“I’m 67 and recently got a mixie shag because I wanted something shorter and easier to manage, but I’m having trouble getting that soft, piecey look at home. My hair either falls completely flat or looks like I’ve used way too much product. Is there a simple way to style a mixie shag that gives me a little volume and texture without spending forever in front of the mirror?” — Linda R., Scottsdale, Arizona
Linda, a mixie shag shouldn’t take much work in the morning, and you definitely shouldn’t need enough product to make your hair feel stiff. The trick is knowing where you actually need the help. For this cut, I’d concentrate on getting a little height at the crown and keeping the layers light and separated rather than trying to add volume everywhere.
I’d also put the round brush aside for most of the styling. Your fingers and a blow-dryer are usually enough to get those shorter layers moving in the right direction. Then, if a few areas still look flat, you can add texture just where you need it. Here’s the routine I’d recommend to a client who wants her mixie to look good without spending half the morning on it.
Step 1: Start With Towel-Dried Hair
After washing your hair, gently blot it with a towel until it’s damp rather than soaking wet.
Don’t worry about getting every strand perfectly combed into place. I actually prefer leaving a little natural separation in a mixie shag because it helps those short layers fall more naturally once they’re dry.
If your hair tangles easily, run a wide-tooth comb through the ends before you start styling.
Step 2: Add a Little Volume at the Roots
If your mixie tends to fall flat on top, lightly mist COLOR WOW Raise the Root Thicken & Lift Spray around the crown and roots.
You don’t need to spray your entire head. Concentrate on the areas where you want a little more height, especially the crown.
For hair that needs more overall body, work a small amount of Kenra Volume Mousse Extra 17 through the roots and mid-lengths.
Start small. Short hair can become heavy surprisingly quickly when too much styling product is applied.
Step 3: Protect Your Hair Before Blow-Drying
Before reaching for your dryer, mist Redken Quick Blowout Heat Protectant Spray lightly through your damp hair.
Pay particular attention to the longer pieces around your face and nape.
Once it’s distributed, you’re ready to dry. There’s no need to add another styling product at this stage.
Step 4: Rough-Dry With Your Fingers
Here’s where I would skip the brush altogether at first.
Set your blow-dryer to a comfortable medium setting and use your fingertips to move the hair from side to side while drying. Gently lift the roots at the crown instead of pressing them down.
Continue until your hair is about 80 to 90 percent dry.
This creates natural-looking volume while preserving the slightly tousled texture that makes a mixie shag so flattering.
Step 5: Give the Crown a Quick Lift
Once your hair is almost dry, spend about a minute concentrating on the top.
Lift small sections of hair straight up with your fingers or a small round brush and direct the dryer toward the roots for a few seconds. Let each section cool briefly before releasing it.
You don’t need big volume here. You’re simply preventing the crown from sitting flat against your head.
I especially like this technique on finer hair because even a small amount of lift can make the layers look fuller.
Step 6: Shape the Sides and Fringe
Now work on the pieces around your face.
Use your fingers or a small round brush to direct the side layers slightly backward. You’re looking for a gentle bend rather than an actual curl.
For the fringe, move it from side to side with your fingers while blow-drying, then sweep it toward the side where it naturally wants to sit.
Avoid rolling the bangs tightly around a brush. A mixie shag looks much softer when the fringe stays wispy and relaxed.
Step 7: Separate the Shaggy Layers
Once your hair is completely dry, use your fingertips to separate the layers around the crown, sides, and nape.
If your hair still looks a little flat, lift sections and spray a small amount of Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray underneath them rather than spraying heavily over the top.
Then gently tousle the roots with your fingers.
This gives the haircut more texture and helps emphasize those shorter shaggy layers without making them look stiff.
Don’t try to arrange every piece perfectly. Some ends can turn outward while others sit closer to the head. That variation is part of what makes the haircut work.
Step 8: Finish Dry or Frizzy Ends
If your hair is naturally dry, gray, highlighted, or prone to frizz, finish with a tiny amount of VERB Ghost Weightless Fine Hair Oil.
Use less than you think you’ll need. Rub a small drop between your palms first, then lightly pinch it into the longer pieces around your fringe, sides, and nape.
Keep oil away from the crown and roots. That’s where you want to preserve your volume.
Once the ends look softer and more separated, you’re finished.
The 5-Minute Version
You don’t have to repeat the complete routine every morning.
On the second or third day, mist your roots lightly with water and add a little COLOR WOW Raise the Root if the crown has flattened overnight. Blow-dry the roots while lifting them with your fingers, then reshape your fringe and side pieces.
If the shaggy layers need more definition, spray a little Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray underneath the crown and tousle everything with your fingertips.
Finish by pinching the ends into place.
That’s it.
A Few Stylist Tips for Making Your Mixie Easier to Manage
The biggest mistake I see with short, layered hair is using too much product. You want enough product to support the shape of your haircut, but not so much that you can feel it sitting on your hair.
I also wouldn’t worry about making both sides perfectly symmetrical. A mixie shag benefits from a little imperfection. One side can tuck behind your ear while the other falls softly toward your cheek.
And whenever possible, use your fingers before reaching for another styling tool. Finger-styling keeps the layers soft and saves a considerable amount of time.
Most importantly, your haircut should be doing most of the work for you.
What to Ask Your Hairstylist For
If low-maintenance styling is important to you, tell your stylist.
Ask for a soft mixie shag with textured layers through the crown, wispy face-framing pieces, and slightly more length through the nape.
If your hair is fine, I would also ask your stylist to be conservative with thinning shears. Removing too much hair can make a short shag harder to style because there isn’t enough density left to support the shape.
A well-cut mixie shouldn’t require a complicated morning routine. With a little root lift, a quick blow-dry, and some texture through the ends, you should be able to get your hair into shape and get on with your day.
