TRENDY SHAGY HAIRCUTS FOR ANY LENGTH

Originally published in Allure.com

If there's anything that's always in style, it's nostalgia. Some of the more popular beauty trends we see today include bright, colorful shadows that bring us back to the '80s; rhinestones and gems applied around the eyes, a throwback from the early 2000s; and of course, the shag haircut, which harkens back to '70s.

The distinctly layered style was also huge in 2019, but this year, it's become impossible to ignore again thanks to hairstylists and celebrities.

ENDLESS VOLUME: ZENDAYA

To achieve Zendaya’s long and curly shag cut, Pekela Riley recommends starting with completely wet hair then building in a volumizing mousse "to create stretching and separation with a slight toiling motion to encourage curling." Follow by scrunching your hair lightly with a micro-fiber towel to remove excess moisture without frizzing. Then, diffuse it dry. Another tip: You can also use a pick to gently fluff at the roots for added volume.

THE PIXIE SHAG: GABRIELLE UNION

Gabrielle Union has worn many shag haircuts over the past few years, but none have been so bold as this intensely layered pixie cut, further proof that shaggy styles don't require a ton of length. "I would achieve this cut by starting with longer uniform layers on the top, long graduated layers towards the face, and graduated taper layers on the back and sides," says Riley. "I'd also soften the layers with point cutting and razor cutting to keep it nice, soft, modern, and not too choppy."

With this style, Riley notes it's best to mold it with a foam wrap to lay the back and sides down. Once all your hair is dry, you can apply a light beveling with a flatiron. "Then, apply a little bit of texture wax (try the Kenra Professional Platinum Working Wax) to give it a little bit of piecey-ness. Also, texture wax can be used more on the sides and back to support with laying it down."