31 Best Modern Shag Haircuts for Every Length
The Modern Shag with Side Swept Bangs
@epikasalonandboutique
The modern shag with side-swept bangs is a beautiful option for women who want to add some shape to their lengths. A shag adds width to the face’s side. This has a stunning effect on the cheekbones, especially where the side fringe blends with the shaping. For rounder faces, the shag hair trend is still possible. How? Adjust the length of the fringe to sit a little longer.
Soft Shag with Sombre
@petercutshair
A soft shag with sombre color is great for natural levels 5 and under. Creating a soft brunette complements the skin without needing to over-lighten the hair. Mid-length textured layers create the soft shag and also help elongated round face shapes.
Youthful Shag for Women Over 60
@blonding_bri
A perfect youthful shag for women over 60 involves wispy bangs with many long layers and voluminous waves. A choppy shag hairstyle is easy to maintain, playful and very youthful.
Flattering Shag for Women Over 50
@morganobrienhair
A flattering shag for women over 50 can make fine hair look fuller. Side-swept bangs and added layers, styled with a gorgeous wave creates the fullness you’ve been looking for in a layered shag.
Attractive Shag for Women Over 40
@drethings
Attractive shag for women over 40 consists of face-framing layers that fade into long beautiful waves. Styling shag haircuts can be simple, easy maintenance and with added texture, the perfect combo of volume and length.
Long Layered Shag for Thick Hair
@jesssalvagepaints
A long layered shag for thick hair consists of choppy layers throughout. Style this cut with luscious curls and side-swept bangs to help elongate your face and neck.
Very Curly Shag Bob
@curlfrann
A very curly shag bob can be done well on fine or thick hair textures. Shaggy curls define the shaggy hair style with lots of crown layers. Style in sections with mousse, then gel on mid-lengths and ends, while diffusing until dry. Add a little oil warmed up in your hands to break the crunch up and soften the curls.
Choppy Blonde Shag with Curtain Bangs
@rachelwstylist
Shag hairstyles are back, and a choppy blonde shag with curtain bangs is definitely a trend to try. Shorter lengths on top around the crown will give hair volume. Soft textured curtain fringe on a shag hairstyle will create a little more fullness. Style with a ¼” barrel curling iron and spritz with She-Bang-A-Bang by Evo.
Shaggy Layers with Thick Bangs
@cushla.hairdresser
Shaggy layers with thick bangs bring out a lived-in effortless shag hairstyle. Perfect for medium density hair, wear it naturally wavy or bring out the waves using a soft texture spray. Create fuller bangs by adding some texture, layers, and a good root lift powder after your hair is dry.
Trendy Layered Shag with Feathered Ends
@karthik_1003_official
A trendy layered shag with feathered ends can be great for thick-haired women. It will remove some weight to make the ends flick out of this shag hair like pretty little feathers. Shaggy haircuts are for the working professional with long round layers around the face and curled back.
Modern Shaggy Angled Bob for Thick Hair
@goodbeautybynatalie
This angled bob shag was handcrafted by hairstylist Natalie Cericola. “With this cut, ask for some heavy layering to take out the weight and to add texture. Instead of scissors, ask your stylist to razor cut your bob.”
Cericola says a great product line for this soft feathered shag is IGK. “To create this look, use Call Time as a primer to prepare the luscious locks for this look. Follow up with Rich Kid Coconut Oil Gel to create a shiny finish while adding some hydration. To finish this look, use Broken Dreams Texture Paste to add texture and the perfect amount of grit at the base to give that lived-in feel,” she explains.
Short shaggy bob haircuts look good on almost every face shape. Shags are not for the woman who wants a very low maintenance look. It requires extra time in the mirror and using proper styling tools.
Gorgeous Short Shaggy Bob for Modern Women
@hirohair
Spruce up your style with a gorgeous short shaggy bob, excellent for modern women. Really texturizing the ends of a bob creates a chic shaggy vibe. Part your hair in the opposite direction you normally would help add extra volume. Throw in some barrel waves and hairspray to show off the texture. Shaggy bob haircuts are great for all face shapes, and this short bob shag will grow out nicely if you choose to change it up.
Textured Shag with Long Bangs
@braxtonthomashair
Consider a textured shag with long bangs for a summery and beachy style. Add tousled waves to enhance such a long-length shag cut. To keep your fringe looking fresh, try Evo’s Water Killer Dry shampoo.
Medium Shag Haircut With Bangs
@hairartistrybydawn
Achieve a medium shag haircut with bangs by asking for feathered and textured layers. For styling, wrap sections of hair with a 1 ½ barrel curling iron, leaving the ends uncurled. GHD and Babyliss are affordable styling tools for that beachy shag. Spritz the hair with finishing spray and fluff a bit using your fingers to comb through.
Short Shag With Bangs
@rachelwstylist
The short shag with bangs can actually make you say, “I woke up like this” in the morning. The versatility of a shag hairstyle is endless. The bangs can be placed perfectly to sweep your eyebrows and accentuate your eyes. There are messy layers that lift and add playfulness to the hair. Short shags are perfect for women with fine, medium, and thick hair.
Disheveled Short Purple Shag
@biancaxglam
This textured shag haircut was created by hairstylist Bianca DiMillo of West Hollywood, CA. “It’s intended to look choppy and messy…that undone, just-rolled-out-of-bed look. It is perfect for anyone who wants their hair to look elegantly disheveled,” she explains.
“Styling shag cuts like this is key,” says DiMillo. “While the hair is wet, throw in a product like Sea Salt Spray or Oil Non Oil by Davines to help give volume and separation and emphasize the razor cutting technique. Once it’s dry, dose lightly from root to end with Puff Me by Design Hair to add a messy and tousled look. Puff Me adds grit to your hair, allowing you to shake your hair with your hands and have it hold the style. I love it for a root lift too!”
This cut and style are great for women who want low maintenance styling in the morning and don’t mind re-applying product every day. A shag haircut for fine hair is fun because it will give a little life to your style. “It would potentially work for thicker hair, but make sure your stylist thins your hair out appropriately or you’ll look like a mushroom,” she adds.
Oval and round faces will benefit from this cut the most. Avoid this style if you have a square or rectangular face as it will emphasize the boxiness.
Soft Pixie Bob Shag
@hair.by.jenny
This shaggy hair is somewhere between a bob and pixie cut. “It’s extremely versatile,” says hairstylist Jenny of Brooklyn, NY. “Since it has so many layers, you can style it all messy and textured, or it can also be more conservative when you need it to be.”
For styling this long shaggy pixie, as well as other short haircuts, Jenny says to try Badlands Dry Shampoo Styling Paste by R+Co. “Since it has dry shampoo properties, it’s lighter and also matte which is great. A lot of other styling pastes can weigh things down and make it look greasy. Apply it everywhere and stick the hair up all crazy to ensure that the product is evenly dispersed, then you can mold it down into the shape that you want,” she explains.
To maintain this haircut, ideally, you should be getting it trimmed every six to eight weeks.
Since the modern shag has so many layers, this haircut is perfect for medium to fine density because it gives the illusion of having a lot more strands than you actually do. It requires little to no styling, so it’s ideal for women who just want to air dry and throw some product in to give it some texture.
Playful Long Shag
@petercutshair
A playful long shag can be effortless and low-maintenance. You only need a shag haircut every 6 months to maintain this style. Adding textured long layers to long hair creates beautiful shag styles. Shag haircuts are great for all lengths and variations of textures.
Sexy Long Shag With Bangs
@susanfordhair
“This is a lovely and casual long shag with bangs. The choppy layers start at the cheekbones, acting as another focal point while encouraging more texture in the hair,” explains master hairstylist Susan Ford of Schaumburg, IL.
“This style should be more on the “undone” side of styling to keep a cool and sexy vibe,” says Ford. “Use Aveda’s Texture Tonic on damp hair to enhance the hair’s natural texture and dry it using a diffuser. Use a straightening iron to put a slight bend through the mid-lengths of the hair. Finish the style with Aveda’s Light Elements Smoothing Fluid to separate the waves and add shine.”
To maintain this cut, go in for a trim every six weeks and see your hairstylist at the three-week mark for a fringe trim. Some stylists do bang trims for free between salon visits.
“Women with fine to medium density are ideal for this modern shaggy cut and it’s great for any girl or woman who would like to embrace their hair’s natural texture. You can achieve this Coachella-inspired look with the Texture Tonic, or you can use Aveda’s Smooth Infusion products and a round brush to have a more styled finish,” she adds.
The Mid Length Messy Shag
@hirohair
If you love undone hair, then the messy shag will give you the loose textured vibe you’re after. Straight shag haircuts benefit from having plenty of levels of layering. These layers can add fullness and life to your locks. Straight cut bangs, meanwhile, balances out the shape.
Mid-Length 70s Shag
@stebunovhair
A mid-length 70s shag haircut involves many even and choppy layers. A 70s shag is best for thicker hair with a lot of texture styled with gorgeous flowing waves. This allows for even volume and your layers to flow beautifully.
Shag for Thin Hair
@kelleygingerhair
“This cut is inspired by the 1970s shag haircut,” states hair artisan Kelley of Eagan, MN. “This modern shaggy style has stayed relevant for decades because it continues to reinvent itself.”
Kelley believes the best thing about the modern shag for thin hair is that it’s meant to bring out natural texture. “The less you style, the better it is!”
If you have curly/wavy hair, start with a leave-in conditioner or some with frizz control and follow with a curl-enhancing product like mousse or cream. If you have little to no wave, add a little volume and texture by using one of my favorites, Kerastase’s Spray a Porter.
This shag cut is so versatile that with the right customizations, almost all women can wear it.
Shaggy Layers
@sagebrush.inspiredbeauty
Get some shaggy layers to achieve a modern shag hairstyle for women with long hair. The layers in this shag with beach waves are sure to accentuate volume and texture. Don’t forget face-framing pieces to create a free-flowing and feathery look. Add a few curls and finish with Bumble and Bumble Thickening Dryspun Texture Spray. The spray will create instant lift and volume.
Medium Length Shag for Older Women
@coripghbeauty
This is a mid-length shag cut with lots of layers. It was created by master designer and stylist Cori Patterson of Wexford, PA. “Layers are recommended for volume and to soften features around the face.”
Pattersons says to always use a volume shampoo and volume conditioner on fine hair. “Try Pureology’s Pure Volume line. Use a lightweight heat protectant all over. At the roots, spray lots of mousse. Try Wella’s Root Shoot in the Eimi line. Last but not least, use some finishing sprays like Redken’s Quick Tease and Big Sexy Hair Spray and Play. Also, do some teasing at the root with a teasing brush,” she explains.
This hairstyle is for women looking to create volume and softness around their face, as well as women with fine hair. Any woman with high cheekbones, a high forehead, and dominant facial features will look great with this style.
Longer 70s Shaggy Hair
@salsalhair
A longer 70’s shaggy hair style can bring out the natural waves in the hair. It’s a low-maintenance style that can be cut and grown out beautiful for 6+ months. Longer hair will benefit from a shag giving it more movement with the medium-length layers. A long shag hairstyle softens a square face shape with eyebrow grazing bangs that have a wispy ends that really make the eye and cheek bones pop.
Cute Gray Shag for Older Women
@andy_doesyourhair
A messy shag cut screams an adventurer that chooses to take risks. Now older women can look edgy in one of these wild lobs that is borderline mullet. When styling, the Hairstory’s hair balm is ideal to give this mullet shag more body and texture.
Shaggy Layered Bob for Fine Hair
@mikerovstylist
The shaggy layered bob for fine hair is sure to get you all the textured vibes! Finer hair can benefit from a shag haircut as the layers will add width to expand the shape of your mane. Focus on going for a shorter bob length to allow the shape to stay strong and keep its fullness.
Modern Short Curly Shag with Layers
@hairbyfina
Funky and super 70s! Bobs can also be switched up to show massive yet flattering hair.
Long Shag for Curly Hair
@dmitrrovaa
A long shag for curly hair can help bring out the natural waves. A curly shag haircut puts out a rock’n’roll vibe on the weekends with some root lift power for body or can be dressed up and professional during the week with a simple styling balm to bring out the waves.
Wispy Shag with Choppy Bangs
@nikolephelps
The ombre retro shag with choppy bangs is playful and fun. It was created by hair colorist and stylist Nikole Phelps of Chadds Ford, PA. “Every thickness and length of hair can have its own ideal shag that adds a modern, retro vibe and texture,” she states.
For styling Phelps suggests trying Bedroom.Hair by Keven Murphy. “It’s a perfect texturizing spray to give it that bedhead look.”
“Honestly, this shag haircut could really compliment many hair types,” she adds. “For fine and thin hair, it can enhance volume and create texture. For curlier hair, it can add softness.”
Long Wavy Shag for Thick Hair
@awaken.courage
With a long, modern shag haircut for thick hair like this, there is a lot of room for styling. Stylist Dre fashioned this young lady’s mane in a way that it tapered towards the end to offer that tamed look.