45 Best Shag Haircuts for Women Over 40 to Try

Shag haircuts are contemporary styles characterized by choppy and textured layers. Women over 40 can certainly rock this look. You can get up and go with this style—no need to stress about spending excessive time on styling. A shag cut is essentially a hair away from a mullet. Meaning, the two haircuts are quite similar. Both are achieved by introducing plenty of texture and layers.

The removal of weight is crucial for multi-layered cuts like the shag. Luckily, stylist Trianna Johnson from Tulsa, OK assures that this style suits any hair type. She explains, “Even mature women with fine hair can enjoy this chop. It helps create the illusion of volume if executed correctly. You just have to modify the layers to feel significantly lighter than before.”

Johnson’s top recommendation for women considering a shag for the first time is to use the right products for hand-styling. Seek assistance from your hairdresser to learn how to prepare your tresses. “A shag is a more effortless style. Don’t overdo it,” Johnson emphasizes. She recommends the Hairstory Hair Balm for added definition and hydration. The Hairstory Powder is also excellent for enhancing volume.

Stay looking youthful and vibrant with this carefree style. Here are the images of the most inspiring shag haircuts for women over 40.

Choppy Shag Lob with Fringe Detail

Choppy Shag Lob with Fringe Detail for Women Over 40
Instagram @saltybangs

From mature women to young girls, the current trend embraces shag hairstyles! This layered look with fringe demonstrates how a classic style like choppy lob can effortlessly infuse vibrancy and a youthful vibe into your appearance.

Textured Shaggy Bob with Bangs

Consider a textured shaggy bob with bangs if you’re seeking the ideal hairstyle that offers abundant volume and dimension. Using a razor while adding layers to your short hair will assist in achieving varied layered lengths, which will provide that casual texture. If you’re aiming for more voluminous hair, grab a texture spray and a volumizing powder like Sexyhair’s “powder play” product. Sprinkle the powder onto your roots and tousle your hair with your fingertips, working the product into your scalp.

Textured Shaggy Long Bob with Straight Bangs

Textured shaggy long bob with straight bangs for women aged forty with round faces
Instagram @saltybangs

Make your long bob shine by incorporating tousled, shaggy layers and sleek bangs. Curtain or bottleneck bangs complement shaggy layers beautifully and can accentuate your facial features. Bangs also offer another advantage – they can conceal fine lines or wrinkles, imparting a more youthful appearance. Layered cuts can lighten your hair, adding volume and making it easier to style. For enhanced volume and shine, use a product like Cult and King jelly.

Mid-Length Shag Haircut with Delicate Bangs

Mid-Length Shag Haircut with Delicate Bangs for Women Over 40 with Glasses
Instagram @hairculyann

A shag haircut can be tailored for your face shape and hair type. If you have fine hair, consider keeping the edges more voluminous. You can also incorporate layers for added thickness on the crown. Utilize a straight razor for a tidy cut that transitions beautifully as it grows. Add soft, airy bangs for a stylish touch, enhancing your eyes and complements for glasses.

Medium-Length Wavy Shag with Side Bangs

Medium-Length Wavy Shag with Side Bangs for Women Over Forty
Instagram @placentrix

Consider a medium-length wavy shag paired with side bangs for an energetic and stylish haircut. Ideal for low-maintenance women over forty, this medium shag is simple to style and maintain. Incorporating a side bang provides coverage and frames your facial features beautifully.

Chic Shag with Loose Waves for Round Faces

Chic Shag with Loose Waves for 40-Year-Olds with Round Faces
Instagram @bleachfuzzz

A chic shag with loose waves looks stunning. A shag is essentially a haircut that has been layered with various lengths, usually involving shorter pieces around your face (longer bangs, face-framing pieces) and all throughout your hair. It’s important to consider this haircut if you have a round face shape because the shorter layers will help add volume to the top of your hairstyle and get rid of any unnecessary bulk around the bottom of your hairstyle. Removing bulk is necessary for thicker hair types if you want to see movement and texture in your new shag haircut.

Textured Medium Shag with Bottleneck Bangs

Collarbone-length textured Shag with bottleneck bangs for women aged 40
Instagram @saltybangs

Enhance thickness and volume to your hair through a textured, medium-length shag with bottleneck bangs. These bangs, another version of curtain bangs, fall at or just below brow level in the center and get longer around the cheekbones. Accentuating the cheekbones is beneficial for those who adore their facial structure or have a slender face and wish to create an illusion of fullness for balance. Additionally, these bangs work well for women over 40 as they can camouflage fine lines or wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes and face. Despite requiring daily styling, bangs are a time-efficient option that only takes a few minutes daily.

Textured Shag with Soft Curtain Bangs

If you’re a woman over 40, think about trying a textured shag with soft curtain bangs. A timeless shag features numerous layers and face-framing fringe to provide your hair with incredible volume. While a shag is generally low-maintenance, very short layers will require regular trims to maintain their shape.

Textured Shag with Extended Curtain Bangs

Textured Shag with Extended Curtain Bangs for a 40-Year-Old Lady
Instagram @nakedeyebeauty

If you’re a lady over forty, consider a textured shag with extended curtain bangs. When it comes to styling a shag, it’s effortless. Layers will provide your hair the volume it needs so it doesn’t fall flat. Avoid using a razor if you prefer your hair to look and feel smoother. A razor roughs up your hair strands for added texture.

Medium Shag with Fringe Bangs for Luscious Hair

If you have luscious hair, consider a medium shag with fringe bangs for a refreshing change if you’re weary of lifeless locks. Shag haircuts are filled with layers, which will remove significant bulk and weight from the ends of your hair, resulting in a more airy, flowing hairstyle. This cut looks fabulous on straight, wavy, and curly textures, so don’t hesitate to experiment with new styling methods.

Shaggy Hair with a Side Part

A side-parted shaggy hairstyle is ideal for a contemporary and bold appearance on any hair type. If you’re a woman over 40, this shag style beautifully enhances your features by framing your face and providing volume in all the right areas.

Bold Fringe on a Shaggy Cut

Bold Fringe on a Shaggy Cut for 40-Year-Old Ladies
Instagram @alistylist25

Show off your chic strands with a shaggy cut featuring a bold fringe. A shag hairstyle incorporates multiple short layers that blend harmoniously together. The numerous layers can help add volume and movement to your lifeless hair. A shag style is low-maintenance and can be styled effortlessly with some texture cream.

Shag Haircut with Layered Disconnection

Shag Haircut with Layered Disconnection for Women Over Forty
Instagram @oskahair

Shaggy and layered disconnection helps maintain volume and length, as your hair is cut at varying lengths. If you have fine hair, you might prefer less disconnection, as it can make some areas appear lighter.

Delicate Shag Hairstyle for Thin Hair

Delicate Shag Hairstyle for a Forty-Year-Old with Thin Hair
Instagram @nakedeyebeauty

If you have thin hair, consider trying a delicate shag hairstyle the next time you visit your hair salon. This hairstyle is one of the best to explore if you appreciate volume, texture, and airy layers. Ask for a stylist who specializes in razor cuts or feels assured in removing a significant amount of bulk in your hair with thinning shears. This is essential in achieving the ideal delicate shag haircut for thin hair.

Sleek Modern Shag with Bardot Bangs

Enhance your flat hair with a sleek modern shag complemented by Bardot bangs. If you’re a woman over 40, shoulder-length hair is the ideal in-between length that infuses life into your strands. For fine hair, incorporating soft shaggy layers creates more body, resulting in fuller-looking locks. A bang serves as the perfect finishing touch that you can always tailor to suit your style.

Effortless Shag with Layered Textures for Square Faces

If you have a square face, an effortless shag with layered textures will take off at least 10 years from your overall look. This contemporary interpretation of a classic haircut will have everyone asking, “Is she really in her 40s?” The shag hairstyle is incredibly trendy and is the style everyone is eager to try right now. This look is perfect for women who prefer to minimize styling time before starting their day.

Bold Pixie Mullet

Bold Pixie Mullet for Women 40 and Up
Instagram @hair.by.amyj

A bold pixie mullet is a hairstyle that requires the right hairstylist in order to achieve. This unisex style can be versatile in the way that it is styled and shaped. Leave longer pieces in front of your ear if you’re wanting a more feminine appearance and cut with a razor to add texture or cut your hair blunter instead of with a razor if you want something a little more masculine.

Shag Hairstyle with Long Feathered Bangs for Collarbone-Length Hair

Shag Hairstyle with Long Feathered Bangs for Collarbone-Length Hair on 40-year-old Ladies
Instagram @patriziarobel

This delicate and alluring style is ideal for individuals over 40. The bangs in this design are styled away from the face, imparting an uplifting effect around the eyes and cheekbones. Additionally, this shaggy look complements pear, round, long, and oval face shapes. Incorporating some highlights into this hairstyle can also enhance its dimensions and enrich the shades of color, resulting in a more stunning appearance.

Textured Shag Haircut with Complete Bangs

Textured Shag Haircut with Complete Bangs for Women Over Forty
Instagram @leslydoeshair

A textured shag haircut with complete bangs will rejuvenate your look and enhance your overall appearance, making you feel and look more youthful. Women in their 40s often believe they need to adhere to age-appropriate hairstyles and might think that it involves drastically shortening their hair. A timeless, contemporary shag cut will provide a lively, youthful look and radiate a fresh energy, without sacrificing significant length.

Light Shag with Flicked Layers

Chest-Length Light Shag with Flicked Layers for 40-Year-Old Ladies with Long Faces
Instagram @__k_vu__

If your hair is fine and you’re considering a shag cut, incorporating flicked layers is essential. This technique will help your hair look more voluminous. A shag cut might seem intimidating for delicate hair. However, if you maintain the layers soft and petal-like, it creates depth and an ideal shape for fine hair.

Textured Long Bob with Bold Bangs

I enjoy asking clients, ‘How would you like to feel after your haircut?’ This helps us select a style that reflects our personality, profession, and innermost desires. A textured bob, complete with all the layers, when paired with striking bangs, is ideal for those with a longer face shape and broader forehead.

Textured Grown-Out Bob with Subtle Bangs

Stylish women over 40 will appreciate a textured, grown-out bob with subtle bangs! A bob is an excellent choice for transitioning from a pixie cut or refining longer hair styles. Plus, the grown-out bob looks fabulous when styled with glasses!

Stylish Mid-Length Shag with Textured Layers and Fringe

Stylish Mid-Length Shag with Textured Layers and Fringe for 40-Year-Old Women
Instagram @angelakimhair

The shag style continues to thrive! If you’re eager to join the shag movement, give a mid-length shag with textured layers and fringe a shot. This vintage-inspired look is currently trending and shows no signs of fading away.

Textured Long Hair with Soft Layers and Fringe

Achieve the chic 70s vibe with a textured long hairstyle that features soft layers and fringe! This look is ideal for those with thinning hair. It also appears fabulous on anyone looking to refresh their long locks.

Contemporary Mullet Shag with Defined Bangs

Try a contemporary mullet shag with defined bangs if you’re feeling dull and uninspired with your current hairstyle. The contemporary mullet is trending right now. If you are in your forties, this hairstyle will instantly take years off your appearance. So what are you waiting for? Get a haircut that will transform your look and provide you with all the texture and volume you could ever desire.

Shaggy Grey French Bob for Mature Women

The ideal hairstyle for those aged 40 and above is a stylish grey, shaggy French bob. If you’re over 40 and in search of the right look, a short bob enhances the grey, wavy texture beautifully. A shag adds volume to the crown, giving the hair a youthful appearance. To refresh your cut, style bottleneck bangs that flip out effortlessly with your hands using hair balm. Allow your hair to air dry, then comb and shape it as desired.

Shaggy Mullet Haircut Featuring Baby Bangs

Shoulder-Length Shaggy Mullet Haircut Featuring Baby Bangs for Women Over 40 with Glasses
Instagram @huehairlounge

If you’re considering a fresh style, opt for a shaggy mullet cut paired with baby bangs. Shag styles have gained attention recently due to their effortless styling. This haircut, typically cut with a razor or heavily texturized, showcases the natural waves or curls of the hair thanks to its light, piecey appearance. For styling a shag, it’s best to use a cream-based product that offers a lightweight hold. Afterwards, spritz some sea salt spray to enhance texture and volume. A fantastic lightweight cream can be found from Kusco Murphy, specifically their Lavender Hair Creme.

Textured Long Waves with Layered Shag and Soft Bangs

To achieve a shaggy look with lengthy hair, concentrate on the layers at the crown. This creates volume and lift. Maintain the perimeter long and textured. Nevertheless, steer clear of making it too thin unless that’s your desired style. Emphasize your favored features and enhance your lovely eyes with gentle, wispy bangs.

Chic Textured Shag with Subtle Bangs

In various shag hairstyles, subtle bangs and face-framing layers command attention. The hair at the back and sides usually features fewer layers. Your stylist will customize your cut according to your face shape to accentuate your best attributes. With ample hair framing your face, your hairstyle will look stunning in a bun or ponytail.

Textured Shaggy Hairstyle with Gentle Layers and Bangs

Mid-length Textured Shaggy Hairstyle With Gentle Layers and Bangs for 40-year-old Women
Instagram @saltybangs

Unlock your hair’s natural texture with a stylish, layered shag haircut. A shag offers a transformative look that adds dimension and vitality to any hair type and face shape. This hairstyle can be tailored to suit each person’s individual style. Discuss with your stylist the possibility of incorporating a razor for your particular hair texture. This technique can intensify texture and unveil creative styles. Utilize products such as Hairstory Undressed or Hair Balm. These can elevate your hair’s texture, ensuring it looks stunning and feels fabulous.

Razor Cut Shag Hairstyle with Bangs for Mature Women

Razor Cut Shag Hairstyle with Bangs for Mature Women 40 and Over
Instagram @gracez_hair

A shag haircut combined with bangs is ideal for mature women because it adds fullness to your hair. You should ask your stylist about a razor cut shag with bangs if you are wanting the more wispy, messy layered look. The razor cut helps add texture if needed.

Textured Mid-Length Shag Layers with Soft Bangs

Textured Mid-Length Shag Layers with Soft Bangs for Women Over 40
Instagram @jennyvatter

Add more texture and movement to your hair with a stylish mid-length shag cut featuring layers and soft bangs. The shag layers will bring dynamic movement to your hairstyle while also reducing weight to achieve stunning volume and richness. Gentle curtain bangs serve to shape your face while accentuating your most flattering features. Consider using a dry texture spray like Joico’s body shake to establish a hold and flexible texture for a lasting style.

Medium Shag Shullet with Textured Razor Layers

Medium Shag Shullet featuring textured razor cut layers and bangs for women over 40
Instagram @marmaladesalon

A shullet is a blend of shag and mullet cuts. This two-in-one style is perfect for those who desire an extraordinary, custom haircut. If you razor cut the shorter layers, it will enhance natural wave patterns. This results in hair that’s quick to style or air dry. The style focuses on adding volume to the top and crown of the head while minimizing it on the sides. It’s ideal for anyone who finds heavy, bulky hair at the sides challenging.

Feathered Layers on Shaggy Hair

A shag haircut is simply layering your hair to create volume while maintaining length. Feathered layers on a shaggy haircut refer to how it’s styled, feathering your layers makes them appear lighter, and oftentimes, fuller.

Chic Face-Framing Tousled Blonde Shag

Stylish Face-Framing Tousled Blonde Shag for Women Over 40 with Mid-Long Hair
Instagram @hairbyelvisp

A blonde shag that beautifully frames the face will elevate your overall appearance and hairstyle. The shaggy cut will emphasize your finest features, providing volume and movement to hair that may otherwise seem flat or dull.

Textured Curls on a Brown Shag

As we grow older, our hair undergoes transformations. Nevertheless, that doesn’t stop us from embracing trendy styles. A brown shag with textured curls flatters aging, curly hair. It allows your previously vibrant curls to bounce back.

Blonde Shag with Effortless Curls

Long Blonde Shag with Loose Curls and Bangs for Women over 40
Instagram @shelby.loos

A blonde shag featuring effortless curls is a chic hairstyle. Incorporating a fresh look into your long hair can bring about the transformation you desire. If bangs haven’t been part of your routine lately, consider giving them another shot. They accentuate your eyes, pair nicely with glasses, and can conceal forehead wrinkles. Wavy hair blended with a shag cut offers a stunning aesthetic that’s simple to upkeep.

Long Shag with Medium Layers and Side Part

Long Shag with Medium Layers and Side Part for Mature Ladies Aged 40
Instagram @jordanaveryz

In this look, you’ll see how powerful layering can be for adding texture to hair. Minimizing hair bulk allows curls or waves to distribute more uniformly and enhances the hairstyle’s volume. This style is versatile and can be styled with a side part or down the center.

Trendy Baby Wolf Cut with Micro Bangs

Be a fashion pioneer and experiment with a baby wolf cut complemented by micro bangs. A chic wolf haircut stands out with its soft flowing layers and dynamic movement. Micro bangs are undoubtedly a commitment, but if you can manage the upkeep of trimming every 2-3 weeks, you should embrace it.

Layered Shag Haircut for a Modern Look

A stylish haircut and color can transform your appearance. A layered shag haircut consists of various lengths, making it easy to maintain while achieving a voluminous look. If you’re in your 40s and seeking a fresh, youthful style without a drastic change, a shaggy haircut is the perfect choice.

Chic Messy Shag with Layered Bangs for Fine Hair

Chic Messy Shag with Layered Bangs for Fine Haired Women Past 40
Instagram @medinahair204

If you’re a woman with fine hair, consider opting for a chic messy shag with layered bangs. A messy shag will provide your hair the volume and texture you seek. If you wish to maintain the appearance of thicker hair, ask your stylist to cut the length of your medium-length hair bluntly and leave the texturizing to the layers and bangs. This hairstyle looks best when styled with tousled waves and a texture spray.

70s Long Shag with Gentle Waves

70s Long Shag with Gentle Waves for Ladies 40 and Over
Instagram @alchemyxhair

A 70s long shag when paired with gentle waves is every disco lover’s ideal hairstyle. A shag haircut provides you with maximum volume and texture, particularly hair framing around your face, which in turn, will highlight your most flattering facial features. Style with a curling iron if you have naturally straight hair, or just a sea salt spray if you already enjoy naturally wavy or curly hair. Perhaps add in a texture spray if you’re feeling like you need just a tad more “oomph” before you hit the dance floor.

Related: Top long hairstyles for ladies over 40.

Mid-Length Curly Shag

Mid-Length Curly Shag for a Lady in Her 40s
Instagram @alexandracutme

If you have naturally curly hair that you prefer not to spend much time styling in the morning, consider a mid-length curly shag. A shag haircut will provide your naturally curly hair the body and texture it craves to enhance your curls. This is achieved by removing the excess weight that’s dragging your hair down and giving your hair shorter layers for a lighter, more buoyant feel. Style your hair with curl products before drying, and ensure you let your hair air dry to set your look.

60s Classic Medium-Length Shag

Classic medium-length shags are making waves and are here to remain for quite some time. One of the most iconic haircuts has returned and is now one of the most fashionable hairstyles you could choose. Consult your stylist for long curtain bangs, sectioning your hair in the middle part. Brush all of your hair that’s in front of your ear forward while it’s drying to achieve that shag style.

Medium Shaggy Layers with Gentle Waves

Mid-length cuts can enhance the appearance for women over 40. A style with medium-length shaggy layers and gentle waves is one great example. It demonstrates that such length can provide your hair with a more youthful appearance.