There’s a new haircut on the block—and it turns out it’s not new at all. While the classic bob and blunt lob have seen their fair share of attention recently, it’s the new shag that’s taking over salons everywhere. Before you lose yourself flashing back to Stevie Nicks, Jane Fonda, David Cassidy, and Mick Jagger with their choppy shag cuts, we want you to envision a more flattering shag. This modern nod to the shag cut that reigned supreme in the 1970s is just as mussed and layer-heavy but slightly softer in approach. (And it’s so flattering.)
While getting a layer-packed cut like this can be intimidating, the new shag is approachable, softer, and not one-size-fits-all. An old-school shag cut traditionally hits between the collarbone and chest, but face shape and hair texture should dictate your most flattering length. The bangs are still eyebrow-grazing and longer on the sides, and oodles of layers give the midsection volume and body (but ask for softer layers that aren’t choppy!). If you’re feeling adventurous on your next trip to the salon, try one of these 14 modern shag haircut styles.
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The New Shag
So, the new shag is all about using softer layers to create a less choppy, more feminine cut that still maintains the shape and feel of a classic shag. This haircut includes bangs, waves, and plenty of layers. You can vary the length to whatever you want. This style is a great example.
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Shaggy Bob
This French-inspired bob is short in length and bangs, giving it that choppier shag look. This style flatters oval faces better than round or heart.
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Sleeker Shag
We love this modern approach to the shag cut with less messiness and sleeker locks while keeping the tousles and bangs. When styling this haircut, use a smoothing serum or oil, which will come in handy after the hair is dry.
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Shaggy Crop
We love this modern crop cut that gives the choppy layers and bangs of a shag cut in a slightly stacked, longer crop length. It’s easy to style while also making a statement.
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Old School
This haircut is the closest we think anyone should get to the retro shag, and it’s a pretty good resemblance with the slightest modern edge (which we might attribute to way better hair products!).
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Cropped Top
We’re giving the nod to an original shag expert here, especially with this particular shag style that keeps the top half of layers very short to get that volume and shape. It still works!
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Side-Parted Shag
This side-parted shaggy bob with thick bangs looks classy and chic and is perfect for those that don’t want to dive into a center part. The length frames the face perfectly, and the short layers give your hair more body.
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Subdued Shag
If you want to give a quieter nod to this cool cut, then go for a subdued style. This haircut still emphasizes the characteristic center-part bangs and layers of the shag cut in a softer, sleeker way and with a longer length.
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Balayage Highlights
This haircut is definitely more modern but gets its characteristics from the shag cut. The bangs and wavy layers make it an effortless look. The balayage highlights give this style movement and definition, making it ultra-trendy and fresh.
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Curly Girl Shag
We love this natural curly-hair approach to a shag cut. The layers create major volume at the hair’s midsections, giving this cut the classic shag shape. Use some curling mousse in this hair to enhance that curl.
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Blunt Shag
We know the whole thing about a classic shag was its mountains of layers and choppy look, but we like this style’s rebellious bluntness that still veers shag-like in shape and cut. Ask for blunt ends rather than all the layers to achieve this look.
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Shag-Inspired Long Locks
The shag is typically no longer than just below the collarbones, but this style doesn’t sacrifice length for the layer-packed, tousled shag look. The bangs sweep away from the face, and we love the subtle highlights that add definition.
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Fullest Bangs
If you’re more into blunt than center-parted bangs, go for a full bang on a shag cut to make it look a little more classic and elegant. You still get the eyebrow-grazing length bangs, but just more of it.
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Lob-Length
This shag-like take on the trendy lob-length cut makes for one stylish head of hair. There are plenty of layers and body, but the bangs are slightly more subdued than a traditional shag.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What face shape do shags look good on?The shag haircut is versatile and looks great on almost every face shape. For round face shapes, shag haircuts can hide a person’s facial features, making them look shorter, so opt for a longer shag that elongates rather than covers. Medium-length shags are great for people with oval face shapes.
- How do you style a shag haircut?Shag haircuts give a person a laid-back look, but the ample layers and fringe require maintenance. Shorter shag haircuts need a trim every four to six weeks, while longer looks can wait until every six to eight weeks. Get the most from your shag haircut by using texturizing spray to volumize layers and blow-drying bangs with a round brush.
