The curly shag style will not make you look like you have a frizzy triangle for a head, it will instead give some flow and movement to your curls.
When I started getting clients for the curly shag haircut, I was excited. It showed people were done with the fight against their natural texture and wanted to start working with it. With this haircut, you are truly rewarded for having hair. The layers added to the hair are not used to get straight hair, but instead, it used to create curls. With the right spacing, and if there is enough air between the curls, great volume can be achieved. One of my clients used to flat iron her hair EVERY day for 10 years, and when she finally let me give her a shag cut, she could not hold back the tears. It was like she had never let her hair be free before, and it looked amazing.
The most important part is the dry shaping, and most people seem to overlook it. With dry shaping, I’m able to get rid of the surprise spring factor, and for the most part, people can expect the results to show best when the layers are aligned with their curl density and porosity, especially around the face-framing layers. A curly shag will only work when the layers are intentional, and the cut is clean, not choppy. **When it’s done right, it will improve your curls definition, and styling will no longer be difficult.** Check out the styles below and choose the curly shag that your curls will love the most.
#1: Bold Curly Shag with Defined Layers
These layers are doing what they are meant to do! From what I can see, they are definitely opening the curl pattern to allow each wave to form individually. An above the shoulder cut gives so much movement to hair without the risk of length pulling everything down. The wispy bangs make me feel like this haircut has an owner. It adds a touch of warmth, which I think is nice, and allows the hair not to fight with the curls. For medium or thick hair, the layering will handle a lot of the bulk., especially around the curls, and will not make your hair look too thin.
#2: Playful Curly Shag with Defined Layers
The textured layers of the haircut make it easy to capture the style in photos, but the most important thing is the relaxed look of the cut. It’s intentional, and the best part is you don’t have to style it. On days when you wash and go, you don’t have to think about your hair, and having this cut will make it look great. The layers of the cut are meant to let the hair waves do the volumizing, so you won’t have to use any product to achieve the volumizing effect. It will need to be trimmed more frequently than you think because when the layers grow out, they will lose that airy look.
#3: Warm Highlighted Curly Shag
I tip my hat to you for the amount of work the colour has done here. The warm highlights are exceptionally placed. They catch the light with the curls and add a new degree of dimension to a style that that single-process colour on curly hair just cannot achieve. And the defined curls are stunning and sit so nicely at a soft and shapely shoulder length which is super versatile and easy to wear. If you’re thinking of adding highlights to your curly shag, this is the sort of placement that you will want to show to your colourist, because it actually works with and is considerate of the curl pattern.
#4 Curly Shag with Subtle Layers and Soft Bangs
This look is a more understated version of the curly shag cut. Sometimes that is all people want. The layers give enough contrast so that the curls can bounce around without shortening the longest piece. The bangs are blended with the rest of the cut, and that is more impressive than it looks. If your hair is thinner than average, this is a very good reference because it shows how a curly shag can create the illusion of a lot of hair without needing a lot of hair. You just need a little curl cream and you are all set.
#5: Layered Curly Shag with Subtle Bangs
I love the layers and length balance. It will fall just below the shoulders which should give enough weight to the curly hair to keep everything under control while still allowing the layers to have that signature shag movement. The bangs are probably more of just a suggestion and yes they work because they are not trying to compete with anything else. This is a cut you can wear a few different ways, depending on how polished or undone you want it and will never look like you are trying too hard.
#6: Curly Shag with Defined Bangs
This person took the plunge and got bangs, and it’s paying off! There’s a lot of discussion around them- and a bit of a fear factor involved. When getting bangs, folks worry about shrinkage, the bangs poofing, or getting the bangs cut so short they can’t see. But bangs that are cut to work with the curl pattern, as with this example, will become the best part of the whole style. The rest of the shag is doing its job, a nice shoulder length with good movement, but the bangs are what give this cut it’s identity. If you have been contemplating getting curly bangs and are back and forth about it, this is a perfect example of what happens when it is done right.
#7: Textured Curly Shag with Dynamic Highlights
The color story is my first grab. I love the mix of deep and light tones. It creates a lot of visual interest. It highlights the curls and enhances the way they separate so it is not a traditional highlight pattern. Instead it looks like the color was painted to follow the curls creating an organic look, not a processed one. The shag cut is a solid mid-length shag finished with layers which promote movement and with this curl pattern it looks really effortless. Multi-tonal color like this does need maintenance so it doesn’t look intentional so keep that in mind.
#8: Curly Shag with Bold Blue Tips
This is a very nice blue ombre. I love that the color is placed towards the ends where the curls are spiraling the most because it really shows the curl pattern in a way that natural color wouldn’t. I also love the shag cut underneath, it looks great, and the layering is very well done because it gives a lot of volume without the heavy look. It looks great on all types of curls, even the wavy and coily ones. Let’s be real though, vivid colors do fade and need touches every few weeks. If you want to avoid faded blue ombre, you have to be ready to go in.
#9: Dynamic Curly Shag with Textured Layers
Thank you for your review of a modern cut with another sort of length and a little asymmetry. I think your review captures the difference from the typical shag. The curls reach the top of the head, so they create a full, flowing look around the mid-lengths, and the defined layers give it an amazing look. If you have wavy hair, or curls, this cut is a good option. The shag cut gives the look that you didn’t spend time styling your hair, which is nice because it was really quick. It takes the pressure of maintaining a nice haircut off of you.
#10: Curly Shag with Soft Face-Framing Layers
The face-framing curls look so soft that they almost look like they fall that way almost naturally and that’s the goal. The bangs blend into the layers with no obvious lines or transitions, and this seamlessness is what makes this look youthful and easy instead of stiff. This style definitely thrives on lots of moisture in the hair, as when curls like this are dry, they lose that soft, airy look and tend to clump together and look denser than they actually are. A good deep conditioner every week or so should keep this looking the way it should.
#11: Curly Shag with Fringed Layers and Balayage
The way the ends of the layers are feathered, creates great framing, keeps the curl pattern from being too much, and the balayage adds just the right amount of dimension to make it interesting. It reads soft and polished, which honestly can be difficult with curly hair because in most cases, you can only achieve one of those things. It’s not technically wash and go if you want it to look like this, but it’s meant to be a look that requires a little time from you in the morning, not too much. You can achieve most of the look on low heat with a diffuser.
#12: Bold Curly Shag with Defined Bangs
This cut is also an enlarged shag haircut, and it looks really good with her hair amount. The length is average, though, since it hits about mid back which is not usually seen with shag haircuts. The layers are also very necessary to make sure all that volume is shaped rather than just chaos. The bangs are also very strong and defined which helps to direct all the focus to the eyes which I love. This really shows that a shag haircut doesn’t have to look chaotic at this length, especially with thick hair. Some balayage through here would add even more dimension if you wanted to take it further.
#13: Curly Shag with Textured Bangs
These bangs are really nice. They have a good amount of weight behind them to stay laying nicely and they aren’t super blunt and heavy. The loose layering assists in making the whole look feel complete. On a wavy hair someone, this will create that easy volume that a lot of people ask for but have a hard time explaining. This type of cut is one of those cuts where the bangs will definitely need some love in between appointments. If you leave them to grow out even a couple weeks too long, they lose that textured look and just look like normal bangs, so be sure to stay on top of your trims.
#14: Textured Curly Shag with Wispy Bangs
A pretty charm and approachable look would be created by collar length hair with bouncy curls and some wispy bangs. That shag layer would be great to create an effortless lived-in feel, plus it would make maintenance very easy. If you have fine hair, it should give you a lot of encouragement as it shows good layering and that even when you have a less dense head of hair, you can create a lot of volume and thickness. For me, ideal curls would be very defined and loose and calm.
#15: Curly Bob with Wispy Bangs
It’s hard not to adore a curly bob – and this one is extra adorable! The chin length style paired with wispy bangs is a polished yet playful option for those wanting shorter hair but not quite ready to take the plunge for a pixie. The curls have amazing definition and bounce at this length; there is just the right amount of weight to create definition without losing fullness. Seriously, most mornings all you’d need is a bit of light mousse that you would scrunch in when it’s still damp. If you have been considering going shorter with your curls, this style is a great way to ease into it.
#16: Textured Curly Shag with Bangs
The bangs, along with the curled cut, work really well together. The mid-length layers add some shape to the cut, and the bangs settle the eye to draw you in. If I’m being frank, this style does ask a bit more than average. You’ll want a solid curl cream and a good amount of time to get the curls to settle properly. Once you get a routine down, this cut will actually enhance the effectiveness of the routine. The layers in the cut will allow each curl to form separately.
#17: Soft Curly Shag with Wispy Bangs
Having a look at the curly shag variation, it looks especially wonderful! There is a sense of looseness in the bangs, and the bangs look defined and light as well. The shag looks like it was put together, but without the added stiffness or over stylization. The length is also nice, and the weight of the curls looks balanced. Curls will never look stretched out or springy. Those who have medium to thick hair will look really good with this cut. People who are on the thicker side will have to expect a greater number of trims to maintain the shape of the hair as it grows.
#18: Textured Curly Shag with Face-Framing Bangs
This hairstyle has bangs that softly frame your face and playful layers that are mid-length, which gives the hair movement and makes the curls look incredible. The part of this look that I appreciate the most is the authenticity. There is no over-styling, no forced elements; just great curls and an awesome cut. If your hair is fine to medium, this cut will show you what perfect layering can do. To define the curls and get the most traction, I would suggest a lightweight mousse, because the mousse will aversion the hair type.
#19: Playful Curly Shag with Strong Bangs
The bangs are definitely bolder than I have seen on other cuts. I like how they are all very pronounced and noticeable and give the entire cut a more intentional look. The body looks more alive and active, but in a controlled sort of way. The lengths are cut so that the curls are able to bounce. The majority of the naturally occuring body curls in the hair will just do their thing and won’t try to create more body curls that aren’t there. This awesome cut will need shape to be maintained, but so will any awesome cut.
#20: Softly Layered Curly Shag with Sun-Kissed Color
The sun-rich highlights stunning in this cut make the waves look like they’re glowing, and the soft layering makes it look like it all moves together rather than being separated into chunky layers. It has that golden beachy look that people always want for the summer, but so often overdo. This version keeps it more restrained and natural, which is why it works. The face-framing layers fall presumably in an accidental way like the wind put them there, and that overall effort is what the whole thing is about. Shags look best on straight hair, and with the right kind of shag, your hair will look more textured than you may have even thought.
#21: Curly Shag with Layered Texture
We love this curly shag! Different layers means different lengths while the natural curls provide all the texture and bounce needed to keep the hair looking interesting and fun. This shag is more on the simpler side of the cut which is okay! Sometimes you want a haircut that is not too over the top but still works and looks good. For anyone with medium to thick hair, this cut is a great time saver in the morning as the shape of the cut will do most of the styling for you, and with regular trims, the shape will keep looking great. Make those appointments!
#22: Curly Shag with Playful Bangs
The fun, lively quality a layered shag with bangs adds is remarkable. The hair density is what is giving the volume, and the layers are controlling the volume instead of adding to it, which is a very important distinction. The cut is one of those where the layers are purposely removing weight so the curls can really separate instead of mushrooming out. This is definitely a cut to consider if you have a rounder face shape, as the layers and bangs are lovely and lengthening without it being too obvious what they are doing.
#23: Textured Curly Shag with Soft Layers
Soft layers have been added so that curls can do their thing, as well as giving the cut its shape. Being a medium length style, versatility with temperature is a massive plus. You get to keep the length, and the overall outline of the style is really nice and full without being overly so. It’s always a bit of a talking point on controlling volume with thicker curly hair, and this style is dense in the right places to tackle it well. If you feel like you have a lot of hair, this type of layering can make a world of difference.
#24: Long Curly Shag with Soft Bangs
This length is always so nice because it falls just above the shoulders, which is typically where you get the best ratio of both movement and manageability with curly hair. The soft bangs are nice as well, and they don’t take over the curls, just bring some extra something around the face, which is nice. There’s a nice easiness to the natural waves in the lengths and this whole cut feels like something you wouldn’t mind living with, it would never look neglected. It’s particularly flattering for oval faces, the length and layering of this sort really does compliment the natural proportions instead of working against them.
#25: Curly Shag with Defined Ends
The ends are cut straight, which gives the whole cut a modern, intentional feel compared to shags where everything feathers out. It elevates the whole look. The medium length is perfect for framing the face. The curls have good bounce throughout the body of the cut and nice definition. If you were thinking of a color, a rich chocolate brown would be gorgeous here as it would emphasize the curl pattern while not competing with it. On humid days, a little anti-frizz product worked through the ends will keep the definition crisp.
#26: Textured Curly Shag with Framing Layers
This cut has incredible volume! Each curl is so well defined that it reads individually. That is exactly what is desired for a curly shag. The mid-length layered cut allows for so much airyness, so all that density doesn’t feel heavy. Curls that frame the face really open up the features, and it’s super noticeable. A style like this does require a lot of moisture to look its best. Curls like this that are well defined require a regular deep conditioning, and possibly a leave in, as part of a daily routine. When the curls dry out, the whole style suffers.
#27: Curly Shag with Soft Bangs and Length
This longer variation of the curly shag is beautiful. The soft bangs that frame the face and the hair falling over the shoulders look gorgeous. The combination of loose and tight curls creates an effortless look. Ideal hair is full and lush, but not so thick that it becomes unmanageable, and this medium density is perfect for that. Moiturizing the curls is the most important thing. Soft, touchable curls can be maintained with a good curl oil on the ends.
#28: Curly Shag with Textured Layers and Soft Fringe
The delicate fringe detail finish is one of my favorite elements. It adds a softness to the overall look without taking over and integrates beautifully with the rest of the layers. This style is going to be so much fun to wear with those beachy waves. This look is that casual and effortless style clients are always asking for and the layering will create just the right amount of fullness without the need for a ton of product/support. If your hair is finer and you want that look you probably will need to do a bit of work to create that elevation through the crown. Some root lift spray and a bit of scrunching with a diffuser will do the trick.
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