There’s a purpose your FYP is filled with curtain bangs and feathered layers: the shag is again—and cooler than ever. Celebs like Jenna Ortega and J.Lo are proof that this retro-meets-modern minimize works on nearly everybody, providing that good candy spot between “simply rolled off the bed” and “I do know what I’m doing.”
In 2025, hair is all about motion, air-dried texture, and cuts that develop out gracefully. The shag with curtain bangs ticks each field: straightforward, face-framing, and completely vibe-y.
For those who’re craving low-effort stylish with a facet of edge, that is your minimize. Be taught which celebs are rocking it, who fits it, and precisely the right way to model it (quick, medium OR lengthy) beneath.
Properly, the clue’s within the identify—besides, let’s break it down.
The shag |
Curtain bangs |
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A shag haircut is all about layers: feathered, textured, and stuffed with persona. Born within the ’70s however reimagined for now, at the moment’s shag ditches the overly dramatic chops for a extra wearable, tousled vibe. Anticipate quantity on the crown, motion via the lengths, and people signature uneven ends that make even air-dried hair look styled. It is messy—however in a “cool woman on the farmers’ market” sort of manner. |
Then there’s the curtain bang, arguably the perimeter of the second. Consider it because the anti-commitment bang: parted down the center, longer on the sides, and mushy sufficient to develop out with out panic. It frames the face with out taking on your brow and performs properly with waves, curls, or a smooth end. Plus, it’s versatile—you may flick them out Farrah-style, tuck them behind your ears, or allow them to do their factor. |
Collectively? They’re a match made in hair heaven. The shag offers your minimize quantity and texture, whereas curtain bangs add construction and a face-framing end. The softness of the perimeter balances the layers, holding the look undone however intentional. It’s received the classic fringe of a rockstar muse, however feels recent, wearable, and completely 2025. Principally, if you need a haircut that appears like effort with out being effort, this duo delivers.
The great thing about a shag with curtain bangs is that it’s a chameleon. It may be personalised to your face form, your texture, and even how lazy (or not) you’re with regards to styling.
Face shape-wise, it’s a crowd-pleaser.
– Received an oval face? Fortunate you—this minimize was mainly made for you. The curtain bangs intensify your cheekbones whereas the shag layers add quantity in all the suitable locations.
– For those who’ve received a rounder face, ask your stylist to maintain the perimeter longer and the layers extra graduated across the jaw to create size.
– For a sq. face, soften any sturdy angles by choosing shaggy layers that begin beneath the cheekbone and a curtain bang with a bit of curve.
Texture-wise, it’s extremely forgiving.
– Straight hair will get motion and quantity it typically lacks.
– Wavy hair? That is your zone—simply scrunch in some product and go.
– Curly hair works too, particularly in case you’re into that fluffy, lived-in look. Simply be certain the bangs are minimize dry and formed to go well with the curl sample.
And in case you’re somebody who’d quite snooze than model? You’ve hit the jackpot. The shag with curtain bangs is right for air-dry ladies, low-maintenance varieties, and anybody whose styling routine peaks at dry shampoo and a prayer. It is a haircut that does the heavy lifting so that you don’t need to.
Nonetheless on the fence? For those who tick any of those bins, the shag with curtain bangs minimize is for you.
☐ You hate completely polished blowouts
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Supply: Cosmopolitan
Jenna Ortega’s medium-length shag is the gold commonplace for that moody, messy, “don’t contact my fringe” power. Her layered minimize hits simply previous the shoulders, with mushy, shattered ends that give it tons of motion. But it surely’s her piecey curtain bangs—often parted barely off-centre and stuffed with texture—that pull the entire look collectively. What makes it work? The combination of softness and edge. It’s female however has a rebellious streak, similar to her crimson carpet seems.
Emulate it: Use a salt spray or matte texturising cream, like R+Co’s Badlands, on day-two hair. Twist small sections round your fingers to encourage definition. Bonus: This minimize air-dries like a dream.
Supply: Pinterest
Camila Morrone wears the lengthy shag like she was born with it. Her signature model leans extra polished than punk, with cascading layers and barely-there curtain bangs that mix seamlessly into her lengths. The impact? Lived-in waves with simply sufficient face-framing to really feel intentional, not overly styled. It’s the last word “wealthy woman who surfs” haircut.
Emulate it: Begin with a moisturising leave-in spray, then create mushy bends utilizing a large-barrel curling wand or the TYME Iron set to a medium warmth. End with a light-weight oil to tame frizz and add shine. Skip perfection—it’s higher with a little bit of fluff.
Supply: Katie Couric Media
No one does chaotic-cool fairly like Natasha Lyonne. Her quick, rocker-style shag is all drama—tight layers, main crown quantity, and daring curtain bangs that virtually demand a smoky eye. This model is unapologetically textured, giving off glam 70s groupie meets downtown artwork scene. What makes it work? Confidence. And a killer hairstylist.
Emulate it: Blow-dry with a diffuser and volumizing mousse to amp issues up on the roots. Use a dry wax or styling paste to outline ends and add grit. And don’t stress about precision—this minimize seems finest when it’s a bit of wild.
Supply: RollingStone
Florence Pugh’s tackle the shag proves you don’t want lengthy locks to make an affect. Her cropped minimize options uneven layers, quantity on the crown, and shorter curtain bangs that graze simply above the cheekbones. The consequence? A minimize that’s edgy, expressive, and made to be tousled.
Emulate it: Apply a volumizing spray on the roots and rough-dry together with your arms. Add texture with a matte paste or styling cream, scrunching the ends upward. Need additional carry? A tiny little bit of dry shampoo on the crown by no means hurts—even on clear hair.
Supply: Vogue
Sydney Sweeney’s shag skews mushy, romantic, and simply retro sufficient. Her curtain bangs are completely blended into flowing layers that begin mid-length and fall into mushy curls or brushed-out waves. It’s giving 70s starlet, however make it fashionable. What makes it work is the polish: each layer feels intentional, even when it’s worn free.
Emulate it: Use a blow-dry brush so as to add bend on the ends and quantity across the face. Wrap sections away from the face with a big curling wand, then brush out with a paddle brush for that brushed-glam end. A shine spray will tie the entire look collectively.
Styling a shag with curtain bangs isn’t about getting each strand spot-on. It’s about leaning into the feel, the motion, and the “I didn’t attempt that onerous (however I completely did)” method. Right here’s the right way to make the minimize give you the results you want, whether or not you’re workforce quick, medium, or lengthy.
Greatest for: advantageous to medium hair, daring face-framing form lovers
Vibe: messy however intentional
– Use a pea-sized quantity of wax or pomade on dry ends to outline and separate layers.
– Let hair air-dry the other way up for pure crown quantity.
– Use a spherical brush to blow-dry your curtain bangs ahead, then flick them out for form.
– Received waves or curls? Use a diffuser to dry whereas enhancing texture.
– Trim the bangs often—they’re the star of the present at this size.
Greatest for: most face shapes, wavy or barely textured hair
Vibe: low-effort, high-reward
– Apply gentle mousse or texturising spray to damp hair for carry and grit.
– Use a blow brush so as to add motion via the layers and quantity on the roots.
– Scrunch-dry with a microfibre towel in case you’re skipping warmth.
– For mushy waves, attempt wrap-drying—twist sections with fingers as they dry.
– Blow-dry fringe with a spherical brush, or pinch the ends together with your fingers for a pure flick.
Greatest for: thick, wavy hair or anybody rising out layers
Vibe: mushy, swishy, a bit of glam
– For damage-free quantity, braid damp hair or use heatless rollers in a single day.
– Use a large-barrel curling wand on dry hair, leaving out the ends for an undone end.
– Easy a small quantity of argan oil via mid-lengths and ends for shine and frizz management.
– Part hair when drying to stop flat roots—carry on the crown for motion.
– Hold fringe outlined with a fast move of a straightener or spherical brush.
– Loosely lock in place with a medium-hold hairspray (really helpful for these longer kinds).
Probably the greatest issues a few shag with curtain bangs? It grows out rather well. In contrast to blunt cuts or full fringes, this model is constructed on mushy transitions and blended layers—so there’s no harsh grow-out line.
As your curtain bangs get longer, they soften into face-framing items. And shaggy layers? They slowly morph right into a extra delicate, long-layered form that also strikes and holds quantity.
Professional tip: Guide a micro-trim each 8–10 weeks to maintain the form whereas letting size do its factor. You’ll keep away from the triangle impact, maintain your ends wholesome, and make it via the grow-out gracefully.
Whether or not you go quick and shaggy or lengthy and layered, this minimize nails that candy spot between easy and elevated. It’s received motion, persona, and simply sufficient polish to really feel put-together—even while you’ve solely received 5 minutes and a spritz of dry shampoo.
Wish to maintain your shag wanting salon-fresh with out the precise salon journey? We’ve received you. Head over to the LifeTYME weblog for professional styling methods, warmth instrument how-to’s, and product picks that’ll maintain your curtain bangs swishy and your layers residing their finest life.
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