25 Twisty Curly Shag Hairstyles

Twisty curly shags combine the best of both worlds: the effortless texture of a classic shag with the natural bounce of curly hair.

This dynamic duo creates dimension, movement, and stunning visual interest. It’s the perfect solution for curly-haired beauties.

The layered structure of a shag cut enhances your natural curl pattern, creating volume where you want it while removing bulk where you don’t.

Ready to embrace your natural texture with a style that turns heads?

Discover these 25 stunning twisty curly shag variations that will revolutionize your hair game.

1: Classic Curly Shag with Curtain Bangs

Embrace timeless style with this quintessential curly shag featuring face-framing layers and soft curtain bangs.

The combination creates perfect balance while highlighting your cheekbones. The curtain bangs should hit just below eyebrow level when dry.

Ask your stylist for dry-cut layers that begin at chin level, with special attention to framing around your face.

Style with curl-enhancing cream, scrunching upward from ends to roots to encourage maximum bounce and definition throughout your layers.

2: Short Curly Shag with Micro Bangs

Create dramatic contrast with this bold combination of voluminous curly layers and sleek, straight micro bangs.

The juxtaposition makes for a high-fashion statement. The ultra-short bangs should be cut straight across, hitting about an inch above your eyebrows.

Request a shorter length that hits around your shoulders with heavily layered curls throughout.

Style the curly portions with defining gel, while keeping the micro bangs straight and sleek for maximum textural contrast.

3: Long Layered Curly Shag

Maintain your length while adding movement and shape with this flattering cut. The strategic layers remove weight without sacrificing your hard-earned length.

Ask for long layers that begin around chest level, with face-framing pieces that start at chin length.

This approach creates cascading curls that maintain volume throughout.

Style with lightweight curl cream applied to soaking wet hair, then either diffuse or air-dry without disrupting your curl pattern for maximum definition.

4: Voluminous Curly Shag with Bangs

Maximize your natural volume with this statement-making cut featuring lots of layers and full, curly bangs.

This combination creates dramatic height and movement. Request layers throughout with additional texturizing at the crown for maximum lift.

The bangs should be cut slightly longer than desired to account for shrinkage when dry.

Style using the “pixie diffusing” method—flipping your head upside down and diffusing from the roots—to enhance volume while maintaining definition.

5: Curly Wolf Cut

Blend the wildness of a wolf cut with your natural curls for this edgy yet feminine style.

The characteristic short-to-long gradient creates dramatic shape and movement.

Ask for significantly shorter layers at the crown that gradually lengthen toward the bottom.

This creates the signature wolf cut silhouette while working with your natural curl pattern.

Style with curl-enhancing mousse applied from roots to tips, focusing extra product at the crown where the shortest layers need maximum definition.

6: Face-Framing Curly Shag

Highlight your best features with this flattering cut featuring strategic face-framing layers. The tailored approach draws attention to your eyes and cheekbones.

Request your most dramatic layers around your face, starting as high as cheekbone level.

These shorter pieces curl most dramatically, creating beautiful framing.

Style with finger-coiling just the face-framing sections for extra definition, allowing the rest of your curls to form naturally for a beautiful contrast.

7: Curly Shag with Side-Swept Bangs

Create asymmetrical interest with this versatile style featuring longer layers and dramatic side-swept curly bangs.

This flattering approach works across face shapes. The asymmetrical effect creates movement and dimension.

Ask for longer layers beginning at collarbone level with face-framing pieces that blend seamlessly into side-swept bangs.

Style by diffusing with your head tilted slightly to your preferred side, encouraging the bangs to fall naturally in that direction while maintaining their curly texture.

8: Curly Shag Bob

Keep things short and sweet with this bouncy, voluminous cut that hits between chin and shoulder length.

The shorter canvas makes your curls appear more defined and springy. The shortest layers should frame your face.

Request a length that hits just above the shoulders when dry, with layers throughout to remove weight and encourage maximum curl formation.

Style with gel-cream hybrid products that provide both definition and bounce, scrunching thoroughly before diffusing on low heat to set your curl pattern.

9: Rounded Curly Shag

Create beautiful shape with this expertly cut style featuring layers that encourage round, voluminous curls rather than an elongated silhouette.

The result is soft and feminine. This creates a beautiful rounded shape.

Ask your stylist to focus on creating even layers throughout, without too much graduation between the shortest and longest pieces.

Style using the “bowl method”—cupping sections of hair in a microfiber towel and pressing upward toward your scalp—to encourage rounded curl formation.

10: Curly Shag with Curtain Bangs for Oval Faces

Take advantage of your versatile face shape with this perfectly balanced cut featuring soft curtain bangs and evenly distributed layers.

The result flatters your natural harmony. The curtain bangs should hit at cheekbone level when dry for perfect framing.

Request layers that begin at chin level, distributed evenly throughout with moderate texturizing.

Style with a diffuser attachment, focusing on creating volume at the roots while maintaining definition through the lengths and ends.

11: Heavily Layered Curly Shag for Thick Hair

Transform unmanageable thickness into deliberate texture with this substantially layered approach.

The strategic cutting removes weight while enhancing your natural curl pattern. This prevents the dreaded triangle shape.

Ask your stylist to remove significant interior weight through heavy layering, with the shortest pieces hitting around ear level.

Style by applying products in sections to ensure thorough distribution, focusing on providing enough moisture to your newly lightened layers.

12: Wispy Curly Shag for Fine Hair

Create the illusion of density with this carefully structured cut designed for finer curl types.

The strategic layering adds volume without sacrificing necessary weight. This preserves weight at the ends while adding movement where needed.

Request light layering concentrated primarily at the crown and around the face, with minimal texturizing throughout.

Style with volumizing mousse applied at the roots before diffusing upside down to create maximum lift where your hair is naturally finest.

13: Mullet-Inspired Curly Shag

Embrace retro vibes with this modern take on the mullet, featuring shorter layers on top with length preserved in the back.

The contrast creates edgy, rock-and-roll appeal. This creates the “business in front, party in back” aesthetic with curly texture.

Ask for significantly shorter layers at the crown and around the face, with length maintained at the nape.

Style using finger-coiling for the shorter top sections to create definition, while allowing the longer back sections to curl naturally for textural contrast.

14: Curly Shag with Feathered Layers

Channel ’70s inspiration with this softly textured cut featuring feathered layers throughout.

The technique creates beautiful movement while maintaining your curl pattern. This approach enhances movement while reducing bulk.

Request point-cutting and slide-cutting techniques to create soft, feathered ends rather than blunt lines.

Style with lightweight oils or serums applied to damp hair before diffusing, focusing on creating separation between your feathered layers.

15: Asymmetrical Curly Shag

Make a statement with this architectural take featuring deliberately uneven lengths.

The intentional asymmetry creates visual interest while showcasing your natural texture. This creates a dynamic, fashion-forward silhouette.

Ask for a dramatic length difference between sides—perhaps chin-length on one side transitioning to shoulder-length on the other.

Style by enhancing your natural curl pattern, allowing the asymmetrical cut to shine through without competing textures or techniques.

16: Highlighted Curly Shag

Add dimension to your twisty shag with strategically placed highlights that enhance your natural curl pattern.

The thoughtful color placement creates incredible visual interest.

Request highlights concentrated on the outer layers where light naturally hits your hair. This creates dimension without requiring excessive maintenance or damage.

Style with curl-enhancing products that also protect color, ensuring your highlights remain vibrant while your curls stay defined.

17: Layered Curly Shag for Heart-Shaped Faces

Balance a wider forehead and narrower chin with this tailored approach featuring carefully placed layers. The strategic cutting flatters your natural face shape.

Ask for layers that begin at chin level with face-framing pieces that create width at jaw level. This balances your proportions while maintaining your curl pattern.

Style with extra attention to the face-framing pieces, perhaps using finger-coiling to ensure they curl in the most flattering direction for your face shape.

18: Curly Shag with Defined Ringlets

Enhance natural ringlet formation with this curl-emphasizing cut. The strategic layering creates bounce and definition for tighter curl patterns.

Request layers cut to enhance your specific ringlet pattern, with special attention to removing weight that might stretch out your natural curls. Dry cutting ensures accuracy.

Style using the “shingling” method—applying product to small sections and smoothing with your fingers—to encourage perfect ringlet formation throughout your layers.

19: Low-Maintenance Curly Shag

Embrace a wash-and-go lifestyle with this practical yet stylish cut designed to work with your natural texture. The right layers minimize styling time while maximizing impact.

Ask your stylist to create a cut that works with your natural curl pattern and daily habits. This means considering how you sleep, exercise, and style your hair.

Style with minimal product—perhaps just leave-in conditioner and gel—applied to soaking wet hair and left to air-dry without manipulation for truly effortless results.

20: Curly Shag with Disconnected Layers

Create dramatic texture with this editorial take featuring deliberately disconnected layers. The intentional separation creates visual interest and movement.

Request distinct separation between your shortest and longest layers without blending between them.

This creates a more dramatic effect that showcases your curl pattern’s versatility.

Style with different techniques for different layers—perhaps finger-coiling the shortest pieces while scrunching the longer ones—to enhance the disconnected effect.

21: Curly Pixie Shag

Go short and sassy with this cropped version of the curly shag. The pixie length makes a statement while the shag elements add texture and dimension.

Ask for pixie-length hair with longer pieces on top that can curl freely, gradually shortening toward the nape.

The longest pieces should hit around eyebrow level when curled.

Style with strong-hold gel applied to soaking wet hair, then either diffuse or air-dry without touching to maintain definition in your shorter curls.

22: Rounded Afro Shag

Celebrate natural texture with this voluminous cut that incorporates shag elements into a classic afro shape. The layered structure creates beautiful dimension.

Request rounded layers throughout that maintain the classic afro silhouette while incorporating the face-framing elements of a traditional shag. The result honors both styles.

Style with moisturizing creams and butters, using pick lifting at the roots to create volume while maintaining the defined shag elements around your face.

23: Beach Wave Curly Shag

Embrace effortless vacation vibes with this texture-celebrating cut designed to enhance natural waves and loose curls.

The lived-in finish creates that coveted “just left the beach” aesthetic. The perimeter should maintain some weight to allow for natural movement.

Ask for layers that begin at chin level with plenty of texturizing throughout to enhance wave formation.

Style with salt spray on damp hair, then scrunch-dry with a diffuser for natural-looking waves that showcase the cut’s dimensional layers.

24: Retro Curly Shag with Curtain Bangs

Channel ’70s rock icons with this vintage-inspired cut featuring center-parted curtain bangs and lots of face-framing layers.

This timeless style never goes out of fashion. The curtain bangs should hit at cheekbone level when dry for authentic retro vibes.

Request heavy layers throughout with substantial face-framing and a strong interior gradient.

Style with diffusing at the roots for maximum volume, perhaps using a pick to create that characteristic ’70s height at the crown.

25: Modern Mixite Curly Shag

Combine the best elements of a pixie and a mullet in this contemporary shag hybrid.

The shorter sides and top with length at the back create edgy, fashion-forward appeal.

Ask for pixie-short sides and crown with significantly more length at the nape and around the ears.

This creates the distinctive mixite silhouette with your natural curl texture.

Style with curl-enhancing products focused on the longer sections, while using pomade or texture paste to define the shorter areas for maximum contrast.

Conclusion

Twisty curly shags celebrate your natural texture while adding shape, movement, and personality.

Whether you prefer short and sassy or long and layered, embracing your curls with a shag cut creates effortlessly stunning results!