Many people associate shag haircuts with looking messy, however, in my experience, the style and structure of the cut is what creates the appearance of a shag. Good shag haircuts are not just haircuts; they are designed with structure to create a messy illusion. I recall one of my clients, a woman in her fifties, who wanted to channel that energy and vibe of Jane Fonda when she was young in the 70s. While some pictures of Jane Fonda show a bob that has a shag style she cut, it wouldn’t capture the full essence of that shag energy.
I appreciate shag haircuts on women over 50 because, instead of clinging to how one would like their hair to be, the shag cut goes with the flow. The shag cut seamlessly embraces any hair changes that occur with age. Shag styles prevent people from being in a styling rut because as hair changes with age, a shag hair cut creates volume and movement where it is needed. Caring for a shag style is easy since it does not require hours of heat styling. To express how I feel about a haircut is not common, but with shag hair cuts, it really is.
#1: Modern Textured Shag with Waves That Actually Move
It may seem like little effort went into the creation of this haircut, but that means someone definitely achieved something great. These waves look soft and casual and just barely touch the shoulders, while the layers create a lot of volume. If your hair is fine, this is the right hairstyle to give you the appearance of a lot more hair than you really do, which is definitely a plus! If you don’t want your waves to have fallen by noon, I recommend some light texturizing hairspray after blowdrying, though honestly, it really needs very little else.
#2 Soft Shag with Those Wispy Little Bangs
These wispy bangs are perfectly softening their face, without being too big of a commitment. The lived-in movement from the chin-length layers is amazing. Hair this thick and bouncy, like this model’s, is the dream. You’ll love the style and want to come in for a trim every six weeks as the layers grow out, and the cut will lose that shape too fast. You did an awesome job booking this!
#3 Curly Shag That Knows What It’s Doing
You may have fought with curls your whole life, but there is a way to have a better relationship with them. When your curls are cut in layers and framed around your face, they fall better and look better. Many stylists miss the mark on cutting curly shags, because they don’t think about layering and styling for straight hair; but instead, they should be thinking about poof. Each layer should create gaps in the cut so volume and curls can really excel. This length will keep excess curl weight from destroying the style. To complete the look you’re going to have to use a separate cream for your curls, but most of the work will have been done with the cut and layers.
#4 Textured Pixie with a Little Softness Up Front
Here’s a pixie cut that shouldn’t feel too extreme, which is often a concern that women over 50 have when considering going short. That small wave in front is everything, it takes the entire cut from edgy to super friendly. The layers are light and add dimension without going overboard. If you have fine to medium hair, this style will work beautifully because it won’t require the hair to do too much and the styling will honestly take five minutes max. You will need to get regular trims to keep this looking neat though, short hair cuts show their growth faster than anything else.
#5 Light and Easy Shag at Chin Length
For clients who are looking for something \”different, but not too different\” (and I mean that in a good way), this is the style I recommend. The soft bangs that hit the cheekbone are very flattering. This is chin length shag, and the very soft layers give some body to fine hair without going too crazy. It is a \”morning friendly\” cut, which means you can let it air dry and still look put together. This is perfect for those who have a busy lifestyle and do not want to spend time in front of the mirror.
#6 Shaggy Bob with Just Enough Wave
This haircut sits just above the shoulders, and we love the way it feels fresh, like a great haircut that gives you confidence. The effortless waves are so natural, and the highlights are a perfect touch for added dimension without being too much. If your hair is already somewhat wavy, this cut will be perfect because it basically does the styling for you. Maybe on some occasions you’ll want to add some product to define the waves, but it won’t get any easier than this, while looking (almost) intentional.
#7 Layered Shag with Those Pretty Face-Framing Pieces
The highlights around the face are meant to bring attention to the face in a subtle way. This haircut is at a medium length, is shaggy, and has a lower density. The waves are soft with a slight bend. You will need a large barrel curling iron and some time to create the waves. Once the waves are formed, they will look effortless, and the wave should maintain its shape. The face-framing layers do most of the work when it comes to flattering, and they really are doing a lot of work here.
#8 Short Pixie with Volume That Actually Lasts
This cut looks very modern. I think a lot of women are scared of pixie cuts because they think they might look boyish. This cut is soft and textured enough to look more sophisticated. The top layers give some nice lift. This is really important for fine hair because a pixie cut could go flat by lunchtime. To maintain the height throughout the day, use a light volumizing powder at the roots. The light color at the ends is a nice touch, adding a little interest but not too much drama.
#9 Long Tousled Shag with Sun-Kissed Color
If you want to keep the length shaggy hairstyles, this is perfect for you. Wavy layers look like you aren’t really styled, almost like you were caught in a windstorm. Highlights look sun-kissed rather than salon-done. The layers are soft so you’re losing no real length, just gaining movement. This proves you don’t have to go short to achieve that effortless look. For this style, fine to medium hair works best. Anything too thick, and you’ll need more layers for it to move like this.
#10 Shoulder-Length Shag with Gorgeous Movement
The movement of this cut is what holds all the attention. The face framing pieces that gently curl towards the face make the entire look softer and more youthful without going overboard. The shoulder length layers give an undone look which is ideal for those 20 minutes days where you have to curl your hair as well as the 2 minute days where you bride it up. This will look amazing straight out of the shower with a little sea salt spray in it. If you don’t have a wave in your hair, a quick scrunch with a diffuser will get you your perfect waves.
#11 Short Shag with Playful Texture
I enjoy this style option for someone who has had the same hairstyle for years and wants to make a change without being too drastic. The chin length is universally flattering, and the layers are soft enough to create bulk, but create nice, soft interest. The waves add a playful quality to the style that keeps it from looking too “done”. The morning styling is a breeze, you just scrunch it with a light product and you’re good to go. After you get this cut, you will need to keep up with trims because once it grows past chin length, it becomes a different look, but that is most shorter styles.
#12 Airy Shag Just Below the Chin
If your hair looks flat all the time, ask your stylist about it. The picture shows subtle layers, however, it shows good volume, lift, and fullness. Textured bangs won’t add weight to the hair, and they can achieve the look. Fine hair is limp by the end of the day but these bangs won’t look limp. The highlights add to the look, and help to display the hair’s dimension. This cut works really well with fine hair, and makes less hair look like more.
#13 Shag with Soft Curls and Warm Highlights
This haircut has flexible curls that aren’t rigid, and that is a fine line, and whoever styled this hit the bullseye. The average length paired with layers gives the haircut fullness, and the highlights add depth without tussling with the curl pattern. It is the strategic placement of the layers that makes this haircut stand out, as they are cut to hit the cheekbone, which is the kind of detail that elevates a good haircut to a great one. If your curls have a tendency to frizz, something will be required to keep the curls defined. A lightweight anti-frizz serum worked through damp hair should do it.
#14 Textured Bob Grazing the Jawline
I have talked a lot of things about a lot of different styles but I have to say this look is really big on clean and simple elegance. The collarbone hit is a great length because it works on rounded, angular and everything in between faces. Also, it avoids looking overly structured, the waves and layers so the hair just won’t hang. If your hair has any textures, maintaining this style will be very easy. Texturizing paste through the ends holds the waves in place to helpWith texture.
#15 Face-Framing Bob with Body
The face-framing layers here are doing the most work. They create a soft curtain effect, which is lovely, especially with the soft wave in the mid-lengths. The bangs are soft, not blunt, which keeps it looking really casual and modern. The mid-length is perfect, with just the right amount of movement to keep it lively, and the layers give thin hair the appearance of double the volume. With this cut, I would recommend regular trims to prevent those face-framing pieces from looking stringy, but it looks great while it’s fresh.
#16 Defined Short Shag with Lighter Ends
The lightened tips are great because they add brightness and a natural touch to the contrast with darker hair at the roots. Hitting just above the jawline is a great length for highlighting your bone structure. The layers are intentional and defined, they know what they’re doing. This haircut is best for people with fine hair since the layers will really give the illusion of more density, and the shorter length means you won’t be fighting gravity all day. The styling is easy – just a little product worked in with your fingers and that’s all you need.
#17 Curly Shag with an Elegant Feel
This cut is one that really makes a curly hairstyle look intentional, as though each individual spiral had been placed there on purpose. It’s shoulder length too so it’s versatile enough to be styled up or down; either way it’s going to look great! The layers are balanced so they won’t break up the curl pattern, but are enough to give the whole cut some definition. I would definitely recommend this cut if you’ve been straightening your natural curls. A light weight leave-in conditioner would be perfect to keep your curls soft and frizz free.
#18 Textured Pixie with Fun Curly Pieces
Pixie cuts are a bold choice, and this one has personality. The curls help add life to the cut and provide the volume that a straight pixie does not have. The lightweight layering keeps the volume (and playfulness) in check. It’s short enough to highlight your features, especially your jaw, and the playful curls take the look down a notch so it doesn’t come off too harsh. The cut is fun and youthful and only needs a little bit of effort to make it look good. If your curls do their own thing, it may take a few minutes to shape them how you want, but the good news is the curls will hold their shape after that.
#19 Warm-Toned Shag with Bangs That Frame Everything
The warm brown tones in this cut are stunning and add warmth to the skin tone, which cooler-toned colors tend to do. The bangs are soft, face-framing, and stop right above the eyebrow, and the layers are shoulder-length for that effortless versatile length. This is one of those cuts where the color and the cut blend seamlessly; it either wouldn’t be as good without the other. I will say bangs like this grow out quicker than you’d think, so you will have to come in for bang trims more often than your regular appointments.
#20 Elegant Soft Shag with a Pretty Fringe
This haircut really comes alive thanks to the shininess of the hair, which is caused by healthy hair and layers that catch the light. The soft layers cut to the mid back provide movement to the hair, but not too much. The fringe layers soften the look in the front which looks really nice. This will be great for everyday use. It will take you seconds to style it, but you can also just leave it to air dry and it’ll look great! If your hair happens to be a little wavy, you’re in luck because it will provide a great texture to your hair in combination with the haircut.
#21 Bold Shag with Highlights That Pop
Thanks for the clear highlights! They go well with the darker base, and the shag layers make the whole thing more lively and dimensional. I really want to give this style props for how thick it makes fine hair look! Miraculous. Destressed styling is easy, just put some product in and wipe the excess off. It will require some commitment to keep those layers trimmed to maintain the look, but in the end it is worth it.
#22 Pixie in Light Lavender That Actually Works
While I understand your anxiety about lavender, it is a concern I have talked out with many clients. With the right person and cut, it can be incredible. This look has enough texture and layering to not be boring, and with lavender, is soft and sophisticated instead of cheap. It is a commitment. Fashion colors do fade and require touch ups more than natural ones, so if maintenance isn’t your thing, this isn’t for you. If you have fine hair, especially if you like the volume these layers create, you should think about this even more.
#23 Curly Shag with Beautiful Definition
This cut has great curl definition. The shoulder-length cut consists of layers that allow each curl to spring and hold its shape, and the whole silhouette is voluminous without being excessive. If you have medium to high-density natural curls, this is the type of cut you want that allows you to stop fighting your hair every morning. What I think is the most important here is that the layers are not overdone, just enough that every curl has space to breathe and bounce. Enjoy the volume!
#24 Warm Cropped Cut with Crown Volume
This style is ideal for getting a short haircut without going as short as a pixie. Having the volume at the crown is what gives it shape and height. This is especially good for finer hair that can get flat and lifeless. The warm color adds richness and is very flattering. It also creates added dimension to the haircut, which is great. Plus, it’s the type of haircut that looks great as it grows out! That’s something I always take into account when I’m cutting someone’s hair. I’m thinking how is this going to look in six weeks from now, not just how does this look right now? Super easy to style too! Just a little product, some finger combing, and you’re set.
#25 Fluffy Layered Shag with Sun-Kissed Pieces
What I appreciate the most about this haircut is the fluffiness. It seems like the kind of hair that you would run your fingers through. The layers provide a sophisticated touch, and the highlights as placed and woven so well, look like reflections of sunlight in your hair. This haircut is mid-length and low density, and is the type of cut that will make getting ready in the morning feel like a breeze rather than a chore. If you have an angular face, these layers will achieve that perfect balance. This haircut will require a lot of volumizing products as well as round-brushing when blow drying, but will require little else!
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