The Ultimate Guide to Mullet Haircuts: Styles, History & How to Rock One Today

Looking for mullet haircut inspiration? Discover the history, styles, face shape matches, and styling tips for modern mullet haircuts, me inclusive.

A Quick History of the Mullet

Business in the front, party in the back—the mullet haircut has returned. Once seen as the ultimate “bad haircut” of the 80s, the mullet is now making waves in fashion, TikTok, and even office-friendly styles. Whether you’re curious about its history, the different mullet types, or wondering if you can pull one off, this guide has you covered.

The mullet has been around longer than you think. Ancient warriors and fishermen wore similar styles for practicality—short hair at the front kept vision clear, while longer hair at the back offered protection. The style hit its peak in the 70s and 80s with icons like David Bowie and Billy Ray Cyrus. By the 2000s, it was considered outdated. Fast forward to today, and mullets are cool again, thanks to Gen Z, TikTok, and gender-fluid fashion.

Types of Mullet Haircuts

Classic Mullet – Neat in front, long at back, unapologetically bold.

Wolf Cut – TikTok’s favorite mullet-shag hybrid (Part shag, part mullet).

The wolf cut is the modern Mullet with softer, wearable blended layers that suits office life.

You could also wear it rock star vibes – wolf cut with textured layers (Messier).

Mini Mullet – Subtle, short, and low-maintenance(nape-length back, easy upkeep).

Length is much shorter overall the back only extends slightly past the nape of the neck. Layers still has the short front / longer back structure, but in a subtle, low-maintenance way. Some times it’s more about the visual balance than strictly following the “short front/long back” rule. I think this is the most office appropriate mullet hairstyle.

Fade Mullet – A barber’s twist with sharp edges and a blended fade.

A barber’s twist on the classic.
This mullet leans into sharp edges and clean fades, blending the sides seamlessly while keeping that signature mullet length in the back.

The new-age Fade Mullet is also not locked into the “long back” rule anymore. Barbers are remixing it so:

• The sides get that sharp, blended fade (low, mid, or high depending on the vibe).
• The back often stops at the nape, shorter than a traditional mullet — but the barber compensates with texture or volume, so it still has that “mullet silhouette.”
• The front or fringe can actually be longer than the back, which flips the old mullet formula (“party in the back”) into a modern, fashion-forward twist.

So in short → the Fade Mullet today is less about back length and more about contrast + attitude. It’s where barber precision meets playful styling.

Here is a video of me cutting shaping my afro hair into a mini mullet

Faux Mullet → created without cutting.

For when the mullet look is temporary, just styled in. A Faux Mullet is when you create the mullet illusion without the commitment of scissors. It’s all about clever styling. Basically—it’s a “weekend mullet” that vanishes by Monday morning.

Braids & Twists:

You can braid or twist the sides close to the scalp while keeping the back out.

Wigs/Extensions:

If you want to go bold but reversible, style a wig into a mullet shape.

Pins & Clips:

Pin back the sides tightly and leave the back loose to mimic the mullet’s shape.

Teasing/Texture:

Add volume at the crown and let the ends hang down for that mullet-y “party at the back” effect.

Who Suits a Mullet?

• Face Shapes:
  • Round → Mini mullet or wolf cut.

Why: Round faces don’t have much natural angle or definition, so haircuts that add height and dimension help.

A Mini Mullet keeps length in the back but avoids overwhelming the face, making it look slimmer.

A Wolf Cut has shaggy layers that add volume on top and around the crown, elongating the face and balancing the roundness.

Oval Face → Almost Any Mullet

• Why: Oval is considered the “universal” face shape because it’s naturally balanced (forehead slightly wider than chin, longer than wide).
  • Oval faces can pull off classic mullets, modern mullets, or even dramatic shags without looking “bottom heavy” or too angular.
  • The length and layers of a mullet complement the natural proportions instead of fighting them.

Square Face → Shag Mullet

• Why: Square faces have strong jawlines and angular features.
  • A Shag Mullet with choppy, textured layers helps soften those sharp lines and adds movement around the face.
  • The messy, feathered finish makes the overall look less rigid and balances the strong structure.

Heart Face → Softer Modern Mullet

• Why: Heart-shaped faces have a wide forehead and cheekbones with a narrower chin.
  • A Modern Mullet with gentle layering balances the top-heavy forehead area by pulling attention downward with subtle length at the back.
  • Softer edges around the jaw prevent the mullet from making the chin look too sharp or pointy.
• Hair Textures: Works for straight, wavy, curly, and coily hair.

Lifestyle Match:

• Corporate → Modern mullet and Mini Mullet.
• Creative → Wolf cut.
• Bold → Classic mullet.

Styling & Maintenance

Mullets can be low or high maintenance, depending on the cut.

• Daily Styling: Use lightweight gels, curl cream, or texture spray.
• Trims: Every 6–8 weeks to keep balance.
• Front Styling: Sleek with mousse or pomade.
• Back Styling: Let it flow with curl enhancers or sea salt spray

Celebrity & Pop Culture Inspo

• Past Icons: David Bowie, Billy Ray Cyrus.
• Modern Stars: Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, Tyla, K-pop idols.
• TikTok + Instagram have turned the mullet into a global trend once again.

FAQs About Mullets

• Are mullets professional? → Yes, if you choose a modern or mini mullet.
• How long does it take to grow one? → About 6 months for a noticeable difference.
• Can mullets be gender-neutral? → Absolutely. Mullets today are worn by everyone.

Conclusion

Mullets are more than just an 80s relic—they’re versatile, stylish, and surprisingly modern. Whether you want subtle or bold, there’s a mullet style for you. Thinking of trying one? Bookmark this guide for your next salon visit, and check out my DIY Living blog for more style inspo and practical beauty tips. I’ve got more fun coming your way.