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Is Jodie Comer’s modern 'shag' the most flattering haircut for all ages?

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Jodie Comer is the latest celebrity to get a hair makeover, courtesy of hair stylist Sam McKnight, who posted a picture of Comer’s new choppy mid-length haircut to Instagram with the caption: “@jodiecomer left my kitchen a few inches lighter this evening.”

What inspired the actress's new look? "Jodie wanted a change from long heavy hair, so I thought she’d look great with some seventies inspired feathering. Long layers are very flattering and endlessly versatile, making an up-do easier and less severe," explains McKnight.

He adds, "These days it’s very important to have hair that moves, hair that is easy to change instantly - I’m a great believer that with all the brilliant technology, products and information we know have, the modern woman should have at least five easily achieved looks at her own fingertips."

As with all great haircuts these days, Comer's style was cut intuitively. He told The Telegraph "I spent a couple of hours cutting the layers into Jodie’s natural texture, keeping it a little uneven, a bit more rock and roll."

Thankfully, this modern take on the 'Shag' made popular by the likes of Chrissy Hynde and Jennifer Aniston in Friends, is as low maintenance as it gets, creating texture and movement with shears alone. In fact, it’s designed to be blasted with a hairdryer and left to do its own thing, a brilliant solution for the time poor among us.

McKnight finished Comer's new style using his own range of hair styling products including his Cool Girl Barely There Texturizing Mist and Happy Endings, a light-as-air smoothing cream that gives the subtlest sheen to flyaways.

The textured hairstyle was recently seen on the catwalk at Victoria Beckham and yet it stands the test of time - Blondie, Chrissy Hynde and Miley Cyrus have all had versions of the shag.

Goldie Hawn - Getty
Goldie Hawn - Getty

The best thing about having a choppy haircut is its ability to soften facial contours, as demonstrated by the likes of Jane Fonda, Goldie Hawn and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, making it enduringly flattering for all ages.

What should you ask your hairdresser for? The basic formula of the shag is a long curtain fringe, or one that's full and tapered at the outer edges with layers around the face and often at the nape of the neck, which helps to create shape and movement. If you have thick hair, stylists will often chop into the ends to soften the edges. Yet if your hair is fine it's best to avoid thinning scissors or razoring techniques as this can leave hair looking flat.

Styling a choppy haircut is down to three things: taming frizz, adding volume and enhancing texture. If you don't possess much natural texture then this is where a texturising spray comes in handy as it will give hair separation and staying power. A mousse or volumising spritz is best for thin hair to give root lift while a cream or oil smoothed minimally through the ends will calm fluffiness for a professional finish.

The thing to remember with all great haircuts is to apply your styling products with a light touch for that elusive blend of undone refinement.

3 of the best styling products for creating texture

Sam Mcknight Cool Girl Barely There Texture Mist, £25; OUAI Finishing Crème, £20; Zhoosh Foam £12
Sam Mcknight Cool Girl Barely There Texture Mist, £25; OUAI Finishing Crème, £20; Zhoosh Foam £12

OUAI Finishing Crème, £20

Sam Mcknight Cool Girl Barely There Texture Mist, £25

Zhoosh Foam £12