Shag hairstyles have made a fabulous comeback, offering a stylish yet easy-to-maintain look that’s perfect for women over 50. Known for their layered, textured appearance, shag cuts are not only trendy but also incredibly flattering for various face shapes and hair types. In this guide, we explore 36 chic shag hairstyles that promise to infuse your look with youthfulness and elegance.

What is a Shag Hairstyle?

A shag hairstyle features a high volume of layers, creating a textured and messy look. It’s versatile, working well with fine, thick, curly, or straight hair, making it a fantastic choice for those looking to add body and flair to their style.

Best Shag Hairstyles for Women Over 50

1. Classic Mid-Length Shag

Timelessly elegant, this shag strikes a balance between chic and casual, featuring mid-length layers that cascade beautifully around the shoulders.

• Ideal for: Medium to thick hair that enjoys a bit of body.
• Styling Tip: Use a round brush and a blow dryer to add slight curls at the ends for a polished look.

Check Also: 39 Trendy Bob Hairstyles for Women Over 50

2. Textured Pixie Shag

A daring and edgy cut with short, choppy layers that create a bold statement.

• Ideal for: Fine to medium hair that needs a volume boost.
• Styling Tip: Work in a texturizing paste to enhance definition and add a modern twist.

3. Bohemian Long Shag

Perfect for embracing natural waves, this long shag features layered cuts that encourage movement.

• Ideal for: Long, wavy hair seeking a free-spirited vibe.
• Styling Tip: Apply sea salt spray to damp hair and scrunch it to enhance your natural waves.

4. Curly Shag with Soft Bangs

This voluminous style brings out the best in curly hair, with layers that reduce bulk and bangs that soften the face.

• Ideal for: Naturally curly hair.
• Styling Tip: Use a diffuser when drying to define curls and minimize frizz.

5. Sleek Shag with Angled Layers

Sharp, precise layers create a refined and sophisticated silhouette.

• Ideal for: Straight or slightly wavy hair.
• Styling Tip: Straighten layers with a flat iron, turning ends slightly inwards for a smooth finish.

6. Wispy Layered Shag

Light and airy, this shag uses delicate layering to craft a soft, ethereal look.

• Ideal for: Fine hair that could use a gentle lift.
• Styling Tip: Blow-dry with a vent brush for volume without compromising the delicate style.

Check Also: Select 73 Stunning Medium Length Hairstyles for Women Over 60

7. Choppy Shag with Highlights

Dynamic layers paired with subtle highlights create depth and texture.

• Ideal for: Any hair type, especially those looking to enhance dimension.
• Styling Tip: Choose caramel or honey highlights to warm up your complexion.

8. Modern Mullet Shag

Reviving the classic mullet with a modern twist, featuring shorter layers at the front and longer at the back.

• Ideal for: Bold personalities with any hair type.
• Styling Tip: Keep the top volumized with a lifting spray for a dramatic effect.

9. Soft Feathered Shag

Gentle, feather-like layers skim the face, creating a flattering frame.

• Ideal for: Medium to thick hair.
• Styling Tip: Use a lightweight mousse to enhance the layers without weighing them down.

10. Edgy Short Shag

Short and stylish, this shag is all about textured layers and a rebellious spirit.

• Ideal for: Fine to medium hair looking for an edgy, low-maintenance style.
• Styling Tip: Spike up the layers with a strong-hold gel for a punk-inspired look.

11. Layered Bob Shag

This shaggy bob blends the classic bob’s elegance with shaggy chic, featuring a voluminous crown and textured ends.

• Ideal for: Straight to wavy hair types.
• Styling Tip: Curl the ends with a curling iron for added flair and texture.

12. Retro-Inspired Shag

Channel the ’70s with this volume-packed shag that boasts both style and nostalgia.

• Ideal for: Thick hair that holds curls well.
• Styling Tip: Use hot rollers to achieve voluminous curls reminiscent of the disco era.

13. Tousled Medium Shag

Perfect for a laid-back yet stylish look, this medium-length cut is tousled and carefree.

• Ideal for: Medium to thick hair.
• Styling Tip: Enhance the tousled effect with a texturizing spray and scrunch the hair while blow-drying.

14. Elegant Shag with Curtain Bangs

Sophisticated and modern, this style features soft curtain bangs that frame the face and add a youthful touch.

Ideal for: All hair types, especially those with a round or square face shape.
Styling Tip: Blow-dry the bangs with a round brush to sweep them softly to the sides.

15. Vibrant Red Shag

This eye-catching red shag is bold and beautiful, with layers that enhance the fiery hues.

• Ideal for: Anyone looking to make a statement.
• Styling Tip: Use color-protecting products to maintain the vibrant red without fading.

16. Silver Fox Shag

Embrace the natural grays with a shag that highlights the beauty of silver strands.

• Ideal for: Naturally gray or silver hair.
• Styling Tip: Use a purple shampoo occasionally to keep the silver tones bright and free from yellowing.

17. Beachy Waves Shag

This shag offers a summer-ready look with its beachy waves and casual vibe.

• Ideal for: Wavy to curly hair.
• Styling Tip: Use a salt spray for added texture and a windswept look.

18. Shag with Disconnected Layers

Cutting-edge and unique, this shag features disconnected layers that create a distinctly modern look.

• Ideal for: Thick hair that can handle bold cuts.
• Styling Tip: Emphasize the layers with a pomade to define the disconnected sections.

19. Blonde Bombshell Shag

Bright blonde hues mixed with playful layers give this shag an alluring appeal.

• Ideal for: Lighter hair looking to stand out.
• Styling Tip: Regular deep conditioning will keep the blonde vibrant and healthy.

20. Shag with Undercut

Combine the softness of a shag with the boldness of an undercut for a striking contrast.

• Ideal for: Adventurous spirits with any hair type.
• Styling Tip: Keep the undercut neat with regular trims and style the top layers to flow naturally over it.

21. Long Layered Shag

This longer version of the classic shag adds dimension and movement to long locks.

• Ideal for: Long hair that desires texture without sacrificing length.
• Styling Tip: Regular trims will keep the layers defined and the hairstyle fresh.

22. Shaggy Bob with Bangs

A playful take on the bob, this shaggy version comes with bangs that enhance its youthful charm.

• Ideal for: Medium to fine hair.
• Styling Tip: Use a small barrel curling iron to add slight waves to the bangs and layers.

23. Dynamic Layered Shag

Full of life and character, this shag uses dynamic layers to create a lively, animated look.

• Ideal for: Medium to thick hair.
• Styling Tip: Apply a volumizing spray at the roots and tousle with fingers for a voluminous finish.

24. Sculpted Shag

Carefully sculpted layers make this shag a work of art, offering both style and structure.

• Ideal for: Straight to wavy hair types.
• Styling Tip: Use a lightweight gel to sculpt and hold layers in place without stiffness.

25. Polished Shag with Volume

This shag combines elegance with ease, featuring polished layers that build volume at the crown.

• Ideal for: Fine to medium hair that needs lift.
• Styling Tip: Use root-lifting spray before blow-drying upside down to maximize volume.

26. Curly Shag with Voluminous Bangs

Embrace your curls with this shag that features voluminous bangs and layers that enhance natural curl patterns.

• Ideal for: Naturally curly hair.
• Styling Tip: Apply curl cream generously to damp hair to define and separate curls without frizz.

27. Asymmetrical Shag

Bold and beautiful, this shag has asymmetrical layers that create a modern and edgy look.

• Ideal for: Anyone seeking a contemporary style twist.
• Styling Tip: Straighten the longer side to emphasize the asymmetry and add texture spray to the shorter side for balance.

28. Sun-kissed Shag with Highlights

Light and breezy, this shag features sun-kissed highlights that mimic the natural lightening of hair in the sun.

• Ideal for: Medium to thick hair.
• Styling Tip: Maintain the highlights with a color-enhancing shampoo and let hair air-dry for a natural wavy texture.

29. Rock ‘n’ Roll Shag

Channel your inner rock star with this bold shag that’s all about choppy layers and attitude.

• Ideal for: Thick and wavy hair types.
• Styling Tip: Use a matte clay to rough up the texture for a gritty, rock-inspired finish.

30. Shag with Soft Waves

Gentle, flowing layers with soft waves make this shag flattering and feminine.

• Ideal for: Wavy to curly hair.
• Styling Tip: Use a large barrel curling iron to enhance waves and finish with a light hold hairspray.

31. Piecey Shag Cut

This chic, shoulder-length shag features long piecey layers that frame the face beautifully.

• Ideal for: Medium to fine hair.
• Styling Tip: Ask your stylist for razor-cut layers to achieve that piecey look, and use a lightweight texturizing spray for styling.

32. Avant-Garde Shag

Fashion-forward and unconventional, this shag uses experimental layering to create a unique, avant-garde style.

• Ideal for: Anyone daring enough to stand out.
• Styling Tip: Embrace various styling products, like strong hold gels and waxes, to maintain the structure of the avant-garde layers.

33. Shag with Oversized Bangs

This style features bold, oversized bangs that make a statement, complemented by layered shag cuts.

• Ideal for: Bold personalities with any hair type.
• Styling Tip: Blow-dry the bangs forward and use a smoothing serum to keep them sleek and shiny.

34. Classic ’70s Shag

Return to the roots of the shag with this classic ’70s style, featuring heavy layers and lots of movements.

• Ideal for: Thick hair that can handle lots of layers.
• Styling Tip: Use hot rollers to achieve that bouncy ’70s volume and finish with a shine spray.

35. Minimalist Shag

This shag is all about simplicity, with minimal layers that offer a subtle, understated look.

• Ideal for: Fine to medium hair that benefits from light layering.
• Styling Tip: Keep styling simple with a light cream to add texture without weighing down the hair.

36. Glamorous Shag with Waves

Combining glamour with the casual ease of a shag, this hairstyle features elegant waves and a touch of sophistication.

• Ideal for: Medium to thick hair.
• Styling Tip: Use a medium-hold mousse and curl defining cream to enhance waves, giving a glamorous yet manageable hairstyle.

Styling and Maintenance Tips

To keep your shag looking great, consider the following:

• Regular Trims: Maintain the shape of your shag with trims every six to eight weeks.
• Suitable Products: Use products that enhance texture and volume without weighing down your hair, such as volumizing sprays and lightweight mousses.
• Styling Techniques: Embrace air drying to let natural textures shine, or use a diffuser for controlled styling without excess heat.

Check out Hair.com for hairstyling products

Complementary Styles and Inspirations

For those interested in exploring further, read our detailed article on Top 46 Medium-Length Layered Haircuts for 2024: Find Your Perfect Style, where we delve into hairstyles that perfectly complement shag cuts.

Conclusion

Shag hairstyles are more than just a throwback trend; they’re a testament to timeless style and effortless beauty, especially flattering for women over 50. Whether you’re looking for a radical change or a subtle update, these 36 shag hairstyles offer something for everyone.

FAQs

Q1: How should I maintain a shag hairstyle?

To keep a shag hairstyle looking its best, regular trims are essential to maintain the shape and remove split ends. Using the right hair products is also crucial—lightweight mousses or volumizing sprays help to enhance the texture without weighing the hair down. For those with wavy or curly hair, a diffuser can help define curls while reducing frizz.

Q2: Are there specific shag hairstyles recommended for women over 50 with fine hair?

Women over 50 with fine hair can benefit greatly from a shag hairstyle as it creates the illusion of thickness and volume. A layered bob shag or a medium-length cut with light feathering can enhance the hair’s natural body, making it appear fuller. Incorporating subtle highlights can also add dimension and depth to the hair.

Q3: Can a shag hairstyle be styled without professional help?

Yes, shag hairstyles can be easily styled at home with basic tools. For a simple yet effective look, using a blow dryer and a round brush can lift the roots and add volume. For a more textured look, scrunching hair with a texturizing spray or sea salt spray can enhance natural waves and curls.