Shag Haircut: 6 Tips for Styling a Shag Haircut

A shag is a haircut defined by choppy layers, tousled volume, and wispy bangs. As a versatile hairstyle, the shag is adaptable to different hair types and lengths. The classic shag features soft beach waves, but variations on the shag style include the undercut shag, which has a razor-cut side shave, the wolf cut, and the shag mullet, which combines long layers in the back with shorter layers in the front. You can have a straight or curly shag haircut and different length cuts, from long hair that extends beyond your shoulders to just above the collarbone (like a lob, or long bob haircut).

A shag look requires frequent trims to maintain the layers and fringe. When your bangs or layers grow out, the shag loses its defining features and volumizing effect. Hairstylists recommend getting a trim every four to six weeks for short shags and six to eight weeks for mid-length and long shag haircuts.

Aside from grooming your short layers, maintaining your shaggy hairstyle on a daily basis is low-maintenance compared to other layered haircuts. Let your shag hairstyle air-dry or simply roll out of bed and embrace the tousled look.

Follow these steps to enhance your natural hair texture and style your shaggy look:

1. 1. Apply a texturizing spray. The modern shag haircut plays with texture to create a tousled yet voluminous look. Applying a sea salt spray enhances the natural texture of wavy hair, while a mousse volumizes thin hair and minimizes frizz. For curly shags, use a styling cream to define the layers of a choppy shag. If you have naturally thick hair, spritz a texturizing spray and run your fingers through your locks.
2. 2. Blow-dry your bangs. Loose bangs are another signature element of the shag style. For straight shags or shaggy bobs, hairdressers recommend using a blow-dryer and round brush to blow out bangs to create the classic fringe look. If you have a wavy shag, use a curling iron to touch up your bangs and create a slight twist.
3. 3. Consider your hair type. Wavy and curly hair has more volume than straight hair. If your hair has a curl or wave, apply a curl cream and let it air-dry to play with your hair’s natural volume and texture. For straight hair, apply a mousse or styling cream to damp hair before blow-drying. Partially drying your hair and scrunching sections of your hair upward will increase the volume of fine hair.
4. 4. Cut according to your face shape. Variations of the shag cut complement different face shapes. When styling your shag, consider how the layers hang along the edge of your cheeks. Sideswept bangs and dramatic layers suit round faces since the differing hair lengths soften and elongate the face. Short hair looks, such as shag bobs and pixie cuts, also suit round faces by framing the cheekbones. For long face shapes, curtain bangs and soft waves balance out angular features and create a face-framing effect.
5. 5. Play with your hair color. Enhance a well-cut shag by adding a pop of color to your look. Adding highlights to a shaggy layered bob is a popular hair trend that makes these short shag haircuts appear more dynamic. For long and medium-length shags, consider getting a balayage to create an ombré look. Shoulder-length hair is also long enough to pull off ombré shags.
6. 6. Use dry shampoo. As a powder-based product, dry shampoo absorbs excess oil on the scalp, reducing hair greasiness. On the days you skip shampoo in the shower, apply a thin layer of dry shampoo and massage the product into your scalp. Using a dry shampoo maintains the look of your shag, particularly for short haircuts.

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