The shag haircut has proven to be a timeless style, constantly reinvented to stay current with modern trends. With its layers, texture, and effortless vibe, the shag is a versatile option for those who want a stylish yet low-maintenance look. Here are 13 universal modern shag haircut solutions that work for various hair types and lengths. Each style comes with tips on how to achieve the look and personal insights on why these cuts are some of my favorites.
1. Medium Cut with Chunky Swoopy Layers
Styling Overview:
This medium-length shag features chunky, swoopy layers that create movement and dimension. The layers are perfect for adding volume and texture to your hair, making it a versatile choice for anyone looking to enhance their natural beauty.
How to Style:
Start by applying a volumizing mousse to damp hair. Blow-dry using a round brush to lift the roots and create swooping motion in the layers. Use a large-barrel curling iron to add soft waves, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends. Finish with a light hold hairspray to keep the style in place.
Personal Experience:
The chunky swoopy layers are my go-to for adding life to my medium-length hair. They create such a natural movement that my hair always looks effortlessly styled, even on the busiest days.
2. Blonde Shag with Emphasized Layers
Styling Overview:
A blonde shag with emphasized layers is all about contrast and definition. The lighter blonde color brings out the layers, creating a dynamic and textured look that’s both chic and easy to maintain.
How to Style:
Use a color-protecting shampoo and conditioner to maintain your blonde hue. Apply a texturizing spray to damp hair and blow-dry with a diffuser to enhance the natural layers. For added definition, use a curling wand to create loose waves, and finish with a sea salt spray for that beachy, tousled effect.
Personal Experience:
This style is a favorite when I want my layers to stand out. The blonde color really highlights the texture of the cut, giving it a fresh, youthful vibe that’s perfect for any season.
3. Medium Cut with Cropped Top
Styling Overview:
This medium cut with a cropped top is a modern take on the shag. The shorter layers on top add height and volume, while the longer layers below provide balance and movement, making it an ideal choice for those who want a bit of edge.
How to Style:
Apply a volumizing mousse to damp hair and blow-dry with a round brush, lifting the top layers to create volume. Use a flat iron to smooth out the ends and create a polished look. Finish with a texturizing spray to add some grit and enhance the shaggy texture.
Personal Experience:
The cropped top layers are perfect for giving my hair that extra lift. It’s a great style for days when I want a little more volume and edge, but still need something that’s easy to manage.
4. Tousled Auburn Bob
Styling Overview:
The tousled auburn bob is a warm, vibrant take on the classic shag. The auburn color adds richness and depth, while the tousled layers give the cut a relaxed, effortless vibe.
How to Style:
Use a color-enhancing shampoo and conditioner to keep the auburn hue vibrant. Apply a sea salt spray to damp hair and blow-dry with your fingers for a tousled finish. Use a curling wand to add loose waves, and finish with a shine spray to bring out the color and add a healthy glow.
Personal Experience:
This style is my go-to for fall. The auburn color pairs perfectly with the season, and the tousled layers make it easy to achieve that effortlessly chic look that I love.
5. Medium Brunette Shag with Thick Bangs
Styling Overview:
A medium brunette shag with thick bangs is a bold, statement-making style. The thick bangs add drama, while the shaggy layers create a textured, voluminous look that’s both modern and timeless.
How to Style:
Apply a smoothing cream to damp hair and blow-dry with a round brush, focusing on creating volume in the layers and keeping the bangs smooth and straight. Use a flat iron to define the layers and finish with a texturizing spray to add some edge.
Personal Experience:
The thick bangs are my favorite part of this style. They add so much personality to the cut, and paired with the shaggy layers, it’s a look that’s both bold and sophisticated.
6. Medium Two-Layer Cut
Styling Overview:
This medium two-layer cut is all about simplicity and balance. The top layer adds volume and shape, while the bottom layer provides length and movement, making it a versatile and easy-to-style option for any occasion.
How to Style:
Apply a volumizing mousse to damp hair and blow-dry with a round brush, lifting the top layer for volume. Use a flat iron to smooth out the ends and create a sleek finish. Finish with a shine serum to keep the cut looking polished and smooth.
Personal Experience:
The two-layer cut is perfect for days when I want something simple yet stylish. It’s easy to style and always looks polished, making it a great choice for any occasion.
7. Forward-Swept Straight Shag
Styling Overview:
The forward-swept straight shag is a sleek, modern take on the classic shag. The forward-swept layers create a clean, polished look, while the straight texture keeps it sleek and sophisticated.
How to Style:
Apply a smoothing cream to damp hair and blow-dry with a paddle brush, sweeping the layers forward as you dry. Use a flat iron to smooth out the layers and create a sleek finish. Finish with a shine serum to keep the cut looking polished and smooth.
Personal Experience:
This is my go-to style for a sleek, modern look. The forward-swept layers give it a clean, polished feel, and it’s a great option for when I need a more sophisticated style.
8. Feminine Feathered Shag for Medium Hair
Styling Overview:
This feminine feathered shag is all about softness and movement. The feathered layers create a light, airy feel, making it a perfect choice for those who want a more delicate take on the shag haircut.
How to Style:
Apply a volumizing mousse to damp hair and blow-dry with a round brush, focusing on lifting the layers to create volume. Use a flat iron to add slight bends to the layers, enhancing the feathered effect. Finish with a light hold hairspray to keep the style in place without making it stiff.
Personal Experience:
The feathered layers are my favorite part of this cut. They add so much movement and lightness to my hair, making it feel soft and feminine without losing that cool, shaggy vibe.
9. Delicate Light Blonde Shag
Styling Overview:
The delicate light blonde shag is a soft, ethereal take on the modern shag. The light blonde color adds a fresh, youthful vibe, while the delicate layers create a soft, flowing look.
How to Style:
Use a color-protecting shampoo and conditioner to keep the blonde hue vibrant. Apply a leave-in conditioner and blow-dry with a round brush for a smooth finish. Use a curling wand to add soft waves, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends, and finish with a shine spray for a healthy glow.
Personal Experience:
This style is perfect for spring and summer. The light blonde color feels fresh and youthful, and the delicate layers create such a soft, feminine look that’s easy to wear and style.
10. Chestnut Brown Choppy Lob
Styling Overview:
The chestnut brown choppy lob is a warm, rich take on the classic shag. The chestnut brown color adds depth and dimension, while the choppy layers create a textured, voluminous look that’s both chic and easy to style.
How to Style:
Use a color-enhancing shampoo and conditioner to keep the chestnut hue vibrant. Apply a volumizing mousse to damp hair and blow-dry with a round brush, lifting the roots for volume. Use a flat iron to smooth out the layers and create a sleek finish, and finish with a shine serum to bring out the color and add a healthy glow.
Personal Experience:
This style is my go-to for fall and winter. The chestnut brown color feels warm and cozy, and the choppy layers add just the right amount of texture and volume to keep the style interesting.
11. Medium Silver Layers
Styling Overview:
Medium silver layers are a bold, modern take on the shag haircut. The silver color adds a striking, edgy vibe, while the medium layers create a textured, voluminous look that’s perfect for those who want to stand out.
How to Style:
Use a purple shampoo to keep your silver color fresh and prevent brassiness. Apply a smoothing serum to damp hair and blow-dry with a round brush for a sleek finish. Use a flat iron to smooth out the layers and create a polished look, and finish with a shine spray to keep the cut looking sharp and edgy.
Personal Experience:
The silver color is what makes this style so unique. It’s bold and modern, and the medium layers add just the right amount of volume and texture to keep the look fresh and current.
12. Medium Feathered Cut for Thick Hair
Styling Overview:
This medium feathered cut is perfect for those with thick hair who want a more manageable style. The feathered layers help to thin out the hair and create a light, airy feel, making it a great choice for anyone with naturally thick
locks.
How to Style:
Apply a smoothing cream to damp hair and blow-dry with a round brush, focusing on lifting the layers to create volume. Use a flat iron to smooth out the layers and create a sleek finish, and finish with a shine serum to keep the cut looking polished and smooth.
Personal Experience:
As someone with thick hair, this style is a lifesaver. The feathered layers help to thin out my hair and make it much more manageable, while still keeping that cool, shaggy vibe.
13. Medium Razored Shag for Straight Hair
Styling Overview:
The medium razored shag is a sleek, modern take on the classic shag. The razored layers add a sharp, edgy feel, while the medium length keeps the style versatile and easy to manage.
How to Style:
Apply a smoothing cream to damp hair and blow-dry with a round brush, focusing on creating volume in the layers. Use a flat iron to smooth out the layers and create a sleek finish, and finish with a texturizing spray to add some edge and enhance the shaggy texture.
Personal Experience:
The razored layers are my favorite part of this cut. They add such a sharp, edgy feel to the style, and the medium length makes it easy to manage and style on a daily basis.
These modern shag haircut solutions offer a range of options for different hair types and personal styles. Whether you prefer bold, edgy looks or soft, feminine vibes, there’s a shag cut here for everyone. With the right styling techniques, you can make any of these looks work for you, bringing out your unique personality and flair.