The Low-Maintenance Haircut Everyone Is Trying Because of French Girls

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(Image credit: @sabinasocol)

Twenty twenty-two is ushering in a lot of surprising beauty trends we never thought we'd see again. Things like the vivid blue eye shadow of the '90s to equally nostalgic hair claws celebs adore have made a triumphant return, and we'd like to add more to the list: the shag haircut. Popularized in the '70s, the retro cut isn't just making a return—it's fully arrived.

While everyone from celebrities to models to influencers has been opting for the cut recently, we'd like to point out that French girls have low-key been perfecting the tousled, effortless look for a while now with fringe bangs and long layers being the hallmark of many Parisian hairstyles.

Whether you pull inspiration from the retro shags or the modern iterations, one thing is clear: Less is definitely more when it comes to maintaining these cuts, which might be one reason we're seeing them gain popularity. Who wouldn't want to look cool with the least amount of effort?

Just to be sure we weren't hallucinating, we polled the experts, who agreed that they're also seeing the revival of this iconic cut. According to celebrity hairstylist Rebekah Forecast, shags are the natural progression after all the bobs and lobs we saw over the last few seasons, and it's not hard to make the transition. Just grow out your bob a little and add layers, she advises. Patrick Wilson, another hairstylist with a roster of A-list clients, says he loves that this cut is super easy to maintain, and with more people embracing their natural texture, we're only going to see more of it. "While clients are in isolation, they are really thinking about change, and the minute those hair salons are back open, I predict that people will be up for a restyle," Wilson shared. "At the moment, women are bored with their hair and are even attempting to cut their own bangs at home. My personal advice has always been to wait and let the professionals do it."

We couldn't agree more, which is why we're highlighting the easy, low-maintenance cut that we have the '70s and our French friends to thank for. To see all the shag haircuts from celebs and fashion girls sparking this trend, just keep scrolling, and be sure to screenshot your favorites to show your stylist at your next hair appointment.

On French Girls

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(Image credit: @claire_most)

According to Wilson, the good thing about this haircut is that it works for just about everyone, no matter the length, fullness, or texture of their hair. Take Claire Most's curls, for instance, which have that shaggy look thanks to the longer pieces closer in and shorter layers cut on top.

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(Image credit: @sabinasocol)

Less is definitely more when it comes to the shag, Wilson says, so keep it simple with the styling. Wash and towel-dry the hair, prep with a thickening spray at the roots, and add a light cream through the ends.

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(Image credit: @annelauremais)

Forecast advises freshening up your lob or bob with the addition of fringe bangs, and we're fans of Anne-Laure Mais's easy curtain bangs.

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(Image credit: @frannfyne)

It's all about creating that effortless, slightly messy effect that looks like you could have just rolled out of bed, but it works.

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(Image credit: @leiasfez)

The longer layers that frame Leia Sfez's face make her cut a nod to the trending shag.

On Celebrities

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(Image credit: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Harper's Bazaar)

Alexa Chung may hail from the UK, but her modern grown-out shag haircut feels undeniably French.

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(Image credit: Steve Granitz/WireImage)

Zendaya proves just how cool a mop of shaggy curls can look.

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(Image credit: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)

If straight-across bangs aren't your thing, consider going for curtain bangs like Chloë Grace Moretz's.

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(Image credit: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)

Halle Berry has perfected this cut over the years, but this particular version with wispy, side-swept bangs might just be our favorite.

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(Image credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Calling all pixie cuts! With a few fringy pieces framing the face, we'd definitely categorize Zoë Kravitz's pixie cut as a shag.

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(Image credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

Jennifer Aniston's blown-out shag with the ends curled up is quintessentially '90s.

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(Image credit: David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

It's no wonder Miley Cyrus can pull off a mullet-style shag like no other. Her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, basically invented the mullet.

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(Image credit: Steve Granitz/WireImage)

Why, yes, pin-straight shags do exist, thank you for asking. While a straight shag seems counterintuitive, the Kerry Washington look says otherwise. It's all in the slightly jagged-edge cut of her bangs and the long layers that frame her face.

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(Image credit: CRAIG SJODIN via Getty Images)

With its piecey look, Jane Fonda's short cut falls in the shag territory. 

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(Image credit: @rebekahforecast)

Karlie Kloss took a subtler approach and had stylist Rebekah Forecast add in some light layers to give her long bob that retro, tousled look.

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(Image credit: SGranitz/WireImage)

We have the '90s to thank for J.Lo's A+ shag with its long layers and face-framing side bangs.

On Instagram

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(Image credit: @rowanblanchard)

This look combines a lot of trending hairstyles right now—mullets, baby bangs, pixie cuts—and it somehow just works.

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(Image credit: @lefevrediary)

Amy Lefévre's modern shag plays well with her long bob—another big hair trend we're seeing.

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(Image credit: @fitzpatrickerin)

Who What Wear's very own Erin Fitzpatrick has been making textured bangs and long waves her signature hair look for a while now.

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(Image credit: @alyssainthecity)

Alyssa Coscarelli, along with many other stylish New Yorkers, entrusts Erickson Arrunategui, a hairstylist at Bumble and Bumble, to create the perfect modern shag cut.

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(Image credit: @hannahbaxward)

Here, Hannah Baxter opted for fringy bangs that curtain out right around the brow bone.

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(Image credit: @monamali_)

As you can see by now, more and more fashion girls are trying out different variations on the cut.

How to Style It

Hairstylist Rebekah Forecast explains that the styling products you use really depend on your hair's texture and needs but recommends picking and choosing from the below products in order of application.

Step 1: Anti-Frizz Care

Step 2: Heat-Styling Protection

Step 3: Thickening Spray

Step 4: Volume Cream

Step 5: Blow-Dry

Step 6: Diffuse

Step 7: Add Volume

Step 8: Texturize

While we're on the topic of French-girl beauty, check out which three French haircuts L.A. girls are asking for.

This post was previously published and has since been updated. 

Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.