If you permanently struggle to find the right shape for your curly hair, there are some good news: a curly shag haircut is virtually the best match for this hair type. The essential components of the shag are short layers at the crown, choppy ends, volume and texture.
Consequently, curly shaggy hair has just enough body situated exactly where it is needed, as well as plenty of natural texture, not to mention, it’s one of the hottest latest trends.
How to Wear a Curly Shag
Coming from 70s’, curly shag is currently experiencing its revival. The modern reincarnation of this hairstyle has less contrast between the lengths of the top and the back and benefits from the up-to-date cutting techniques like razoring. Naturally curly, wavy and permed hair makes a perfect base for this look.
While shag cut is the best bet for curly hair, there’s no one fits all option when it comes to the shape of a haircut. Hence, we’ve rounded up a few main versions of the latest shag hairstyles to pick the best suitable for you.
1. Shoulder-Length Shag for Natural Hair
Even though natural curls are full of volume and texture, they have one common problem – a flat and fuzzy crown. Yet, with the right haircut, your hair on top will be the same as voluminous. Consider adding layers and bangs to bring texture and dimension to your look.
Instagram / @jayne_edosalon
2. Medium Shaggy Cut with Soft Waves
Messy shaggy haircuts can beautifully frame your face while adding an edgy touch to your appearance. So, if you’re a rebel at heart, consider going for this highlighted curly shag that will bring a stylish glam rock reference to the overall look.
Instagram / @slickback_buttahtoast
3. Long Pretty Shag for Permed Hair
We suggest this shaggy cut may help you discover a new, passionate side of yourself! Scrunched curls and bright blonde highlights help you complement your chaotic shag hairstyle, so consider getting a perm if your locks are not curly enough.
Instagram / @rachelwstylist
4. Classic Shag Haircut for Natural Curls
A long curly shag with razor cut layers can make you the center of attention wherever you go! This haircut will emphasize the texture of your hair and bring more definition to your brunette curls.
Instagram / @hollygirldoeshair
5. Multi-Tone Shaggy Bob
Layered cuts are great for thicker hair as they help you get rid of excessive bulkiness and emphasize the beautiful texture of your natural curls. We also recommend you apply some bright highlights in blonde or reddish tones. It will make your style truly delightful!
Instagram / @haircolorkilla
6. Gorgeous Curly Shaggy Hairstyle
These medium-length shaggy coils look adorable, aren’t they? Spiral curls, cut in layers and paired with choppy bangs, will bring your natural hair to an absolutely new level of attractiveness!
Instagram / @mulletbabyy
7. Loose Curls Shaggy Haircut
Thick curtain bangs are an excellent match for a long curly shag if you want to achieve a quirky and romantic look. While they may require some maintenance since they end just above the lashes, they are definitely worth the effort!
Instagram / @hollygirldoeshair
8. Long Shaggy Mullet with Curtain Bangs
Shaggy hairstyles are one of the most popular options for ladies with naturally curly locks. A pro tip: if you have a high forehead, consider adding bangs to balance your face shape and soften your appearance.
Instagram / @stonefoxhair
9. Short Razor Shag for Curly Hair
A shaggy bob is a modern classic that suits women of all ages! Keep the layers and bangs around your face to complement its shape and draw attention to your gorgeous eyes.
Instagram / @ashadoeshair
10. Copper Curly Hair with Textured Layers
Red hair color features a playful look that can emphasize your cheerful personality. Pair it with a medium-length shaggy haircut to accentuate the wavy texture of your locks throughout their length. Add a stylishly edgy fringe and daring disconnections around the face for more volume.
Instagram / @blnd.hair
11. Long Shag Haircut with Layered Curls
That sounds like a great shaggy hairstyle for those with thin hair. The layering can help add body and volume, while the choppy fringe can add fullness to the front. Plus, the messiness of the cut makes it easy to style your curly locks without too much effort.
Instagram / @davidwbullen
12. Creative Shullet for Naturally Curly Hair
Shag hairstyles are versatile and can be tailored to fit all lengths and textures. So, if you prefer shoulder-length locks, cutting your curly hair in shaggy layers would be an excellent idea! Consider adding highlights or bleaching the bangs, like in this case, to give your haircut a stylish, bold look.
Instagram / @lulurichardss
13. Modern Shag Haircut for Fine Hair
A midi shag with bangs is a versatile haircut that can be styled in different ways to fit any occasion. The curly shaggy layers add movement and texture, while the length makes it suitable for a professional setting. It’s a perfect combination of edginess and sophistication.
Instagram / @mayaraffhair
14. Vibrant Red Shag for Kinky Hair Type
Thinking of a drastic hair color change? Going red can be a fantastic idea, as it will make your long shag look even more stylish and eye-catching. However, it’s critical to take into account your skin tone in order to come up with a shade of red that will complement it.
Instagram / @mulletbabyy
15. Effortless Wavy Shag Hairstyle
If you prefer a more classic look, this soft shag haircut with feathered layers is what you’re looking for. The hairstyle is very versatile: it works well for straight hair, making it more textured, as well as for curly strands, reducing its bulkiness.
Instagram / @cosmo.jessa
16. Curly Shag with Bangs
Choppy layers, chunky highlights and long face-framing bangs is all you need to make your curls look on point. Flick your fringe out using a thin round brush and a hairdryer to achieve this look.
Instagram / @scissor_wizzard
17. Shag Haircut for Wavy Hair
Heavily layered shag haircut that goes just below the shoulders is the best choice to make the most out of wavy hair pattern. Luckily, with this hairstyle you can cut on using hot tools; instead, scrunch your hair with some curl boosting serum and diffuse, or even let it air dry.
Instagram / @curlvision
18. Curly Shag Bob
Relaxed and undone, this curly shag cut requires minimal effort to style it yet looks ultimately on point. Apply some sea salt spray or mousse on your wet hair, scrunch it and blow dry on a medium setting.
Instagram / @stebunovhair
19. Wavy Shag Haircut with Curtain Bangs
Undoubtedly, curtain bangs are one of the quintessential features of a modern shag cut. Is it even a shag without the bangs? Curl those face framing strands using straighteners or just let them air dry for a natural finish.
Instagram / @rabbitbrushgoods
20. Wavy Shag with Chunky Highlights
Adding highlights to your wavy hair is a perfect way to emphasize the texture and create an illusion of even more volume and dimension in your curls. Style them using a diffuser and some serum to get this look.
Instagram / @joeltorresstyle
21. Long Curly Shag with Blunt Cut Fringe
If you want to give your curly hair some volume without compromising the length, this textured shaggy haircut is exactly what you are looking for. Blunt round bangs will make a contrast and give your hairstyle some personal touch.
Instagram / @skipdoeshair
22. Shaggy Bangs for Curly Hair
If you dream of a fuss free, textured and easy to style haircut for your curly hair, look no more. This shag cut is both trendy and easy to maintain.
Instagram / @heatherolexahair
23. Short Coily Mullet Cut
It’s well known that curly hair is the best base for shags and mullets. However, if your hair is dead straight and you still want to wear this look, why not go for a modern perm? Combined with the juicy teal color, this hairstyle is anything but boring.
Instagram / @causing_hysterica
24. Mullet Shag with 70s Curly Bangs
These tousled copper coils and messy 70s’ style curly bangs make a perfect combo to rock this season. Shaggy mullet with bangs is a trendy and refined way to add some shape to your naturally curly hair.
Instagram / @motherofcurls
25. Shag Haircut for Curly Hair
One of the curly hair struggles is too much bulk at the ends and a flat top. Cutting some shorter layers around the crown would give that sought after volume while keeping the length at the bottom.
Instagram / @raquelschair
26. Textured Shag Haircut for Thick Hair
Shift the weight of your thick curly locks from the ends to the crown with this textured shaggy cut. It’s a big challenge to find a hairdresser confident in cutting curly hair. We recommend looking for a stylist who uses Rezo Cut of Deva Cut techniques – those are the best and most popular among the curly hair community.
Instagram / @becurlyrussia
27. Natural Afro Shag Cut
Choppy and layered, the shag cut is a perfect fit for natural afro hair. Apparently, big afro hair is a current trend, and curly shag is one of the best ways to spotlight the texture and volume of your locks.
Instagram / @haircolorkilla
28. Vintage Wavy Shag for Medium Length Hair
Soft shape, blended layers and defined asymmetric highlights – we love everything about this look. You will need a smoothing serum, a big barrel round brush, a hairdryer and some dedication to style it to achieve this finish. It’s so worth the effort though!
Instagram / @scissor_wizzard
29. Afro Mullet Haircut
Short, choppy layers add a lot of volume and oomph to this shaggy haircut. It’s a perfect shape for afro hair texture or for any other type of tight ringlets.
Instagram / @jayne_edosalon
30. Long Choppy Mullet Shag
Hop on the shaggy mullet trend with this ultra-heavy fringe and long curly back. While you certainly need to have the guts to pull off this look, you might ask your hairstylist to recreate a more subtle version of it.
Instagram / @stebunovhair
Edgy and daring, curly and wavy shag haircuts are certainly worth trying. While not everyone would be able to pull off a mullet, a softer, more wearable interpretation of a shag cut would suit most of the curly hair types. At least some of its elements can be implemented in your hairstyle to give it some edginess – be it tousled curly bangs or razored layers.
