Shag haircuts are modern cuts structured with choppy and textured layers. Women over 40 can definitely pull off this look. You can get up and go with this look—no need to worry about spending so much time on styling. A shag cut is just a hair away from a mullet. Meaning, that the two haircuts are pretty much the same. Both are done by adding tons of texture and layers.
The removal of weight is essential for multi-layered cuts like the shag. Fortunately, stylist Trianna Johnson of Tulsa, OK reassures that this look works on any hair type. She states, “Even mature ladies with thin hair can get this chop. It helps create the illusion of fullness if done correctly. You just have to adjust the layers to feel much lighter than before.”
Johnson’s go-to advice for women wanting a shag for the first time is to have the right products for hand-styling. Ask help from your hairdresser to show you how to prep your locks. “A shag is a more effortless style. Don’t overdo it,” Johnson points out. She suggests the Hairstory Hair Balm for extra definition and hydration. The Hairstory Powder is also great for adding volume.
Stay looking young and fresh with this carefree look. Here are the images of the most inspirational shag haircuts for women over 40.
#1: 70s Long Shag with Soft Waves
A 70s long shag when paired with soft waves is every disco lover’s dream hair. A shag haircut gives you maximum volume and texture, especially hair framing around your face, which in return, will accentuate your best facial features. Style with a curling iron if you have naturally straight hair, or just a sea salt spray if you already have naturally wavy or curly hair. Maybe add in a texture spray if you’re feeling like you need just a little more “oomph” before you hit the dance floor.
Related: Best long hairstyles for ladies over 40.
#2: Modern Mullet Shag with Piece-y Bangs
Try a modern mullet shag with piece-y bangs if you’re feeling bored and lifeless with your current hairstyle. The modern mullet is all the rage right now. If you are in your forties, this hairstyle will instantly knock 10 years off your life. So what are you waiting for? Get a haircut that will change your life and give you all the texture and volume you could ever dream of having.
#3: Textured V-Shaped Cut
Have you been dreaming about a textured V-shaped cut? If you have thick hair, this haircut will take off all that extra bulk that’s been weighing you down, along with adding texture and shape to your hairstyle. Ask your stylist to give you messy, texturized bangs and layers to frame your face. A V-shaped cut is actually just a bunch of face-framing layers once your hair is brought forward, but it appears in a “V” shape when your hair is all pushed back.
#4: Feathered Layers on Shagged Hair
A shag haircut is simply layering your hair to create volume while maintaining length. Feathered layers on a shagged haircut refer to how it’s styled, feathering your layers makes them appear wispier, and oftentimes, fuller.
#5: Side-Parted Shaggy Hair
Side-parted shaggy hair is perfect for a modern and sassy look on any hair texture. If you’re a woman over 40, a shag style looks great by framing your face and adding volume in all the right places.
#6: Medium Wavy Shag with Side Bangs
Try a medium-length wavy shag combined with side bangs for a fun and sassy haircut. Perfect for low-maintenance mature women, a medium shag is easy to style and go. Adding a side bang gives coverage and frame to your face.
#7: Soft Shag with Loose Waves for Round Faces
A soft shag with loose waves looks stunning. A shag is essentially a haircut that has been layered with various lengths, usually involving shorter pieces around your face (longer bangs, face-framing pieces) and all throughout your hair. It’s important to consider this haircut if you have a round face shape because the shorter layers will help add volume to the top of your hairstyle and get rid of any unnecessary bulk around the bottom of your hairstyle. Removing bulk is necessary for thicker hair types if you want to see movement and texture in your new shag haircut.
#8: Layered Shag Cut with Full Bangs
A layered shag cut with full bangs will make you glow again and make your overall appearance feel and look more youthful. 40-year old’s tend to think they have to start looking their age when it comes to their hairstyles and sometimes feel they can do that by chopping off all their locks. A classic, modern shag haircut will give you a natural, younger-looking appearance and emanate a new radiance, without cutting off a bunch of length.
#9: Wispy Shag Hairstyle for Fine Hair
If you have fine hair, try rolling with a wispy shag hairstyle the next time you make an appointment at your hair salon. This hairstyle is one of the best to try if you are a lover of volume, texture, and wispy layers. Ask for a stylist that specializes in razor cuts or feels comfortable removing a lot of bulk in your hair with thinning shears. This is key in recreating the perfect wispy shag haircut for fine hair.
#10: Choppy Shag with Curtain Bangs
If you’re a woman over 40, consider a choppy shag with curtain bangs. A classic shag has lots of layers and face-framing fringe to give your hair massive body. A shag is low-maintenance, however, if you have very short layers they will need to be trimmed often to keep their shape.
#11: Heavy Fringe on a Shagged Cut
Show off your stylish strands with a shagged cut with a heavy fringe. A shag hairstyle has many short layers that will blend seamlessly onto each other. The many layers can help bring body and movement to your lifeless hair. A shag style is low-maintenance and is styled easily with some texture cream.
#12: Razor Cut Shag with Bangs for Older Women
A shag haircut combined with bangs is perfect for older women because it adds fullness to your hair. You should ask your stylist about a razor cut shag with bangs if you are wanting the more wispy, messy layered look. The razor cut helps add texture if needed.
#13: Medium Shag with Curtain Bangs for Thick Hair
If you have thick hair, go for a medium shag with curtain bangs because it’s a hairstyle you need to try if you’re tired of having weighed-down hair. Shag haircuts are packed with layers, which will take off lots of bulk and weight off the ends of your hair, leaving you with a more fluffy, flowy hairstyle. This hairstyle looks great on straight, wavy, and curly hair so don’t be afraid to explore new styling techniques.
#14: Straight Modern Shag with Bardot Bangs
Add body to your flat hair with a straight modern shag paired with Bardot bangs. If you’re a woman over 40, shoulder-length hair is the perfect in-between length that gives your strands life. If your hair is fine, cutting soft shaggy layers gives your hair more body for fuller-looking locks. Adding a bang is the perfect finishing touch that you can always customize and make your own.
#15: Messy Shag with Textured Bangs for Thin Hair
If you’re a woman with thin hair, consider getting a messy shag with textured bangs. A messy shag will give your hair the volume and texture you desire. If you want to keep your hair looking as thick as possible, ask your stylist to cut the length of your medium-length hair bluntly and leave the texturizing to the layers and bangs. This hairstyle is best when styled with messy waves and a texture spray.
#16: Razored Shag with Long Curtain Bangs
If you’re a woman over forty, try a razored shag with long curtain bangs. When it comes to styling a shag, it’s easy-breezy. Layers will give your hair the body it needs so it doesn’t fall flat. Avoid using a razor if you like your hair to look and feel smoother. A razor roughs up your hair strands for more texture.
#17: Mid-Length Shaggy Layers with Wispy Bangs
Give your hair more volume and movement with a mid-length shag cut paired with layers and wispy bangs. The shaggy layers will give plenty of movement to your hair while also relieving weight to create beautiful volume and fullness. Wispy curtain bangs help to frame your face while also enhancing your best facial features. Try using a dry texture spray like Joico’s body shake, to create a hold and touchable texture to your hair for a long-lasting look.
#18: Undone Shag with Razored Layers for Square Faces
If you have a square face, an undone shag with razored layers will knock at least 10 years off the appearance of your face. This modern take on a classic hairstyle will have everyone wondering, “Is she really in her 40s?” The shag haircut is very much in style and is the haircut everyone is dying to try right now. This hairstyle is great if you’re a woman who doesn’t like to spend a lot of time styling your hair before getting your day started.
#19: Baby Wolf Cut with Micro Bangs
Be a trendsetter and try a baby wolf cut paired with micro bangs. A trendy wolf haircut is unique with all its soft flowing layers and movement. Micro bangs are definitely a commitment, but if you can keep up with the commitment of trimming every 2-3 weeks, you should go for it.
#20: Shaggy Bob with a Fringe
Consider a shaggy bob paired with a fringe if you’re looking for the perfect hairstyle that comes with loads of volume and texture. Using a razor while creating layers to your short hair will help give you varying layered lengths, which is what will give you that effortless texture. If you want to get bigger hair, pick up a texture spray and a volumizing powder like Sexyhair’s “powder play” product. Sprinkle the powder at your root area and tousle your hair with your hands, working the product into your scalp.
#21: Multi-Layered Shag Haircut
A fresh haircut and color can do wonders for you. A multi-layered shag haircut is made up of many layers, allowing for easy maintenance and a fuller style. If you’re in your 40s and want a youthful style to switch things up, but maybe not a major change, a shaggy haircut is the way to go.
#22: Shoulder-Length Curly Shag
If you have naturally curly hair that you don’t want to spend a lot of time styling in the morning, try a shoulder-length curly shag. A shag haircut will give your naturally curly hair the natural body and texture it needs in order to get your curls to bounce. This is because it removes the bulk that’s weighing your hair down and gives your hair shorter layers so it’s as light and airy as can be. Style your hair with curl products prior to your hair drying, and make sure to let your hair air dry to set your style.
#23: 60s Vintage Medium-Length Shag
Vintage medium-length shags are back and they’re here to stay for a long while. One of the most classic haircuts has made a comeback and is now one of the trendiest hairstyles you could have. Ask your stylist for long curtain bangs, sectioning your hair in the middle part. Brush all of your hair that’s in front of your ear forward when it’s drying to create that shag style.
#24: Shag Cut with Disconnected Layers
Shaggy and disconnected layers allow you to keep volume and length since your hair is layered to various lengths. If you have thinner hair, you may not want as much disconnection, as it may make some areas look thinner.
#25: Edgy Pixie Mullet
An edgy pixie mullet is a hairstyle that requires the right hairstylist in order to achieve. This unisex style can be versatile in the way that it is styled and shaped. Leave longer pieces in front of your ear if you’re wanting a more feminine appearance and cut with a razor to add texture or cut your hair blunter instead of with a razor if you want something a little more masculine.