55 Long Shag Haircuts for Every Face Shape and Hair Type

Reviewed by Sky Kim
Fact checked by Michelle Regalado

The shag haircut has stood the test of time for good reason– the style is super versatile, making it easy to customize based on hair length and type, along with your personal preference. The cut has been readapted through the years to fit the fashions of the time— similarly to the evolution of pixies and bob cuts . "The shag has been around since the early 1970s ," hairstylist Chris Jones tells Byrdie. "Inspired by rock and roll, the haircut was a symbol of effortless freedom." As for what's classified as a shag cut, he explains, "It's an overly layered mid-length to long haircut that promotes volume and texture." Think Farrah Fawcett's glamorous, feathered layers or Joan Jett's grungy rock star chop.

We tapped Jones, along with hairstylist and trichologist, Gretchen Oligee, for their advice on cutting and styling shags on long hair. The cut can be worn on any hair type, texture, and face shape . Keep scrolling for a list of 55 long shag haircuts for inspiration.

Meet the Experts

• Gretchen Oligee is hairstylist at Eric Adam Hair Co. in Colorado and a trichology consultant for BosleyMD, a hair care line specialized in thinning hair.

• Chris Jones is a hairstylist and the co-owner of Salon Bugatti in The Woodlands, Texas. He is also a L'Oréal Professionnel Paris.

Loose Layers

According to Jones, it's the effortless movement and texture you get with minimal work at home that makes the shag so appealing. "The shag goes against the grain, breaks the mold, and brings back a softer, sexier, more feminine vibe," he says, noting that haircuts today often feature fewer layers and shorter lengths.

Bardot Style Shag

The shag style was directly inspired by French icon Brigitte Bardot . Add subtle waves throughout the length, focusing on creating body rather than curls.

Curly Shag

Zendaya 's curly texture adds tons of volume and movement to her shag. "This style is made for curly hair. Straight or wavy hair wouldn't have the same effect," says Oligee. Zendaya's cut also highlights the beauty of curly bangs . To recreate the style, "use a curl defining cream along with a lightweight gel and diffuse the hair until about 80 percent dry and then let it just air dry completely," says Oligee.

Butterfly Shag

If you like the look of a butterfly cut , let us introduce you to the butterfly shag. Rounded layers and choppy bangs are combined for a style that is equal parts grungy and glamorous.

Y2K Shag

This look is reminiscent of music video of the early aughts, which is why we dubbed it the Y2K shag. Winnie Harlow's voluminous bangs and glamorous loose waves are giving us serious nostalgia.

Wavy Shag

Gisele wears her layers long and curled with dimension—courtesy of her sunkissed highlights . Oligee offers expert styling tips to recreate this look on all hair types. "Curly hair will need to use a smoothing product and blow the hair out straight with a bend at the ends," she says. "For wavy and straight strands, blow-dry and use a large barrel curling iron."

Grown Out Shag

Model Meredith Duxbury wears her long shag haircut with subtle waves. The undone texture accentuates the layers in her hair, giving her an effortless and casual look. According to Oligee, "this long shag is great because it really opens up her face" and works best on wavy and straight hair. "Use a volumizing gel and casually blow-dry," she recommends. "Finish with an extra-large barrel curling iron to create the texture at the ends."

Feathered Shag

Priyanka Chopra Jonas 's soft fringe complements her layered cut while her loose waves add some movement. To achieve a similar style, Jones recommends applying a small amount of Virtue 6-in-1 Styler to damp hair. Then, blow-dry and finish with some texturizing spray to achieve a similar undone finish. 

Pinup Shag

Jennifer Hudson's retro take on the shag haircut is all about texture. "Wavy hair would be best for this look but it can work with slightly curly hair as well," says Oligee. She recommends styling with a lightweight gel on damp hair paired with a diffuser, but you can also let strands air dry and loosen up any tighter curls by finger combing once hair is dry.

1970s Style

Armed with her rose-colored glasses and her long shag, Drew Barrymore pays homage to the 1970s. "What I love about this look is that it virtually requires no effort . Throw in a little mousse , rough dry, and go," says Jones. 

Face-Framing Shag

We love the effortless waves created on Frida Gustavsson's long shag. Her curtain bangs are a great face-framing method. "They give this cut a little something extra," says Oligee. She recommends this style for those with wavy or straight hair. "Use a volumizing mousse and medium-sized round brush to create this look," she recommends. "Focus on creating the wavy shape at the ends."

Shag without Fringe

For the more fringe-averse amongst us, Nicole Scherzinger showcases a wispy iteration of a shag without bangs. We love the addition of a smudged root to platinum blonde hair.

Retro Shag

Julia Stegner's long, golden shag is the epitome of the cut. A thick retro fringe, beach waves, and a slightly mussed texture create a perfectly layered look.

Shag and Fringe Combo

We love Halle Berry's shag-fringe combo that underscores a light and airy texture. To recreate this look, prep your hair with a volumizing mousse before blow-drying. Then, follow with texturizing spray. For some additional volume, put some volumizing powder at the crown of the hair.

Wispy Fringe

Dakota Johnson wears a long shag haircut with soft, wispy layers. Her subtle waves highlight her already existing layers.

Long Layers

Camila Cabello demonstrates the wearability of the long shag. "This in my opinion is a slightly more modern, conservative approach to the long shag," says Jones. "The long fringe complements the soft layers without feeling overly layered."

High Volume

Taylor Swift 's long shag helped her transition from curls and ringlets to her recently worn wavy hair and bobs. This look is all about volume; blow-dry using a round brush at the roots and on your bangs to amp up your final look.

Curly with Bangs

Sandra Oh's curls can be recreated at home even if you don't have naturally curly hair. Use a wide-barrel wand to create loose waves and brush them out with your fingers for more of a lived-in look.

Summery Curly Shag

Katerina Tannenbaum's long shag is an ode to undone beauty. The curly layers and air-dried bangs are pure 1960s earthiness. We love this summery, romantic take on the curly shag.

Layers on Layers

Jennifer Lopez's bangs begin above her eyebrow and are cut longer on the sides. Her layers begin at the chin and were added all the way down. To recreate a similar look, you may want to use a volumizing spray such as It's a 10 Miracle Blowdry Volumizer .

Air-Dried Texture

Air-drying your shag and using your fingers to add volume is key to recreating Natasha Lyonne's casual look. We love using Hairstory Hair Balm to create a similar shaggy wave.

Fluffy Shag

Jessica Williams's look features grown-out bangs that perfectly frame her face. Work through a curl cream, not gel, for a fluffy final look. We love using Innersense Inner Peace Whipped Creme Texturizer .

Textured Shag

Loose yet carefully crafted, this textured look features volume at the roots and waves throughout. If you have straight hair , ask your stylist for choppy ends to add movement.

Rounded and Curly

Curly hair types can be cut in a shag too, as seen here on Tracee Ellis Ross. The look features natural curls and wispy bangs.

Bohemian Layers

Georgia May Jagger's classic long shag is great for longer hair types, especially with some added soft waves . This style works best on second (or third, or fourth) day hair because natural oils and texture lend themselves to a similar grungy bedhead effect.

Wavy With Parted Fringe

Volume on the ends and texture on the bangs—Rihanna's style offers the best of both worlds. It is a great option for those who are either growing out their fringe or have curtain bangs. This style allows shorter hair to blend into the sides.

Accessorized Shag

A hat and a long shag go hand-in-hand, particularly if you keep the accessory perched farther back on your head. It allows for a better view of these lash-skimming, full bangs, which are paired with textured ends.

Mermaid Waves

Joan Smalls' beach waves are enhanced by their length. Try clip-in extensions to recreate a similar look.

Grown Out Layers

Sometimes, a shag can benefit from adding in some piece-y curls with an iron. After drying and curling, work in a little bit of Oribe Crème for Style for a casual and effortless everyday look.

Curtain Bangs

Short curtain bangs are one of our favorite looks because they don't require as much maintenance as a traditional fringe. Here, Gemma Chan's bangs are parted in the middle and blended in with the rest of her long, wavy shag.

French Girl Hair

French girl hair , as seen here on Alexa Chung, has a certain je ne sais quoi to it. Her iconic shag and bangs combo has inspired many to imitate the look. And her undone texture and thick bangs look effortless—even at a formal event.

Brushed Out Curls

Those who are growing out their bangs will appreciate this fresh spin on the shag. It features long curtain bangs that blend into shoulder-length hair. If you have a naturally curly texture, brush it out to replicate Solange's soft curls.

Gradual Layers

Barbie Ferreira's romantic look comes courtesy of layers that are strategically placed around the face. When curled, they give off a retro look—perfect for a night out or for a special event. Add volume and a slightly mussed texture for a more casual final look.

Heavy Bangs

Teasing the hair at the root is a great way to recreate Jameela Jamil's voluminous 'do. Full bangs can also be parted slightly in the center for a curtain effect.

Tousled Layers

The key to a perfectly tousled, long shag is all about using the right products. To recreate Heidi Klum's look, blow-dry your hair until nearly dry and seal the look using Oribe Aprés Beach Wave and Shine Spray .

1980s Shag

A curling iron can help you achieve bouncy curls like Logan Browning's old-school glamour style. Remember that 1980s hair is all about height and volume. In this case, more is more.

Long and Straight

Even those with very straight hair can also rock a long shag. Ask your stylist to cut long, gradual layers and bangs (which should be layered, too.) Elizabeth Olsen's long bangs— which graze the eyes and are cut longer on the sides— pair perfectly with the rest of this lengthy look.

Soft Shag

A middle part adds a glamorous touch to Renee Rapp's long and layered loose waves. If you want a more grungy look, try using a sea salt spray or texturizing paste.

Two-Layered Shag

Joan Small's two-layered chop (also called a jellyfish cut ) offers an avant-garde approach to a long shag. For this look, ask your stylist to keep the ends long and create face-framing bangs skimming the ears.

Natural Curls

Embrace your natural curls with a shag like this one. Just be sure to keep hair moisturized by applying a deep conditioning mask once a week. We love Pureology Hydrate Superfood Treatment and Ouidad Moisture Lock™ All Curls Ultra-Nourishing Intense Hydrating Mask .

Coarse Layers

Penelope Cruz's pinned-back shag offers a practical solution to grown out bangs . Use a curling iron to create loose waves, part your hair on the side, and pin back the opposing side. The bangs will blend into the shag's layers for a chic and sophisticated final look.

Wispy Bangs

While we love Jourdan Dunn's purple eyeshadow , her shiny waves and wispy bangs are what catch our eye. Pair a heavier hairstyle with lighter bangs to balance the overall look.

Overgrown Strands

This classic shag requires nothing more than air-dried strands and a spritz of texturizing spray. Longer bangs that fall onto the face will only add to the cool factor—just ask Charlotte Gainsbourg.

Loose Waves

An ear tuck makes every style instantly chicer—even a wavy shag. Case in point: Jasmine Tookes' bent shag haircut. Keep the ends razored and part your hair down the middle for a classic look.

Bedhead Shag

Danish model Freja Beha is known for her shaggy bedhead cut. A little texturizing spray can go a long way in maintaining this carefully crafted messy style. We love Ouai Texturizing Hair Spray for its volumizing and nourishing formula that also works as a dry shampoo to eliminate oil.

Beach Waves

Long shag haircuts go well with mermaid waves—an effortless look that is easy to maintain. Braid damp hair and sleep in it overnight (or use a waver and a light hair spray) to recreate Chrissy Teigen's beachy look.

Wolf Cut

This shag-meets-mullet cut is also known as a wolf cut (there's also a shorter version called a cub cut ). It's giving party in the front and the back. Use a texture-enhancing styler like R+Co Velvet Curtain Cotton Touch Texture Balm for subtle waves.

Glossy Shag

While most shag styles take on an undone, matte texture, Iman's curls are anything but. Her glossy curls portray the ultimate polished shag.

1970s Rounded Bangs

Ask your stylist to leave your bangs at or just below eyebrow level to recreate a 1970s-inspired look. Keep the ends loose and wavy, and use a round brush to curve the bangs slightly inward.

Wavy With Undercut

Jennifer Hudson's shaggy style comes with a modern twist courtesy of the undercut , which is featured on one side and can be shown off with a deep side part.

Shaggy Mullet

A mullet is basically a shag by another name– it can also be referred to as a shullet . The cut features a lot of choppy layers, and variations of the trend like this modern one often feature plenty of texture. Style by brushing the sides flat, tapering using a club brush, and adding a spritz of texturizing spray.

Choppy Bangs

To keep hair soft and silky while maintaining definition like Kerry Washington's, we love using John Frieda Frizz Ease Secret Weapon Touch-Up Crème .

Asymmetric Bangs

The bangs seen here are a little haphazard, and that's the beauty of it. While the ends are one length and fairly blunt, the bangs have layers of varying lengths that add character and help show off the face.

Loose Curls

These loose curls are all about the right product application. For a curly and lived-in look, allow your hair to get 70 percent dry before coating your strands with Oribe Gel Sérum . Finish by rough drying with a diffuser to set your curls; finish with some shine spray.

Face-Framing Layers

The classic Rachel cut goes modern with this long, layered shag. Here, the layers start low and frame the face. While this cut doesn't feature bangs, it's still just as effective.

Frequently asked Questions

How often do you need to trim a shag haircut?

A trim every six to eight weeks is the sweet spot for most hairstyles, including a shag. This will ensure ends stay healthy (and that hair doesn't grow so long it no longer resembles a shag).

What products are best for styling a shag haircut?

A high-quality texture spray is a must, as is a dry shampoo , which will ensure your bangs and roots don't get greasy between washes.

Does a shag haircut require bangs?

Bangs are a pretty big feature of the shag, however, if you aren't into them, try longer, face-framing bangs, that serve almost as shorter layers. They require less styling and can go longer between trims.

Read the original article on Byrdie