33 Stylish Medium Shags You’ll Want To Try
The perfect medium shag styles for an effortlessly stylish, edgy, and balanced look
Jocelyn Ly has been in the beauty and wellness industry for over 12 years. She studied Psychology at UC Davis to help people with their mental health. After graduating, she pursued a cosmetology license at Pasadena City College and received her California Cosmetology License.
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Experience: 7 yearsAnjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.
Read full bio of Anjali Sayee
Experience: 2.5 yearsShatabdi is an associate editor and an alumnus of Lady Brabourne College, Kolkata, where she honed her skills and developed a deep understanding of the world of literature and expression. She has worked with various organizations and websites operating in different industries, ranging from education to lifestyle, showing her adaptability and drive to learn.
Read full bio of Shatabdi Bhattacharya
Anu is a beauty and lifestyle writer and a graduate of Amity University, Noida, where she refined her writing skills and cultivated her deep passion for the field. She pursued the Beauty Technician Training Program at Maquillage Beauty Institute, which has equipped her with practical skills in various beauty treatments.
Read full bio of Anu Pallavi
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Medium-shag haircuts are taking over Instagram! That’s right. The shag cut has made a comeback (some may argue it never left in the first place) with famous influencers flaunting the hairstyle. This cut is chic, modern, and ever-so-trendy. It transforms medium-length hair. Layer upon layer, the shag cut is truly one hairstyle that transcends time. It suits different face shapes and is compatible with all hair types. And if you’re a DIY fiend, we have something special for you. We’ll tell you how to achieve a basic shag cut on your own! Read on to learn it all.
Before You Get Started- Blow-drying a shag cut is the best to add a bouncy texture to it.
- A texturizing spray will help achieve movement in a shag cut if you have fine hair.
- Highlights go well with shag cuts, adding depth and definition to them.
- A shag is not a hairstyle you may be able to sport at a formal workplace due to its messy appearance.
Find out how to DIY a shag cut, and read on to check out our 32 incredible shaggy hairstyles.
In This Article
How To Cut A Medium Shag Haircut
What You Need
- Spray bottle filled with water
- Elastic bands
- Comb
- Hair-cutting scissors
How To Do
- Dampen your hair with the water spray.
- Comb your hair and mark how long you want your shag cut to be.
- Gather all your hair and tie it in a high ponytail.
- Take another elastic band and tie it at the mark.
- With a pair of scissors, cut your hair just below the elastic band.
- Remove both elastic bands and check the layers.
- You can fine style your hair but feather the layers. Simply use the point-cut method and thin out the ends. This will create the shag effect.
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.
Key Takeaways
- The shag cut has made a recent comeback and is here to stay because it is chic, modern, and a truly universal hairstyle.
- With your scissors and a comb at your disposal, you can give yourself a shag cut in the comfort of your home.
- Once you understand the basics of getting a shag cut, you can try anything from a simple shag to the autumn shag cut.
33 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 medium-length hairstyle with bangs 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 on hair styling.
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 haircut. This shaggy layered cut seems to be currently trending. 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.
For holding your shag style in place, you can use hairspray or liquid wax. Ana Molina, a YouTube vlogger, offered styling advice for a shag hairstyle from her personal experience: “I like to spray the liquid wax pretty far away, and then as soon as you spray, crunch it to give it that gritty texture. Another way to use it is to spray it on your fingertips (i).”
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 create an illusion of thicker and more textured hair.
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.
Quick Tip10. 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 as a hair trend with more teens opting for a medium hair 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.
Fun Fact16. 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, making it perfect for short shag hairstyles.
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.
33. Wolf Shag
The wolf shag haircut, with its untamed layers and effortless coolness, has emerged as a captivating trend in contemporary hairstyling. It is a mix between a slight mullet and a vintage shag. The untamed layers make your hair look thicker and more voluminous than they really are. The essence of a wolf shag cut lies in its deliberately choppy and unblended layers. This style incorporates shorter layers on the top to amplify volume and texture, while the back features longer layers, creating an edgy, slightly disheveled, and rock-inspired vibe. It is ideal for those who seek more volume in a haircut.
Infographic: 5 Shag Hairstyles For Medium-Length Hair
Without a doubt, shag hairstyles have taken centerstage and are all the rage at the moment. If you wish to experiment with a new look but are confused about which one to go for, don’t worry – we have got you covered. Check out the infographic below for 5 gorgeous shag hairstyles for medium-length hair and select your favorite look to recreate!
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The glamorous effects of the shaggy hairstyle are not just limited to short haircuts. They work stunningly with medium-length hair as well. It is amazing what medium shag haircuts can do for your overall appearance. This style adds volume and makes your hair look healthier. Here is a list of 32 fashionable shag hairstyles for medium-length hair. Take your favorite picks and have fun experimenting with them. You can also consult a professional stylist to discuss this and figure out which type of shag hairstyle will suit you best.
Frequently Asked Questions
How frequently should a shag haircut be maintained?
A shag haircut needs trimming every 6 to 8 weeks to retain the layers and maintain the texture. This also prevents the hair from growing out and looking messy. However, if you prefer longer hair, extend the time between haircut appointments.
What hair products are essential for styling a shag haircut?
A texturizing spray or mousse is a must-have product if you have a shag haircut. It keeps your hairstyle looking fresh and retains the texture. A lightweight styling pomade is essential to tame your baby hair and frizz. Lastly, you will need a lightweight hairspray to set the style for hours.
Does a shag haircut work well on all hair types?
Yes. A shag haircut is suitable for all hair types. It offers a tousled effect to fine hair and adds seamless movement to medium and thick hair. The haircut also works well for curly hair as it enhances the natural curls without making the hair appear bulky.
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.
Illustration: Stylish Medium Shags You’ll Want To Try
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
Check out this video to see the 20 latest variations of shag haircuts for medium-length hair. Get inspired and find your perfect look!
Personal Experience: Source
StyleCraze's articles are interwoven with authentic personal narratives that provide depth and resonance to our content. Below are the sources of the personal accounts referenced in this article.
i. How To Style A Shag For Beginners, Super Easy!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWpVfvuKNVw
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