Medium shag haircuts are created by blending layers and texture to achieve an effortless, tousled style. It’s a superb option for a versatile, low-maintenance haircut. When I style hair to this look, I prefer incorporating soft layers of varying lengths to enhance volume, texture, and depth.
I spoke with Canada-based stylist Kristyn Schmerk for additional insights on this look. Here are the highlights of our conversation.
💡 Key Things to Know First
- Seek out a shag expert who specializes in and is skilled with a straight razor.
- Ensure you opt for a cut with specific styling techniques or upkeep that matches your lifestyle.
- This cut may not be ideal if you frequently wear a bun or ponytail, as the layers would simply fall out.
Here’s a collection of images featuring trendy medium shag haircut ideas — from soft and romantic Brigitte Bardot-inspired styles to ‘70s rocker vibes — that you might consider for your next salon transformation!
#1 Textured Shaggy Mullet with Fringe Bangs
A shaggy mullet featuring fringe bangs is ideal for those with textured hair. Consult your hairstylist for a mullet shag and a rounded fringe to achieve this look.
#2: Textured Waves
If you adore a tousled look, consider trying out textured waves. These interpretations of medium shag cuts create a gentle, effortless vibe, making it seem like it’s your natural hair type. Consult with your stylist about product recommendations that they believe would be beneficial for you.
#3: An Incredible Shoulder-Length Shag with Full Bangs
The soft fiery waves and those charming yet edgy layers create a contemporary spin on the classic 80s shag. Any skin tone can rock such a striking shade of vintage copper blonde hair color, while those lengthy, full bangs aim to enhance long faces best.
#4: Mid-Length Wavy Shag with a Center Part
This trendy mid-length wavy shag haircut features a center part. Maintaining healthy hair, exercising patience, using the right products, and consulting with your stylist are essential steps for achieving this look.
#5: Layered Middle-Part Shag
A layered middle-part shag offers balanced volume throughout. Incorporating layers works wonderfully for longer, medium-length hair, particularly with wavy styling. If you’re aiming for that coveted celebrity look, this style is perfect.
#6: A Stylish Shag for Women Over 50
This stylish shag is designed for women over 50 because of how stunning the fringe separates.
#7 Trendy Boho Shag Hairstyle
Shag hairstyles are incredibly popular, and this boho-inspired variant stands out. A nostalgic look with contemporary flair, the boho shag offers volume and is a flattering choice for women of all styles.
#8: Simplistic Textured Shag Hairstyle
This simplistic textured shag emphasizes easy-to-manage texture. The longer, shaggy fringe offers low commitment and low maintenance wearability, making it ideal for anyone interested in experimenting with a fringe.
#9: Chic Shaggy Layered Hairstyle
A chic shaggy layered haircut offers a fashionable style, allowing your locks to appear fuller around the crown while keeping the length without sacrificing volume. Incorporating wispy bangs will assist in maintaining your shape.
#10: Contemporary Chocolate Brown Shag for Thick Hair
This contemporary shag features softer and less structured layers, resulting in a more balanced appearance. It boasts a deep hue that complements a variety of skin tones.
#11: Subtle Shaggy Layers with Flow
You can choose soft layers that showcase a lot of flow. All shags have wearability. They grow out still looking stunning, providing that extra volume in the crown and around their faces people often desire. Please ask your stylist to modify the length of the layers and add a fringe if you’d prefer. It is also incredibly easy to style.
#12: Collarbone-Length Straight Shag Hairstyle with Rooted Blonde Highlights
I love to maintain some depth whenever I style a bright blonde shag, so doing a little shadow root is my go-to. For styling medium shag hairstyles like this, I recommend texture spray and a matte pomade. The product that I used to achieve this look was Kevin Murphy’s Bedroom.Hair texture spray and Nightrider pomade. I’d suggest this style if you have medium to thick hair, as using heavier sections for bangs/shorter layers would be ideal.
#13 Androgynous Black Shag with Bangs
A full bang contrasts this lightly layered haircut, transforming it into an androgynous Jane Fonda-inspired shag. Medium haircuts with shagged pieces are most effective on fine to medium hair density. The locks appear fuller, particularly with the black hair color.
#14: Textured Shag for Medium Hair with Face-Framing Layers
The bangs and volume at the crown of this haircut enhance the appearance of fullness throughout the hairstyle, making it an excellent choice for those with thin or medium-fine hair. This highly textured cut and the face-framing layers beautifully accentuate women with prominent cheekbones.
#15: Chic Blunt Bob Hairstyle for Thick Hair
This chic bob hairstyle for thick hair offers various options to explore. Layers, bangs, concave, or blunt finishes can be chosen for styles suited to thick hair. If you’re a woman who dislikes the struggle of styling hair up, you may hesitate to try bob hairstyles. However, if you’re open to a stylish half-top knot, you’re in for a treat!
#16: Layered Cut with Shoulder-Length Shag
Shoulder-length hairstyles offer versatile styling options. Adding side bangs can create a beautiful effect. This blonde shag, paired with beachy waves, can be worn straight or with curls when using a curling wand. Finish off with a texturizing spray for added texture and hold during styling.
Related: Discover additional medium-length layered hairstyles featuring side bangs.
#17: Medium-Length Brunette Shag with a Side Part
You will adore the adaptable haircut known as the medium-length brunette shag with a side part. The layered cut creates movement and texture for a stunning appearance. The side part lends the style a contemporary, asymmetric flair. This haircut is perfect for women who appreciate easy styling and upkeep. It’s ideal for busy lifestyles. Whether your hair is straight, wavy, or curly, this haircut accommodates a variety of hair types and textures.
#18: Medium Layered Shag with Sun-Kissed Highlights
This medium-layered shag haircut with sun-kissed highlights is fun, playful, and easy to style. The color complements women with a neutral or warm skin tone.
#19: An Elegant Center Part Shag with Textured Layers and Platinum Tones
According to top stylists, an elegant center part shag with textured layers is stunning on oblong face shapes, as it enhances fullness and length. This center-parted hairstyle will maintain its shape as it grows and is often most flattering with textured, naturally wavy hair. Adding a platinum blonde shade or lighter tone will also help brighten the facial area!
#20: Medium-Length Curly Shag Hairstyle
Medium shag hairstyles need proper conditioning, particularly if you have beautifully defined curls. Choose a short to medium cut like this one to rejuvenate your natural texture. Opt for this curly bob with layers and keep your natural color for healthier curls.
#21: Textured Shag with Highlights
Incorporating highlights into a shag is an excellent way to enhance dimensions through the added layering. If you’re looking to impress and stand apart, consider this hairstyle. Ensure you visit an experienced stylist skilled in color before making the change. This will significantly increase your chances of achieving the desired color and look.
#22: Untamed Shaggy Medium-Length Hair
An untamed medium-length haircut featuring diverse layers creates a rockstar aesthetic. It perfectly embodies a woman’s fierce persona. A medium-length shag will help you retain your length and volume while providing additional lift.
#23 Textured Medium Haircut with Choppy Layers
Consider a relaxed style with choppy layers. It’s popular for its casual vibe and messy finish, enhancing the chic appeal for a medium bob length cut.
#24: Textured Mid-Length Shag for Dark Locks
The perfect layering of your curls will create an enchanting shape and assist in reducing styling time. At home, using a diffuser for styling enhances the shape of your curls, which may otherwise clump together excessively.
#25: Light Blonde Shag with Face-Framing Layers
A shag that frames the face is ideal for both smooth and wavy textures, especially in a light blonde hue. This style offers both volume and definition. If I were to create this voluminous lob, I would begin with the shorter sections. Then, I would shape the face frame, using the face as my reference for the remainder of the cut.
#26: Stylish Dark Shaggy Haircut with Highlights
Transform your dark hair with a medium shaggy haircut featuring highlights, adding both texture and movement to otherwise flat locks. Layers enhance volume by elevating the shaping movement above traditional layering methods.
#27 Stylish Medium A-line Bob with Layers
An a-line bob hairstyle is a fantastic choice for women with shorter, finer hair or those looking to maintain a shorter look. The length where the edges lightly touch the shoulders is ideal for integrating soft layers and internal volume. This approach effectively enhances body and movement in the hair.
#28: Sleek Medium Bob with Bangs
A sleek medium bob with bangs is ideal for fine hair. The added layers will enhance the volume of a curly shag.
#29: Effortless Beach Waves
Shag haircuts and a effortless beach waves style are the perfect combination. Remember that this style can work for almost any hair texture, especially fine, thin hair.
#30: Stylish Medium Messy Shag
You can’t go wrong with a stylish medium messy shag. I advise you to blow dry when styling instead of air drying so it doesn’t hang flat.
#31: Stylish Haircuts for a Round Face
A long shaggy bob for a round face is perfect for anyone seeking effortless style without the fuss. And the cut works wonderfully for a round face shape. To style, blow dry using a vent brush and create a few loose waves. The best method to achieve a tousled wave is to curl only the middle, leaving your ends straight. Occasionally, I curl in the middle and utilize a flat iron to smooth the ends for a more relaxed, textured look.
#32: A Stylish Cut for Mature Women
Medium shag haircuts can be stylish, like this contemporary shag for mature women. It has plenty of texture and movement. The highlights provide dimension and draw attention to your haircut. It looks fantastic on natural silver or gray hair, too!
#33: Textured Shag
The texture is stunning, and we adore it! Shags shine with volume, and texture provides just that! Let your stylist recommend at-home products like Moroccan Oil Dry shampoo, which helps you boost the volume.
#34 Textured Mid-Length Shag Cut with Layered Ends
A trendy choppy texture shag on polished natural hair is the simplest update you can make if you seek a significant transformation – not just in your appearance but also in your daily routine! This center-part shag is a unique style that’s effortless to maintain and style at home!
#35: An Essential Shag for Medium-Length Fine Hair
Opt for a medium-length shag with curtain bangs if you have fine hair. The look was achieved with shears and a straight razor to emphasize the texture.
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