In 2022, the shag cut can be as much or as little of a commitment as one wants it to be. It can be short, long, drastic, subtle — but though the possibilities are endless, most shags are characterized by their volume-creating layers and face-framing shapes. “As a whole, a shag is cut by pulling everything forward with more dramatic contrast of layering [rather] than the average long layers,” says Nashville-based stylist Andy Judd. He prefers to razor-cut most layers on wet hair and make adjustments after drying, but says plenty of hairdressers have learned their own signature techniques that are just as effective.
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That’s why we’ve rounded up the best and most diverse shag haircuts from recent years. Just be warned: Some of these examples will have you calling your hair salon to book a last-minute appointment, so be sure to bookmark this page, or at the very least, save one of these images on your phone. You’ll probably be needing it.
Meet the Experts:
- Holly Seidel, a hairstylist and “shag queen” working in Los Angeles, California, and Seattle, Washington.
- Andy Judd, hairstylist and associate creative director at Local Honey in Nashville, Tennessee.
- Nunzio Saviano, owner of Nunzio Saviano Salon in New York City.
- Jenny Balding, co-owner of Cutler X Arlo Salon in New York City.
- Pekela Riley, hairstylist and owner of Salon PK in Jacksonville, Florida
- es Sharpton, resident hairstylist at Hairstory in New York City.…
Gettty Images…Almost-Bangs
Anne Hathaway‘s take on the subtle shag has face-framing frontal layers that almost qualify as bangs — but not quite. They’re just over curtain bang length. To get the look, Nunzio Saviano, New York City-based hairstylist and owner of Nunzio Saviano Salon, says, “Start by keeping the length at the shoulders, adding layers to frame the face and at the crown to add movement.” Finish by styling this cut with a leave-in product like the Rahua Leave-In Treatment to boost shine then use a round brush to create body to the hair.
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Getty Images…The Classic Shag
Forever and always the queen of the modern shag haircut, Alexa Chung is rarely seen without her midlength curtain bangs and long, highlighted layers. Here, she accentuates the shag look even more with her hair pulled back at the sides.
“Made famous in the ’60s by Jane Birkin, the heavy curtain bang is what really makes this cut stand out,” says Seidel, who notes it works for fine or thick hair. “On fine hair, the bangs will add an illusion of fullness, but only very light layers for movement in the back should be added,” she says. “For medium to thicker hair, interior layers to strategically remove bulk where needed will create movement and flow. Soft layering at the crown gives it fullness and shape.” If your hair is wavy, you can finish by styling with a flatiron. “Make sure to use a heat protective product like the Cult and King Setspray,” says Seidel.
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Instagram/ @moonstonestudiola…Bouncy, Natural Curls
Seidel, Los Angeles’s self-proclaimed “shag queen,” has fully earned to right to her nickname with creative cuts like this one. She’s proof that people with curly hair do not have to shy away from this trend if they find a stylist with the right tools and techniques.
Judd notes this cut works “because it frames their cheekbones and has face-hugging bits that hit right at the lip,” adding that the stylist shaped it to accommodate the client’s curl pattern and growth. To achieve this cut, “I would personally sketch in the shape wet with my razor, making sure to frame the face, taper in the length, and create fullness in the crown,” he says. “Diffuse, and then sculpt in the details dry with shears.”
Getty Images…Endless Volume
The choppy layers in Zendaya‘s long and curly shag cut give it mile-wide volume in every direction. “This is a really fluid cut for curly hair,” says Jenny Balding, New York City-based hairstylist and co-owner of Cutler x Arlo Salon. She notes that it’s heavy on the fringe, yes, but the shag isn’t severe thanks to the weight removed from the sides. “Keeping plenty of length is important so it does not shrink the curls too much which will in turn shorten the look.”
To style, Jacksonville, Florida-based hairstylist Pekela Riley recommends starting with completely wet hair then building in a volumizing mousse “to create stretching and separation with a slight toiling motion to encourage curling.” Follow by scrunching your hair lightly with a micro-fiber towel to remove excess moisture without frizzing. Then, diffuse it dry. Another tip: You can also use a pick to gently fluff at the roots for added volume.
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Getty Images…Textured, Curly Bangs
If you thought that piece-y bangs were exclusive to straight or wavy hair textures, take a look at Sandra Oh’s curly shag cut and take a moment to reconsider. “The framing around the face creates a great soft movement from the length of her bangs to the length of the hair,” says Saviano.
The getting-ready process takes a few steps but it’s worth it. Saviano notes to add mousse (like our Best of Beauty-winning IGK Big Time Volumizing Mousse) and anti-frizz cream (try the Oribe Imperial Blowout Transformative Styling Crème) to damp hair, then diffuse the hair until is one hundred percent dry. Follow by using a 1.25-inch curling iron all over to define and perfect the curls.
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Instagram/@highponys…Top-Heavy Shag
Stylist Misty Green lets this client’s naturally thick texture shine with a little layering near the crown and bangs that are styled in every direction. “This Stevie Nicks-inspired ‘wolf cut’ is a bohemian dream and coveted by ’70s vintage lovers,” says Seidel, who notes wavy to curly textures work best with this cut. “Otherwise, you will have to use a curling iron, rollers, or a perm to get the look.”
Judd adds, “What makes this haircut different is the amount of density that was kept in the fringe and the fact the stylist created more width in the crown while still giving height.”
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Courtesy of Instagram/@andy_doesyourhair…Straight Moon Bangs
Judd didn’t need to make many cuts to add drama to this client’s bright-blue hair. According to his Instagram, the biggest change he made here was widening the bangs and cutting them into a crescent shape, otherwise known as “moon bangs.”
“This dramatic shag mullet (a.k.a. the ‘shullet’) hybrid with its shorter bangs and more layers on top and around the face really sets the look apart,” says Seidel. “It’s about following the head shape and removing weight at the nape so that the hairstyle follows the curve of the neck.” Seidel notes that using a razor lends to the overall soft piecey effect. Finish the look with the Cult + King Style Cream and Jelly and you’re good to go.
Getty Images…Curly Moon Bangs
Also a long-running fan of the shag, Natasha Lyonne’s go-to cut has those signature layers all over and wispy, curly moon bangs. Need another reason to say yes to the shag? Wes Sharpton, New York City-based hairstylist and Hairstory‘s resident hairdresser, notes, “The shag, as a general rule, works on everyone because it’s a strong look that doesn’t overpower the individual’s face. The bangs bring attention to the eyes and the areas around the face frame to create a contour-like-effect which highlights the cheekbone.”
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Instagram/@shelby.loos…Short, Cropped Shag
Many have been conditioned to think that bangs and short hair together are a recipe for disaster, but that’s simply not true, as proven by Kansas City-based stylist Shelby Loos’s rendition of the shag on short hair.
“What makes this shape different is the addition of the carved-in moon bangs that resemble a crescent shape,” says Judd. “These will grow into beautiful curtain bangs. Also, a difference in this shape is that when tucked it will give off the idea of a mullet. [It gives] multiple looks without the cut in commitment.”
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Getty Images…The Pixie Shag
Gabrielle Union has worn many shag haircuts over the past few years, but none have been so bold as this intensely layered pixie cut, further proof that shaggy styles don’t require a ton of length. “I would achieve this cut by starting with longer uniform layers on the top, long graduated layers towards the face, and graduated taper layers on the back and sides,” says Riley. “I’d also soften the layers with point cutting and razor cutting to keep it nice, soft, modern, and not too choppy.”
With this style, Riley notes it’s best to mold it with a foam wrap to lay the back and sides down. Once all your hair is dry, you can apply a light beveling with a flatiron. “Then, apply a little bit of texture wax (try the Kenra Professional Platinum Working Wax) to give it a little bit of piecey-ness. Also, texture wax can be used more on the sides and back to support with laying it down.”
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Instagram/@edosalonandgallery…Dramatic Curtain Bangs
This front-heavy style by Jayne Matthews amps up the drama with bangs that take up the entire front of the cut. “Leaving extra length but creating movement throughout with shorter layers and texturing on top area gives it a very traditional shag look,” says Balding. Though this iteration of the shag might take more upkeep than others, it’s more than worth it for the way it highlights all the face’s features.
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Instagram/@madison.n.williams…Shag With Subtle Curtain Bangs
This cut takes a subtle but effective approach that’s perfect for anyone who likes the look but is (understandably) afraid of the upkeep that comes with lots of layers and bangs. The stylist responsible for this look, Austin, Texas-based Madison Williams, notes in an Instagram post that shags like this offer a way to make a visible change to your hair without cutting off much length. Finish the look by giving it a hit of dry texture spray.
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Getty Images…The Lob
Taylor Swift puts a vintage spin on the long bob with long, textured layers guaranteed to lift any fine hair type. “With this cut, it’s important to not remove too much weight from the perimeter,” says Balding. The focal point here is the heavier fringe area (aka the bangs) while loose layers frame Swift’s face. “It’s a soft shag which is still very versatile.”
To style, air-drying is usually best, Balding notes. Blow out the fringe a little and mist a texture spray like the Redken Triple Dry 15 Dry Texture Finishing Spray lightly all over then shake out.
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Courtesy Wes Sharpton…Textured Shag
There’s an art to achieving just the right amount of texture when it comes to this kind of cut. “With all shags, you want shorter layers on top and shorter bits around the face,” says Sharpton. His approach? “Personally, I’d cut these curls dry and start with the bangs. First, I’d carve them into the shape and length that feel best for my client, and then I’d layer the middle section by cutting each curl, starting from shorter to longer and making sure there are no blunt ends. This is because we want to achieve seamless layers, as opposed to shelf-y layers.”
Next, he says he would cut curl by curl, being sure to “over-direct” the sections toward the middle, repeating all the way around the head. “As I work, I’ll shake the hair out to ensure the lift and shape is looking the way we want it to. [I’d finish with] some shorter bits around the face and frame all the way to lengths.”
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Instagram/@nunziosavianosalon…Wolf Cut
There’s a reason Saviano’s TikTok is blowing up — his techniques for haircuts like this “wolf cut” are captivating to watch. “The new shags are way more layered than what we saw few years ago,” he says. This updated version has evolved from a super layered bob to a bi-level haircut. The sides are way shorter than the length, and the crown is also a lot shorter to get more height and volume. “I love this cut on curly, wavy or straight hair, and the bangs can be cut to suit any face shape.”
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Instagram/@hollygirldoeshair…Shaglet
On the fence about committing to a shag? Go for a baby one a.k.a. the “shaglet” above, another version of Siedel’s signature snip. She says, “It’s unique because it’s a bit shorter than a typical shag but softer than a mullet because it flows more and is not disconnected between the top and bottom.”
“This cut can be achieved with a razor or scissors and is very layered all around with soft wispy pieces that are carefully carved out to follow the head shape and frame the face,” Siedel explains, noting it’s best for medium to fine hair with a slightly wavy to curly texture.
The style is meant to look undone so less styling is actually best. Just scrunch some shine spray in to wet hair a couple of inches from the roots all the way to the ends. Then, style as desired around the face and crown using a wide-tooth comb and your fingers. Let it air-dry and then add a little dry texture spray to the roots, if needed, to complete the look.
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Instagram/@nunziosavianosalon…Long Shag
This shag has a similar idea to the “wolf cut” — there are layers are aplenty, it’s just longer in length overall. This cut can work for anyone who has hair that is straight or curly. “On curly to wavy hair, use a diffuser or let it air-dry,” he says. “Using a diffuser helps enhance the texture and creates volume.” Follow with a mousse (he recommends the Aloxxi Volumizing Whip) and a little styling cream (we like the Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream).
For straight hair, Saviano suggests a light spray gel at the root and using a paddle brush to dry the sides and the back. Use a round brush for the bangs and crown. The last step is optional, but if your hair is on the straighter side and you want some more texture, use a curling iron to create loose waves.
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Courtesy Wes Sharpton…Bowl Cut
Can’t decide between a short or long cut? You can have it both with this “bowl mullet” which has more shorter pieces at the front than a traditional mullet.
On the cutting process, Sharpton says, “I would start by separating the back, just behind the ear and all the way to the crown. I’d then section off the back area with a clip so I could focus on one side at a time.” Next up are the bangs: take a small section in front of the ears and cut it into a rounded shape. “I’d then work my way toward the back of hair, taking section by section and cutting until I reached the back. Letting loose the section that we clipped up, I’d either free-hand some light layering or leave it more solid, depending on the finish we want.”
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Instagram/@hollygirldoeshair…The Bombshell Shag
“Big, glamorous statement hair is trending right now and this nod to the ’60s cut is one of the top requests I’m getting from my Los Angeles clients,” says Siedel, who coined its name: the bombshell shag.
“It’s great for thick hair textures that can handle lots of layering,” she says. This haircut’s best friend is a 1.25-inch barrel curling iron which you can use to add definition to the pieces. Just make sure to use a heat protectant spray (we like the Tresemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Leave-In-Spray) beforehand.
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