Hair that has thinned at the crown or gone wiry with gray usually does best cut dry, with point cut layers that lift the top and let the ends move. That is why I reach for shag hairstyles for older women so often, from jaw-length cuts that rough-dry in minutes to collarbone lengths that air-dry with sea salt spray.
1. Classic Short Shag With Crown Layers
The classic short shag is where I start with shag hair styles for older women because the crown layers lift hair that has gone flat. I cut the crown to three inches on dry hair, point cut the sides to the jaw, and leave the nape soft. It suits fine to medium density and round or oval faces. Rough-dry with a volumizing mousse and push the crown up with your fingers. Trim every six weeks.
2. Long Shag With Curtain Bangs Over 60
A long shag haircut with bangs older women can grow out between visits is the one I cut most. I point cut layers from the cheekbone to the collarbone on dry hair and cut curtain bangs that split at the brow. It suits medium density and square or round faces. Blow-dry the bangs out with a round brush and air-dry the rest with a sea salt spray. Trim every eight weeks.
3. Collarbone Shag for Fine Hair
Fine hair takes shag hair styles for older women when the layers are point cut and never razored. I cut the perimeter at the collarbone on dry hair, point cut three layers from the chin down, and keep the crown an inch shorter. It suits fine density and oval or long faces. Blow-dry with a vent brush and a root lifting spray, then rough up the ends. Trim every six weeks and gloss every eight.
4. Shaggy Bob at the Jaw
A shaggy bob at the jaw is a bob with the weight taken out. I cut the perimeter at the jaw on dry hair, point cut two layers through the sides, and razor the ends so nothing sits in a line. It suits fine to medium density and round or square faces. Rough-dry with a texture spray and push the layers forward. Trim every six weeks and gloss every eight.
5. Long Shag for Women Over 60 With Thick Hair
A long shag haircut for women over 60 with thick hair is cut to remove weight. I cut the perimeter at the collarbone on dry hair, razor long layers from the chin, and slide cut the interior so it dries lighter. It suits thick density and oval or round faces. Air-dry with a light cream and scrunch, or blow-dry with a diffuser on low. Trim every eight weeks.
6. Shag With Wispy Side Fringe
A wispy side fringe on a shag softens the forehead without covering the eyes. I cut the shag layers to the jaw on dry hair with point cutting, then cut the fringe from the brow to the cheekbone with the shears vertical. It suits fine to medium density and oval or heart faces. Blow-dry the fringe across with a flat brush and rough-dry the rest. Trim the fringe every four weeks.
7. Curly Shag Cut Dry
A curly shag is cut dry, curl by curl, so the layers land where the curls sit. I cut the crown curls short for lift and keep the sides and back to the shoulder with point cutting. It suits medium density and type 3A to 3B curls. Apply a curl cream to wet hair, scrunch, and air-dry, or diffuse on low. Trim every eight weeks so the shape does not drop.
8. Shag With Gray Blending
Gray blending on a shag hides the grow out line in the layers. I cut the shag to the collarbone on dry hair with point cut layers from the chin, then weave fine highlights and lowlights through the top. It suits fine to medium density and most face shapes. Rough-dry with a texture spray. Trim every eight weeks and refresh the blending every twelve.
9. Modern Shag With Soft Mullet Shape
A modern shag with a soft mullet shape keeps the sides short and the back longer. I cut the sides to the cheekbone on dry hair, point cut the crown short, and leave the back to the shoulder with razored ends. It suits medium density and oval or square faces. Rough-dry with a sea salt spray and push the crown up. Trim every six weeks.
10. Short Shag for Women Over 70
Short shag hair styles for older women over 70 are cut to air-dry. I cut the crown to two inches on dry hair, point cut the sides to the ear, and keep the nape soft with scissor over comb. It suits fine density and round or oval faces. Towel-dry, add a light mousse, and push the top up with your fingers. Trim every five weeks and use violet shampoo weekly if gray.
11. Shag With Face Framing Layers
Face framing layers on a shag draw the eye to the cheekbones. I cut the shag to the collarbone on dry hair, point cut the front layers from the cheekbone down, and keep the back one length longer. It suits medium density and round or square faces. Blow-dry the front layers out with a round brush and air-dry the back. Trim every eight weeks and gloss every eight.
12. Shaggy Pixie
A shaggy pixie is a pixie with the top left longer and roughed up. I cut the sides and back with graduation on dry hair, point cut the top to three inches, and razor the ends. It suits fine to medium density and oval or heart faces. Rub a little paste between your palms and push the top in every direction. Trim every four weeks and gloss every eight.
13. Medium Shag With Full Bangs
Full bangs on a medium shag cover forehead lines and frame the eyes. I cut the shag layers from the chin to the shoulder on dry hair with point cutting, then cut the bangs at the brow with the shears vertical so they stay soft. It suits medium density and oval or long faces. Blow-dry the bangs flat with a small brush and rough-dry the rest. Trim the bangs every four weeks.
14. Wavy Shag Air Dried
A wavy shag is cut in the wave pattern so it air-dries into shape. I point cut the layers from the cheekbone to the collarbone on dry hair, following each wave, and add a little crown lift. It suits medium density and type 2A to 2C waves. Scrunch a sea salt spray into damp hair and leave it. Trim every eight weeks and gloss every eight.
15. Shag With Long Side Swept Bangs
Long side swept bangs on a shag cover one cheek and soften a square jaw. I cut the shag to the collarbone on dry hair with point cut layers and cut the bangs long, point cut to the cheekbone. It suits medium density and square or round faces. Blow-dry the bangs across with a flat brush and rough-dry the rest. Trim every six weeks and gloss every eight.
16. Shag for Thin Hair With Crown Lift
Thin hair in a shag needs the crown lifted and the ends kept full. I cut the crown layers to three inches on dry hair with point cutting, keep the perimeter at the jaw, and leave the ends blunt. It suits fine density and oval or round faces. Blow-dry upside down with a root lifting mousse, then push the crown up. Trim every six weeks.
17. Chin Length Shag With Micro Bangs
Micro bangs on a chin length shag are low upkeep because they sit above the brow. I cut the shag at the chin on dry hair with point cut layers through the sides and cut the bangs short with the shears vertical. It suits fine to medium density and oval or heart faces. Rough-dry with a texture spray and comb the bangs down. Trim every five weeks.
18. Layered Shag for Round Faces
A round face takes a shag with height at the crown and length past the chin. I cut the crown short on dry hair with point cutting, keep the layers below the chin, and razor the ends. It suits medium density and round faces. Blow-dry upside down for lift, then rough-dry with a texture spray. Trim every six weeks and gloss every eight.
19. Shag With Curtain Bangs and Glasses
Curtain bangs on a shag sit clear of glasses when they split wide. I cut the shag layers to the collarbone on dry hair with point cutting and cut the bangs to the cheekbone while the client wears her glasses. It suits medium density and most face shapes. Blow-dry the bangs out with a round brush and air-dry the rest. Trim every six weeks.
20. Short Shag With Feathered Layers
Feathered layers on a short shag soften the edges. I cut the crown short on dry hair, point cut the sides to the jaw with the shears vertical so the ends feather, and keep the nape soft. It suits fine to medium density and oval or round faces. Blow-dry with a vent brush and push the layers forward. Trim every six weeks and use violet shampoo weekly if gray.
21. Long Shag With Bangs for Thick Gray Hair
Thick gray hair in a long shag with bangs needs the weight removed through the layers. I cut the perimeter at the collarbone on dry hair, razor long layers from the chin, slide cut the interior, and cut the bangs at the brow. It suits thick density and oval or square faces. Air-dry with a light cream, or diffuse on low. Trim every eight weeks and gloss every eight.
22. Shag With Side Part Over 70
A side part on a shag over 70 shows the crown layers. I cut the shag to the jaw on dry hair with point cut layers and part to one side, cutting the heavy side a little longer so it sweeps. It suits fine to medium density and round or square faces. Blow-dry the heavy side across with a flat brush. Trim every six weeks and use violet shampoo weekly.
23. Shoulder Length Shag With Soft Bangs
Soft bangs on a shoulder length shag are cut to grow out well. I cut the shag layers from the cheekbone to the shoulder on dry hair with point cutting and cut the bangs at the brow with the shears vertical. It suits medium density and oval or long faces. Blow-dry the bangs flat and rough-dry the rest with a texture spray. Trim every eight weeks and the bangs every four.
24. Shag With Silver Lowlights
Silver lowlights on a white shag make the layers read. I cut the shag to the collarbone on dry hair with point cut layers from the chin, then weave fine silver lowlights through the crown and front. It suits fine to medium density and most face shapes. Rough-dry with a texture spray. Trim every eight weeks and refresh the lowlights every twelve.
25. Razor Cut Shag
A razor cut shag has soft ends that move. I cut the perimeter at the collarbone on dry hair, then razor the layers from the cheekbone down and razor the ends so nothing sits in a line. It suits medium to thick density and oval or round faces. Air-dry with a sea salt spray and scrunch. Trim every eight weeks because razored ends split faster.
26. Shag With Tucked Sides
Tucking the sides of a shag shows the crown lift and the fringe. I cut the shag to the jaw on dry hair with point cut crown layers and keep the sides long enough to tuck behind the ears. It suits fine to medium density and oval or heart faces. Air-dry with a light cream and tuck both sides. Trim every six weeks and gloss every eight.
27. Shag for Square Faces With Soft Layers
A square face takes a shag with soft layers at the jaw. I cut the shag to the collarbone on dry hair, point cut layers starting at the cheekbone, and razor the ends at the jaw so the corners soften. It suits medium density and square faces. Blow-dry the front out with a round brush and air-dry the back. Trim every eight weeks and gloss every eight.
28. Permed Shag
A soft perm on a shag gives fine hair the body the layers need. I cut the shag to the shoulder on dry hair with point cut layers from the chin, then set a loose body wave on large rods. It suits fine density and oval or round faces. Towel-dry, scrunch with a light mousse, and air-dry. Trim every eight weeks and re-perm every four months.
29. Shag With Bottleneck Bangs
Bottleneck bangs on a shag are short at the center and long at the sides. I cut the shag layers to the collarbone on dry hair with point cutting and cut the bangs to the brow at the center, widening to the cheekbone. It suits medium density and long or oval faces. Blow-dry the bangs with a round brush and rough-dry the rest. Trim every six weeks.
30. Short Shag for Fine Gray Hair
Fine gray hair in a short shag needs point cutting, not a razor, so the ends stay full. I cut the crown to three inches on dry hair, point cut the sides to the jaw, and keep the nape soft. It suits fine density and round or oval faces. Blow-dry with a vent brush and a root lifting spray. Trim every six weeks and use violet shampoo weekly.
31. Long Shag With Bangs Air Dried
A long shag haircut with bangs older women can air-dry needs layers cut in the natural fall. I cut the perimeter at the collarbone on dry hair, point cut layers from the chin, and cut the bangs at the brow with the shears vertical. It suits medium density and oval or round faces. Apply a light cream to damp hair and scrunch. Trim every eight weeks.
32. Shag With Gloss for Gray
A clear gloss on a gray shag makes the layers shine. I cut the shag to the collarbone on dry hair with point cut layers from the cheekbone, then apply a clear gloss at the bowl. It suits fine to medium density and most face shapes. Blow-dry with a round brush and finish with serum. Trim every eight weeks and gloss every six.
33. Shag With Choppy Layers
Choppy layers on a shag are point cut deep so each piece stands apart. I cut the shag to the jaw on dry hair and point cut deep into the layers at the crown and sides, then razor the ends. It suits medium density and oval or square faces. Rough-dry with a texture spray and separate the pieces with paste. Trim every six weeks.
34. Long Shag for Women Over 60 With Wavy Hair
Wavy hair takes a long shag haircut for women over 60 when the layers follow the waves. I point cut the layers from the cheekbone to the collarbone on dry hair in the wave pattern and add crown lift. It suits medium density and type 2A to 2C waves. Scrunch a sea salt spray into damp hair and air-dry. Trim every eight weeks and gloss every eight.
35. Shag With Highlights and Lowlights
Highlights and lowlights on a shag show every layer. I cut the shag to the collarbone on dry hair with point cut layers from the chin, then weave fine highlights through the top and lowlights at the sides. It suits fine to medium density and most face shapes. Rough-dry with a texture spray. Trim every eight weeks and refresh the color every twelve.
36. Shag Bob With Wispy Bangs
A shag bob with wispy bangs sits at the chin with soft layers through the sides. I cut the perimeter at the chin on dry hair, point cut two layers through the sides, and cut wispy bangs at the brow with the shears vertical. It suits fine to medium density and oval or long faces. Rough-dry with a light mousse and push the layers forward. Trim every six weeks.
37. Shag With Volume at the Back
Volume at the back of a shag comes from short crown layers. I cut the crown to two inches on dry hair with point cutting, stack the layers down to the nape, and keep the front to the jaw. It suits fine to medium density and round or square faces. Blow-dry the back with a round brush and the front forward. Trim every six weeks and gloss every eight.
38. Shag for Heart Shaped Faces
A heart shaped face takes a shag with width at the jaw. I cut the shag to the collarbone on dry hair, point cut the layers starting at the jaw so the fullness sits there, and cut a soft side fringe. It suits medium density and heart faces. Blow-dry the ends out with a round brush and rough-dry the top. Trim every eight weeks and gloss every eight.
39. Low Maintenance Shag for Older Women
The low maintenance shag for older women is one length at the collarbone with two layers. I cut the perimeter on dry hair, point cut one layer at the chin and one at the cheekbone, and razor the ends. It suits medium density and most face shapes. Apply a light cream to damp hair, scrunch, and leave it. Trim every ten weeks.
40. Shag With Side Bangs and Glasses
Side bangs on a shag sit clear of glasses when they sweep to the cheekbone. I cut the shag to the jaw on dry hair with point cut layers and cut the bangs from the brow to the cheekbone while the client wears her glasses. It suits fine to medium density and oval or round faces. Blow-dry the bangs across with a flat brush. Trim every six weeks.
41. Shag With Curly Bangs
Curly bangs on a curly shag are cut dry so they sit at the brow and not above it. I cut the shag curl by curl to the shoulder, keep the crown curls short, and cut the bangs curl by curl at the brow. It suits medium density and type 3A to 3B curls. Apply a curl cream to wet hair, scrunch, and diffuse on low. Trim every eight weeks.
Hair that has thinned at the crown or gone wiry with gray usually does best cut dry, with point cut layers that lift the top and let the ends stay soft. Shag hair styles for older women work because the internal layers rebuild the crown without adding bulk at the sides. A pea of cream rubbed through is the entire finish. oval face haircuts follow the same logic: get the perimeter right first, then let the layers do the work.
