40 Shag Haircuts To Inspire Your Next Salon Visit

If you've ever had the urge to update your hairstyle and have been looking for something that isn't just trendy and cute, but also low maintenance and versatile, a shag haircut may be exactly what you're looking for. Regardless of the length, texture, or color of your hair, there's a shag haircut that will look amazing on you. "There are so many versions of [the shag] — there is always the right style version for you," hairstylist and cofounder of Mark Ryan Salon in New York City, Ryan Trygstad told Glamour. The shag has seen a resurgence in popularity recently and has been a favorite style of celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, and Halle Berry. The wolf cut, a variation of the shag, has also gone viral on social media sites.

One of the best things about a shag cut is that it works on any length of hair, which can't be said about a lot of different hairstyles. "The length can really transform the feeling of the cut, but a shag works for all lengths because it's just adding layers and face-framing to an existing length," Erickson Arrunategui, a hairstylist at Bumble and Bumble New York, told InStyle. "You can go extreme or light, depending on what you want."

So, if you're ready to change things up a bit, here are 40 shag haircuts to inspire your next hair appointment.

A shag is a great way to embrace your natural curl and give your hair a break from all those hot tools that can cause breakage and damage. We love this shoulder-length curly shag with face-framing bangs and balayage or blond highlights for extra added depth. The is giving so much body while also looking soft and healthy.

Stylist and shag expert Rachel Williams coined the Goldie shag after the iconic Goldie Hawn. This is a long, sexy shag with a full bang and lots of movement and layers around the face. "Because of its face-framing layers, it really accentuates the woman's face," Williams told Behindthechair.com.

We don't know what we love more: the stunning long shag cut or this gorgeous cool-toned blond color! The long shag features loose layers around the face and a gorgeous, shaggy bang that perfectly accentuates any face shape. This blond color is the perfect accent for this gorgeous and long romantic style.

We've seen a few shags with long fringe or curtain-style bangs, but we love how this short shag is worn with short bangs, too. Hairstylist Wes Sharpton explained to Allure how bangs can really differ with each shag cut. "The bangs bring attention to the eyes and the areas around the face frame to create a contour-like-effect which highlights the cheekbone," Sharpton explains.

The shag tends to be popular with longer hair because it allows you to take a lot of the weight out while still maintaining body and fullness. This long shag features a heavier, blunt bang and adds just a pop of color with copper-orange tones peeking through the black hair color.

This stunning, shoulder-length shag features a lovely lilac color. This cut really shows just how low-maintenance the shag is while still giving everyone serious hair envy. This cut is great if you're looking for something that doesn't require a lot of styling or hot tools — but if you do, go ahead and throw those face-framing bits up in adorable half-up pigtails.

This medium-length shag is giving us total beach babe vibes thanks to the gorgeous summer blond and the long, sexy layers. The wispy bangs are so versatile they can be worn down or swept off to the side. Thanks to the length, this is a style that can be worn up or down, giving you choice when it comes to doing your hair.

Celebrity stylist Sally Hershberger created this short, punk rock-inspired shag mullet for Miley Cyrus, inspiring countless others to do the same. The stylist explained to Vogue that the look was both "rebellious and free-spirited," adding that the look was more "glam rock" than past iterations of the hairstyle. This is perfect for someone who wants an easy style while still making a statement.

This style proves you don't have to have a ton of hair to get a great-looking shag cut. Soft layers, texture, and short curtain bangs create an almost effortless look that is both modern and retro at the same time. The ease of this style is what makes it so cool and chic.

Los Angeles-based stylist Holly Seidel explains to Allure the appeal of the classic shag haircut. "Women are tired of being told to hide their natural textures," she says. "They want to wear it or at least have the option, and a well-cut shag gives them that freedom." She goes on to note that the heavy curtain bang is the trademark of the classic shag, and we can't deny how stunning it is.

A shag can look punk rock and edgy, or it can also look soft and sexy, like this long, layered look with a short curtain bang. The caramel face-framing pieces hit the layers just right to give this look even more movement and texture. We love how these layers can be worn up or down for a gorgeous and versatile look.

This cut is a great way to get creative with shorter hair. By keeping the layers and the bangs long you'll get a lot of movement with this shag cut as well as that beautifully messy look that just works with this style. It's also a great way to transition from shorter to longer hair without dealing with that awkward in-between length.

If you've been yearning to cut your hair short, this pixie shag just may be the style you've been looking for. Stylists and clients both love how easy and chic this look is. Celebrity hairstylist Arsen Gurgov told InStyle that what he loves most about this look is "how it frames the face and enhances the cheekbones," adding that it works best for thin or fine hair.

If you're unsure if you want to take the plunge and go super short or if you're trying to grow out your previous pixie cut, this look is perfect. The wispy bangs give you playfulness in the front, while the shag cut allows the back to grow out seamlessly. The bangs also give you styling options by wearing them swept to the side, parted in the middle, or slicked back.

You don't have to sacrifice length just because you want a shag. We love how a shag works on super long hair like that pictured above. Light layers frame the face, giving movement and waves that compliments the longer layers. A heavy curtain bang, parted in the middle completes this stunning style.

Billie Eilish almost broke the internet when she debuted her shag haircut on Instagram last year, proving that the talented songstress is also a major beauty influencer. Eilish's hair transformation is always evolving, but we love when she rocked the lob shag, a long bob with soft, wispy ends and eyebrow-length fringe.

A shag will definitely give you movement and texture, but not all shags need to be curly or even wavy. This straight shag with a long fringe that sits at the top of the cheekbones is great for anyone who doesn't have a lot of natural wave to their hair. Hair stylist Wes Sharpton explained to Allure that this look is "great for finer, smoother textured hair because it allows the hair to move without looking 'choppy.'"

If you're not ready to fully commit to so many layers but love the look of a shag, this cut may be for you. This features less layering around the face but still a nice, thick curtain bang. Most traditional shags are heavily layered, but you can still get a similar carefree style with some texturizing around the face.

You don't need to rock long, curtain bangs with your shag cut. We love how this cut brings out the hair's natural curl, while the shorter bangs flatter the face and create a great shape. The benefit of these shorter bangs is they will grow out nicely if you choose to change up style or still look great kept short.

It's always time to embrace your curls and this shag cut shows just how easy it is with the right layers and texturizing. We love how the longer bangs are left to fall naturally in this style instead of the curtain bangs we see a lot of on modern shag cuts.

This cut works so well for those who have a lot of hair and aren't afraid of volume. Stylist Jayne Matthews explained to Dazed the appeal of the shag saying, "The best thing about the shag is how it can be tailored to each individual face," adding, "When it grows it just gets better over time." We couldn't agree more.

This is the ultimate cool girl look. A short, straight shag is accented with bold micro bangs to really accentuate the face and neck. The beauty of a shag haircut is how wonderfully it grows out. If you love to change up your look without visiting the salon every six weeks, this shag is a perfect cut for you.

You've no doubt heard of the wolf cut, thanks to TikTok, and this variation on the classic shag is popular because it really does look amazing on everyone. Stylist Nunzio Saviano told Allure why this new look is so popular, explaining, "I love this cut on curly, wavy, or straight hair, and the bangs can be cut to suit any face shape."

Ideal for anyone looking for a little bit less hair maintenance in their life, this short shag transformation is gorgeous. Celebrity stylist Chris McMillan created this amazing cut for actress Selma Blair, showing how he took her hair from a traditional bob to this cute and sexy shag. In the Instagram caption, McMillan writes that "minimal effort with a good cut goes a long way," proving that this is the ultimate look for those who truly want a "wash and wear" style.

We tend to associate a thick, curtain bang or short, micro bangs with a shag cut, but in reality, you don't have to wear bangs for your shag cut to look amazing. This cut still frames the face and showcases these gorgeous curls without a heavy fringe overpowering the face.

Enhance your gorgeous brunette locks with a soft shag cut and full bangs. This is a great way to add some bounce and volume to shoulder-length hair, especially if you are in the process of growing it out. The face-framing layers help soften the face and give movement without your hair falling flat. 

Achieve big, bouncy, voluminous waves with a shag cut. The shorter, choppy face-framing layers work really well if you have a lot of hair, like in the picture above. Longer curtain bangs blend seamlessly with the rest of the hair for a carefree and effortless look that works great if you have some natural curl in your hair.

If you've ever been on the fence about dyeing your hair a bold, edgy color, let this be the sign that you should definitely do it. This stunning shag cut with straight bangs is only made more gorgeous by how the two-tone green color brings out the dimension of this cut. The soft layers framing the face are perfectly complemented by the bluntness of the fringe. 

A classic shag works great if you're looking for a way to give your hair a lot of texture and movement with minimal effort. The beauty of the shag is that it's so low maintenance when you want it to be and still looks beautiful. Wear a classic shag with a grown-out fringe for an effortlessly cool vibe.

This short shag lets you have some fun with color. This '70s-inspired hairstyle adds some edginess with the addition of some peek-a-boo color on one side. The blond highlights the different layers in the hair and adds an unexpected element to this cut. This is ideal for those who love to add something different without committing to full color.

If you love the look of a shag but want something a bit more subtle, ask your stylist for a modern shag. This is a softer and more blended take on the original cut, but the results are just as striking. A shorter bang adds more fullness around the forehead that will grow out nicely. 

Short hair can rock the shag cut too! This chin-length bob is updated by adding shorter, shaggy layers that soften the cut while adding some texture and movement. A traditional bob tends to be quite structured, but the addition of these shaggy layers makes for a more playful and carefree look.

Having a lot of hair can be a blessing and a curse, especially if you're struggling to find the right cut. This long, blended shag works with long, thick hair by adding just the right number of layers to frame the face and accentuate any natural wave. Embrace your inner bombshell with a cut like this. 

Celebrate all things summer with some gorgeous, sunny highlights and a grown-out shag. This look is ideal for those who don't have a lot of curl or texture to their hair because the longer, face-framing layers provide movement without overpowering the face. A heavy, layered curtain bang makes this look sexy and sultry.

If you love a hairstyle that is easy and versatile and works with your natural curl or wave, a long shag cut is perfect for you. What we love most about this look is that it doesn't require a lot of styling to look good. This is a great wash-and-wear haircut that only looks better the more time you take on it. 

This stunning red shag is giving us retro vibes. This modern shag is easy on the layers, giving just enough to blend and add a bit of movement around the face, with a shorter bang that can be worn traditionally or as a curtain bang. You don't have to wear a lot of layers to love the shag style, as this cut proves. 

A wolf cut is the love child of the shag and the mullet and is still one of the hottest cuts this year. If you have fine hair, this soft and silky wolf cut would look stunning. Add more volume to the crown of your head with a wolf cut while still adding some choppy layers around the face and near the ends for volume and movement.

This choppy shag is pretty in pink. Lots of layers near the face create volume with this '70s-inspired cut that evokes images of feathered hair and reminds us of that classic Farrah Fawcett flip. Dip-dyed tips highlight the layers and add an edgy vibe to this throwback hairstyle. 

Go for a soft and sexy look with this subtle shag. Well-blended layers create movement and texture around the face without creating too much volume. This is an ideal cut for anyone who wants something low maintenance or simply trying to grow out their hair. 

Perhaps one of the best parts about rocking a shag style is that you can let your tresses free fall without much fuss — and still look like you took the time to style it. Whether your strands are curly or straight, you can lean on the low-maintenance cut to give your hair all the volume, body, and fullness you've been looking for.