Let it fall naturally to the side to soften your features and complement your face.
55. Razor Cut Shag
Most shag haircuts are cut with a razor, producing softer layers. This gives the look a more delicate and often feminine appearance to a traditionally gender neutral haircut. The way your shag hairstyle is cut depends on your preference. This could include layers positioned to flatter the face shape or soften the features. You can also opt for a more edgy and rebellious feel, styling the hair with fullness at the crown and very thin, piece-y strands at the bottom of the head; the choice is yours!
56. Chocolate Brown Shag Haircut
There is no denying that the shag haircut is one of the most versatile looks. It suits women of all ages and can be adapted to suit your preference and different hair types. It also looks stunning on the hair of all colors, but chocolate brown is a rich and warm color that is full of dimension and will complement the layers of the cut. The color is also flattering on most skin tones, making it easy to wear.
57. Edgy Mullet Shag
The mullet is a hairstyle similar to the shag but with some slight differences; it is longer at the back and shorter on the back and sides. The shag does not need to be longer on the back but is heavily layered with fullness at the crown. You can combine elements of these two haircuts for a modern approach to the mullet and shag, giving you an edgy, cool, and ideal look for those who want to show off their natural hair texture. The mullet is somewhat controversial and has a bad reputation, but it is surprisingly easy to wear and can be very flattering. Work with your hairstylist to find the option that best suits you.
58. Spiky Shag Haircut
Spiky hair is great for creating volume on the top of the head but also has a rebellious feel. The look was popular in the 90s, but the modern approach requires less gel and produces not hard or rigid spikes, giving the look a softer appearance. Combining spikes with a shag haircut is an effortless combination, as the shag is already known for being a heavily textured and layered cut.
59. Shag with Dark Roots
Embracing your dark roots while coloring the rest of the hair produces depth and dimension. The lighter color can also brighten your appearance. Lightening the hair from the mid-shaft or lower can be an ombre hair effect, but keeping only a small section of the roots exposed will produce a subtle contrast. It can be done on all hair textures and suits all cuts, including the shag. In addition to looking good, you do not have to worry about maintaining the color, letting it grow out naturally.
60. Shag in Low Ponytail
The shag can be created with all hair textures and worn at various lengths. It can also be styled in many different ways; you can leave it loose to show off the iconic layers and texture or work it into a messy updo hairstyle. A simple and pretty option is a low ponytail. This ponytail is easy to do and can be created with shorter hair. It is a great option for keeping the hair off the neck and can highlight your jawline. The deliberately undone appearance also softens the hairstyle and can look feminine and romantic.
Shag Haircut 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 than edgy androgynous. The layers are often cut with a razor and positioned to flatter your face's natural shape. While it keeps the shag cut's iconic messy texture, it has a more put-together, sophisticated, yet carefree feel.
How do you ask for a shag haircut?
When you visit a salon for 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 consider the natural texture, curl pattern, and thickness of your hair and 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 blow dry it on a cool setting using a diffuser. The final result will be a messy, textured hairstyle showing your hair's natural movement.
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