That’s right. The shag cut has made a comeback (some may argue it never left in the first place). Chic, modern, and ever-so-trendy, this cut is transforming medium-length hair. Layer upon layer, the shag cut is truly one hairstyle that transcends time. And if you’re a DIY fiend, do we have something special for you. We’ll tell you how to achieve a basic shag cut on your own! Find out how to DIY a shag cut, and read on to check out our 32 incredible shaggy hairstyles.
How To Cut A Medium Shag Haircut
Spray bottle filled with water Elastic bands Comb Hair-cutting scissors
Now that you know how to cut your hair in a shag cut it’s time to style it. Here are 32 stylish medium shag hairstyles to give you some style inspiration.
32 Stylish Medium Shag Haircuts You’ll Want To Try
Licensed cosmetologist and professional hairstylist Jocelyn Ly says, “If you want to try a shag style try and find the one that compliments your face shape and your lifestyle. Also, it’s important to use the right products for your hair texture to get the look you want.” Waiting on the edge of your seat to find out which hairstyles made our list? Keep reading!
1. Shaggy Hair With Bangs
This hairstyle has a casual, relaxed, and edgy feminine vibe. You can opt for this hairstyle if you have a broad forehead as bangs will help balance out your facial features. This simple and low-maintenance hairstyle is for you if you don’t like spending hours styling your hair.
2. Messy Shaggy Hair With Curtain Bangs
Messy, shaggy hair with curtain bangs is a seriously cool combination. It is undoubtedly one of the hottest hairstyles of the season. You can add layers to bring out the natural texture of your hair in all its glory. Furthermore, if you are someone with fine hair, you can opt for this hairstyle, as it makes the hair look voluminous.
3. Modern Shag
This is a modern take on the classic shag cut. The shaggy layers have been cut to suit the layering trend of our time. You can style your hair like this with the help of a round brush and a blow dryer.
4. Simple Shag
I get it, medium shags can be overwhelming for those women who don’t want their layers to stand out too much. Fortunately, the shag is a versatile haircut. Opt for a toned down shag like this one.
5. Blonde Highlighted Shag
The shag hairstyle is all about volume with layers. When you have deep brown hair, adding blonde highlights can accentuate your layers and make your hair appear thicker and more textured.
6. Big Curly Ends Shag
Volume is a big issue for women with thin hair. The easiest solution is layers and curls. Adding layers will add depth and dimension to your tresses. The curls will add a texturized contrast, making your hair look bouncy and lively.
7. Thick Layered Shag
Women over 30 usually prefer this look among the medium shags. It’s easy to style, thanks to the heavy layers that start right at the top. On a bad hair day, you can also use the curls to cover up your problem areas!
8. Autumn Shag Cut
There are some hair colors that look great in specific seasons. For example, during autumn, you’ll notice earthy colors – like yellow, orange, and red – on display. Going for colors like this honey dimensional blend will accentuate your shaggy locks during fall.
9. Wavy Shag
The wavy shag is one of the best beachy looks. The layers and the wavy texture make your hair look like it’s been tousled by the sea breeze. Add some highlighted tips to give your hair a sun-kissed effect.
10. Ice Blonde Shag
Ice blonde has been a trending hair color ever since Elsa belted out “Let It Go” in Frozen. It gives you the perfect ice queen look. Add a shag cut to it, and you’ve got yourself a killer look.
11. Jet Black Shag
I love growing out my hair, but split ends and dryness make it look dull. The shag cut is a lifesaver for these hair issues. Getting regular trims will keep your hair looking fresh.
12. Dissociated Shag
Notice how there’s actually one main layer in this medium shaggy layered haircut. It is dissociated from the ends and stands out. The red-hued tips accentuate the layers without looking too overpowering.
13. The ‘90s Shag
This hairstyle was huge in the ‘90s. The only difference is it was shorter then. You can find innumerable celebs sporting this look. While it’s been gone for a while, it appears to be making a comeback with more teens opting for a medium length version of this cut.
14. Curled Modern Shag
The modern shag is sophisticated, thanks to its layers that start a little below the crown. Rather than the “stand out” layers of the classic shag, the modern shag is more about subtlety and style.
15. Classic Layered Shag
This is the perfect haircut for teens in school and college. It has stylish layers without being too long, which makes it easy to maintain. If you tie your hair in a pony or a bun, the layers will make it look effortlessly fashionable.
16. The Face-Framer Shag
Multiple layers paired with side bangs make up this haircut. The medium shag with bangs make your face look longer and leaner. The multiple layers of flicked in and out ends accentuate your face shape and lines.
17. Smooth Shag
The smooth shag looks super sleek. Its side layers are combed out while the back layers are curled at the ends. You can achieve this look with the help of a round brush and a blow dryer. Get some highlights or lowlights to add dimension to your locks.
18. Choppy Shag
Say hello to the choppy shag or, as I like to call it, the modern emo look. This hairstyle consists of multiple layers with choppy ends. The choppy ends accentuate the layers and hair texture. Add some honey blonde highlights, and you’ll be ready to belt out “Sk8er Boi”!
19. Upturned Ends
Upturned ends, in my opinion, are an underrated style. They add volume to your hair without looking too over the top. They add a suave touch to your locks while making them look thicker.
20. The Winter Shag
The layers of this shag are not spread all around the head. They’re mainly concentrated at the sides. Towards the ends, they’re cut all around. This will add dimension to your hair. Let’s not forget about the color that is perfect for the winter!
21. Spring Ends
The ends of this shag cut look like springs. (I’m talking about the springs that make your bed bouncy.) The springy ends do the same for your hair. They make your hair look voluminous and flowy.
22. Thinning Layers
Since the layers are thinned out, this shag is best-suited for women with thick hair. I like the feathered and uneven layers. They add an angsty vibe to the hairstyle. This haircut looks great in a high ponytail.
23. Lowlighted Shag
We’ve often heard of highlights, but lowlights never seem to make the headlines. Depending on your hair color, lowlights can really help frame your face and add depth to your locks. While highlights tend to pop, lowlights make your natural hair color stand out.
24. Unicorn Shag
A shag cut is a great way to flaunt your hair color. Whether it’s just highlights or a complete color change, opt for a feathered ends shag, and you won’t be disappointed. The feathered ends also make your hair color look a bit faded out and texturized.
25. Soft Ends
Soft ends and shaggy layers go hand in hand. When paired together, they add tons of texture to your hair. They also add volume to your tresses to give you flawless bouncy locks.
26. Soft Shag
In this shag cut, the layers themselves look soft. This has been achieved by finishing each layer in long, thinned-out ends. This makes the shag appear much softer and also helps soften your face lines.
27. The Mature Shag
This haircut is opted by women over forty. It is simple and to the point. The layers are easy to style and add texture to the locks. The layers also add depth, making your locks look thicker.
28. The Messy Shag
Messy hair is all the rage. Everyone wants that perfect “I just got out of bed, but I’m this stunning” look. The shag cut will give you that flawlessly messy but stylish look. However, if you have curly hair, you’ll need to be prepared for frizz.
29. Razor-Cut Shag
This shag has been cut with the help of a razor. The light brown blend adds dimension, depth, and texture to these locks, making them look healthy and lush.
30. The Mermaid Shag
Mermaid hair is a timeless trend. Blending mermaid hair with a shag gives you this stunning hairstyle. It is already very stylish, but the color amps it up even more. The sharp ends accentuate the layers, which balances out with the color.
31. The Lob Shag
‘Lob’ is short for long bob. Whatever your bob may be, adding shag layers can make your hair look thicker and livelier. Thin out your ends to accentuate the hair color and volume.
32. Soft Shaggy Layers
Sometimes, the key is to go soft. This is a drastic change from the classic shag cut. The classic shag is all about layers accentuated with sharp and flicked-out ends. This cut is softer and more balanced. Do you have to style a shag cut every day? No, a well-cut and styled shag haircut does not need much styling on a daily basis. It is low-maintenance compared to other hairstyles. Are shags out of style? No, the 70s hairstyle has made a comeback with a modern twist. It is considered one of the most versatile, chic, and low-maintenance hairstyles out there. What is the difference between a layered bob and a shag? A layered bob is short in length and cut in different layers. A shag has choppy layers and is suitable for all lengths. What is French shag? The French shag is a type of haircut where face-framing layers starting closer to the crown are created to add volume and texture to your hair.
