The hottest cut of the moment is a voluminous, textured hairstyle that is flattering on all hair types. The shag is making a comeback and popping up all over the fashion world. This season’s shag is seriously chic; the layers are more blended and not quite as short as the shag of seasons past, and the length can vary based on personal preference. You can rock the cool girl shag with long hair or hair above the shoulders - it’s all about working with the natural texture and shape of your hair. Because this highly sought after layered cut can be intimidating to manage at home, we compiled everything you need to know when it comes to styling the shag.
The key to styling the modern shag cut is accentuating the layers and bringing out the natural texture of your hair. The goal is body and movement, with the bulk of the volume focused through the mid-sections. Start on clean, detangled, towel-dried hair that has been parted either in the middle or slightly off to the side. Use small dollops of Schwarzkopf styliste ULTIME® Bitoin+ Volume™ Mousse to scrunch the length of your hair, focusing on evenly coating the layers. One dollop on each side should be enough for fine to medium-weight hair; however, thick hair may need double that.
Work your product into your layers while molding your hair into place. The goal of this step is to add volume and definition through the layers, which helps to bring out your hair's natural bends, waves, and curls. Don’t panic if you have very straight hair — just keep going through the steps, and you might be surprised how much volume and body you'll get.
You have two options when it comes to drying: air-dry or break out a diffuser. Either way, lightly scrunch as you go to add definition. Those with fine and straight hair should not skip this step, as it will add more natural bends and volume. If you take the diffuser route, pick the lowest speed and highest heat and be strategic, diffusing each section after you've molded it with your hands. Scrunch and then dry your hair from the bottom, treating the diffuser a bit like a basket. Stop when the length of hair is 90% dry – your roots can be a tad damper.
Now it's time to bust out the old school Velcro rollers. Fine or straight hair can opt for a small size, while everyone else should go for medium-width rollers. Use one for your bangs going forward and two on the crown going backward. Allow your hair to fully dry while you do your makeup or get dressed. If you're pressed for time, try a blast of the diffuser to speed things along. Once your hair is completely dry, gently pull out the rollers and finger-comb it into place. Use Schwarzkopf styliste ULTIME® Amino-Q Hold™ Hair Spray to lock in your style before giving your hair a final scrunch.
The cool girl shag is everything you need to look hot this season, so stock up on your Schwarzkopf styliste ULTIME® products and let this layered look inspire your next salon appointment!