People view curly shags in a negative way when they shouldn’t. A common thought is that as you get older, you need to try to control your curls, smooth everything out, and get a shorter more “neat” cut. Although I get the instinct, it’s actually the opposite. Sleeked and straightened hair will never give you the softness, movement and framing that hair does when you let it be curly. A shag gives you all that without you needing to do anything. It’s all in the layers.
I remember a client from a few years ago, probably around 63 or 64. For over a decade, she had been turned by the blow dry bar, and she was the victim of the rise and fall of the blow dry bar because, as she described it, someone had said curly hair was “messy” on older women. She cried in the chair, not because of the transformation we did, which was to give her a shoulder length shag and let her curls breathe, but because for the first time in many years, she looked like herself. That’s the magic of a shag and this is part of the reason why this whole collection is dedicated to finding the curly shag that works for your curl type and lifestyle so you can really let it go.
#1: Dark Espresso Curls with Boho Volume
This is maximum volume perfected. The starting point for springy curls is the rich dark espresso colour which gives an intentional feel to the whole shape. I’ve noticed recently that darker curly shags look more polished, even at volume ten and above. The colour draws an eye boundary that keeps the eye from getting lost, unlike shags of light colour. This shag has cut structure, where the shorter layers at the crown build up to that rounded peak. The sides taper in just enough to keep the overall shape from going too wide. This is a look that gets better with a little humidity, which most people do not have this experience with their hair.
#2 Polished Curly Bob-Shag in Warm Brown
This style sits right between a bob and a shag, with loose curls falling into a shape round on the sides and longer in the front. The brown is warm and healthy and has just the right amount of variation to give it color dimension without any obvious techniques. Ending the collection with this look is great because it shows the most wearable side of the style and makes it something that can be worn to work without the need for any elaborate morning styling. It’s good enough that you don’t feel like you have a boring haircut. I appreciate simple styles that do their job.
#3 Windswept Blonde Waves with Natural Highlights
This hairstyle is amazing for outdoor events. The loose waves and blonde highlights give off a sun-kissed effect. Some pieces are white, while others are a deeper caramel. The blunt cut shag keeps the top of the hair from going too flat, and the layer that sits around the shoulder blades means that the shag won’t be too light. I’ve always thought that hair at this length, wavy and textured shags, are the most forgiving hairstyles because they look great at every stage of growing out. From a fresh cut all the way through to the point where you would usually be desperate for an appointment, the hide the uneven lengths that is exposed by straighter hair.
#4 Copper Red Shag with That Undone Thing
This wig has a gorgeous color that looks natural, and people will wonder if it’s your real hair. The curls are medium-sized ringlets that sit at the shoulders. The shag layers are the most obvious at the very top where the shorter layers make a textured crown that defines the entire style. I like that they didn’t even try to make the front pieces symmetrical. Some pieces are curling in and some are curling out, and the look is completely relaxed and not at all salon-style. If you have or are planning to dye your hair to a color similar to this shade of copper red, there are a few things to keep in mind, especially if you want to keep it looking bright. Glossing it will be necessary to maintain brightness, and you’ll need to minimize heat styling. The curly texture of the wig is also a set-it-and-forget-it kind of deal, and, personally, I think that’s a trade-off worth considering.
#5 Wavy Shag with Soft Brunette Highlights
This wave is gentler than most in the collection. It’s a strong 2A cut and some 2Bs at the mid and end lengths. But still the shag shape is very much present in the layering through the crown and in the front face framing. The brunette has subtle highlights that are warm toned making it soft and approachable without fuss. It’s a great option for someone who may not be fully curly but has a natural enough wave that a blunt cut ends up looking shapeless. The shag layers give the wave direction which results in styled hair, even when it’s not.
#6 Compact Curly Shag in Deep Brown
The length of this curly shag is perfect. It has some fluff and does not look like a crop. The color is a deep, glistening brown. The curls are tight, rounded and head hugging. The perimeter is very clean and stands out. The curls go around the ears and nape at the same length which is very rare. This shows that great effort was taken to cut each curl at the perimeter to get that clean look. It sure did take a long time, but the polished look gives the cut a lot of intention.
#7 Sun-Warmed Curls with Effortless Movement
This look is effortless. The warm brown with subtle golden highlights is stunning, and the way the curls are falling in each direction is so flattering. The length is hitting perfectly at the chin and jaw line which creates a great balance. The shag layering gives the curls the perfect amount of space to breathe, which is a good compromise for shape. I believe this is very successful because the spacing is perfectly proportioned to the curl pattern. Tighter curls may need a bit more length to achieve the same silhouette, and looser waves would not be able to create this as it would not have enough structure to hold it. This is the perfect cut and texture ideal.
#8 Wild Platinum Curls with Rock and Roll Spirit
This isn’t for everyone, and it doesn’t pretend to be! The platinum color, unapologetic volume, and overall look exude that high fashion editorial vibe that says more thought has gone into it than it just being random. The spirals and loose curls are layered shaggy and eclectic, letting each individual curl do it’s own thing, which totally works! If you’re wanting to go this light, you’re going to have to preemptively commit to a regular routine of intense conditioning and toning, because platinum curly hair becomes brittle and brassy more quickly than anything. However, once it is all done and the curls and tones are maintained, it’s completely unique and one of a kind. I had a client who took the plunge and went for it after 20 years of sensible bobs. She told me it was the first time she was approached by random strangers in the supermarket. It totally transformed how people interacted with her.
#9 Parisian Blonde with Lived-In Texture
The finished product looks like hair that has been styled to feel natural, like someone ran their fingers through it and then forgot about it for the rest of the day. The blonde color is that warm, slightly brassy tone that obviously looks great because of the highlights that are a bit grown out. The curls are loose with some waving, some spiraling, and some just bending, as some shag cutting to accommodate all of them, but without trying to unify anything. The shag cut goes to the shoulders. The volume is concentrated on the top and crown which keeps it from looking flat against the head. A cut like this, sea salt spray on damp hair and air drying is all you need.
#10 Dark Wavy Shag with Curtain Fringe
This wave pattern is potentially closest to a 2B or 2C as it’s not tightly curled, but has enough wave and bend to add dimension and body to a layered cut. The rich dark brown colour adds a touch of elegance to the relaxed styling. Those cheekbone-skimming, outward sweeping curtain bangs are doing exactly what curtain bangs should do on this face shape: open up the centre of the face and soften the forehead. The shoulder-length is great as it means the waves will have enough weight to hang properly without pulling straight. For someone whose texture is on the wavier end of the spectrum, this is a very wearable version of the curly shag.
#11 Cinnamon Curls Kept Short and Sweet
“I see this person knows what cuts and styles work for them since the haircut looks like they have had the same, or similar cut for years. I like the dusty cinnamon color. It has more of an evolved look to it instead of a box dye. It is more of an evolved look compared to a box dye. the shag has short soft volume through the top, with the sides tapering or cut close enough to show the jawline and earrings. Everything is really subtle, but I appreciate that nothing is overworked or overcorrected. This is a person that knows what she’s doing with her hair. ”
#12 Warm Copper Shag with Mediterranean Bounce
The use of copper color in this collection is a great appreciation to the sun. Copper, like warm skin tones, is a natural pairing, but a good appreciation is also needed. In a design, a copper hue that is too orange or too red will clash or age the appearance of the skin. However, this tone looks good as it is anchored by a good amount of brown. The cut is a shorter shag which bounces with tight natural curls. The layers create a rounded shape without the need for blow drying or diffusing. The length is also clever as it sits just at the ears. The fullness at the sides provides balance to the face without hiding anything.
#13 Effortless Brown Curls with a Natural Center Part
I can see how real this wig looks! The center parting gives it the versatility to fall in natural, even curls on either side of the face, and the warm brown color looks like it hasn’t been dyed at all or the dye job is so good it looks natural. The length just grazes the chin and the curls have that combination of tighter ringlets underneath and looser waves on top which is common of curly hair that hasn’t been overworked. This looks good and sleek and still has no visible product, no frizz, and just looks natural healthy curls. If you’re looking at this and thinking it seems too simple, that’s the whole point! The cut is doing all of the work here and that is highly appreciated.
#14 Copper Curls with a Parisian Attitude
The combination of the cut and copper color is an organic phenomenon. There are no low lights or highlights, but the warmth in the copper color captures light and adds depth to the cut instead. It achieves this through the natural play of light. The shape is fuller at the crown and rounded with shorter layers that hold everything back and off your face, which is ideal when you have that texture to work with. No one section is dragging it down and there are no flat spots. In my opinion, what makes it feel so European is the lack of over-styling. It looks like someone put in curl cream and let it go which is the highest compliment you could pay to a shag cut.
#15 Golden Curls with Warm-Toned Dimension
This color deserves more attention. There are three tones: darker golden at the roots, lighter honey at the mid-lengths, and almost champagne at the tips where the oldest growth has naturally lightened. Together, they create a depth that makes every single curl distinct which is ideal for such a full and textured curl pattern. The cut is a medium-length shag with enough layering to avoid the triangle shape that dense, curly hair tends to get. I’d suggest a deep conditioner once a week for hair like this because all that texture can be thirsty.
#16 Petal Soft Blonde with Shorter Layers
What I appreciate most here is the subtelty. The curls are soft and open. The shade of blonde hair is even, and has a silvery, translucent quality. Natural blondes get this when their hair starts to silver and the two tones blend together. The layers are cut shorter on top and then gradually longer toward the nape, which gives a gentle cascading effect and follows the natural curl pattern. This look is really ideal balance especially on longer face shapes because of the added width through the sides. I wouldn’t change anything about this.
#17 Honey Blonde Volume with Relaxed Curls
I’ve seen the same cut on over a dozen ladies over the years and it works every single time because the proportions are spot on. Chin length with loose curls that move but are tight enough to hold their shape, and a warm color that’s not too heavy. The honey blonde is a beautiful color that catches light perfectly. The layers are distributed evenly enough to avoid those weird flat spots that curly shag haircuts sometimes have when the layers are cut too aggressively. This is the kind of cut that a good stylist can do in their sleep, and that’s not an insult to it at all. It’s classic because it works.
#18 Tight Dark Curls with an Urban Edge
Whether this is a great curl definer or just a great cut is hard to tell but given how separate each curl is, I’m going to say definer. With this much curl, a good cut versus a bad cut really stands out (the bad ones often give a mushroom head look). The layers are designed to open up the shape from the crown outwards and give this great tapered top silhouette. It’s a really nice short cut that is also easy to maintain.
#19 Strawberry Blonde with Garden Party Energy
The bangs alone are really impressive. They’re short enough to sit above the eyebrows and they curl in all different directions. Most of the time, this shouldn’t work but here it does since it prevents the front of the face from looking too uniform. Maintaining the color strawberry blonde is difficult since it is a tricky in between the blonde and red colors. Because of this, any shift in tone could push the hair to a darker color. The coloring on this is being managed really well. The shag still has that classic roundness with pieces at the crown cut shorter, adding height, and the overall length finishing just above the nape. If you’re contemplating curly bangs for the first time, this ringlet style is actually one of the easiest types to manage. The curls are firm enough to allow your stylist predict where they will fall.
#20 Mediterranean Curls at Their Best
The image shows a more than likely typical shoulder-length curly shag located in almost every town around the Mediterranean. The hair is thick with a coarse texture that will hold a curl without the use of any products. One can speculate that the hair has some type of layering to keep the curls intact and to avoid the collapse of the curl formation. The base color is a warm brown with highlights that seem to be naturally sun-kissed. The hair has the appearance of having been washed recently but still looks good, which speaks volumes about the quality of the cut. The bangs are cut to the eyebrow and blend into the rest of the curls. This is the ideal length for curly bangs since it avoids the teasing, stretch, or pulling that occurs when bangs are cut too short.
#21 Chin-Length Curly Shag in Warm Brunette
Considering how short the model’s hair is, the volume is quite impressive. The curls hitting chin length add to the nice stacked effect and show good density and good lift (not collapse) with the layering placement. The dark brunette color of the hair almost appears black in some areas, which provides a nice contrast and depth. A salon depth value for free. This cut is the absolute best, in the sense that it will look even better once it grows out. The model could probably go eight to ten weeks between trims and it will retain its shape for quite some time.
#22 Playful Short Shag with Reddish-Brown Curls
This cut showcases the potential of the hair’s finer texture and looser curls, and the shag shape adds enough controlled chaos to create an interesting look without hiding the texture. The wispy pieces at the ears and neck circumvent that helmet look that is the scariest outcome of short curly cuts on finer hair. The reddish-brown color shows a degree of naturalness that suggests she may be quite close to her original color, just deepened a touch. Sometimes the best coloring is the work that is least noticeable.
#23 Tight Auburn Curls with a Cropped Shape
When curls are this tight, sculptural shaping is an option. This is a shorter shag style where the layers work to create a rounded silhouette that gently hugs the head without clinging. The auburn shade has enough red warmth to keep the entire look from feeling too severe. I have cut this type of curl pattern many times, and the key is the understanding that what looks like an inch of hair when it is wet can spring up to half that length when dry. The stylist here certainly cut this dry, which is the only way to achieve a shape this clean with such tight curls. If you’ve got 3B or 3C curls and someone has told you that you can’t get a shag, show them this.
#24 Soft Blonde Curls with Natural Ease
I feel this haircut shows that it has been worked on for quite some time. It is the kind of haircut that is not newly done at the salon. It is the sort of style that looks good the longer it has been there. The curls do not look freshly styled, instead they look like they were done about four days ago, which is a good thing. The ringlets look a bit more open which helps to soften the shape of the cut. The blonde color is just right and is not trying to be a platinum or golden blonde. It is a sandy color, so very natural and it also goes with her skin undertones. This short curly shag is for someone who is really low maintenance, and not just low maintenance for a salon photo.
#25 Sun-Kissed Waves with Curtain Bangs
This is the shag to start with if you’re nervous about shags. The waves are looser here so the layering looks more relaxed than chaotic, and those curtain bangs are smart because instead of closing off, they frame. The warm blonde is clearly maintained and is not flat or one-note as there is tonal variation. What I appreciate the most is that it doesn’t look like it took an hour to style. For people with similar wave patterns who have been fighting with a blunt cut or one-length bob, this is the version that shows what your hair was trying to do all along.
#26 That Red Though
Each of the pieces adds warmth and richness to the style and it’s not just a flat one-dimensional dye job. The cut is also really smart – it’s medium length with enough layering to keep the volume high without getting too bottom heavy. If you’re thinking of going red and have a similar curl pattern, this is a good reference pic. Just remember, colors like this fade a lot quicker than other colors, so you’ll need a color depositing shampoo between appointments, especially if you want to maintain that red.
#27 Layers That Actually Earn Their Keep
My favorite thing about this style is the way the layers are added. The layers are done in a way that gives the hair nice lift and a defined shape where it’s needed, around the face and most importantly the crown area. If you have fine curly hair and have been frustrated by hair that falls completely flat, this technique is a game changer. The length also hits the shoulders, and provides just enough weight to keep it from getting too poofy while the inner layers manage the volume up top.
#28 Bangs and Curls, the Pairing Nobody Warns You About
It sure can be risky to get curly bangs, but in this case the risk absolutely pays off! They feel soft and are blended so that they don’t look chunky and separated from the rest of the haircut. The golden hue brings a cozy touch to the overall vibe. If you are getting curly bangs, tell your stylist you want them cut dry, because cutting curly bangs when they’re wet is a recipe for disaster.
#29 When Your Natural Texture Does All the Work
This is one of those cuts that I would tell you to wash, scrunch in some product, and walk out. The layering is designed for the curls to fall in the right way, and the thickness of your hair means you will get volume without even trying. The most I notice are the layers around the face that are just a bit shorter than the rest, which gives that nice graduated effect without being overdone. On humid days you may get extra volume, but with a cut like this, that’s not always a bad thing.
#30 Effortless in the Way That Actually Takes Zero Effort
Some people may look at this cut and think it’s a quick job, but that is not the case. With the shag shape giving the curls a good spot to land and the curl pattern doing all the talking, this style does have a good length. It’s not too long to drag everything down, and it’s not too short that the curls will bunch up. If you’re curls tend to lose definition by day two, a curl refresh spray in the morning honestly makes all the difference.
#31 Burgundy Curls with Real Presence
My favorite color is burgundy. On curly hair, this color makes every single curl pop and shine. This rich color is able to reflect light off of the different angles of the spiral curls, which gives them a 3D effect. You definitely will not achieve that look with a color that is flat. The length of the hair has just the right amount of body to look full without it being excessive, and this is just the right cut to achieve that. I would recommend this color to someone who has been keeping it boring and plain brown for a long time and wants to make a change, but not go all out.
#32 Bangs That Frame Without Closing Things In
One of the great things about this bang style is that it manages to soften the forehead while still keeping the face from looking smaller, which is a hard look to achieve with curly hair. The rest of the haircut feels nice and airy and seems to almost bounce with the curls as if they have room to move. If your hair is on the thicker side, this is a great example of how effective layering can transform that bulk into more movement rather than just weight, and a light curl cream will do the trick to define the curls without any crunch.
#33 The Shoulder-Length Sweet Spot
With curly shags, there’s an ideal length, and that’s at or just above the shoulders, and this hits the mark. It’s long enough to have nice swing, but short enough that the curls stay springy and lifted. The volume is great here, and it doesn’t look like it’s trying too hard, which is, I think, the point. If you deal with frizz (and let’s face it, most curly hair does) try a good curl gel and scrunch it in while your hair is soaking wet to help keep the frizz at bay.
#34 Crown Volume Without the Effort
The crown lift is a standout feature. All of that is a layering technique, and with curly hair, it makes such a difference because it provides shape and height to the style rather than just allowing everything to hang. I really like the relaxed curls through the mid-lengths and ends. It’s nice and not crunchy or overly styled. This is exactly the approach I would recommend to anyone with finer curls who feels like their hair just sits there.
#35 That Warm Orange Is a Whole Mood
I need to mention how beautiful warm orange tones on curly hair are. They look stunning and give such a lovely effect. The way the curls look with the color is amazing. The cut shows off the color well as the layers give lots of movement while also keeping enough length to have a variety of styling options. The softness of the curls is nice too. I think this is one of those looks where you don’t have to do anything special to your hair to make it look amazing.
#36 Soft and Full with a Little Bounce to It
The whipped and frothy look to this is amazing! The curls look great; they have just the right texture to provide volume without looking messy. The mid-length trim is perfect because it helps the hair keep bouncing. If you have hair that gets frizzy in the humidity, you probably already know this, but a curl enhancing mousse that you scrunch in while your hair is still damp helps hold the curls together without them feeling stiff.
#37 Rosy Curls That Feel Like a Warm Hug
Of all the things I love in this look, the rose tones are the most outstanding. They are such an unexpected choice and won’t scream for attention, but will absolutely grab it. The shoulder-length shag is a classic, and the soft layers give the curls room to flow naturally. I also appreciate how low-key luxurious this looks. I like the perfectly done, not overdone, not underdone, just a really nice happy medium where it is clear everything was intentional, but not fussy. The color will need some maintenance since those rosy tones will shift, but it will be worth it.
#38 Face-Framing Layers That Actually Know What They’re Doing
The face-framing layers are well-placed along the cheekbones where they create the most flattering look. While many face-framing layers are too short and stick out awkwardly, or end up being too long to really frame the face, these ones do what they need to. Overall, the length and shape give enough structure to the curls to look polished without losing the natural feel. If you want something that will photograph beautifully from every angle, this is a great choice.
#39 Easy and Natural and Genuinely Cute
Your hairstyle looks soft and comforting and makes you smile. The curls are natural and soft. Being a chop just around the shoulders means nothing gets dragged down or bogged down. I appreciate that this cut isn’t trying to be anything its {sic} not, and doesn’t distract from the hair. Sometimes the best thing a stylist can do is step aside and let the hair do its thing, and this is definitely one of those cuts.
#40 Plum and Edgy Layers, Yes Please
The plum color with a few highlights creates a multi-dimensional effect in these curls. Here, the layers are a little edgier compared to the other styles in this roundup — a bit choppier, a little more intentional when it comes to building up texture. It adds a certain attitude to the whole style, which I’m a fan of. For the ones seeking a cut with a little more personality, and are bold enough to go for a darker color, this is the look! Just remember, that plum color will need to be touched up every five to six weeks because of how quickly it fades.
#41 Bright and Bouncy With an Orange Pop
I think this shade of orange is super nice and is especially great with the shag cut because the layers give the color more surface areas to reflect light. Each curl is going to catch the light at different angles and this makes it more pricey looking, and more dimensional than a single-process color. This shoulder-length style is just right because at this length, the curls have just enough weight to sit nicely without missing their bounce.
#42 Soft Layers and Warm Color Working Together
The subtler warm tones blended together here might seem unnoticeable, but they actually are what make this most successful. The warmth will have a richness that is beautiful with any light, and with dimension, some face-framing highlights would go from stunning to beautiful. For fine to medium curls, this type of subtle layering is usually ideal as it adds movement without compromising your density.
#43 Plum Curls Just Above the Shoulders
The shoulder-length curls look great! The plum shade adds a nice touch while keeping things under control. The soft layers blend perfectly with the curls for a smooth and cohesive look. The shape is very flattering. Overall, this will be a great change for someone ready for a more lively look, and I can see this style working for anyone with the same style for a while.
#44 Airy and Soft and Really Pretty
The fine to medium texture makes this cut feel airy and floaty. Considering how difficult light layered cuts are to get right, this one is particularly successful. If you are on the fence about whether to embrace or resist your curls, let this be your sign to fully embrace them.
#45 Defined and Polished but Still Fun
You will find the layering adds more definition to the curls to keep them looking polished and not too relaxed. Beautiful curls are easy to maintain. The round shape of the curls hitting above the shoulder creates an overall polished look. If you want a cut that gives the impression you put in a little effort without looking too extreme, then this is perfect.
#46 Low-Key Beautiful Curls
This hairstyle is truly beautiful in every sense of the word. The curls are beautifully defined, and the layers create perfect shape into the style. The length being close to the shoulders is a lovely touch as well. The hairstyle is not attention grabbing but the overall cut is excellent. The way the hair is styled makes it very clear that the curls and hair are moisturized as they are bouncy and rich in texture. The overall cut and style looks effortless because of the texture in the hair. The cut is even perfect for days where you just want to roll out of bed and look completely amazing. It brings that vibe where no matter how many times the hair has been thrown around and messed with, it looks good. The cut really looks amazing no matter how many times it has been played with and looks good. This is a very versatile cut and will still look great all the time.
#47 Red Curls with Life in Them
These warm red hues do their magic! What I like most about red curly hair is the way the light changes the colour due to the angle shifts from the movement of the curls. The cut is mid-length and the layering is done to work with the natural curl pattern, not go against it. This is the kind of look you walk past in a window and feel good about.
#48 A Really Clean Shape on Natural Curls
The outline of this cut is noticeable to me, particularly considering how much natural curl texture there is. The outline is rounded almost perfectly which tells me the layers were placed very purposefully with regard to the curl shrinkage. This is one of the things that makes a good curly cut versus an average one, and that is, did the stylist think about how much the hair is going to spring up once dry? This stylist clearly did. Regular trims will keep this shape looking this good, probably every eight weeks or so.
#49 Silver and Blue Is Such a Cool Combination
I felt really good seeing this! The modern and fresh look with the blue extensions and silver base is my favorite! An accent color like this is a good idea if you want to do something fun without fully covering up your grey or silver strands. Going gray or silver can be fun too! With the curls, you will see the blue color from so many different angles and it will look very dimensional. Expect to use a color-depositing conditioner because the blue will wash out quickly and require maintenance.
#50 Volume at the Crown, Easy Everywhere Else
The volume in The crown area is a great feature, as it really helps with lift and overall shape and form. The curls throughout the mids and ends, look great!! It style requires a good amount of effort and time to achieve, and it definitely does, as long as the cut is good. The secret to having a curly shag is, if you have a great cut, there won’t be much to do at all later on. You’re lucky if you find a stylist who understands curly hair and how to add volume through layering.
Enter your email and get this picture and description straight to your inbox, and you'll also get new hair ideas ❤️
🔒 We don't spam or sell emails. See our Privacy Policy.