20 Medium Shag Haircuts Ideas That Scream Effortless Cool

You know that friend who somehow rolls out of bed, runs a hand through her hair, and looks like she just walked off a fashion shoot?

Yeah, she probably has a shag haircut. The medium shag haircut has been around since the ‘70s (hello, rock stars), but it’s officially back and better than ever.

The best part? Medium shag haircuts look good on literally everyone. They bring texture, volume, and that perfectly “undone” vibe we all secretly want.

And no, you don’t need to be a professional hairstylist to pull it off—these cuts basically style themselves.

So, if you’re ready for hair that screams cool without trying too hard, let’s talk about 20 medium shag haircut ideas you’ll want to screenshot immediately.

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1. Classic Medium Shag

Let’s start with the OG. The classic shag has lots of layers, a little feathering, and a ton of personality. It works on straight or wavy hair and gives you instant ‘70s vibes—without needing bell-bottoms.

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2. Medium Shag with Curtain Bangs

Curtain bangs + shag = chef’s kiss. They frame your face, soften the cut, and make you look like you’ve got natural volume for days. Ever wanted that “French girl” effortless look? This is it.

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3. Textured Medium Shag

If you want a cut that makes your hair look thicker, go for a textured shag. The choppy layers add fullness and movement. IMO, it’s the ultimate “I didn’t try, but I still look amazing” hairstyle.

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4. Wavy Medium Shag

Have natural waves? Then a wavy shag is basically your soulmate. The cut enhances your texture, making it look more intentional and less like “humidity attacked me.”

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5. Shag with Side-Swept Bangs

If curtain bangs aren’t your thing, try side-swept bangs with your shag. They add softness without fully committing to bangs that split down the middle. Plus, they look amazing with sunglasses—yes, that matters.

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6. Choppy Medium Shag

Want edge? A choppy shag brings out your inner rock star. The uneven layers give your hair grit and attitude. Warning: you may feel the urge to buy leather jackets after this cut.

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7. Medium Shag with Layers Around the Face

This one’s all about framing. By keeping layers around the face, the haircut highlights your cheekbones and jawline. Honestly, it’s like free contouring.

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8. Curly Medium Shag

Curls + shag = a match made in hair heaven. The layers help control the shape and prevent the dreaded triangle look. Curly shags are playful, bouncy, and full of personality.

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9. Straight Medium Shag

Think shags only work with texture? Nope. A straight shag gives sleek hair a whole new dimension. The layers break up flatness and add movement, so you don’t feel like your hair just… hangs there.

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10. Layered Shag with Highlights

Add some highlights to your shag layers, and boom—instant depth and dimension. Whether you go for soft balayage or bold streaks, color + shag layers = a killer combo.

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11. Medium Shag with Feathered Ends

Remember Farrah Fawcett? Feathered ends are back, and they look incredible on a shag cut. They add lightness and flow, making your hair look like it’s in a shampoo commercial 24/7.

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12. Messy Medium Shag

The messy shag is for those of us who don’t want to fuss with our hair every morning. It’s designed to look a little undone, a little wild, but still stylish. Basically, bedhead—but intentional.

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13. Shag with Long Curtain Bangs

If you like bangs but don’t want them too short, long curtain bangs are the way to go. They blend into the shag layers seamlessly and give your cut a laid-back vibe.

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14. Medium Shag with Wispy Layers

Wispy layers make your shag feel softer and more romantic. This style works especially well if you don’t want your shag to look too edgy but still want that effortless volume.

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15. Shag with Blunt Bangs

Want to go bold? Pair a medium shag with blunt bangs. The contrast between the sharp fringe and messy layers looks striking and fashion-forward.

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16. Medium Shag with Balayage

Balayage highlights pair beautifully with shag layers because they emphasize texture and movement. Think sun-kissed, beachy vibes—without actually needing the beach.

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17. Voluminous Medium Shag

If you want hair with drama, ask your stylist for extra layers to boost volume. A voluminous shag works wonders for fine hair, making it look thicker and fuller.

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18. Medium Shag with Tousled Waves

Tousled waves are basically the shag’s best friend. Add a little texturizing spray, scrunch it up, and you’re good to go. This cut is the definition of low-maintenance glam.

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19. Layered Medium Shag with Ombre

Ombre adds a fun twist to shag layers. The gradual color fade makes every flip, curl, or wave stand out even more. It’s bold without being too “out there.”

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20. Modern Medium Shag

This is the 2025 version of the shag—sleek, polished, and versatile. It has all the layers you love but toned down just enough to look professional. Basically, you get the best of both worlds: trendy and work-appropriate.

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Why Medium Shag Haircuts Work So Well

Ever wondered why shags are everywhere again? Simple: they flatter almost everyone. The layers add volume, the texture adds movement, and the cut works on straight, wavy, or curly hair.

Plus, they’re ridiculously easy to style. You can air-dry and go, or spend five minutes with a curling wand—either way, you’ll look like you actually planned your hair that day.

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How to Style a Medium Shag (Without Losing Your Mind)

Styling a shag doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a few tips that work for almost every version of the cut:

• Use texturizing spray. It enhances layers and adds grit.
• Dry shampoo = volume. Even on clean hair, it gives that lived-in look.
• Don’t over-style. Shags look best a little messy.
• Embrace your natural texture. Waves, curls, or straight hair all shine in this cut.

Seriously, the less effort you put in, the better it usually looks.

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Picking the Right Medium Shag for You

Not every shag will work for every face shape or lifestyle. Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

• Round faces: Go for layered shags with face-framing angles.
• Square faces: Curtain bangs soften the edges beautifully.
• Heart-shaped faces: Wispy layers or side bangs balance proportions.
• Long faces: Blunt bangs or fuller layers add width.

At the end of the day, though, hair should feel fun, not like math homework. So if you like a cut, go for it. Worst case? Hair grows back.

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Final Thoughts

So, there you have it—20 medium shag haircut ideas that prove this style isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. From edgy choppy cuts to soft wispy layers, the shag is versatile, flattering, and downright cool.

If you’ve been stuck in a hair rut, this is your sign to call your stylist. Go shaggy, go textured, go messy. And hey, if anyone asks, you can tell them you’re just “embracing your inner rock star.” Sounds better than admitting you’re just tired of blow-drying, right?