If you want to be a little more creative in the way you dress, how about trying shaggy short hair? It’s edgy, short, and easy to take care of. If you want to do something really different with your hair, or just want some ideas to refresh your look, check out 15 short shaggy hair ideas. These styles range from classy to messy, and look great with the right outfit. Shaggy hairstyles help you show more of your personality than a regular short haircut would.
About eight years ago, I met my first client who really made me take shag cuts seriously. She was in her fifties and walked in with a photo of Jane Fonda from 1975 and said, “I want this, but for someone who actually does things.” Since then, I’ve been a little obsessed with shag cuts and she was right. Shag haircuts are the only style that hits the sweet spot of looking done without being overly done. You can just show up without any effort and still look amazing.
From what I’ve learned, the shag is one of the most flexible and adaptable short haircuts. However, I don’t want to mislead you unlike many people on the internet, and suggest this type of haircut will work for everyone. For shag haircuts, considerations need to be taken regarding your hair’s density, texture, the ease of styling, and your personal commitment to styling. The best shaggy short haircuts I’ve done have been the ones where I actually took the time to really look at a person’s hair, and then shaped the cut around what the hair wanted to do naturally. So my suggestion when looking at the fifteen versions is to think of them as a guide to what your hair may be willing to do rather than a menu to order from.
#1: Vibrant Copper Textured Shag with Soft Bangs
Bright copper is a hair color that can create some stunning looks but can, of course, also create terrible ones. A lot of the chance comes down to the cut and the layers. In this example, the layers were cut to give the right amount of movement so the color can be dimensional, and not flat looking. The soft bangs really pull the whole look forward, and the focus is drawn to the eyes, not the forehead. If your hair is fine and you’ve wanted to achieve that look where you have hair with more volume, this cut will sort you out. Texturising spray and a spiky, grungy dry fringe every day will be required, but this particular style will look just as good as it did on day one, forever.
#2 Effortlessly Tousled Brunette Shag with Natural Highlights
***Great for pictures and great for reflections*** This cut is all about pictures and reflections. The bulk is removed with a layered cut, but there is enough weight to keep everything in place. Highlights aren’t supposed to pop, and the natural highlights won’t pop. Highlights should not be used to make the hair look livened but should only be used when it looks too flat. This haircut is not easy. You should know when to scrunch and when to keep your hands off. The face framing layers need to be trimmed every 5 to 6 weeks. If not, they will start to poke you in the eyes and not in the cute way you expect.
#3 Brunette-to-Caramel Wavy Textured Bob
This cut is great because it’s not overdone. It’s a bob that hits the shoulders with a few waves and some layers. The bob is also a brunette to caramel ombre which offers some visual interest, so not much more is needed. On medium to thick hair, all it needs is a few wisps broken up with some lightweight texture cream. The waves also don’t need to look perfect to look right. The root to tip hair color is what keeps it from being too polished, which is right where you want to be with a cut like this.
#4 Burgundy Bob with Swooping Bangs
Burgundy is associated with negative trends of the 90s but it can still look great. A bob styled with a lot of movement and an asymmetrical sweeping fringe can look modern and slightly luxurious. The deeper, richer hue of burgundy is also appropriate for more conservative work environments, versus a popping color that may be distracting or inappropriate. The fringe adds some softness to the look so it doesn’t feel too structured. The main consideration with this color is maintenance. Burgundy hair can fade very quickly and the way it fades can be unattractive. You will need to budget for appointment to tone your hair or invest in a good color-depositing conditioner.
#5 Rich Auburn Curly Bob with Soft Fringe
I don’t say this very often, but auburn hair and curls is an unbeatable combination. The curls give the bob volume, and the way the bangs lay across the forehead softens the look. It is the perfection that isn’t trying too hard. Really, I wish more styles had this, but this is a cut that gets better on day two. Your focus and budget will have to be on the color because maintaining that vivid auburn is a commitment. It is a fresh cut and definitely a color to get.
#6 Soft Brunette Layers with Sweeping Fringe
For those wanting something new, yet might get a little anxious while getting this cut (And I mean this as more of a compliment than a discouragement toward the client), this is what I would suggest. This is a subtle shag. If the layers are just above shoulders, the brunette has a nice quiet dimension with some lighter pieces woven throughout and that sweeping fringe is flattering on pretty much every face shape that I’ve put it on. Unlike some styles, this one actually gets better as it grows out, which a lot of people neglect when choosing a cut. The fringe is the only part that requires a little upkeep, every 3-4 weeks if you want to keep it looking nice.
#7 Dynamic Russet Layered Pixie with Volume
If you’re thinking of trying out a shorter style and have fine hair, check out how the layers add fullness! The russet color gives some nice warmth and highlights the thickness that a flat color would not give. This is a pixie for those who want to look put together without spending twenty minutes styling it, which is everyone I’ve met who has gotten a pixie. The real limitations are that you won’t be able to put this style into a ponytail, and on days when you don’t want to cooperate, you’ll only have a little bit of matte pomade and a bit of willpower to work with.
#8 Charming Brunette Shag with Defined Curls and Wispy Bangs
I appreciate this style on women who have been told to “age gracefully” by people who think graceful means invisible. The shag cut has purpose with the defined curls, and the wispy bangs are just enough to keep from overwhelming the face. This style works beautifully with medium density hair, and manages to keep its volume without needing to be touched from daytime errands to evening dinner plans. If your hair is naturally straight, you’ll need a small-barrel curling iron to do this style, and you are better off knowing that than finding out the hard way on a Tuesday morning.
#9 Textured Tawny Top Layer with Undercut
Thick hair might also benefit from an undercut paired with shaggy layers. The undercut removes some bulk while the shaggy top adds movement. The multi-tonal shaggy style will catch light from all the colors. Make sure you understand this haircut requires a lot of style. You need a diffuser and good styling products. The undercut will require maintenance as well. If it’s been a few weeks there won’t be much contrast. When done right, this is one of the more impressive short haircuts.
#10 Playful Chestnut Tousled Bob with Soft Fringe
This bob does exactly what a good bob should do. It gives off the impression that you have just rolled out of bed, even if you haven’t. The layering looks just broken enough to work with the contemporary looks and the eyelash grazing fringe is so eye flattering that it’s the sort of thing people are able to form an opinion on, but aren’t quite able to articulate why. I could put Chestnut on practically anyone and feel good about it. It is warm but not aggressive and compliments most skin tones. The only thing I’d flag is if you have really fine hair you’ll want to work some volumizing mousse at the roots while it’s still wet, otherwise the layers could go a bit limp by the afternoon.
#11 Layered Chestnut Waves with Soft Fringe
It’s easy to see why the shoulder length shag keeps coming back. This example has a soft fringe and a lovely chestnut color that works perfectly with this style. The wave pattern created by the layers is super easy to work with. This shag is even forgiving if you decide not to style your hair — and that’s perfectly okay! With the color being just a touch lighter than your natural brunette shade, you won’t have to worry about how your hair grows out. Most of my clients appreciate that, but I think about it more than most. It’s a reality that life gets busy and this is a cut that suits that lifestyle perfectly. The movement created by the layers means that even if you have to blow out all your plans, it still won’t look neglected.
#12 Breezy Caramel Waves with Soft Curtain Bangs
People love curtain bangs since they suit and enhance diverse face shapes. Here they are paired with caramel layers which add extra dimension and warmth to the mid lengths. This combination creates a young look (without looking childish which is an important distinction) as the layers add the required fullness to make medium density hair look more voluminous. The styling is easy and there is enough fullness that someone doesn’t have to be a slave to their round brush. While the cut might require a few refreshes to maintain that dimensional look, it will grow out well which is a lot.
#13 Choppy Chocolate Shag with Wispy Bangs
While there is certainly a noticeable lack of flow, there is a big distinction between blended layers and the separated layers, and this cut leans more into the later and instills a lot of overall energy into the style. The gentle bangs ease the top of the hair while the rest of the cut is doing more with intention. The chocolate root and highlighted pieces combination with sink depth and dimension into the hair so it will never be boring. This is a mid-length cut that will reward effort but also will not punish you for having a lazy day. On naturally wavy hair it’s just going to take a little bit of product to style to achieve a more put together look.
#14 Choppy Chocolate Pixie with Side-Swept Bangs
The unevenness of this pixie cut adds visual intrigue and draws focus in a way that symmetrical pixie cuts can’t do. The length that hits right at the jawline is a great choice for highlighting bone structure without revealing too much, and the side swept bangs offer styling versatility on days when you want to change things up a bit more. This pixie offers an unexpected amount of versatility. The morning routine that’s required is super short, and the honest truth is that most of my pixie clients chose this cut for that reason even if they won’t say it.
#15 Edgy Silver Pixie with Textured Layers
Silver hair is an ongoing commitment that I want to be clear about should anyone get attached to the photo. This color is fantastic, and the layered texture will provide the support and movement necessary to prevent this pixie from being flat. This hair color is STUNNING on cool skin tones! The uneven edges elevate it so it won’t come off as “grandmother” to anyone who might think that. The silver shade is definitely high maintenance. It shifts frequently, and a good purple shampoo will only prolong your time between appointments, but it won’t replace them. If you’re willing to do the maintenance, this is one of the most contemporary short haircuts you can have right now!
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