What's got movement, attitude, and was big in the 1970s? No, it's not Mick Jagger (although he had one too), we're talking about the glam shag, aka the haircut that stylists are tipping to be the hairstyle of 2021.
As popularised by Stevie Nicks, Zendaya and most recently on a bleach blonde Billie Eilish, the shag is the versatile cut that just keeps on giving. The beauty of this hairstyle is in its flexbility; For those who don't want to compromise on the length they've gained over lockdown, the cut can add more shape, and the same goes for shorter hair as well. Besides, what better time to experiment a little than with the long awaited re-opening of salons?
We spoke to two of the hair industry's biggest players to get the low down on this retro revival.
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The Shag 2.0
While the mention of the shag might bring to mind Joan Jett's iconic black layered look, the 2021 version has had a few tweaks. A little bit edgier than its previous forms, the new glam shag takes on certain mannerisms of the mullet while losing the questionable reputation. 'Some of the haircuts in the 1970s were a bit more basic, with standard square layers,' says Larry King senior stylist Scott Ade.
'For me the most modern version of a shag should border on being a mullet, but that’s for the really trend conscious out there.'
Which Hair Texture Works Best For A Shag Cut?
The genius of the shag is that it looks its best when paired with natural movement and texture, and should therefore be cut differently on everyone to embrace individual hair types. 'It can be really great for fine hair to add texture and width, and it can work well on thicker hair to remove weight in certain places,' advises Ade.
'This look doesn’t have a forced feeling about it,' says celebrity hair stylist and Charles Worthington ambassador Ken O'Rourke. 'The essence is that it should look effortless and uncomplicated.'
Does Face Shape Matter For A Shag Cut?
Not only does the shag work on a range of hair types and lengths, it's also flattering for every face shape, provided your hairdresser tailors the cut to you. 'If you have a long face you can add more of a fringe to shorten the face,' says Ade.
'For a heart shaped face you can add texture and width with layers to suit, and with a square face you can go for a softer more grown out fringe that will give you the illusion of having a more oval face.'
Which Products Should I Be Using?
When styling this look the layers do a lot of the work for you, but you still want to include products in your regime that ensure the style doesn't fall flat throughout the day. 'When drying the hair, using a mousse will help create lots of bounce, volume and flexible control,' says O'Rourke.
'My other go-to product that's great for the modern shag cut is a good texturising spray. This will help to define the layers and build lots of body.'
ELLE Edit: Volume Boosting Hair Products
Don't Fear The Layers
The cut required for the glam shag is a world away from the choppy noughties layers that some would rather forget. 'If you're scared of layers, you can definitely still make this look work for you,' says O'Rourke. 'By adding a little bend in your hair with a large curling ironing and then spritzing it with texturising spray, this will give the layers a softer feel.'
However, for the shag to really come into its own, it's best coupled with a carefree conviction; 'With heavier layers around the face, crown and the top of the hair, in my opinion it should be worn with a little attitude and really looks best on people who are willing to rock it,' says Ade.
Low Maintenance Approved
Realistically, we don't always have time to perfect blow-drying techniques or style with that hair product we bought in the salon because we really did have intentions of using it. The shag prevails here too, occupying that rare ground of looking intentionally styled with and without attention. 'It looks great air dried and is brilliant when worn up in a ponytail as all the face framing layers and fringe stay down to give maximum 1970s styling,' says Ade.
The advice for reviving second/third/fourth day hair? 'If it starts to look a little lack lustre between washing and styling, enjoy another day by spritzing dry shampoo at the roots for extra volume and renewed definition.'
We'll see you down the salon.
ELLE Edit: 15 Of The Best Dry Shampoos For The Warm Days Of Summer
R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo
This one's a transparent formula loaded with rice protein to strengthen damaged hair, while vitamin E brings extra nourishment. It adds extra body and undone, beachy texture to limp locks, too.
This completely clear dry shampoo refreshes greasy hair with minimal product build-up left on your scalp. It doesn't weigh down fine hair and you'll find no tell-tale signs of white powder thanks to the invisible formula. The coconutty, vanilla scent is delicious, too.
Can you improve on perfection? Living Proof certainly did. We loved the brand's original dry shampoo, but this latest version exceeds expectations by eliminating excess oils, sweat and grime all while promising noticeably softer strands. Our gym bags are never without one.
Everything Olaplex does is designed to be kind on very damaged strands, and this dry shampoo is no exception. Along with rice starch to absorb excess sebum, it also contains the brand's patented bond-repairing ingredient to leave hair feeling healthier. We love how it creates just enough texture for that tousled, French-girl look.
Aside from taking care of greasy roots and zhooshing flat-looking hair, this lightweight Oribe powder also contains mango leaf extract to help maintain a healthy scalp microbiome along with glycerin and olive oil to restore hydration. Plus, the petite packaging is great for throwing into your handbag.
Lazy gals, listen up. This hard-hitting dry shampoo promises to refresh not just second and third day hair, but even fifth day locks and beyond. The clever formula, which contains mandelic acid and antioxidants to tackle unwanted odour and the effects of pollution respectively, revives unwashed hair without making the scalp feel heavy with product and it leaves no dusty residue behind. One to pack for all your summer festivals.
L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Air Volume Dry Shampoo
Yes, this dry shampoo ticks all the boxes when it comes to sorting out greasy hair. But more than that, it works as a 'style extender' to make sure your blowout stays bouncy fresh for days on end.
Arkive The Reset Dry Shampoo
Trust hairstylist Adam Reed to formulate a dry shampoo that not only effectively takes care of excess oils, but does so without completely stripping away essential moisture and imparts an uplifting green scent of tomato leaves and bright rhubarb.
NGL, make-up artist Violette Serrat (better known as @violette_fr) has graced many of our beauty moodboards. She created this handy dry shampoo with a removable, washable brush to refresh her perfectly-imperfect French Girl hair on the go. Dust gently on the roots for a quick refresh or to perk up a lacklustre fringe. It's refillable too.
Aveda Shampowder Dry Shampoo
Hair feels lighter and bouncier after few puffs of this nifty powder. Mind, this isn't intended to resurrect day three or four hair, but it's perfect for delaying your next hair wash, and instantly refreshing your 'do without making your scalp feel overloaded.
If your scalp's feeling itchy, flaky, or just generally unhappy, a spritz of this skin-caring formula will help calm things down. It's packed with aloe vera to soothe itching and zinc to target dandruff-causing bacteria.
This volcanic mineral and rice starch-infused dry shampoo is a dream for oily hair as it absorbs excess sebum without leaving your hair dusty and white. Formulated by A-list hair stylist Jen Atkin, you know you're in good hands.
Hair by Sam McKnight Lazy Girl Dry Shampoo
When backstage legend and hair maestro Sam McKnight creates a dry shampoo, you know it's going to be good. An ultra lightweight spray, this gives any lank looking 'do a second day overhaul.
Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Light Tones
Blondes, this is a "first-of-its-kind" sort of thing. It makes light work of banishing grease and odour, of course, but it actually contains subtle violet pigments to counteract brassy tones at the same time. Clever. The cherry on top is the famously beachy Moroccanoil-scented sillage trailing behind you all day.
The first and (still) the best, you can't go wrong with Batiste's Original dry shampoo, and less than a fiver a pop, it's a bargain.
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![jodie turner smith new bob met gala new york, new york may 05: jodie turner smith attends the 2025 met gala celebrating superfine: tailoring black style at metropolitan museum of art on may 05, 2025 in new york city. (photo by dimitrios kambouris/getty images for the met museum/vogue)](https://cdn.statically.io/img/hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/gettyimages-2213610212-688772f19e73e.jpg?crop=0.500xw:0.750xh;0.257xw,0.0204xh&resize=360:* "Jodie Turner-Smith new bob The 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" - Arrivals")
