First off, what I think should be talked about more is the fact that soft shags are one of the couple styles where the grow out actually looks good, like really good. I know that most styles get to an annoying point where they look awkward and not stylish. On the other hand if a shag is done well, it can evolve into something new every few weeks, and that makes it a perfect cut for women in their 50s who don’t want to spend all of their time at the salon.
A couple of years ago I had a client who had the same blunt lob for like a whole decade, and she thought that anything with layers would look ‘too 90s’. I one day managed to convince her to get a soft shag and she couldn’t stop looking at herself in her rearview mirror. She sent me a picture from her car in the parking lot. That’s the thing about this cut, it doesn’t make you feel like you’re trying to be 30 or something. It just feels like the best most current version of yourself. The styles, the lengths, and the internal layers all give you the opportunity to really make it your own. So, let me take you through a few of my favorite ones.
#1: Long Shag with the Softest Face-Framing You’ve Ever Seen
Okay, but hear me out. This is one of those cuts that looks like she didn’t try at all, and that’s what makes it so good. The layers are just below shoulder length and move (I know that sounds dramatic, but good hair framing at this length and texture does really move) like they are alive. The face-framing bangs blend in with the rest of the hair seamlessly which is great because if you have an angular jaw or defined cheek bones, it just tones everything down. Honestly, you could just let this air dry and add a little bit of texturizing spray and you’d look super put together. Just try to not skip trims, those layers lose their personality after about eight weeks.
#2 Chin-Length Wavy Shag with That Diagonal Framing Thing I Love
This one features some really clever cutting that you might not notice right away. There are vertical layers through the sides, and just enough razor cutting to allow those waves to move without getting too puffy. And that bit of lift at the crown? That’s a cowlick being utilized, not battled against, which is one of my favorite things to do. If you have an oval face and medium to thick hair, this will be an effortless look for you. You’ll definitely want a frizz control product in your routine, and you might end up needing a flat iron to tidy up the front diagonal pieces to keep the whole look sharp and not shapeless.
#3 Warm Chestnut Short Shag That Gives You Cheekbones for Days
I love what you did here! It’s chin-length with some layered graduation for airyness at the crown, and with short face-framing bits that touch the cheekbones. On fine to medium wavy hair, this combination is so flattering as you get lots of movement on top and no heaviness at the bottom. It’s surprisingly good at disguising temple thinning as the shorter layers fill in. It’s not meant to be high maintenance at all, but you’ll need a texturizing product and a quick blow dry to bring it to life in the mornings. If your hair is super coarse or thick, your stylist will have to do a lot of thinning to achieve the same airy look. It’s a lot of thinning, but it won’t be high maintenance, I promise.
#4 Medium Chestnut Shag with Those Sheer Curtain Bangs Everyone Asks Me About
I would pull this up on my phone and say “this, we need to discuss this.” It’s another beautiful, shoulder-grazing haircut with delicate, virtually see-through curtain bangs, as well as a soft balayage root melt that provides dimension without that just-left-the-salon look. The crown layers and razoring provide a bit of volume and the ends are so light and feathery, they kind of just float around. If you are fine to medium in hair texture and have an oval or heart-shaped face, this is going to look great on you. The bangs will need a bit of styling each day, but it’s nothing too involved, just a round brush and 30 seconds. The color will need periodic gloss treatments to keep the warmth alive.
#5 Textured Chestnut Shag with a Side Fringe That Actually Behaves
I love the soft side fringe and the babylights add depth to the hair. I like chin length piecey looks with side fringes that are soft and frame the face nicely without it being too overwhelming. Light razor texturizing at the ends is what keeps the look modern and undone, and point cut layers at the crown add volume. This cut works best with straight to wavy hair, medium density, and an oval face. You won’t need a lot of product to keep the fringe in place and to keep the look intentional rather than messy. It’s not meant to take a lot of time in the morning. It’s not ideal for coarse and curly hair though, the texture just ends up looking different on that kind of hair.
#6 That Sunlit Shoulder-Length Shag with the Flipped Ends
I have a major soft spot for a flipped end, and this does it exceptionally well. It’s should-to-collarbone length with short face-framing layers up top, and then ends that flipped and feathered ends done with razor-pointing and internal slide-thinning, which essentially means they removed weight from the inside so that ends can naturally kick out without being too bulky. The eye-area brightness is boosted by the root-shadow babylights. It’s going to look amazing on you if your hair is fine to medium and straight. The one thing is that flip does need a round-brush blowout to really hold, so if you’re someone who doesn’t reach for the blow dryer, this may not be your everyday cut. Anything worth having will need maintenance eventually, and the color will need a refresh too which is true of anything worth having.
#7 Platinum Textured Shag with That Effortless Crown Volume
The excitement I feel when a client with fine-to-medium hair goes all-over platinum with a shag style cut is beyond measure. It’s going to look so good! The off-center part with the micro face-framing layers, and the crown lift all combine to make the hair look so much more voluminous. The technique used here is called ‘razor point cutting’ and is used to create the light, airy layers. The subtle root shadow underneath adds some dimension so that it doesn’t look flat or two-dimensional. If you’re working with some thinning in the hair, this is the perfect option because it fills in the look so naturally. Just know that going platinum requires commitment. You’ll need someone who is precise with the texturizing (if you have a ‘crown cowlick’ you may need to coax it into position in the morning).
#8 Shoulder-Length Shag with a Wispy Fringe and Those Easy Flip-Out Ends
This has that look where she probably just got up and somehow her hair just happened to be in that style, which means there’s probably some really good cutting behind it. Layered framing for the face, a short wispy fringe and ends that flip out just a little, all of which is great for an oval face and is perfect for medium slightly wavy hair. You also get some good crown lift which is great for covering up when things start to thin out a little which people don’t talk about enough. The layering has to be done about 45 degrees with light razor texturizing to avoid any bulk and if you are already seeing some grey hairs coming in, then I would suggest a root shadow or some lowlights blended through.
#9 Chocolate Pixie-Shag That’s Giving All the Right Energy
I love everything about this one! It sits on the nape with longer diagonal fringe that softly sweeps across the face and framing it beautifully. The crown area is so alive with fine-to-medium hair because of how the pivoted layers and micro layers create lift without the stacking or stiffness. There is a color-melt with lowlights happening that gives the chocolate base some real richness. It blow dries in minutes, it has that quality where people can’t quite figure out why you look so good, they just know you do and it looks fantastic from every angle. Because of the darker chocolate tones you will need root blending touch ups, but the maintenance won’t be too demanding. You’ll want a light product in there for a little piece-y definition and because of the darker tones you’ll need root blending touch-ups, but again nothing too demanding.
#10 Silver-Blend Shoulder Shag with That Perfect Feathered Fringe
The fringe of this haircut is particularly special as it feathers and moves with the client and completely changes the look of the haircut. Point cut layers with texturizing shears create the lightness in the ends. Then, there’s a natural crown whorl that does some of the volumizing work for free, which I always appreciate. The shape is really smart because if your temples are thinning, this creates an illusion of fullness without it looking like you are trying. This fringe will need daily upkeep whether it be round brushing it or using some mousse to prevent it from flattening, and the silver tone will need some purple shampoo and maybe even a toner to keep it cool, bright, and free of brass.
#11 Chestnut Shag with Wispy Micro-Bangs and Natural Dimension
There’s one silver strand at the temple, and honestly, it’s doing more work than any highlight could. It gives the natural lowlight effect and adds depth and character to the whole thing. The rest is a chin-length chestnut shag with razor texture at the ends, internal layers, and point cutting that allows the soft waves to move. It’s great on an oval face with a fine to medium density. That gentle crown cowlick is actually helping with lift and not working against this style. The bangs and texture will need some daily work, and I’d definitely recommend a gloss or balayage at some point to enhance all that natural dimension.
#12 Salt-and-Pepper Shag with Micro-Bangs and the Most Natural-Looking Volume
I completely understand the appeal of this cut and salt and pepper hair in general. It chin-length and features softly micro-short bangs that really pull everything together. It also has beautiful feathered layers, gentle stacking at the nape, and incredibly soft bangs which really affect the whole thing. The technique used on the ends of the layers and the volume crown are going to create a lot of lift and volume. Because of the low root shadow, you won’t even have to worry about a harsh grow out line, and she won’t be seeing any cut lines too soon. It’s great on looser, wavier hair of medium to medium thick density, and oval face shapes. Then, once the cut is done, a touch of mousse or a diffuser on the ends, and she’s good to go. For finer hair this shouldn’t be a problem at all, but in coarser hair this could insist the sides be thinned a little more to reduce bulk.
#13 Raven-Black Soft Shag with Wispy Curtain Fringe and Cool Shimmer
It was the color that attracted me first. It is a deep blue-black with a nice shimmer that gives off a wet look due to the blue-black gloss coating. The cut features a long soft shag that falls around the shoulders to mid-chest level with face-framing layers and a delicate wispy curtain fringe that frames the face nicely. Internal layers and razor texturizing create a feathered finish and help provide some subtle volume at the crown. The hair type ideal for this is medium to thick, straight to slightly wavy hair as this will look stunningly beautiful on. The fringe will need trims more often to keep it from being too heavy and to be honest, the dark gloss will show regrowth faster and will fade so you will have a color commitment to maintaining it. That said, it is very much worth it.
#14 Jet-Black Mid-Length Shag with Built-In Crown Volume
I want to call special attention to the crown work because it is so good. There are some very short soft layers that work against what is likely a natural cowlick and instead of the hair falling flat, it pushes up into gorgeous built-in volume. The rest is a mid-chest layered shag with a light feathered fringe and long interior layers with point cutting at the ends that give everything a weightless flowing effect. It softens an oval shape face and gives the illusion of more density to fine hair than it actually has. The crown and fringe require good precision cutting and some daily root lift, so this is not the cut for someone who wants to be completely low maintenance. I also wouldn’t recommend this to someone with very coarse tight curls as the layers won’t read the same.
#15 Golden Face-Framing Shag That Catches Light Like Nobody’s Business
The babylights here are really doing beautiful things, they brighten up just around the temples which glows her whole face, and then there’s this soft root shadow that keeps it grounded and natural. The cut itself is a shag to the shoulder with loose waves, long graduated layers, with some vertical slicing to reduce bulk while keeping those beautiful S shaped bends. With fine to medium hair, this adds so much life and movement. You’ll need some heat styling to get that polished sweep, either a round brush or a 1 inch barrel, and the warm babylights do benefit from glossing. But there are these subtle interior crown layers that let you diffuser dry for volume on days when you don’t feel like picking up a hot tool, which I think is the best of both worlds.
#16 Feathered Silver Shag with Curtain Bangs That Air-Dry Beautifully
If you are all silver or mostly silver and are wondering what to do with it, check this out. It’s a shoulder length feathered shag with wispy curtain bangs that allows the natural color to shine. The cut uses short crown graduation with razor feathering on the ends for lift and movement. It genuinely air dries well, which I can’t say about every shag, and is mostly straight with a soft wave and medium fine density. It brightens the face and adds a motion that is effortless and makes everything current. The bangs will need more trims than the rest, and if you have some natural grey banding you might want to consider a soft root shadow or gloss to even things out tonally, but it honestly looks great as is.
#17 Chestnut Mid-Length Shag with the Best Feathered Curtain Fringe
This is a great example of how well the internal layering works on this style. There is so much going on in this cut that you don’t see, such as the graduation through the nape to reduce some bulk so as to not make it heavy, slide-cutting to give a weightless feel to the bottom ends, and point-cut layering at the crown to give the cut lift from the inside. The feathered curtain bangs nicely frame the face and the chestnut color with subtle root shadow cleverly conceals greys at the part line hiding them like they were never there. This cut looks great on an oval face. To get the full shape of the style, you’ll need a round-brush blowout or root-lift mousse. If your hair is very fine, keep in mind that the fringe will soften and separate more quickly, and it may need a light-hold spray to keep it looking piece-y.
#18 Copper-Red Shag with Airy Fringe and Natural Crown Lift
The small cowlick at the crown gives her volume without her even trying, which I love! The cut works with the volume rather than against it. I love the vertical point cutting and light razor texturizing at the shoulders with the long layers and feathered ends. The copper-red color is gorgeous, and the subtle root shadow makes it grow out more naturally instead of looking harsh. On slightly wavy, fine to medium, oval faces, the whole thing just works. Also, red fades very quickly, so you’ll need to gloss it periodically to keep it looking fresh. The airy fringe may also appear sparse if your hair is coarse, so this is something to keep in mind.
#19 Copper Shoulder Shag with Curtain Fringe and Easy Volume
I love discovering a cowlick that wants to work with me, and this one is perfect; it sits right at the crown and gives the hair this natural lift that would take you twenty minutes to do with a blow dryer. The rest is a shoulder-length shag with feathered curtain bangs and long face-framing layers, and the copper color has a soft root shadow, so maintenance isn’t as crazy as you would think. Her hair is wavy, medium coarse, and medium to high density, which is the exact texture that makes this cut look its best because it has enough weight to hold the shape but enough natural movement to keep it interesting. The layered ends may frizz in humidity, and the bangs need regular trimming to keep them out of your eyes.
#20 Chestnut Shoulder Shag with Crown Lift and a Really Smart Fringe
The feathered curtain fringe on this sits right at that perfect length where it softens the forehead without looking like you’re hiding behind it, and that’s surprisingly hard to nail. The rest is a shoulder-length chestnut shag with point cut layers and light razor texturing that creates this natural root lift and airy movement throughout. It works beautifully on fine-to-medium wavy hair, especially if you’ve got an oval face, and it’s great at camouflaging gray without looking like that’s what it’s doing. If your hair is on the finer side, grab a lightweight mousse or root lift spray for hold, and the lowlights will need occasional glazing to keep the depth looking rich.
#21 Chestnut Mid-Length Shag with Brow-Grazing Fringe and Natural Movement
The internal graduation creates movement that feels so beautifully natural, as though her hair ‘decided’ to have a great day. It’s a shag with a chestnut mid-length base and a wispily, brow-grazing fringe that combines point-cut texturizing throughout. On medium-fine hair of medium density, shag haircuts like this one achieve the perfect balance between polished and undone. It also softens the jawline, conceals grey regrowth at the part, and frames the face without it looking heavy. The fringe will require regular upkeep and shaping to keep it balanced with the rest of the style, and if your hair is especially coarse, the feathered ends may appear somewhat thin, so you might want to consider a demi-glaze to bring a little more visual depth and weight to the color.
#22 Caramel-Blonde Shag with Micro-Fringe and Gorgeous Crown Layers
This style has fantastic crown layering; it has these short razored graduated layers that work with a small cowlick and turn it into volume instead of a styling issue, which is honestly one of my favorite things a good cut can achieve. It’s a shoulder grazing caramel blonde shag with soft wispy micro fringe and babylights mixed with lowlights for dimension. On fine to medium wavy hair and an oval face, the whole thing looks effortlessly pretty. The fringe will need maintenance, that’s just the nature of micro bangs, and if your hair is very coarse you might need some smoothing to achieve these same clean lines.
#23 Brunette Shag with Caramel Babylights and Built-In Lift
What I love about this style is the way that long curtain layers frame the face, and the way shorter interior layers offer crown lift from the inside and provide volume exactly where you need it without any stacking. Because it sits just past the shoulders, it has enough length to be pinned back when you want, and enough shag movement to be low-maintenance color-wise. The caramel babylights and root smudge will grow out in a very low-maintenance way, and the natural waviness of medium-thick hair means that the texture just does its thing. The point cutting is a little tricky as those feathered ends could go from airy to bulky real quick, and you may want to do a quick diffuser session or root lift in the morning to bring back that crown volume.
#24 Auburn Shoulder Shag with Curtain Layers That Frame Everything Perfectly
In an important yet understated way, the slightly off-center piece shifts the weight for a natural crown lift without product or work, while the soft curtain layers from the chin down. Internal layers and razor textured ends help give movement and are deceptively great at disguising thinning at the temples, which is common and something I think people should feel free to address when making cut decisions. The auburn color is beautiful and rich, but it is a commitment. It’s going to require demi-gloss upkeep to prevent it from pulling muddy. Also, porous hair tends to get frizzy at the ends, which is where I recommend point cutting and slide cutting to keep everything under control.
#25 Auburn Short Shag with Side-Swept Fringe and Incredible Volume
Not many women consider this length because they tend to get nervous about how short they are going, but this chin length style is so flattering. On oval face shapes, it looks amazing, especially when the hair is medium and slightly wavy. The internal graduation and pivot point at the crown gives the effect of having so much more hair, and the point cut layering keeps it soft and face framing without the use of any hard lines. It’s beautiful without trying to be too young which is totally the vibe. I’m going to be honest, the rich auburn will require higher maintenance than a natural brunette and you will definitely need to spend some time on root lift styling, but the volume and movement are more than worth the cut.
#26: Layered Shag with Face-Framing Highlights That Wake Everything Up
This is all about the placement of the highlights, and that’s what makes this special. They are placed specifically around the face so that they reflect light and add to the amazing dimension that works with the waves and textures of the layers instead of working against it. On medium to thick hair this gives a beautiful, substantial fullness that is not heavy. If you have a rounder face, the framing actually lengthens and slims everything down in a really beautiful way. The waves do all the work with little styling needed. Keep up with your trims! Layered haircuts lose their personality when they grow out too much.
#27: Long Textured Shag with Soft Bangs for Maximum Movement
If you’ve been growing your greys out and are unsure about which cut will make them look intentional and beautiful, this is it. The nice shaggy bangs will frame your face, while also softening the look. The layers will bring out your natural waves for a fuller, more voluminous look. It’s a little longer than shoulder length, so you’ll still have enough to put it up, but when worn down, it has a beautiful movement. The density is also medium, so it won’t be heavy and will stay light and fluffy. One thing to keep in mind is that bangs in wavy hair can do their own thing, so you’ll probably be doing more touching up than with the rest of the style.
#28: Textured Shag with Fringe Layers That Create Fullness from Nothing
I always go back on how much I love fringe layers with fine hair because they truly change everything. This medium-length style includes long layers that outline the face along with a subtle fringe. It adds a youthful touch, and because the hair is finer, the layered texture makes it look much more voluminous. It hits that ideal level that’s so easy to style. You can let it air dry, or you can spend five minutes with a blow dryer and get totally different looks. You might want to keep a volumizing spray nearby because it can sit messy, but overall this is about the most low maintenance for a great cut.
#29: Textured Shoulder Shag with Beachy Waves and Natural Volume
I would classify this haircut as one for someone who “put down the hot tools and trusted the cut.” The layers at shoulder length are doing all the heavy lifting; they create volume on fine hair through placement, not product. The gentle face framing, which works on basically all face shapes, combined with soft beach waves, give the cut an intentional lived-in look that always looks good from day one to day three. For an easy effortless finish, a texturizing spray is your go-to. Fine hair does tend to look a bit scragglier at the ends faster than thicker hair, so stay on top of trims, but between hair appointments, this should be fairly easy. If you are staying within your natural color, the layers will create some visual dimension where they catch the light.
#30: Sun-Kissed Long Shag with Layers That Catch the Light
The highlights are so well placed, they are concentrated where the face-framing pieces fall so they create this sun-kissed brightness right where you want it, around the eyes and cheekbones, without looking stripey or overdone. The length sits just below the shoulders with soft layers that move beautifully on fine hair. There’s a lightness to the whole thing because the layers create texture without bulk, and that’s really the sweet spot for someone with finer density who wants a style that looks like it has substance. You might want a little volumizing mousse for extra body on days you want it, but honestly the cut does most of the work on its own.
#31: Silvery Soft Shag with Wispy Bangs and an Effortless Feel
Everything about the bangs is great. They’re great because of the way that they look so soft and light that they direct the viewer’s eyes to the bangs. They also add a light and dated feel to the hair. The overall look of this shag is elegant without looking like it’s trying too hard. Fine and medium texture wigs look great with this shag cut because the shag layers add good movement while the density remains airy. Overall it’s a great style. It’s one of those styles that looks as good tucked behind the ears as it does worn forward, which gives you options without having to do a convoluted restyle. The best part is that they do a fantastic job of keeping the shape sharp. This cut is very much a wash and go on days where the hair aligns and this texture it usually does.
#32: Curly Shag with Fluffy Layers That Embrace Your Texture
If your hair has a natural wave or curl and you’re sick of battling it, just get this haircut. The fluffy layers add volume in the best way, the soft fringe gives a totally cute face framing moment that I’m honestly a bit obsessed with, and the whole cut says “I woke up like this,” when in actuality there was some real technique involved. The medium length is optimal for allowing curls to spring up without being weighed down. You will likely want some curl defining product to avoid the frizz, but the shape is pretty forgiving and looks great whether your curls are super defined, or more of a loose wave.
#33: Softly Textured Shoulder Shag with Warm Highlights
The soft golden tones on the light brown base are great because they add brightness and dimension without looking overly blonde. This sort of color works particularly well in a shag as the layers emphasise all the tonal variations. It is shoulder-length with subtle layers that frame the face, keeping the overall style light and airy on fine to medium density hair. This is the sort of polished-but-undone style that is perfect for running errands as well as going out for dinner, with no need to change anything. A small amount of styling cream to smooth the ends is all that is needed for this look.
#34: Grey Shag with Gentle Waves and Crown Volume That Happens Naturally
I think this is great for someone who is celebrating their natural grey and wants a haircut that celebrates their grey hair rather than just keeps it. The layers offer volume at the crow while keeping the ends soft and airy, and those waves add personality without needing real effort. The hair is cut just above the shoulders, which feels modern and fresh while keeping it super versatile. This is especially good for oval and heart shaped faces because the layers opening around the cheekbones is super flattering. Getting the waves to look nice will probably take a few minutes with a blow dryer and round brush, but this cut will do a lot of the work for you.
#35: Wavy Shag with Subtle Highlights and Easy, Everyday Movement
If a client were to come in and say they want to look nice, but do not want to fuss with their hair too much, I would recommend this type of cut. The layers create movement on fine hair while the subtle highlights give dimension so it never looks one-dimensional. It is shoulder length so it can work with round and oval face shapes. It is also great when natural waves are added because it adds a texture that photographs nicely. For hold, you may want a lightweight styling product to help the waves stay in place all day. But we are talking one product and in 30 seconds you are good to go.
#36: Textured Shag with Wispy Bangs and a Beautiful Color Story
The first thing I notice with this one is the mix of warm and cool shades that create a subtle richness. With medium-length hair, the depth created by multiple colors is excellent as it prevents the hair from looking like a one-dimensional shade. The wispy bangs soften the face on oval and heart-shaped faces. Light layering removes volume on fine to medium hair, but avoids the look of stringy or thin hair. This is a well-considered cut where everything harmonizes together: color, texture, and framing. It requires some upkeep to maintain the layered shape, but it’s not anything that should feel like a burden.
#37: Pink Layered Shag with Soft Waves and All the Personality
I really enjoy seeing a person of this age with such a fun color; they always look better than you expect! This light pink is playful without being childish and looks great on a layered shag cut with soft waves. The layers give the fine to mid-range hair enough volume and movement to support the color. It is particularly attractive on round or oval faces because of the way the layers frame the face. A word of caution, however: because pastel colors fade quickly, and often, you’ll need to invest in a color depositing conditioner if you want to go longer between salon visits!
#38: Ash Blonde Shag with Bangs That Soften Everything
For those with more angular features, the face-framing layers on this one do something really clever, as they soften without covering, and the goal is never to hide your bone structure, it’s to complement it. It’s an ash blonde shag with an subtle bangs and soft layers that add volume while also being lightweight on fine to medium density hair. The natural movement in this cut is really pretty, and you’ll need regular trims to keep the shape defined, that’s just the nature of layered cuts, but day-to-day styling is minimal.
#39: Layered Shag with Warm Highlights and Crown Volume
The crown volume is first because it is created through layering and not products or teasing, meaning that it lasts all day and will not collapse by lunch. It falls just below shoulders with face-framing layers that move with you. The warm highlights add depth and dimension that make fine to medium hair look richer. If you are looking for something that is youthful and fresh without needing a full change, this is particularly flattering. On days you want extra, some volumizing product and a light hold spray will do the trick, but the cut really does most of the work.
#40: Layered Shag with Balayage and Soft Face-Framing
The balayage adds even more visual interest to an already beautifully structured cut. It’s medium length with soft, face-framing layers that enhance the features, and on finer hair types the dimensional color gives the nice bonus of the appearance of more density. This works especially well for oval and heart-shaped faces as the layers hit right on the cheekbones and really open everything up. It will be low maintenance in regard to styling, however, you’ll want to maintain regular trims because the layers will start to lose that intentional movement once they grow out.
#41: Long Shag with Soft Bangs and Beautiful Lived-In Texture
This has that “I haven’t even tried with my hair and it looks so good” vibe and not many haircuts pull it off. The bangs are long enough that they’re not high maintenance, and the length is sitting just above the shoulders, and the wavy hair with medium density gives the perfect fullness. The layers are really smart and add a lot of movement without losing length so if you are someone who gets a bit anxious about layers taking away your hair then this is a great starting point. If your hair is finer, a light volumizing spray will help keep that lived-in body.
#42: Layered Shag with Warm Highlights and Gentle Movement
I am drawn to this type of cut where the highlights are strategically placed to accentuate the layering. So, each time the hair moves, you see a different dimension. This cut is medium length, with soft waves and gentle layers that frame the face at the cheekbones. This is especially nice for oval and heart-shaped face structures. This much layering gives fine to medium density hair a nice boost without looking thin. The warm tones are a lovely face brightener, which is a great trick for looking refreshed without anything extreme. A little styling for shape and volume is the only ask.
#43: Textured Shag with Soft Waves and Bangs That Add Something Special
The bangs provide a youthful aspect that transforms the entire style, they provide a nice frame without being overpowering, and with the waves instead of against them. The mid-length hair with soft waves enhances the cheekbones and softens anglear features. With medium to thick hair, the layers create a healthy, alive, and bouncy look. There is enough root volume for an overall flattering look that can be styled or left to air dry. The layers do require some maintenance, but that is a small price to pay for such a great look.
#44: Long Shag with Face-Framing Layers and Highlights That Add Depth
This particular haircut works excellently with thick and lightly wavy hair. The layered look compliments the natural volume and movement of the hair, instead of trying to tame it like other haircuts would. The hair falls slightly below the shoulders and has face framing layers that make the cut compliment oval and heart shaped faces. The cut has subtle highlights that add dimension and make the whole look feel rich and intentional. Spending a few minutes on the hair to style it will help achieve a polished and undone look. Adding a little bit of product to the hair can help with definition and movement. The good structure of this cut means it will still look good even when the hair is styled lazily.
#45: Modern Soft Shag with Waves and Natural Shine
The way it catches the light really sells it! The medium-length layers create subtle waves that seem to move all on their own. The shine really makes it look healthy. On fine hair, layered ends give volume without weighing anything down, and the face-framing layers are soft and flattering on pretty much everyone. It’s the type of look that photographs beautifully in the sun. The cut really does all the work to give the waves that stunning look, but a wave spray and a quick scrunch will help keep everything looking intentional.
#46: Textured Shag with Soft Curls and Easy, Flattering Shape
This style has nice soft curls around the front which makes the overall look very nice and approachable. When combined with shoulder length hair and soft lighter layers, the hair has a nice bounciness without the weight of traditional layers. This technique is built for those with fine hair and are worried that the curls or added texture will just fall limp; it’s designed to avoid that. This looks really nice on oval shapes because the curls fall at the jaw and cheekbones which adds some nice softness to the look. Also, you will need a curl product to maintain soft curls because the length will keep your hair looking nice and the ends will be loose whether your curls are tight or loose for the day.
#47: Layered Shag with Sun-Kissed Blonde and Playful Movement
This style has so much movement but it seems effortless, which gives away the quality of the layering. The mid-lengths rest just below the shoulders and the soft waves combined with the sun-kissed blonde highlights create just the right amount of contrast to the natural base. This type of colour and finish on fine to medium hair gives the fullness and texture, as well as the fun and playful quality that the hair just keeps moving. The soft layering around the face is very beautiful. It frames the features in this really modern and effortless way. A little product is all that’s needed to create that perfect undone look and the cut and colour do all the rest.
#48: Soft Shoulder Shag with Gentle Waves and Textured Fringe
The use of fringe here is especially clever as it makes this whole look come together. It might not be super noticeable, but it adds a really nice soft touch. This look is great with soft gentle waves that are around shoulder length and fine to medium density. Feathered layers create a nice airy look that is great for heart and oval shaped faces as they soften the features while still allowing the bone structure to show. Aside from regular maintenance trims, some styling products to enhance the waves and volume are the only upkeep needed. This style is so good that honestly you could even skip styling and it would still look great.
#49: Layered Shag with Subtle Highlights and Effortless Modern Texture
I think what makes this one work so well is how the highlights go with the texture of the layers, instead of just sitting on top of the color. The highlights create color variations as the hair moves, and with a medium-length cut and this much softness framing the face, the effect is stunning. For fine to medium density hair, this length and these layers are perfect as they provide volume, and it’s also a great look for oval and heart-shaped faces as the framing softens the look around the jaw and cheekbones. The soft, modern waves make it look really easy, but occasional styling will keep the layers looking great. Effortless is the vibe here.
#50 Curly Shag with Defined Layers That Let Your Texture Shine
If you have natural curls that you straighten, ignore, or cut into a style that doesn’t suit your texture, this may be the style for you. Face-framing layers are especially important for curly hair, as the right cut can give a lot of shape that otherwise doesn’t exist. Hair of medium length is more versatile, and a medium to thick density will give lots of volume and movement. This cut creates definition for where it’s needed on round and oval faces. Of course you’ll need curl-specific products to maintain the definition on this cut, but with a cut like this it’s worth the upkeep.
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.