I’m always on the lookout for the latest trends and hottest styles to recommend to my clients.
One cut that has really dominated recently is the short curly shag.
This edgy yet effortless cut is perfect for ladies with naturally curly locks who want a low-maintenance style with plenty of texture and movement.
I’ll go in-depth on how to style and care for each cut so you can determine if a short curly shag is right for you.
Chin-Length Curly Shag
Our first look is a chin-length curly shag with tones of dimension.
This cut features sliced layers throughout to encourage natural volume and movement.
The layers are longest near the front, subtly framing the face.
This look is great for those with medium-thick hair textures.
To style, apply a moisturizing mousse on soaking wet hair and diffuse until completely dry.
Focus on encouraging the natural curl pattern by scrunching upwards and outwards as you dry.
To boost volume at the roots, flip your head upside down and diffuse your hair in this direction before blasting the curls with cool air to set.
Finish with a pea-sized amount of lightweight curl cream or oil, scrunching it into the ends to combat frizz and dryness.
Finger comb through the curls to break them up and create a touchable, imperfect finish.
Maintenance Tips:
– Get a trim every 8 weeks to maintain the layered shape
– Use a sulfate-free, moisturizing shampoo and conditioner
– Apply a deep conditioning hair mask 1x per week
– Refresh curls on non-wash days with a curl reviver spray
Tousled Curly Lob
Our next cut is a tousled curly lob, ending just below the collarbone.
This mid-length style is tapered at the nape for a clean finish.
The layers start more subtly from the cheekbone area, getting more defined through the ends to remove weight.
This cut works best on curl types ranging from loose waves to tight spirals.
The touchable lengths soften tighter coils while still encouraging bounce and movement.
It’s a great option for low-maintenance ladies who still want some styling versatility.
For polished yet easy styling, apply a styling foam and diffuse until 80% dry.
Air dry the rest of the way, scrunching in sections to bring out the curl pattern.
Smooth the top layers with a serum for a sleeker finish, then break up the ends by gently pulling pieces apart where needed.
Maintenance Tips:
– Book trims every 10-12 weeks to prevent splits
– Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner for curl types
– Sleep in a loose pineapple or buff to preserve the shape
– Revive curls on day 2+ with dry conditioner or curl spray
Angled Curly Pixie Cut
If you’re looking to chop it all off, this angled curly pixie is a sassy choice.
It’s tapered short in the back with longer pieces falling across the forehead.
This gives you customizable styling options while still keeping the overall shape cropped and modern.
With curly pixies, embrace the shrinkage and texture!
After washing, apply a curl cream.
Scrunch excess water out with an old t-shirt, then let your hair air dry for a shrunken, defined finish.
For more volume, flip your head upside down while spraying hairspray at the roots.
Use your fingers to style and arrange the longer front pieces as needed.
Add holding spray to set them in place.
Finish with hair oil on the ends only to maintain moisture.
Maintenance Tips:
– Book appointments every 4 weeks to maintain the pixie length
– Invest in good curly hair products to enhance texture
– Use a sulfate-free shampoo and gentle conditioner
– Sleep with a satin cap or pillowcase to prevent tangles
Tapered Curly Lob
For our next style, we have a tapered curly lob.
This features a stacked back with shorter layers tapering towards the face.
The cheekbone-grazing length in front keeps it chic.
This cut is great for tight 3C-4C curl types who want to remove some bulk while playing up their glorious coils.
Embrace your curls by washing and conditioning in sections, then apply a strong hold gel.
Diffuse or air dry, allowing the curls to shrink and take shape.
Finish by breaking up the roots with your fingers for lift and definition through the ends.
Scrunch out any crunch from the gel with a hair serum.
Don’t be afraid to fluff and pick the hair for maximum volume!
Maintenance Tips:
– Book appointments every 8-10 weeks to maintain the layered shape
– Invest in a good blowdryer with diffuser attachment
– Deep condition once a week to keep curls hydrated
– Refresh with curl foam or moisturizing spray on day 2
Volume-Boosting Chin-Length Shag
If your curly texture leans on the wavy or frizzy side, this volume-boosting shag is for you!
It features shorter layers through the top and sides to create lift.
Longer face-framing tendrils soften the look.
Start by applying a curl-enhancing mousse to clean, damp hair.
Diffuse until 80% dry, flipping hair upside down to build volume at the roots.
Finish air drying, then use a curling wand to gently define the front pieces.
Lock in waves with a medium hold hairspray.
Add texture and interest with a matte styling powder focusing on the roots and crown area.
Scrunch ends lightly with an anti-frizz serum to finish.
Maintenance Tips:
– Maintain every 6-8 weeks with a curly hair specialist
– Use volumizing shampoo and masks or treatments
– Embrace dry shampoo for volume and oil absorption
– Touch up waves with a curling wand as needed
Curly Cropped Shag with Bangs
Switching gears, this curly cropped shag with bangs is equal parts demure and daring.
The chin-length cut features shorter layers through the back and sides, tapering down to eye-skimming bangs in front.
This cut allows you to style the bangs swept across the forehead or pinned off the face as desired.
Use clips or barrettes to section off the front while styling the rest of the hair for more lift at the roots.
Let your curls air dry or diffuse for a bouncy, voluminous finish.
The layers will encourage definition and movement through the ends.
Finish with holding spray to lock in the style.
Maintenance Tips:
– Trim bangs every 3 weeks as needed
– Book full haircuts every 8-10 weeks
– Use a curl-friendly shampoo and conditioner
– Try different parts and styling techniques to switch it up
Tousled Chin-Length Curly Shag
If you love effortless, undone styles, this tousled chin-length curly shag is perfect.
It features shattered, piecey layers cut to encourage maximum bounce and shape.
Apply mousse to clean, damp hair and diffuse until fully dry.
Rough up the roots and flip your head upside down to build volume.
Break up the ends by scrunching and gently pulling apart the curls in sections.
Mist hair with texturizing spray for messy texture and definition.
Let any frizzy pieces be – they add to the cool, imperfect vibe of this cut.
Finish with a hydrating oil just on the ends.
Maintenance Tips:
– Book appointments every 6-8 weeks to maintain layers
– Invest in a good diffuser for volume
– Use a sulfate-free shampoo and moisturizing conditioner
– Embrace dry shampoo to refresh styling
Curly A-Line Bob
The curly A-line bob is a timeless, elegant look.
It features shorter layers in back tapering down to longer, face-framing pieces in front.
This cut has a pretty, rounded shape that flatters all face types.
Start with gel or mousse on soaking wet hair, then either diffuse or air dry.
The longer pieces in front can be styled tucked behind the ears for polish or left out for softness around the face.
Add bends and waves as needed with a curling iron on the mid-lengths and ends.
Finish by teasing the crown for subtle lift.
This style looks great with little embellishments like hair clips or accessories.
Maintenance Tips:
– Book trims every 8-10 weeks to retain the shape
– Use moisturizing products to avoid dryness
– Comb through curls gently with a wide-tooth comb
– Refresh hair with dry shampoo on off days
Stacked Curly Lob
The stacked curly lob is perfect for those who want to reshape and slim thick or frizzy hair types.
This cut features shorter layers concentrated through the back and sides to remove bulk.
Longer pieces left in front keep the femininity and softness.
When styled, the graduated lengths encourage bounce, movement and curl definition.
To style, apply gel to soaking hair and diffuse or air dry.
The layers will create shape as the hair dries.
Lift and arrange the top with your fingers, then lock in the finished style with medium hold spray.
Maintenance Tips:
– Book salon visits every 8-10 weeks to retain layers
– Invest in a good diffuser for drying
– Use moisturizing, curl-enhancing products
– Touch up style with curling iron as needed
Curly Faux Hawk
Edgy and androgynous, the curly faux hawk puts a feminine twist on a classic style.
It’s cropped short on the sides and back with longer hair left at the crown.
This rebellious cut allows you to style it sleek or spiked.
For a slicked look, apply strong hold gel to soaking wet hair and comb all the hair up and back off the face.
Diffuse until fully dry.
For a textured faux hawk, apply mousse and diffuse until 80% dry, flipping hair upside down.
Then style small sections with gel, using your fingers to spike and separate pieces.
Add texture spray all over.
Maintenance Tips:
– Book appointments every 4-6 weeks to maintain the undercut
– Use alcohol-free gel and finishing products to avoid dryness
– Remove buildup with a moisturizing shampoo 1-2 times a week
– Finesse spikes with finishing wax or paste
Coiled Curly Pixie Cut
Embrace your tight 4C curls with this cropped coiled pixie cut!
The length is tapered short on back and sides, keeping the top longer for styling flexibility.
This allows you to wear it smoothed down or teased up.
Start with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, washing hair in sections.
Apply a hydrating curl cream and allow hair to air dry in twists for defined shrinkage.
For volume, pick the roots out into a curly fro shape.
You can also stretch the curls with a blowdryer on low heat and style with mousse using your fingers or a pick.
This cut is super versatile for your curl type!
Maintenance Tips:
– Schedule trims every 4 weeks to retain length
– Invest in quality products for 4C hair
– Prevent tangles and breakage with protective styles
– Use a satin cap or scarf at night
Curly Undercut Pixie
If you want to take your curly pixie up a notch, go for an undercut!
This style features shaved sides and back with longer hair layered on top.
The contrast is bold and daring.
Start by washing and conditioning the longer hair on top, then blot dry with an old t-shirt.
This helps prevent frizz.
Apply gel and blow dry forward using a diffuser attachment while flipping the hair for volume.
Style the longer top pieces as desired – either sleek and smoothed back or teased and tousled upwards.
Mist with medium hold spray to lock in the look.
The shaved undercut sides require little maintenance!
Maintenance Tips:
– Get the undercut trimmed every 2-3 weeks
– Shampoo and condition only 1-2 times per week
– Use alcohol-free gels and finishing products
– Watch for irritation and moisturize skin after shaving
Shoulder-Length Curly Shag with Bangs
Lastly, we have a shoulder-length curly shag with bangs – the perfect compromise for ladies not yet ready to go short!
This cut features snipped layers throughout to encourage bounce and shape.
Side-swept bangs are left longer, allowing you to style them tucked or hanging.
This gives you versatility while keeping the overall look feminine.
Apply mousse to damp hair and diffuse until fully dry for maximum volume.
Style the bangs off to one side and finish with medium hold hairspray.
You can also wear the curls smoothed out by stretching with a blowdryer for a change.
Maintenance Tips:
– Get bangs trimmed every 3 weeks
– Book full trims every 10-12 weeks
– Use volumizing shampoo and moisturizing conditioner
– Touch up curls with a wand as needed
– Use clips and accessories to switch up the look
While the shag cut certainly isn’t for everyone, it can be incredibly flattering and fun if you have the right curly hair type and texture.
A great cut should enhance your natural shape and curl pattern.
As always, come in for a consultation so I can assess your hair and determine if one of these trendy styles is right for you!
