Finally booked that appointment, said a hail Mary, and took the shag haircut [1] plunge? Yeah, you and everybody else [2]. Nothing, and we do mean nothing, has spurred more of a hair frenzy since the lob first made an appearance [3] circa 2014.
How to style your cool new cut [4], however, is an entirely separate matter. "For the shag, you have to let go of conventional styling techniques that we have all been doing for the last decade," said Devin Toth [5], hairstylist at Salon SCK in NYC. "You wouldn't do a perfect, bouncy, round-brush blowout, styled section by section, and then create loose waves, set by a large curling iron."
Erm, so what should you do, then? Celebrity hairstylist Rebekah Forecast [6] says there are three things that differentiate the shag haircut [7] from any other style: "the strong fringe, the straightness of the ends, and the volume at the root." For the former, you'll want to cut your bangs regularly to maintain the blunt effect [8]. Beyond that, it's all about picking the right products and using them right.
Because no one should have to maneuver this retro haircut trend [9] alone, ahead we've asked the pros to break down the exact tools and techniques that'll keep your new shag looking groovy, baby.
Raincry Smooth 2.0 Medium Brush
Step one: Pump up the volume. "If your hair is flat, you can quickly prep your style by blow-drying a couple sections above the crown with a medium-sized round brush," Toth said. We like the Raincry Smooth 2.0 Medium Brush [10] ($64), but there are plenty of great hairbrush options [11] out there to choose from.
T3 Whirl Convertible Tapered Interchangeable Styling Wand
After that, and avoiding the last half-inch of your ends, "hit the bottom half of your shag haircut with a small wand," Toth said. (The T3 Whirl Convertible Tapered Interchangeable Styling Wand [12] ($195) is a good bet because it lets you choose the size of the ringlet depending on the texture you're after.) "Just a few pieces wrapped around the iron — it shouldn't be perfect at all."
Ghd Classic 1" Inch Styler
Accidentally curl the ends of your hair a little too much? "Use a straightening iron to keep the ends really straight," Forecast said. "I am currently using the Ghd Classic 1" Inch Styler [13] ($149)."
Hair Food Coconut Sulfate Free Nourishing Dry Shampoo
"Next, flip your head forward and downward and then shake the roots out with your fingers," said Toth. "Before you lift your head back up, take a deep breath and spray a generous amount of texturizer spray or dry shampoo all over."
This step, Forecast agrees, is "a must" for maintaining the volume of your shag. She likes the Hair Food Coconut Sulfate Free Nourishing Dry Shampoo [14] ($13). "Spray at the root area to absorb any oil and give a second-day cool look to the hair."
Space NK apothecary Oribe Flash Form Finishing Spray Wax
When it's time for finishing touches, Toth recommends you take a styling clay or texturizing wax like the Space NK apothecary Oribe Flash Form Finishing Spray Wax [15] ($42) to add definition and detail the ends.
The only real no-no? "Avoid applying products with a high water content onto already styled hair, as this will revert the hair to the natural wave form — unless it's pin-straight naturally — and result in a less edgy look," said Forecast. After all, the shag is all about that back-from-the-70s edge. Wink.