When it comes to iconic styles, the mullet is a men’s hairstyle that has become a popular fashion trend in recent years. The mullet haircut features short hair at the sides and front with longer hair on top and in the back, resulting in an edgy and stylish look. Starting in the 80s, mullet styles rose to fame off the back of the punk and glam rock eras, before transforming into a modern men’s hairstyle in the 90s.
Some men may want the mullet fade with shorter hair for a clean-cut and simple look, while others might need a long mullet with an undercut for a fashionable styling.
Here are some of our favorite mullet haircuts to inspire your next visit at the barbershop.
What Is A Mullet Haircut?
The mullet is a men’s hairstyle where the hair in the front and sides is cut short while the length is left long at the back. The modern mullet features a fade or undercut on the sides with short hair in the front and longer hair in the back for a trendy look.
Not only does the mullet haircut create a cool style with contrast, but the cut offers a flexible style that men and women love because it’s unique and rebellious.
The likes of David Bowie made it alternative, Andre Agassi made it sporty, and actors Mel Gibson and Rob Lowe made it mainstream, to the point where mullet styles continue to be visible to this day.
As one of the most iconic 80s haircuts for men, mullet hair is surprisingly flattering and fashionable.
Are Mullets Coming Back?
Yes, mullets are potentially coming back. Mullets may never be as popular as in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, but there is a resurgence at the moment. Aside from the fact that they are original and help people stand out from the crowd, a mullet is versatile and trendy.
The contrast between the different lengths means that this cut is perfect for people with thick or fine hair. A longer length provides a naturally textured style that is stylish and appealing, whereas you can use wax to tussle thin hair into the right shape.
Mullets are staging a comeback due to the fact they are unisex. Men and women benefit from a mullet style as it adds length to a round face and emphasizes your best features.
Mullet Haircut Styles
Modern Mullet
The modern mullet is a cool hairstyle for men who want a trendy version of the classic look, making it the perfect style if you want to experiment with the cut. Understated and flattering, a modern mullet haircut is elegantly original as there is still a transition from the front to the back.
Men who want to experiment with this hairstyle will want to get the modern cut. From short to long and messy to neat, the new age trend is always on-point without being over the top.
Classic Mullet
The classic mullet is a men’s haircut that can be described as “business in the front, party in the back” and was one of the most popular hair trends for men in the 80s. Celebrities with mullets included Billy Ray Cyrus, Charlie Sheen, Patrick Swayze, Mario Lopez, Brad Pitt, Kurt Russell, Jerry Seinfeld, Richard Dean Anderson and a number of musicians, actors, athletes and comedians. Famous mullets are the reason the haircut became mainstream, from hipsters to country boys.
Cool Mullet
A cool mullet is a modern hairstyle for guys with a fade or undercut on the sides and textured volume on top. These stylish mullet haircut styles can be tailored to fit your desired look, allowing you to pair the cut with a quiff, pompadour, mohawk or faux hawk. Guys can also leave their hair longer and slick back the top for a sleek look. When styling, you’ll want to use a light to medium-hold hair product to create a textured finish for a natural look.
Mullet Fade
The mullet fade has become one of the most popular haircut styles, offering a versatile and fresh cut that accentuates the styling on top. With so many different types of fades to choose from, the taper fade haircut offers a level of versatility and styling that brings this classic cut into the modern day. You can choose from a high, mid or low fade haircut on the sides to determine how edgy you want the cut to look.
The mullet fade haircut work well because the short hair on the sides gives the front and back contrast and attitude. When talking to your barber, you can take the cut a step further by asking for a skin, burst, drop or taper fade, resulting in a unique and fashionable touch.
While the burst fade creates an arc-shape around the head, the drop fade adds a trendy touch as it curves around the the ears and drops down to the neckline for an bold cut.
The burst fade mullet features another dimension and creates flair similar to the mohawk fade. With so many different types of mullets, you’ll want to experiment with these cool haircuts to find a style that looks good for you.
Undercut Mullet
The undercut mullet is a fresh style that combines smooth buzzed sides for a clean-cut sleek look. As an alternative to the fade haircut, undercut hairstyles are cut high and short on the sides but all one length as opposed to tapered. Versatile and fashionable, the mullet undercut styles well with all hair types, allowing you to spike up, comb over, or leave your cut messy and flowing.
Shaved Sides Mullet
The shaved sides mullet is an edgy men’s haircut that follows the same cut and styling as the mohawk. Badass and audacious, shaved sides afford you a fresh cut with no styling required, focusing the eyes on the mullet hair on top. If you’re unsure about this extreme hairstyle, start with a skin fade and then move to a mullet with shaved sides.
Short Mullet
The short mullet is easy to get, simple to style and doesn’t require much maintenance. Still trendy and rugged, mullets don’t have to be long to look good. Whether you prefer a Caesar cut, faux hawk, or a variation acceptable for business professionals, combining short hair with a mullet incorporates a casual element to your style.
Neatly trimmed with a fade or undercut on the sides and back, short mullet haircuts are more refined and clean-cut compared to messy wild styles. Don’t worry about not looking masculine or daring as you can mix a French crop with a mullet for a super smooth look.
Long Mullet
The long mullet is a bold hairstyle for guys who want extra length that can be reminiscent of quintessential 70s and 80s styles. The long mullet haircut often features a more classic take, but the look is flexible as it works well with straight, curly, thick, and fine hair. Plus, it’s very low-maintenance with enhanced volume and flow.
All you need to do is style the hair at the front and let the back relax for the ultimate mullet. Ask your barber to take the layers down at the end to prevent your hair from lacking limp.
Mohawk Mullet
The mohawk mullet is a cool look that naturally fits given the similar profiles of these styles. Ideal for guys who want their longer hair on top to be concentrated in the middle of their head, most men choose the mohawk mullet fade.
This variation skips the shaved sides and adds a taper fade haircut for a less dramatic cut. The final hairstyle is still edgy and unique, but more universal.
Fashion Mullet
A fashion mullet takes this trend to another level. Usually, it involves a high skin fade and colored hair for a daring high-fashion look. Guys can experiment with different hair colors, including blonde, platinum, white, silver, and rose gold. Moreover, you can elevate the haircut with hair designs on the sides, a line up to shape the hairline, and a rugged designer beard.
Curly Mullet
The curly mullet is a popular haircut for guys with curls who want to showcase their unique hair type. The curly hair mullet complements the change in length at the back brilliantly. Naturally bouncy, curls add texture and firmness without taking away from the hair at the front and your face. Growing your hair out at the back lets you show off your curls where most haircuts try and keep them in the background.
Straight Hair Mullet
The straight hair mullet is the most popular version because it is easy to get and low-maintenance to style. A straight hair mullet haircut can be paired with a fade, undercut or shaved sides to achieve the perfect look. Whether you have short or long straight hair on top, you can choose to style your mullet messy, brushed back or feathered. With minimal effort, you only need to focus on styling the front where a strong pomade or wax can help to create volume and lift.
Thick Hair Mullet
The thick hair mullet is a versatile haircut that comes with plenty of styling options. Most mullet styles concentrate on the back because it’s longer, but the volume at the front means you can experiment with many different looks. A quiff is an excellent example as it combines a traditional mullet with a modern twist, as does a comb back. For men who hate the styling part, you can let your embrace the messy, ruffled look or cut in layers.
Wavy Mullet
The wavy mullet is a great way to to take advantage of your beautiful waves and create a fashionable style. The wavy hair mullet has been rocked by many famous celebrities, including Bradley Cooper. Textured and trendy, your waves can make your style appear casual and effortless. Wavy hairstyles do involve some styling, but you can get a relaxed look by brushing it over towards the back and sides.
Permed Mullet
The permed mullet pairs two classic 80s hair trends that are making a comeback right now. The man perm curls hair and adds texture, volume, and styling to otherwise dull straight hair.
While you can perm all your hair, some guys prefer a mullet with the perm in the back. With different ways to curl, twist and style this look, you can change up your hairstyle every other day.
Bleached Mullet
Bleach is vivid on its own, so you get an extremely colorful and bold cut when you pair it with a mullet. This version works best for men who prefer a mod/rock vibe as it brings back memories of Paul McCartney and Ziggy Stardust. Remember to use hydrating hair products as dye sucks the moisture of your locks.
Faux Hawk Mullet
The faux hawk mullet is often created with faded sides and long hair on top that is spiked up. If the mohawk is too extreme, the fohawk mullet can get you a similar shape and styling without the shaved sides.
Mullet with Bangs
Bangs add a futuristic feel to a mullet. The statement fringe at the front is almost disconnected from the back, making the style incredibly unique. If you don’t want straight or blow-dried bangs, you can opt for curtains instead. This will provide a more textured cut as the layers will give volume and lift.
Pompadour Mullet
The pompadour mullet combines classic and modern to create a chic hairstyle for men. Often faded on the sides to highlight the long hair on top, use a matte styling product for a natural, textured pompadour in the front. Fun yet classy, a mullet with a pomp offers flair and personality to your style.
Stylish Mullet
What makes a stylish mullet great is the fact that you can combine styles and hair products. Choppy layers transform dull hair into a textured, messy style that is preferred by the likes of Orlando Bloom.
However, soccer players such as David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo use gel and wax to switch up their cuts. Beckham’s mullet is particularly stylish as it’s long and slicked back all over.
Side Mullet
The side mullet encompasses a variety of styles. Whether you want side swept bangs, the hair in the middle parted to one side, or the longer hair in the back combed to one side, this type of mullet hairstyle will stand out anywhere.
Hipster Mullet
A hipster mullet is any variation of the haircut that takes a unique approach to create a cool style that stands out. Excellent examples of this clean-cut look with a stylish twist include the comb over mullet or the same cut with a pomp. Pair with a fresh fade, shape up, and well-groomed full beard for an elegant finish.
Spiky Mullet
A spiky mullet looks great with short and medium length hair on top. As an alternative to a messy or feathered hairstyle in the front, use a strong styling product like pomade or wax to spike up your mullet. By boosting volume and height, you’ll have styled a trendy mullet.
Mullet with Beard
A mullet with a beard is a brilliant example of how to rock a short, subtle cut. Letting the hair touch the nape of your neck while the rest of your hair is short is discreet, yet this allows your beard to shine through. Rocking a beard is well worth considering if it’s thick and your hair is fine as it incorporates volume.
Mullet and Mustache
Beards are more popular, but a mustache gives a mullet an unique masculine feel that other types of facial hair can’t. A handlebar mustache is reminiscent of Hulk Hogan and 80s wrestling, and it doesn’t get much manlier.
Euro Mullet
A European mullet uses a side-fade along with a faux hawk in the front and back. Like a mohawk, a faux hawk is a lot softer and more elegant, which is what you’d expect. David Beckham was the poster boy for this type of mullet, but you don’t have to be a European to pull it off. Zac Efron has made it work for a while thanks to his textured hair.
Feathered Mullet
The feathered mullet is the type of style you would have found in the 80s. Feathered hair is light and voluminous, maximizing height and flow with a messy styling. Not as common today unless you’re attending an 80s themed party, feathered hair mullets are best achieved with medium-length to longer hair all over.
Kids Mullet
A kids mullet can be cute and adorable, full of personality that reflects your little boy’s rambunctious and wild personality. Your boy’s mullet will follow much of the same cut and styling, with tapered short hair on the sides and longer hair on top and in the back.
Boost volume, flow and texture with a light hair product and let your boy enjoy a handsome mullet hairstyle. Soften the cut as appropriate and take advantage of your child’s beautiful natural locks.
How To Grow A Mullet
To grow a mullet, you’ll need a couple inches of hair around the circumference of your head. As a rule, it’s better to have a longer style when you go to a barber or stylist as they’ll have more room for error.
The key is to be specific about what you want as there are tons of mullet variations. If you want the modern look, the difference in length shouldn’t be as pronounced, but you can use a low fade on the sides for contrast. An excellent tip is to avoid a rat tail at the back.
When this happens, you lose the balance between the front and back, and your mullet won’t have the same pop. To style, you add wax to the hair at the front and mold into the shape of your choosing, whether that’s a spiky effect or a pompadour-like style.
