Heavy Medium Shag for Thin Hair Tutorial

by JATAI Academy, 07 Sep 2026

When you're dealing with fine hair or thin hair, maximizing movement and texture in a shag haircut without overdoing it is key. This medium length layered haircut incorporates face framing layers, side swept fringe and soft separation at the ends which is characteristic of shag haircuts. Watch the video and follow the transcript below.

Heavy Medium Shag for Thin Hair Tutorial:

Welcome back to Jatai Academy. I'm Russell Mayes, Director of Content. Today we're going to be doing a women's mid-length shag, but it's a heavy shag style.

Most shags that you see are really, really layered and highly textured and they give you that real wispy kind of airy look. And if you have really thick hair, it works amazingly well.

But if you don't want to lose all that thickness or you don't have the thickness to lose, say you got finer texture of hair, I'm going to show you a way to get the same type of textured layers of that real wispy on the end kind of look, but not so much that you're going to lose all of your internal volume. Let's get started.

Establishing the Perimeter

Starting in the center back here, holding down horizontal. Using my Feather Styling Razor, I'm going to go through and cut everything horizontal. So, I'm going to use about an inch to an inch and a half razor stroke and cut everything fairly blunt with just a little bit of movement to my razor stroke so I can get some lightness and some airiness into the ends.

Just holding everything straight down and natural fall and cutting straight across. It's naturally going to bevel a little bit whenever you cut anything horizontal with your Styling Razor, but that's my guide for the perimeter length.

Heavy Layering

Now I'm taking a vertical section and holding everything down at a 45 from the head and I'm cutting a straight up and down vertical section. So I'm actually cutting a layer section into the shape while I'm holding it down into a graduation elevation.

So, this is going to give me a heavier type of layering than if I was to just go through and hold everything straight out from the head and layer it. So, it's going to give me that weight from the graduation of how I'm holding it, but the lightness from the layering that I'm cutting into it.

Checking everything there. Making sure I've got everything like I want. And just cleaning it up, taking my time and cleaning up each section as it needs to be cleaned up.

Now, we're going to go through and do the same thing on the other side. You can see my line there. I'm cutting straight up and down and holding it down at a 45 graduation angle. Anything that hangs over, I will then go through and cut off and make sure that my perimeter shape is clean.

Now, I'm going to work from the back of the head into the side of the head. I don't like to separate the back from the side when I'm doing my horizontal sectioning. A lot of people will stop at the quarter part, but I'm not going to do that. I'm just going to keep working all the way around.

Starting in the center, following the same guide, the same elevation that I had, and the same angle of cut line that I'm cutting, I'm going to go through and cut anything else off in my new guide, removing half of my previously cut section, holding that out at a 45, and then cutting straight up and down.

So, by going through and doing this layering type of cut on a graduation type of section, it gives me a heavy type of layering, much heavier than if I was holding it straight out from the head.

It's not quite graduation because graduation makes the shape stack from shorter underneath to longer on top. This is keeping everything much more even. Now, as I work into the sides, I'm cutting my perimeter because I didn't cut my perimeter shape on the side before.

Going back into the center, holding that straight out, following my guide that I had before. There we go. That's a good angle right there. You can really see the straight up and down angle that I'm cutting into this section. So, by going through and doing this, it gives me layering without putting too much layering in it. I can still keep my shape really, really solid.

Continuing with the rest of the hair, taking pie sections, working from the back center into the sides, trying to follow the same razor stroke that I was using underneath.

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Now, we're continuing to walk our guide in pie sections around the back of the head as we get into the side of the head. Just following the previously cut guide that was underneath and also from the previously cut sections, holding everything on the side straight back.

We're going to layer the front. So, I want to make sure that we blend into the layering in the back and our length on the sides.

Channel Cutting

After we've gone through and cut our whole shape so far, I'm going to go back in and start to remove some of the weight on the end. So the last four or five inches on the ends, I'm going to go through and channel cut just to force the hair to separate a little bit more. I can get that shag type of shape in a very very controlled way by only putting the layering on the very ends.

I've cut my shape. It's a solid shape with a little bit of layering underneath and then going through and adding just the right amount of texture really makes the hair move. It forces the ends to separate and really gives me that shag shape.

Another thing about going through and cutting your shape first and then applying your texture as opposed to doing both at the same time, I can control how much weight and how much separation that I get much more precisely if I've already precut the overall shape. And then I just apply my texture.

If I'm having to do both, it I'm going in and applying texture a little bit blindly because I can't tell exactly how much I'm cutting off as I'm cutting the length off at the same time. So, here you can see it's thick right there. It's thick right there. And then I skip that little gap right through there. It doesn't need it where the gap is, so I don't put any in. Around the front there's very little. Boom. We're done.

Now, we're going to go through and check. I'll shake everything out just to feel the weight across the entirety of the head and make sure nothing really stands out.

Side Swept Bangs

Now I'm going to go through and take our bang section, which is going to be the first bump of the head to the high point of the ear and from recession to recession. Taking that straight across. I want this to hit around the lips. That's going to be my guide. And then I'll go through following my parting. That's the line that I'm going to cut into it. So, I'm holding everything T to my parting and cutting from short down to long.

Whatever that long length is right there by the ear, that's my go to guide. I have my come from guide by cutting the wispy bangs first. So, the bangs are the short piece. The piece at the ear is the long piece. And then I just blend the two together by pulling everything forward T to my parting that I've got right there from the top of the head to the ear.

After I've got that fit in like I want, I'll go through and do the exact same thing on the other side. It's important that I cut from the top down because you notice I'll go hand up on one side and hand in on the other side so that I can make sure that the movement is the same on both sides. I can't cut one side going up and one side going down and expect it to be the same. I have to cut both sides short to long. So, I have to maintain that kind of movement.

Now, we're going to check our bangs. I think it needs to be a little shorter. So, I'm going to take a little shorter right through there. I've got the basic shape in. I didn't like that. A little bit more, I think, is appropriate. There we go. Looking good.

Shags are also known to incorporate curtain bangs, so create these instead if desired.

Blending the Front with the Back

Now, we're going to take our next section, which is the high point of the head, right to the mastoid, right behind the ear. I'll pull this down at a 45, pulling it forward and follow the previously cut guide that I had underneath. By elevating it at a 45, I'll keep my weight around the front even though I'm putting razor texture into it and cutting my shape with the razor. Because I'm pulling it at a 45, that's going to maintain that kind of heaviness. So, I can get the separation from the razor, but I can maintain a more solid shape.

The higher that I elevate this, the more weight that I'm going to remove from my layering around the front. Sometimes I want it, sometimes I don't.

Now, we're going to go through and do the same thing on the other side. And here you can see I'm still cutting from short at the center of the head down to my long piece at the ear. So, you'll notice the razor comes on top on the inside of my knuckles and cuts down to my fingertips where on the other side I cut from my fingertips to my knuckles.

Now, we're going to take the rest of the hair on this side, comb everything forward, see if anything hangs over that front section, and make sure that everything blends through and I don't have any long little pieces that don't blend from back to front.

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Drying and Styling

Now, let's go through and blow it dry. I'm going to power dry first to get everything off of the scalp to get some volume. Then, I'm going to go through with a round brush just to make sure everything gets smooth and I get all the textures really smooth before I go through and drag a curling iron through it.

Now, when I'm putting a curling iron in, I'm taking the entirety of the section from the crown all the way down into the nape. I'll pull that through, curl the center first. As that gets hot, then I'll go through, leave the center out, and then start to work that to the end.

So, I only get curl in the center and the ends are a little softer. My first pass with the curling iron, the curls were a little too big. So, I went back in with a smaller curling iron and curled everything exactly with the same methodology I was doing before, but just with a smaller barrel.

I did not curl the bangs. I left those from whatever my blowout was. So, I have a straighter bang that has some movement to it out of the face. And I like it. I think it looks good.

End Result

Here's our end result. And I think that this looks really good. It walks that tight rope between overly layered textured shag and overly thick kind of stiff hair that doesn't move. This gives you the texture and movement on the ends that a thin hair shag really presents and does well, but it also gives you that internal fullness so that you can get some volume and you can get some movement to it without overly layering it.

It gives you a nice kind of layering around the front, but since I'm elevating it lower, it keeps it semi-solid. And also by elevating it in a graduated shape when I go to layer it and then layering it with a vertical type of cut, it really balances between the two. So I get the fullness and the movement at the same time as getting the texture and the softness you need for a shag haircut for thin hair.

This medium shag can also be made on short hair. Same principals apply to shag short haircuts on thin hair.

Please check out the Jatai Academy. There's all kinds of fantastic information that will make you a better hair stylist and barber. Let us know what you'd like to see in the future. Thank you so much for watching. We'll see you next time.

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14 Back to School Haircut Inspiration Ideas for Kids

by JATAI, 23 Aug 2023

When it comes to kid's hair, sometimes it's easy just to cut their hair at home if it's a simple trim. But sometimes having a professional do the work is necessary and maybe a fun splurge or even a back-to-school look. Without being over the top, here are some cute inspirational cuts for kids that set the tone for a fun, fresh look for the kiddos. Girls @halcyonsalonshelby What's more classic than some curls. This cutie looks ready for her first day back to school with her hair color and beautiful curls on point. It's not too short but not super long either. This is a great look for any little girl. @impactbeauty_byshay A simple bob is always in style. Sometimes a little girl just doesn't want to fuss with long hair. With a one length pretty bob that's curled at the end, this little girl is rockin' it. It's low maintenance, can be styled in various ways and shows off her youthful, feminine energy. @topnotchbeautycorner Adorable, trendy and cute. This little girl has got it going on in a stylish, fun way. The small details like the gold crown trinkets and gold coil around the braid make any little girl look and feel like a princess. @definitionssalonspa Say yes to the curtain bang. Simple curtain bangs that frame the face add some style and depth to long straight hair. Part the hair down the middle for curtain bangs or style them for a side swept bang with a side part to change it up. The curtain bang is versatile! @hairby_angelina_ine This little girl is beyond her years with this asymmetrical bob that is to die for. And with straight one length bangs, her look is sassy and fun. It's sure to catch a lot of adoring attention...from the parents. @balayagemary A heavy chunky bang is always super cute on little girls. They can somehow pull it off much better than adults. Why is that? Combine it with some waves and you've got a feminine, sweet look. It's easy to maintain and very versatile. @holykale.hair Is she growing up too fast? This little girl looks like she has an adult haircut. With a cute French bob, highlights and slight wave, she's letting everyone know she's the queen of trending hair. Maybe not easy to maintain, but it sure is cute! Boys @luiselbarber Doesn't he look sweet? This gentleman's...or should we say gentleboy's haircut is clean, classic and tidy. It's short on the sides with a little length on top and combed to the side. This little man is ready for school. @salonsuccess This little guy is just cool. While it's temporary, a little hair art shows off his creative side. This kid has great hair so having his hair very short on the sides but longer on top makes his look more edgy and stylish. It's a bit higher maintenance, but it's fun! @machitong Can we say mullet? It's not for every little boy, but they sure look cute with one, much cuter than adult males. This kind of cut looks best when the hair is naturally a bit textured. He's pulls it off well. @xv.josh How cute is this little boy? That smile is adorable and the precise and clean lines of his haircut are on point. The extra design at the top just set this hairstyle off. A bit high maintenance, but it's mainly just the outlining that needs regular attention. @hairbiz.withizz Scroll through all the images and you'll see this haircut is more than it seems. At first it looks like a pompadour, but when you look at the back, it's a whole other story. This look works well on a boy with a great head of hair. It's edgy, relatively easy to maintain and stylish. @a1errthing This little boy looks so happy and he should be! This haircut fits him perfectly. It's clean and stylish at the same time. He definitely looks school ready with his perfectly razored outlined hairline and simple hair design in the back. @hairbyscheila For a more tidy, classy look, try a side hard part. It's easy for any barber to create with a razor and it gives an extra pop to any boy's hairstyle. Comb the top of the hair to the opposite direction of the part and use a little product. He's ready to go!

The Evolution of Hairstyles Throughout the Decades

by JATAI, 16 Aug 2023

Hairstyles have always been a significant aspect of human culture, reflecting the trends, values, and social norms of different eras. Let's explore the history and evolution of hairstyles over the decades: 1920s The Roaring Twenties introduced a major shift in women's hairstyles. The iconic bob haircut became popular, characterized by short, straight hair that was often worn with a side parting. This style symbolized women's liberation and a break from traditional gender roles. 1930s The 1930s saw a transition from the boyish bob to more feminine and glamorous looks. Soft waves and curls were fashionable, and women often used hot rollers or pin curls to achieve the desired effect. The Hollywood influence played a significant role in popularizing these glamorous hairstyles. The most popular look was the Hollywood wave which has continued to be a popular look in the 2020s. 1940s The World War II era influenced hairstyles as practicality and functionality became essential. Victory rolls were popular among women, involving rolling and pinning sections of hair to create a prominent wave at the front. Shorter, cropped hairstyles were also prevalent due to the practicality of working women. The victory roll is a popular hairstyles for pinup girls of today. 1950s The 1950s embraced femininity and elegance. Women's hairstyles often featured voluminous curls, poodle cuts, and the iconic bouffant. The advent of hair spray helped maintain these elaborate styles. Men's hair was often slicked back or styled into a pompadour. 1960s The 1960s brought about a revolution in hairstyles, influenced by the counterculture movements and the rise of British pop culture. Women started to experiment with shorter haircuts like the pixie cut and the mod bob. The beehive hairstyle, popularized by icons like Audrey Hepburn, was also a notable trend. 1970s The 1970s showcased diverse hairstyles influenced by the hippie movement and disco culture. Women embraced long, flowing hair, often with center parts. The Afro hairstyle gained popularity among African-Americans as a symbol of pride and identity. Men's hairstyles became more relaxed, with longer hair, shaggy cuts and facial hair. 1980s The 1980s were characterized by bold and dramatic hairstyles. Big hair was in, with women teasing their hair to achieve volume and using copious amounts of hairspray. Perms, mullets, and feathered hairstyles were all the rage. Men also sported voluminous hairstyles, including the famous "mullet" style. 1990s The 1990s witnessed a more casual and grunge-inspired approach to hairstyles. The "Rachel" haircut, popularized by Jennifer Aniston's character on the TV show "Friends," became incredibly trendy. Short, pixie cuts also gained popularity among women. Men's hairstyles ranged from long, unkempt looks to shorter, textured styles. 2000s The turn of the millennium brought a mix of hairstyles. Straight, sleek hair became fashionable, often achieved through the use of straightening irons. Emo and scene subcultures popularized asymmetrical cuts, choppy layers, and bold colors. Men's hairstyles varied from buzz cuts to spiky hair. 2010s The 2010s embraced a diverse range of hairstyles. The ombre trend gained popularity, with hair transitioning from dark to light colors. Buns, braids, and top knots became go-to styles for women. Men's hairstyles incorporated undercuts, fades, and more intricate beard grooming. 2020s And finally, we reach the modern day hairstyles. The 2020s have seen a diverse range of popular hair trends. These trends reflect a blend of past styles with contemporary influences and individual expression. These types of cuts and looks have all been popularized so far. Natural Textures There has been a growing emphasis on embracing natural hair textures and celebrating diversity. People with curly and wavy hair have been encouraged to let their natural textures shine, leading to the popularity of hairstyles like the curly afro, twist-outs, and braid-outs. Bob and Lob Haircuts The bob and lob (long bob) haircuts have remained popular in the 2020s. These versatile styles can be customized to suit different face shapes and hair textures. The blunt bob, textured bob, and asymmetrical lob have been particularly trendy. Pixie Cuts Short pixie cuts have made a comeback in the 2020s, offering a bold and chic look. This style allows for low-maintenance haircare routines and can be customized with different textures and lengths to suit individual preferences. Curtain Bangs Curtain bangs, also known as Bardot bangs or '70s bangs, have gained popularity. This style features long, face-framing bangs that are parted in the middle, creating a soft and romantic look. Curtain bangs can be paired with various hairstyles, from long waves to updos. Shag Haircuts The shag haircut, inspired by the '70s, has been a popular choice in the 2020s. This layered cut adds texture and movement to the hair, often with feathered or choppy ends and best achieved with a razor. The modern shag offers a versatile and effortlessly cool aesthetic. Balayage and Face-Framing Highlights Balayage, a technique that creates soft, natural-looking highlights, has continued to be a sought-after trend in the 2020s. Face-framing highlights, where lighter tones are strategically placed around the face, have also gained popularity as they can brighten and accentuate facial features. Sustainable and Low-Maintenance Styles With increasing environmental awareness and thanks to the pandemic, sustainable and low-maintenance hairstyles have become popular. Effortless, air-dried looks, minimalist haircuts, and styles that require minimal product usage have gained traction. This trend aligns with the desire for a more eco-friendly and time-efficient approach to haircare. Throughout the generations, hairstyles have changed dramatically. Every generation has been characterized by different looks and styles. As people continue to express their creativity with their hair, as new products are developed and as social and political climates change, these all influence how we decide to express ourselves through our personal styles. While some trends have lasted for decades, others have come and gone. Who knows what the rest of the 2020s or 2030s will bring. Whatever it is, we're sure it's going to be memorable.

Bobs, Bobs and More Bobs: The Trend of 2023

by JATAI, 24 May 2023

It seems 2023 is starting off with some fun looks. After a couple years of shagadelic haircuts and mullety styles, the trending looks are taking a more classic approach these days. While shags and mullets may have had their run, the bob is turning out to take centerfold. The great thing about a bob is that it's so versatile. There are many ways to cut and style a bob to match a personality or persona. Bobs can be long or short, blunt or textured, curled or straight with or without bangs. The creative possibilities are endless! Let's look at 10 popular bob styles that get the most love. The Graduated Bob The graduated bob is a type of bob with stacked layers in the back with longer strands in the front. The back of the hair tends to be more curved instead of a hard angle. It is it a difficult haircut to achieve but it looks great when done right. It's a very common and popular short haircut. It can be achieved by using scissors or a razor. A-Line Bob Alternatively, the A-Line haircut refers to the perimeter of the haircut. It is the same as a graduated bob in that the hair is shorter in the back and longer in the front. However, it does not have the stacking of layers in the back. And the front is usually more pointed than a graduated bob. Asymmetrical Bob This type of bob's distinct characteristic is that one side in front is longer than the other. It can have layers or no layers and it can be stacked or not stacked in the back. There are different renditions of an asymmetrical bob, but it's usually a style for someone who wants a little edge to their bob style. French Bob The French bob is a classic bob hairstyle characterized by very short hair, either at the chin line or above. Sometimes it's paired with short bangs too. Think of the movie Amelie and you'll know what this looks like. It usually has lots of layers and texture for a choppy look. For the extra texture, a razor works well. Italian Bob Similar to a French Bob, the Italian bob is slightly longer, usually grazing the chin or below but above the shoulders. It's sophisticated and elegant and has a blunt straight edge. The Italian bob carries weight at the bottom with a lot of volume. It can be achieved by using scissors or a razor...or both at the same time. Lob Lob stands for 'long bob' so the hair generally skims the shoulders or goes slightly past it. This is a popular look in modern times as it gives a happy medium between having short and long hair. When curled it can look shorter and resemble a traditional bob, but when straightened it can look more like medium length hair. Straight Bob A classic, simple no frills bob is the straight bob. With no layers, no texture, no curls or stacking, this look is very basic. It can be cut with bangs if desired, but the general look is one of sleek sophistication. The look is completely symmetrical and lays flat against the head. It can look quite sultry and sexy if done right. Layered Bob This style is also known as a textured bob. Simply stated, this type of bob has more body and movement to give volume. While the straight bob has no layers or volume, the layered bob is all about the extra lift. The extra texture is often achieved by using a razor. Curly Bob With even more texture is the curly bob. The curly bob is full of bounce and volume. It could be layered but it doesn't have to be. This bob is fun and full of life and energy. The curls could be natural or intentionally made with a curling iron or curling tool. The curls can be tight and small or big and loose. There are so many ways a curly bob can look! Modern Bob The modern bob is so 2023. It's what has been trending for bobs in the last few years. And it's THIS bob. While it won't last forever, it is the 'it' style as of late. The modern bob is characterized as casual, cool, soft and feminine. It usually has a slight curl in there and a little volume. It's a simple yet stylish bob that's attractive and eye catching. It's no wonder the modern bob has become so popular. So that's it! 10 bob hairstyles for 2023. Although most of these bobs have been around for many many years, it just goes to show how classic the bob really is. It will never go out of style and there will always be new innovative ways to cut and style a bob. Here's to short hair in 2023. Hair Trends, Women

Women

Heavy Medium Shag for Thin Hair Tutorial