How to Ask for a Curly Shag Haircut: Easy Guide
Learn how to ask your barber for a curly shag haircut, who it looks best on, and how to style it at home.
The curly shag is a fun, messy haircut that works with your natural curls. It has short layers on top and longer layers in the back. It also has bangs that frame your eyes. It gives your hair lots of bounce without feeling heavy.
Getting a big haircut can feel scary. If you have curly hair, you might worry your hair will puff up like a triangle. The curly shag actually stops that from happening. Here is everything you need to know before you sit in the chair.
Who Does the Curly Shag Look Good On?
This cut works best if you have wavy, curly, or coily hair. The natural bounce in your hair makes the layers sit nicely.
It works well with most face shapes. If you have an oval or long face, the bangs help balance your features. If you have a round or square face, the barber can make the top layers shorter. This adds height and makes your face look a bit longer. If your hair is very thin or straight, this cut can be harder to style, but lots of layers can help make it look fuller.
What to Say to Your Barber
Barbers and stylists love clear words. Do not just say "give me a shag." Be specific about what you want.
Ask for "short, choppy layers" to get rid of bulk and add volume on top. Tell them if you want "curtain bangs" (which sweep to the sides) or "full fringe" (which covers your whole forehead). Ask them to cut your hair while it is dry. Curly hair shrinks when it dries, so a dry cut prevents surprises. Show them photos of people with your exact curl type.
Always tell your barber how short you want the shortest layer to be. You do not want the top to be too short by accident.
How to Take Care of It at Home
Taking care of a curly shag is pretty easy. You do not need to brush it flat. In fact, brushing it dry will make it frizzy.
Wash your hair with a gentle shampoo and use plenty of conditioner. When you get out of the shower, do not rub your hair with a rough towel. Instead, squeeze the water out with a soft cotton shirt.
Put a curl cream or mousse into wet hair. Scrunch the curls up toward your scalp with your hands. You can let it air dry or use a diffuser attachment on your blow dryer. A diffuser is a big round cup that spreads out the air so your curls stay neat.
You will need a trim every eight to ten weeks to keep the shape fresh and stop split ends.
Try It on Your Own Face First
Cutting layers into curly hair is a big step. If you feel nervous about how bangs and short layers will look on you, test the style before you go to the salon. HairMatch AI checks your face shape for free. You can also buy photo packs starting at $0.99 to see the curly shag on your own face.