The shag cut is one of the ultimate hair trends of the current season. Its core features are short choppy layers, long curtain bangs, and tons of texture. Easy, effortless yet epic, this style is about to experience another raise in popularity after Wednesday star Jenna Ortega’s appearance wearing her short shag with curtain bangs.
Have a look at the variety of the best shag haircuts we’ve collated in this piece.
1. Textured Bob with Curtain Bangs
Soft, messy, and natural, this shoulder-length shag is a fresh alternative to a classic bob cut. Use some dry wax to emphasize the texture and create that effortlessly tousled finish.
Instagram / @hirohair
2. Ginger Wolf Cut with Wispy Curtain Bangs
Those with heavy and thick hair often complain about the lack of volume. A wolf cut boasts plenty of body and texture, thanks to short shaggy layers around the crown area and face-framing bangs.
Instagram / @joeltorresstyle
3. Shaggy Lob with Long Bangs
Adding some layers and curtain bangs is a great way of giving your boring bob a revamp. Some pomade or texture spray would accentuate the structure and shape of this cut.
Instagram / @yukistylist
4. Curly Shag with ’70s style Fringe
Embrace the ’70s style with this statement vintage haircut. If you wonder how to achieve this look at home, here’s what you need to do. Blow dry the crown area forward using a round brush, then curl the ends of the bangs towards the back and part them in the middle.
Instagram / @coiffeurstory
5. Shaggy Bob with Heavy Bangs
Perfect for girls with thick hair, this haircut combines the choppiness of the shag and the blunt lines of the bob. As much as we are raving about shags, this look would never be as striking without these supremely blended creamy highlights.
Instagram / @brianaguilarhair
6. Curly Shag
Tousled waves, wispy bangs, and short layers around the crown – that’s what makes the essence of a classic shag. Undoubtedly, this haircut looks unreal on naturally curly hair.
Instagram / @sanni_hairstylist
7. Long Layers with Face Framing Fringe
Give your long locks heaps of volume by adding shorter layers at the top and getting those famous face-framing bangs. If you have straight hair, you might want to use a curling iron to make some ‘barely there’ tousled waves.
Instagram / @nothingobvious
8. Short Shag with Piecey Bangs
This short shag is all you need to define cheekbones and bring all attention to your eyes. Great for thin hair, this cut visually gives plenty of body and texture.
Instagram / @thewidowspeakparlor
9. Beige Blonde Shag with Curtain Bangs
Yes, the shag haircut can be both sassy and soft at the same time. Look at these creamy face-framing layers and fluffy bangs boasting loads of volume and texture.
Instagram / @sanni_hairstylist
10. Shaggy Bob with Curtain Bangs
A shoulder-length messy bob is a universal choice for any hair type and texture. Wear it straight, wavy or curly – this haircut is easy to style and it suits any face shape.
Instagram / @rokkjess
11. Soft Shag with Full Bangs
Are you bored of wearing a generic layered haircut with traditional bangs? Whilst you might not be ready for a bold statement, try making a subtle change and dare to turn your layers into a soft shag.
Instagram / @lasninasdelgaraje
12. Icy Shag with Heavy Curtain Bangs
Cool blondes always look spectacular on long hair, yet light layers and bangs make this look an ultimate head turner. Curl the ends of your hair outwards using a flat iron and apply some setting spray to finish.
Instagram / @afterglow.ash
13. Shag Cut with Curtain Fringe
Give your look some drama with those textured, choppy layers around the front and distinctively flicked-out bangs. This hairstyle would especially suit those with oval face shapes.
Instagram / @florence.hair
14. Curly Shag and Curtain bangs
This cute curly shag cut can be a fresh alternative to a classic bob. If you are thinking of trying a new hairstyle for naturally curly, shoulder-length hair, a modern shag is well worth to be considered.
Instagram / @highhorsesalon
15. Long Silver Shag
The best way to rock your natural gray hair is to give it a super trendy haircut. This modern shag with textured bangs certainly proves it. As gray hair tends to be coarse and dry, make sure to apply some moisturizing serum on the ends before or after styling.
Instagram / @erika.king_
16. Shaggy Bob Haircut
We love this heavily layered take on a standard bob. Perfect length, choppy texture, and those soft, flattering bangs would suit virtually everybody. Give it a soft bend with a flat iron and finish the look with a sea salt spray.
Instagram / @hirohair
17. ’70s Inspired Shag
This cool vintage look is a mixture of the original mullet cut and a modern shag. The key to making it look edgy is the right hair products and styling techniques. Try scrunching your wet locks with some volumizing cream to create texture and movement.
Instagram / @brianaguilarhair
18. Shag Cut for Long Straight Hair
Short layers and thick bangs paired with long strands at the back create an utmost edgy hairstyle. Use a diffuser to attain all that texture and body.
Instagram / @crafthairbyandrea
19. Shag Hairstyle for Fine Hair
If your hair is on the finer side but you are keen to try the shag cut, keep it short and sweet. The drastic difference between the lengths would quite likely make the ends look thin and lifeless. We recommend soft layers and staying within shoulder length.
Instagram / @yukistylist
20. Classic Shag with Face Framing Layers
Did you know that the best technique for a shag haircut is razoring? If you haven’t tried it before, entrust your hair to an experienced hairdresser who specializes in shag cuts and mullets. Their portfolio must appeal to you – that’s essential.
Instagram / @joeprofita
21. Soft Shag with Curtain Fringe
Shag styles are the best for thick hair, especially if you want to avoid bulk and heaviness. Shorter layers at the crown area produce lots of volume whilst curtain bangs create some framing and soften facial features. This rounds up to a perfect hairstyle to wear this year.
Instagram / @hairbykarafina
22. Short Shag with Face Framing Layers
Wispy layers and textured ends – that combo is what makes it a great shag. Well cut and styled, this haircut would flatter any face shape and hair texture.
Instagram / @nothingobvious
23. Soft Wolf Cut with Long Curtain Bangs
Try a Chelsea blowout for your wolf haircut. You are going to need a hairdryer, a wide round brush, and a good-quality texture spray. Blast-dry your locks till semi-dry condition, then wrap small sections around the round brush and evenly dry them from all angles. Finish with cool air.
Instagram / @craftyourhair
24. Shaggy French Bob
This modern edgy style features a jawline length, graduated back and soft curtain bangs. Wispy and girly, this haircut is easy to style – let your hair air dry and zhuzh it up with a dot of texture cream.
Instagram / @kirahairdresser
25. Wavy Shag Haircut
Effortless and undone, this cut is a great choice for curly hair texture. Whether these are your natural curls or perm, it’s never been easier to make your locks look perfect.
Instagram / @hollygirldoeshair
26. Long Feathered Shag
Shag styles are all about texture. They are extremely easy to wear yet require a little knack to style. Diffuse it or rough dry it but make sure to use plenty of volumizing products.
Instagram / @hairbykaileyd
27. Short Blonde Shag Haircut
This Miley Cyrus inspired cut is serious hair envy. A great style for those with uber-thick hair, it takes all the excessive weight away and leaves you with a cute, feathered wolf cut.
Instagram / @erika.king_
28. Modern Shag with Curtain Bangs
This fantastic change that we can see in this photo is a great visual aid to appreciate all the advantages of the shag haircut. It shifts all the weight from the ends, adds plenty of volume at the crown and accentuates the natural texture of your hair.
Instagram / @hairbykarafina
29. Long Bob with Shaggy Layers
You can’t go wrong with curtain bangs – the essential detail of a shag. Play with the density, length and texture to find your perfect shape.
Instagram / @the.labartory
30. Short Shaggy Bob with Baby Bangs
So cute and cozy, this textured blonde bob cut resembles ‘90s Meg Ryan’s iconic hairstyle. Yet blunt ends combined with tousled layers give it a modern contrast. To recreate this style, hand dry your hair using some texture spray.
Instagram / @brentdanielbasore
Compatibility with any hair length, texture and density makes the shag a truly versatile hairstyle. Once you figure out the right way to style it, there’s totally no way back. We hope some of these great examples of a shag haircut will inspire you to a new change.
