Like any style trend, beauty is cyclical. Some trends worked, some didn’t, but the only way to know is to try them. One of our favorite beauty era is the ‘70s. Badass babes, metallic dresses, fur coats, fabulous dance moves... ugh, take us back. This was also the time of rebellion.
We love the feel of ‘70s beauty trends. The mix of masculine and feminine, the bold, blunt hairdos and the fabulously fierce dresses and outfits, they add up to a look so rock-and-roll we can’t even think straight. Flashing back to the era of Woodstock, hippies and major hard rock we have the best and most killer hair look to date: the short shag.
From past to present, these looks give us the shivers…in a really good way. Here are some of our favorite old school babes who put the shag hairstyle to work for them.
Old School Short Shag Hairstyles
Debbie Harry, 1978 Photo: Shutterstock
Debbie Harry was the lead singer of the band “Blondie,” a mega-popular punk-rock band from the late 1970s to early 1980s. The singer became known for hits like “The Tide Is High” and “One Way or Another,” in addition to leading the way in the fashion world for trends like her short shaggy hairstyle. She paired her short shaggy hair with choppy bangs.
Actress Sigourney Weaver (@sigourney.weaver.official on Instagram) became well-known in her role as Dana Barrett in the 1984 hit “Ghostbusters” and changed the hair world forever. Her short shaggy hair was accompanied by her luscious curls.
Jane Fonda, 1970 Photo: AP Images
Activist and actress, Jane Fonda had a rather eventful year in 1970. Her mugshots appear from the time she was arrested for “drug-smuggling” some vitamins on her way to Cleveland. According to an excerpt from her memoir, “My Life So Far,” Fonda said, “Perhaps I used to hide behind [my hair],” she wrote. Vogue writer Mackenzie Wagoner phrased Fonda’s new-hair experience quite concisely in a 2017 article, ‘It was at that moment, when realizing she had become afraid of much bigger things than of being herself, she met hairstylist Paul McGregor and gave him a simple demand: “Do something.”’ That something ended up being her brunette, short shaggy hair.
1970s rock-and-roller Joan Jett (@joanjett on Instagram) brought her short shaggy hair to the forefront of her look, still a part of her today. Jett is known for rock favorites like “Bad Reputation” and “Cherry Bomb.” Her hair suits her music and her voice, sexy and wild. Jett has kept her shag jet-black for as long as we’ve seen her around and heck if it’s not perfect for her.
Stevie Nicks, 1982 Photo: Getty Images
Famous for hit songs like “Edge of Seventeen” and “Rhiannon,” rocker-queen Stevie Nicks loved her shaggy blonde hair through the 1970s and 1980s. She wore her hair a bit longer than the other rock-and-rollers of her time, but she looked incredible enough with her shaggy hair that we had to include her.
Pixie Short Shag Hairstyles
In today’s day and age, short shaggy hair is making a comeback. It’s not just cool from the 70s anymore. It’s cool hair for the modern woman, embracing the slightly masculine sex appeal of the look.
Like Jane Fonda, I can relate to wanting something different to do with my hair. I chopped my own earlier this year into a short shaggy pixie cut. It was the perfect way to get myself ready for the next phase of my life. I stand strongly with my favorite quote from Coco Chanel, “A woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life.”
These modern celebrity trendsetters show us how to rock the short shaggy hairdo with ease.
Rihanna (@badgalriri on Instagram) looks incredible with almost every hairstyle a person can imagine, but her short shaggy pixie was definitely one of our favorites. She wore it black for Vogue in 2014, but Riri has also had this short shaggy hair in bright red and bright pink.
PHOTO COURTESY: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage
Actress Keke Palmer (@keke on Instagram) has tried some particularly eccentric hairstyles, but this short shaggy pixie hair is one of her best. She keeps it cropped extremely close to her head so although it is a shag, it also appears chic and clean-cut.
Cara Delevingne (@caradelevingne on Instagram) is well-known for her own short shaggy hair. The look is something of a trademark for the model, and the length is ideal for her sharp cheekbones.
“Game of Thrones” actress Emilia Clarke (@emilia_clarke on Instagram) is alluring with her big, blue eyes on a normal day but paired with this short shaggy hair, she really couldn’t go wrong.
Modeling for Paper Magazine, “Euphoria” actress Zendaya (@zendaya on Instagram) pulls off this short shaggy hair with true ease. Her sharp cheekbones complement the style nicely.
Actress Joey King (@joeyking on Instagram) chopped her hair for the lead role on crime show, “The Act.” As it’s grown out, King has taken the short shaggy hair for a spin. It looks amazing on her.
Scarlett Johannson ( @caradelevingne on Instagram) is best known for her roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Black Widow. She was easily sexy with this short shaggy hairstyle.
Former “Girl Meets World” star, Rowan Blanchard (@rowanblanchard on Instagram) has never looked better than she does with her short shaggy hair. She stays true to the icons of the 1970s and 1980s with her chic hair.
Mid-Length Short Shag Hairstyles
Short shaggy hair doesn’t have to be just pixie length. It looks equally beautiful in slightly longer shaggy styles, too. Here are just a few of our favorite celebrities who embody the look.
“Cloak and Dagger” actress, Olivia Holt (@olivia_holt on Instagram) looks effortless with her slightly-longer short shaggy hair. Her blonde locks are sweetly messy, and it’s a great look for her.
Parisian Instagram influencer and makeup artist Anaëlle Postollec (@anaellepostollec on Instagram) accents her short shaggy hair with a chunky, green bang highlight. It looks eccentric and stylish on her.
Regina Hall (@morereginahall on Instagram) is known for her perfectly styled hair, but the short shaggy hair she wore for Essence magazine was one for the books. She wears the hairstyle beautifully.
Young influencer and “Stranger Things” star Millie Bobby Brown (@milliebobbybrown on Instagram) has taken trends to the next level with her gorgeously styled short shaggy hair. The look is mature and youthful at the same time, perfect for a Hollywood trendsetter.
PHOTO COURTESY: ANGELA WEISS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES.
Taraji P. Henson (@tarajiphenson on Instagram) looks stunning with her short shaggy hair. This hairstyle is the ideal complement to her low cut halter top and it even accentuates her smile.
Singer Halsey (@iamhalsey on Instagram) favors a raven-haired version of Stevie Nicks with her short shaggy hair. The look is stunning on her.
Actress Bailee Madison (@baileemadison on Instagram) leaves us begging for more with this short shaggy hair. It’s the perfect length for her and we love it both blonde and brunette.
World-famous model Ashley Graham (@ashleygraham on Instagram) is absolutely gorgeous on a good day but looks even better with her short shaggy hair. Accented by slight curls, this look is hotter than hot.
G Hannelius (@ghannelius on Instagram), previously known for her roles on Disney shows like “Good Luck Charlie,” loves her short shaggy hair and we love it on her. Sometimes she colors it with hair paint, but most often leaves it blonde.
Cree Cicchino (@creecicchino on Instagram) is a new talent for Netflix shows, and she rocks her short shaggy hair. Her modern take on the look is far from what it was 30 years ago, but we can’t really complain because it looks so dang good!
Selena Gomez (@selenagomez on Instagram) shows off her short shaggy hair, accompanied by a lipstick red bra-top. I can’t even imagine her with long hair anymore, it looks just that good.
We all knew and loved Brenda Song (@brendasong on Instagram) as the lovable heiress, London Tipton, on Disney’s “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody,” but Song is definitely grown now. Her short shaggy hair oozes sex appeal, and we can’t look away.
We think the short shaggy hair look should be and will be around for a long time to come. It’s cute and sexy, stylish and chic. It works for pretty much everyone, no matter how you look. Give short shaggy hair a try, the next time you consider chopping your locks. We can’t wait to see!
