The Fall Haircut All the Cool Girls Have
by FAITH XUE
Hunger Games star Jennifer Lawrence is the latest star to rock a shag haircut. (Photo: Getty Images)
A shag can refer to a lot of things: what the British call a good one-night stand, a fuzzy carpet, and a piece-y, layered haircut. Today, we’re focusing on the latter—or rather, why all the cool girls seem smitten with fall’s newest version. A long-time model favorite, the shag has withstood the test of time for a number of reasons, not least of which is the fact that it’s supposed to look somewhat unkempt. (In other words, the perfect hairstyle for lazy girls.) This season’s reiteration is chopped right above the shoulder and comes with blunt, eyebrow-skimming bangs—and every model and actress seems to want to give it a try. Celebrity hairstylist Mark Townsend dubbed it “the modern shag” and calls the final look “textured, piece-y, and sexy”—three of our all-time favorite adjectives to describe our hair. Ahead, you’ll see six It girls pulling off the trending cut, each in her own style. Warning: may cause strong urge to speed-dial your hairstylist…
Dakota Johnson
Photo: Getty/Jon Kopaloff
Johnson’s version of the shag with bangs is tousled, with blunt bangs that part down the center (Townsend also happens to be responsible for this chic cut). To imitate her texture, warm up a medium-hold styling pomade, like Sally Hershberger’s 24K Superiority Complex Texturizing Paste, in your hands, then spread throughout your dry strands.
Related: The Surprising Sign That Could Mean Your Hair Is Thinning
Michelle Williams
Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty
Williams recently added bangs to her short shag, and we think it suits her perfectly. A texturizing spray, like Amika’s Un.Done Texture Spray, will give artfully messy life to limp, fine hair.
Alexa Chung
Photo: Chris Weeks/Getty
Chung is the perennial poster girl for this style, and no list of cool-girl hairstyles would be complete without her in it.
Related: The Best Fall Hair Colors for Your Skin Tone
Sienna Miller
The It-Brit actress opted to style her shag into soft waves—proof that the low-key hairstyle has earned a place on the red carpet.
Ciara
Photo: Getty/Venturelli
If you prefer your hair on the sleeker end of the spectrum, don’t denounce the modern shag just yet—Ciara is proof that it looks just as good super straight, curling slightly inward at the ends.
Related: The ONE Major Hair Mistake You Need to Stop Making
Mica Arganaraz
Photo: Getty/Andrew Toth
The It model proves that the shag works for curly hair, too—and that bangs can be part of the equation. Scrunch a light styling cream, like Leonor Greyl’s éclat Naturel Styling Cream, through damp strands to add shine and definition (but not too much definition) to your curls.
More From Byrdie:
Ask a Hairstylist: What Are Fall’s Top Hair Trends?
