If you permanently struggle to find the right shape for your curly hair, there are some good news: a curly shag haircut is virtually the best match for this hair type. The essential components of the shag are short layers at the crown, choppy ends, volume and texture.
Consequently, curly shaggy hair has just enough body situated exactly where it is needed, as well as plenty of natural texture, not to mention, it’s one of the hottest latest trends.
How to Wear a Curly Shag
Coming from 70s’, curly shag is currently experiencing its revival. The modern reincarnation of this hairstyle has less contrast between the lengths of the top and the back and benefits from the up-to-date cutting techniques like razoring. Naturally curly, wavy and permed hair makes a perfect base for this look.
While shag cut is the best bet for curly hair, there’s no one fits all option when it comes to the shape of a haircut. Hence, we’ve rounded up a few main versions of the latest shag hairstyles to pick the best suitable for you.
1. Natural Afro Shag Cut
Choppy and layered, the shag cut is a perfect fit for natural afro hair. Apparently, big afro hair is a current trend, and curly shag is one of the best ways to spotlight the texture and volume of your locks.
Instagram / @haircolorkilla
2. Curly Shag Bob
Relaxed and undone, this curly shag cut requires minimal effort to style it yet looks ultimately on point. Apply some sea salt spray or mousse on your wet hair, scrunch it and blow dry on a medium setting.
Instagram / @stebunovhair
3. Wavy Shag Haircut with Curtain Bangs
Undoubtedly, curtain bangs are one of the quintessential features of a modern shag cut. Is it even a shag without the bangs? Curl those face framing strands using straighteners or just let them air dry for a natural finish.
Instagram / @rabbitbrushgoods
4. Mullet Shag with 70s Curly Bangs
These tousled copper coils and messy 70s’ style curly bangs make a perfect combo to rock this season. Shaggy mullet with bangs is a trendy and refined way to add some shape to your naturally curly hair.
Instagram / @motherofcurls
5. Shag Haircut for Curly Hair
One of the curly hair struggles is too much bulk at the ends and a flat top. Cutting some shorter layers around the crown would give that sought after volume while keeping the length at the bottom.
Instagram / @raquelschair
6. Curly Shag with Bangs
Choppy layers, chunky highlights and long face-framing bangs is all you need to make your curls look on point. Flick your fringe out using a thin round brush and a hairdryer to achieve this look.
Instagram / @scissor_wizzard
7. Shag Haircut for Wavy Hair
Heavily layered shag haircut that goes just below the shoulders is the best choice to make the most out of wavy hair pattern. Luckily, with this hairstyle you can cut on using hot tools; instead, scrunch your hair with some curl boosting serum and diffuse, or even let it air dry.
Instagram / @curlvision
8. Long Choppy Mullet Shag
Hop on the shaggy mullet trend with this ultra-heavy fringe and long curly back. While you certainly need to have the guts to pull off this look, you might ask your hairstylist to recreate a more subtle version of it.
Instagram / @stebunovhair
9. Long Curly Shag with Blunt Cut Fringe
If you want to give your curly hair some volume without compromising the length, this textured shaggy haircut is exactly what you are looking for. Blunt round bangs will make a contrast and give your hairstyle some personal touch.
Instagram / @skipdoeshair
10. Textured Shag Haircut for Thick Hair
Shift the weight of your thick curly locks from the ends to the crown with this textured shaggy cut. It’s a big challenge to find a hairdresser confident in cutting curly hair. We recommend looking for a stylist who uses Rezo Cut of Deva Cut techniques – those are the best and most popular among the curly hair community.
Instagram / @becurlyrussia
11. Vintage Wavy Shag for Medium Length Hair
Soft shape, blended layers and defined asymmetric highlights – we love everything about this look. You will need a smoothing serum, a big barrel round brush, a hairdryer and some dedication to style it to achieve this finish. It’s so worth the effort though!
Instagram / @scissor_wizzard
12. Short Coily Mullet Cut
It’s well known that curly hair is the best base for shags and mullets. However, if your hair is dead straight and you still want to wear this look, why not go for a modern perm? Combined with the juicy teal color, this hairstyle is anything but boring.
Instagram / @causing_hysterica
13. Shaggy Bangs for Curly Hair
If you dream of a fuss free, textured and easy to style haircut for your curly hair, look no more. This shag cut is both trendy and easy to maintain.
Instagram / @heatherolexahair
14. Afro Mullet Haircut
Short, choppy layers add a lot of volume and oomph to this shaggy haircut. It’s a perfect shape for afro hair texture or for any other type of tight ringlets.
Instagram / @jayne_edosalon
15. Wavy Shag with Chunky Highlights
Adding highlights to your wavy hair is a perfect way to emphasize the texture and create an illusion of even more volume and dimension in your curls. Style them using a diffuser and some serum to get this look.
Instagram / @joeltorresstyle
Edgy and daring, curly and wavy shag haircuts are certainly worth trying. While not everyone would be able to pull off a mullet, a softer, more wearable interpretation of a shag cut would suit most of the curly hair types. At least some of its elements can be implemented in your hairstyle to give it some edginess – be it tousled curly bangs or razored layers.
