Shag Haircut Mistakes: How To Avoid a Mullet

Common Shag Haircut Mistakes & How to Fix Them

If you struggle to keep a shag haircut from veering into mullet territory, you’re not alone. The balance between effortless texture and unwanted disconnection can be tricky to master—but, once you learn the right weight removal techniques, strategy for defining the shag shape and ways to layer with connection, you’ll be set.

Below, find common shag mistakes with tips from Rachel Williams (@rachelwstylist), Moroccanoil® Global Ambassador and ARC™ Scissors Artistic Team Member on how to fix them.

Photo Credit: Instagram via @rachelwstylist

Mistake #1: Creating a Tail by Over-Layering the Crown

Leaving the back too long and disconnected from the layers results in an unintentional mullet rather than an effortless shag—typically caused by over-layering the crown.

Photo Credit: Instagram via @rachelwstylist

Photo Credit: Instagram via @rachelwstylist

Photo Credit: Instagram via @rachelwstylist

The Solution: 

Don’t take out too much weight and easily avoid over-layering: Rachel’s secret? A texturizing scissor!

Her go-to is ARC™ Scissors 30/2 Reversible Blender: “I use it on on the hair when it is dry to remove weight. They only remove 15 to 20 percent of the hair (depending on density) and I love this because for me, less is more! They remove just the right amount of hair instead of going overboard, removing too much and leaving the client sad with a collapsed haircut,” Rachel explains.

Press play to see how Rachel uses a texturizer for a seamless shag:

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Rachel Williams (@rachelwstylist)

Mistake #2: Lack of Connection from Front to Back

The key to a flawless shag is a seamless face-framing cut. If the front doesn’t blend into the rest of the layers, you’re on the fast track to mullet town.

Photo Credit: Instagram via @rachelwstylist

Photo Credit: Instagram via @rachelwstylist

Photo Credit: Instagram via @rachelwstylist

The Solution:

Follow Rachel’s tried-and-true shag roadmap. Since the face frame defines a shag haircut, Rachel always starts with the face frame and fringe first, no matter the length—that way, the top layers have something to connect to. This sets the tone for the entire cut and keeps the shape feeling intentional from front to back.

Press play to see how Rachel starts the fringe for this fiery red shag:

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Rachel Williams (@rachelwstylist)

For this voluminous curly shag, Rachel used Moroccanoil Root Boost Spray and finished with Moroccanoil Dry Texture Spray and Moroccanoil Luminous Medium Hold Hairspray.

Photo Credit: Instagram via @rachelwstylist

Photo Credit: Instagram via @rachelwstylist

Photo Credit: Instagram via @rachelwstylist

Photo Credit: Instagram via @rachelwstylist

Mistake #3: Not Customizing Shag Approach for Different Hair Types

Not every shag is cut the same, and sometimes, hair type determines if your client is suited for a shag. “I will never recommend a shag for thin hair because it is such a layered cut that it will take out too much weight and look like a mullet,” Rachel says.

The Solution:

If you’re cutting on finer hair, adjust your technique to customize with less layering—like Rachel demos below: “My client has fine hair, so I approached the way I cut a shag differently. She didn’t want to lose too much weight in her hair with too many layers!” Rachel shares.

Why you should consider cutting dry: “Notice how I did her cut on dry hair? That’s because I wanted to be able to cut while her hair is in her natural dry state in order to not take to much hair off, and to visually see her hair as I cut,” Rachel explains.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Rachel Williams (@rachelwstylist)

Mistake #4: Too Much Razor, Not Enough Strategy

Razors are excellent for creating movement, but excessive use without a plan can remove too much weight in the wrong places, leaving behind a choppy, harsh look.

The Solution:

Instead of using a razor, Rachel reaches for ARC™ Scissors PHANTOM II 6″, a pair of scissors designed to cut on the axis of her blade—similar to using a razor. “Cutting from the axis of the blade achieves soft, razor-like results! This is why I always use my PHANTOM II for this technique—the blade is designed to cut from the axis.”

Watch Rachel’s technique in action:

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Rachel Williams (@rachelwstylist)

Click to shop the PHANTOM II from ARC™ Scissors.

Final Pro Tip: If You Have to Ask, It’s Probably a Mullet

Step back and assess the overall shape. Shag haircuts should have movement, softness and balance—not an abrupt contrast between short layers and long sections.

Want more shag haircut mistakes to avoid? Check out Shags 101: The Dos & Don’ts for more exclusive tips and demos from Rachel.

Photo Credit: Instagram via @rachelwstylist

Products Used

Shears

ARC™ Scissors Phantom II

ARC™ Scissors

Shears

ARC™ Scissors SYMMETRY 30/2 REVERSIBLE TEXTURIZER

ARC™ Scissors

Styling

Root Boost

Moroccanoil®

Styling

Dry Texture Spray

Moroccanoil®

Hairsprays

Luminous Hairspray Medium

Moroccanoil®