The shag haircut is back and better than ever! This iconic style, popularized in the 70s, has undergone a modern transformation, offering endless versatility and effortless cool.
Whether you have straight, wavy, or curly hair, there’s a shag variation waiting to unleash your inner rockstar.
This guide dives into 10 modern shag haircuts that are guaranteed to turn heads.
The Long Length Shag with Choppy Layers
The long-length shag is perfect for those who want to maintain length but crave texture and movement. This style features long layers throughout the hair, with shorter pieces framing the face. The choppy layers add volume and definition, making fine hair appear thicker and bouncy.
Styling Tip: Let your hair air dry for a natural, undone look. If you prefer more volume, use a diffuser attachment on your blow dryer to enhance the natural texture of the layers.
Grown-Out Roots for a Cool-Girl Vibe
Embrace your natural hair color with the grown-out roots trend. This works perfectly with the shag haircut, adding a touch of lived-in cool and eliminating the need for frequent touch-ups.
Styling Tip: Ask your stylist for a balayage or ombre highlight technique to create a seamless blend between your roots and your hair color. This adds depth and dimension to the style.
The Medium-Length Shag: Chic and Effortless
The medium-length shag is a versatile option that flatters most face shapes. It hits around the shoulders, offering a balance between length and manageability. The layers start higher up on the head, framing the face and adding volume throughout.
Styling Tip: Play with texture! Use a texturizing spray on damp hair and scrunch upwards to create beachy waves. For a straighter look, blow dry the hair smooth with a round brush, flipping the ends inwards for a polished finish.
Shag with Eye-Grazing Bangs for a Bold Look
Take your shag to the next level with eye-grazing bangs. This bold look adds instant edge and effortlessly frames the face. The bangs can be blunt cut for a statement piece or wispy for a softer approach.
Styling Tip: For blunt bangs, use a flat iron to smooth them out and achieve a polished look. Wispy bangs require minimal styling – simply let them air dry and use a touch of hairspray to control any flyaways.
The Swingy Shag: Effortlessly Chic with Movement
The swingy shag is all about movement and bounce. This style features long layers throughout the hair, with the shortest layers concentrated at the ends. This creates a beautiful cascading effect that sways with every step.
Styling Tip: To enhance the natural swing, use a volumizing mousse on damp hair before blow drying. Flip the ends outwards with a round brush for a polished look.
The Textured Shag for Wavy Hair
The shag haircut is a perfect match for naturally wavy hair. The layers enhance the natural texture of your waves, creating a voluminous, effortless style.
Styling Tip: Embrace your natural wave pattern! After showering, apply a leave-in conditioner to damp hair to define your waves and prevent frizz. Scrunch the hair upwards to encourage the wave formation and let it air dry for a beachy texture.
The Modern Mullet Shag: Edgy and Unexpected
The mullet shag combines two iconic styles – the shag and the mullet – for a truly unique look. This haircut features short layers in the front and back, with longer hair on the sides. It’s an edgy and statement-making style, perfect for those who love to push boundaries.
Styling Tip: This style works best with textured hair. Use a volumizing mousse on damp hair and blow dry with a diffuser attachment to enhance the natural texture.
The Curly Shag: Embrace Your Coils
The shag haircut can also be stunning on curly hair. The layers help to break up the bulk of thick curls, adding definition and manageability.
Styling Tip: Apply a curl-defining cream to damp hair and scrunch upwards to encourage curl formation. Let your hair air dry to minimize frizz. You can also diffuse your hair on low heat for added volume.
The Polished Shag for a Chic Look
The shag haircut can also be styled for a more polished look. Ask your stylist for longer layers and a blunt haircut around the face for a more defined shape.
Styling Tip: Blow dry your hair smooth with a round brush and use a flat iron to straighten any frizz or flyaways. This creates a sleek and sophisticated version of the shag haircut.
The Shag with Face-Framing Highlights
Add dimension and brightness to your shag haircut with face-framing highlights. This technique involves lightening sections of hair around the face, drawing attention to your features and adding a touch of sun-kissed warmth.
Styling Tip: Ask your stylist for a balayage or ombre highlight technique for a natural, blended look. This complements the textured layers of the shag haircut beautifully.
Maintaining Your Shag Haircut
The beauty of the shag haircut lies in its effortless nature. However, a few key maintenance tips will ensure your shag looks its best:
Regular Trims: Schedule regular trims with your stylist to maintain the shape and remove split ends. Depending on your hair growth rate, every 6-8 weeks is a good rule of thumb.
Embrace Dry Shampoo: Shag haircuts thrive on texture. Dry shampoo is your best friend between washes, absorbing excess oil and adding volume to your hair.
Deep Conditioning: Regular deep conditioning treatments are essential, especially for those with textured or curly hair. This helps to keep your hair hydrated and manageable.
The Right Products: Use hair products designed for your hair type. For example, if you have fine hair, opt for volumizing products. If you have curly hair, use curl-defining creams and leave-in conditioners.
With the right haircut, styling techniques, and maintenance routine, you can rock a modern shag haircut that reflects your unique personality and effortless cool. So, are you ready to embrace the shag and unleash your inner rockstar?