Last week, a friend of mine showed up with a brand-new haircut—one of those short shaggy styles—and honestly, it looked so effortlessly cool that I caught myself wondering, Why don’t more guys try this? If you’ve ever stood in front of the mirror feeling bored with the same old trim, trust me, you’re not alone. We all want something stylish but easy… something that doesn’t make us spend half the morning fixing it, right? That’s where short shaggy hairstyles for men come in. They add texture, movement, and that slightly “I woke up like this” vibe without actually looking messy. In this article, I’ll walk you through why this cut works so well, who it suits, and how you can pull it off without stressing. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to ask your barber—and maybe even feel excited for your next haircut.
Short Shaggy Hairstyles For Men
Short shaggy hairstyles for men are trendy, low-maintenance cuts that add natural texture and movement. They give a relaxed, effortless look while still appearing stylish and modern.
Shaggy Textured Crop

I’ve done this shaggy textured crop on so many of my male models that I’ve honestly lost count, but every single time it gives that effortless, “I woke up cool” vibe. To be fair, I love it because it behaves even when the guy doesn’t. When I’m cutting it, I keep the top choppy and light, almost like I’m sketching with scissors. And when I ruffle it at the end with a bit of matte paste, it suddenly comes alive—like the hair finally decides to show personality. I remember one shoot where the model kept touching his hair because he couldn’t get over how light it felt.
What I’ve found is guys love this because it’s low-stress. They can just shake their head in the morning, maybe add a fingertip of product, and it still looks like something I intentionally styled. In my opinion, that’s the charm: it forgives chaos but still photographs like it took effort, which is a hairstylist’s secret win.
Messy Shaggy Fringe

This messy shaggy fringe is one of those styles I keep coming back to because it adds instant attitude. I’ve had models walk into the studio looking half-asleep, and by the time I rough-cut that fringe to sit right over the brows, boom—brooding magazine cover energy. Honestly, it’s one of my personal favorites to shape because it’s playful. Sometimes I cut the fringe uneven on purpose. Not drastically, just enough to make it look lived-in.
And the funniest thing? Every model asks me, “Do I have to style this everyday?” And I just laugh because the whole point is the messiness. A little finger-scrunch, maybe a spritz of texture spray if they’re feeling fancy, and they’re done. In my opinion, the charm is in its rebellion—like it refuses to lie flat and that’s exactly why it works.
Short Shaggy Waves
Short shaggy waves always make me smile because they look like vacation hair—relaxed, sunny, and carefree. I’ve worked with models who naturally have waves, and trust me, they never appreciate them until I style them into this shape. I keep the layers short enough so the waves bounce without flopping, and every time I diffuse the hair, it forms these gentle ripples that feel almost cinematic.
The best part is when the guy looks in the mirror and says, “Wait… that’s my hair?” Like he suddenly discovers he’s been hiding a secret beach-boy version of himself. I’ve found that scrunching in a bit of cream gives the waves a soft, touchable texture. But honestly, even when they leave it completely natural the next day, it still holds that shaggy charm that I love.
Shaggy Undercut
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The shaggy undercut is such a fun mix of clean and chaotic, and I swear every time I do it, the model gets this sudden boost of confidence. The sides go short—it keeps everything sleek and sharp—and then the top is left messy, longer, almost rebellious. To be fair, it’s the contrast that makes this cut pop on camera. On shoots, the top moves just enough to add life, but the sides keep things structured.
I remember one guy saying he felt like he had two personalities in one haircut, which honestly cracked me up but he wasn’t wrong. When styled forward, it looks edgy. When pushed back, it feels surprisingly polished. And in my opinion, that’s why men love it—it gives options without demanding effort.
Layered Shaggy Quiff

This layered shaggy quiff always ends up looking cooler than the model expects. I’ve done it on guys who swear their hair won’t stand up, and by the time I layer it and lift the front, they look like they’re ready for a fragrance campaign. Honestly, the quiff mixed with shaggy edges gives this playful but sexy balance I personally adore.
What I’ve found is that it doesn’t need that stiff, old-school gel. Just a lightweight mousse or foam and a little blow-drying with fingers is enough. One of my models once joked that he felt like I installed confidence into his hair. In my opinion, this cut suits the guy who likes to look styled but not overly groomed—like he cares, but only a little.
Shaggy Side-Swept Style
The shaggy side-swept style feels like the hair version of a wink—casual, charming, and slightly mischievous. Every time I do this on a model, they end up brushing their hair back and forth like kids because it just feels so soft and airy. I keep the layers light so the hair naturally falls to the side without me forcing it. Honestly, half the appeal is that imperfect sweep.
And to be fair, it’s one of the easiest to maintain. I had a model tell me he styled it by “literally doing nothing except moving it with my hand once,” and I couldn’t even argue—that’s kind of the vibe. A dab of styling cream can help keep the sweep in place, but in my opinion, the messier it falls, the better it looks.
Curly Shaggy Short Cut

Curly shaggy short cuts are such a joy because curls have their own personality. I’ve had curls spring back at me while cutting, and honestly, it makes me laugh every time. When I shape this cut, I focus on freeing the curls—letting them live instead of weighing them down. The result always ends up being this soft, bouncy look that the model didn’t know he could pull off.
One time, a model with tight curls said he thought he’d look “too fluffy,” but when I showed him the finished look, he couldn’t stop smiling. In my opinion, curls and shagginess make the perfect duo. A little curl cream, a gentle scrunch, and the hair basically styles itself. That’s what makes it feel so natural and boyish in the best way.
Shaggy Bedhead Look
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The shaggy bedhead look is one of those styles that pretends to be accidental but is absolutely intentional—at least when I’m doing it. I’ll chop through the layers, shake them out, and suddenly the hair looks like the guy just rolled out of bed looking unfairly good. Honestly, that effortless vibe is addictive, and I love how carefree it makes the model feel.
I still laugh thinking about a shoot where the photographer said, “Whatever you did, don’t fix it,” and I was like, relax, that is the style. In my opinion, this is the hairstyle for guys who don’t want to fuss. Maybe a spritz of dry texture spray, a quick shake, and that’s it. It’s messy, but in a sexy, intentional way.
Short Shaggy Mullet

Short shaggy mullets always bring out the fun side of my models. Every time I cut one, someone usually makes a joke about the ‘80s, but then they see the modern version and instantly change their mind. I keep the front neat, add shaggy texture on the crown, and leave a little extra length at the back—just enough to be cheeky but still stylish.
One model told me he felt like a “rockstar without the responsibilities,” and honestly, that description has stuck with me. The movement in the back looks great in photos, and the texture keeps the whole cut from feeling too dated. In my opinion, if a guy wants personality in his hair, this is such a fun direction to go.
Shaggy Taper Fade
A shaggy taper fade is my go-to when I want something clean but still playful. The fade gives that crisp, fresh look on the sides, but the shaggy top softens everything so it doesn’t feel too strict. Honestly, I love watching the blend come together—there’s something so satisfying about the transition from neat to messy.
During one shoot, a model kept running his hands through the top because he liked the contrast so much. I’ve found that guys appreciate this cut because it lets them look groomed without losing that youthful texture. In my opinion, it’s perfect for anyone who wants style without feeling overly styled—just a little product, a little movement, and they’re done.
Maintenance Tips
Keeping short shaggy hairstyles looking fresh is easy when you follow the right routine. These simple steps help maintain texture, volume, and overall shape.
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Trim every 4–6 weeks to maintain shape.
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Use sulfate-free shampoo to prevent dryness.
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Condition regularly for soft texture.
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Use a wide-tooth comb to avoid frizz.
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Protect from heat when styling.

Hi, I’m Anna Spencer, A professional hairstylist based in North Carolina and the creator of Hairstyles for Life. With over a decade of hands-on salon experience, I’ve styled everything from everyday looks to runway-ready transformations. I started this website to share my passion for hair, offer expert tips, and help you feel confident in your personal style no matter your hair type or length. Whether you’re looking for quick tutorials, timeless trends, or honest product advice, you’ll find it all here.

