Expert consulted: The iconic 70s shag haircut is making a serious comeback—and, nearly 50 years after its debut, the style is more versatile than ever. From choppy layers and long bangs to tousled textures that scream Stevie Nicks' level of rock 'n' roll, the modern shag is being reimagined to suit every hair type, length, and face shape.
Whether you're going for a subtle refresh or a bold transformation, this retro-inspired style can add instant edge and movement to your look. So, with expert insight from leading hairstylist, trend forecaster, and Cosmopolitan contributing expert Tom Smith, we're breaking down everything you need to know about the shag haircut, including what it is, who it works best for, and how to style it.
Plus, we've rounded up 13 inspiring shag styles to suit everyone–and they're ones that'll make you want to book an appointment yesterday... Keep up!
After all, nothing beats a good ol' shag...
What is the shag haircut?
As mentioned, the shag first originated during the height of 70s rock 'n' roll with Mick Jagger at the forefront of the trend.
Defined by its layers, Tom says that "the shortest part of the cut sits in the fringe area, either as a full choppy fringe or more of a sweepy face framing shape, then flows forward, getting gradually longer to the nape of the neck."
"The hair is designed to be worn forwards onto the face, and the numerous layers softly frame the face," Tom adds.
Best face shapes and hair types for the shag:
While it may be a daring hairstyle, the shag is a versatile cut, suiting a number of different face shapes. "The curved and softly rounded nature of the shag haircut makes it ideal to balance those with squarer or more angular faces, and the forward framing layers can really help to shorten a longer face," Tom explains.
However, Tom does advise that those with round or wide faces may prefer to avoid the full fringe classic shag; "Instead, opt for layers that start longer than the widest part of the face."
Hair type, on the other hand, is a totally different story. Because the style is defined by its shaggy texture, wavy hair is the ideal hair type for a shag. "Curls can also work really well for more voluminous interpretations," Tom adds. If you have flat or straight hair, the shag can work for you, but it will likely need more styling. So, do proceed with caution when it comes to snipping off your locks!
How to style the shag:
The best products for styling a shag
K18 AstroLift Reparative Volume Spray
the PATTERN Blow Dryer
Color Wow Raise the Root Thicken + Lift Spray
SACHAJUAN Ocean Mist
Brave enough for the shag? (A sentence I never thought I'd be writing...) Well, Tom says rough drying your hair without care for any parting is a good place to start. "Then add definition to the mids and ends with a styling product choice or hot tools as desired."
On wavy and curly hair, the shag can be incredibly low-maintenance; however, very flat or very tight hair will need a little more styling to achieve a fully realised 'shag' shape. Enter: Volumizing hair products. Bonus points if you go to sleep wearing your hair in plaits – you'll wake up to movement galore and therefore, reduce styling time.
On medium textures, Tom recommends using the diffuser attachment on your hair dryer for maximum volume and texture. "Finer hair can benefit from mousses or styling gels, while coarser, drier, or curlier hair can use styling creams or balms to add definition," he adds.
To finish the look, Tom says that "a shag will likely benefit more from texture sprays than serums or oils." Ultimately, more body rather than more sleekness is ideal here!
Shag haircut inspo:
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from viral celebrity hair and makeup news to the latest trend predictions, she’s an expert in recognising the season’s next big beauty look (before it ends up all over your social media feeds). You’ll usually find her putting TikTok’s recent beauty hacks to the Hype Test, challenging the gender-makeup binary and social stereotypes, or fangirling over the time Kourtney Kardashian viewed her Instagram Story (yes, it’s true). Find her also on LinkedIn.
