All about mullet haircuts – choosing a type and styling

Resurgent is the mullet haircut, which combines a throwback aesthetic with contemporary flair. Once a mainstay of the 1970s and 1980s, this distinctive haircut is making a comeback with a striking, bold appearance. The mullet, with its longer back and shorter front and sides, has developed into a variety of styles to suit a wide range of preferences and character types.

Selecting the appropriate kind of mullet can accentuate your unique features and convey your personality. There is a mullet style for everyone, whether you like a more dramatic or understated take on the classic. And after you’ve cut it, styling it is the fun part that lets you add even more flair to your appearance.

This article will discuss the various mullet haircut styles and provide styling advice for looking flawless. The mullet gives you countless options for expressing yourself, whether you’re into the retro aesthetic or want to go modern.

What is a mullet haircut

Mullet is an English word. Mullet is a type of haircut that can be worn by men or women. It involves cutting the hair in the front and sides short while leaving the back long.

The mullet is a family of sea fish, so the name of the hairstyle is highly controversial, especially when translated from English. One account claims that the hairstyle’s name dates back to the 19th century, when American fishermen wore a unique haircut. Their long hair at the back shielded their neck from the chilly sea breeze, while their short hair on the sides and front did not obstruct their ability to work.

The veracity of this version of the "mullet" name’s origin cannot be confirmed, but it is possible to track the hairstyle’s evolution in the fashion industry with more accuracy. The hairstyle peaked in popularity in the 1970s and 80s of the previous century.

Russian and international rock musicians popularized the unusual hairstyle. David Bowie was one of the biggest supporters of the haircut, and later on, Paul McCartney, Viktor Tsoi, and Konstantin Kinchev also joined him.

Though it changed frequently, the hairstyle was popular for at least ten years. It all began with a short mullet; the back strands were only a few centimeters longer than the sides, which were cut shorter. However, as the 80s approached, the hair grew longer and the length differences became more noticeable. Although women eventually started wearing mullets, men were the first to do so.

Aspects of the mullet haircut include:

• Short temples and front;
• Long strands at the back – the brighter the contrast with the short sides, the better;
• Variable bangs – usually torn, curly or asymmetrical.

The image below gives you an idea of what a mullet hairstyle looks like; these are contemporary options. Below that, you’ll find information about who this haircut is suitable for and how to achieve it.

Is a women"s mullet in fashion

The mullet’s popularity started to wane in the late 1990s after American rapper Mike D, a member of the Beastie Boys, expressed disapproval of the haircut. Those who kept their hair cropped in the tradition of American fishermen faced derision and mockery. As a result, the look faded into obscurity for a protracted 20 years, only to reappear every so often as a byword for the worst haircut.

The mullet made a triumphant comeback to Europe in 2020 when it started to show up at fashion shows and accentuate celebrities’ red carpet looks.

Givenchy Summer/Spring Collection 2021

Milan’s Valentino SS2021 Show

It’s interesting to note that while the 80s fashion trend primarily impacted men, girls also fell victim to it in the 21st century. Because of how out of control the trend got, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un even outlawed mullet, labeling it as "non-socialist."

World celebrities enjoy their freedom and chop off their mullets, while the people of North Korea are denied the chance to sport a stylish hairstyle. Stars like Barbie Ferreira, Zendaya, Billie Eilish, and others have already given it a try.

The haircut is still popular in 2022; it was brought back to prominence in the West in 2020, but Russian girls are only now starting to adopt it. As a result, you don’t need to worry about it going out of style in the coming years.

Current styles

There are numerous ways to style the mullet haircut nowadays. Among the vogue right now:

• Short mullet. In this case, only 5-10 centimeters of the hair are left behind, and whiskey is shortened to 2-3 cm;

• Long mullet. Here the contrast between the strands is more pronounced, since the length of the hair at the back reaches 15 or even 25 centimeters. An example of a long mullet is Miley Cyrus"s hairstyle in 2020;

• With shaved temples. A rather extravagant and daring haircut in the spirit of street subcultures – a mullet with shaved temples. Thanks to the extremely shortened strands on the temples, the contrast with the back of the head is more pronounced, making the image rocker rebellious.

• "Under the pot". This option involves creating a clear contour around the circumference of the head – on the side and in the front, and lengthening at the back. The result is a tandem of the classic "pot" and mullet.

The mullet can be made more interesting by using various bang styles. The hairstyle complements these outfits nicely:

• Micro bangs. Micro bangs are extremely shortened strands in the forehead area, covering it only by a third;

• With a classic or elongated torn bangs;

• With thick oblique bangs.

Who will suit the mullet hairstyle

The versatility of the haircut is one of its key benefits. Mullet works well on all hair types, including thick, unruly, sparse, and thin hair. This hairstyle is appropriate if you need a haircut but don’t want to style it; a little carelessness only makes it more distinctive and original. It takes very little work to achieve.

Regarding facial shape, mullet complements all shapes but necessitates consideration of facial features.

• For a round face, a mullet with a voluminous crown is suitable, which will visually stretch the face and bring it closer to an oval. Bangs are acceptable, but only asymmetrical or oblique ragged;

• An oval face is harmonious with any type of haircut and mullet is no exception. A long and short option is acceptable, and even shaved temples;

• If the face is rectangular or square, try to soften the lines. A mullet with a minimum contrast of lengths will help with this. Focus on a style with elongated temples, and make the bangs torn;

• Complement a triangular face with a long mullet and be sure to do a voluminous hairstyle to balance the face.

For hair that is straight or curly, a mullet is ideal. The haircut will add volume in the second instance because of the deep thinning of the crown and temples, and it will help remove extra volume in the first case without ruining the curls.

A mullet for straight hair could resemble this:

And for curls that are wavy, here’s an option:

And naturally, a mullet with curls:

And here are a few choices for mullets with various hair tones, including red, brown, blonde, and brunette:

Mullet haircuts, which offer a distinctive fusion of edgy and classic vibes, are back in style. This article examines the various mullet styles—from the dramatic and bold to the sleek and contemporary—and offers helpful advice on how to match your personal style and face shape. You’ll discover the ideal mullet and discover easy styling techniques, whether your goal is to look like a rock star or simply want to jazz up your appearance.

How to do a mullet haircut

Firstly, we point out that it’s not a good idea to cut a mullet yourself. If you don’t want to do a mullet hairstyle yourself, the technology description provided below will help you accurately communicate to the hairstylist what outcome you want to achieve.

Any hairstyle will work as a foundation for a future mullet, with the exception of extremely short hedgehogs and leg-length haircuts like bobs when the back is free of long hair. For added contrast, short hair can be styled into a mullet or the temples can be shaved. For longer hair, experiment with different looks.

Technology used for execution:

1. Determine which strands on the back of the head will remain elongated – this is important so as not to cut off too much when cutting the sides;
2. Separate the temporal and parietal zone – fix each temple, and temporarily remove the parietal hair to the crown;
3. The first to cut is the occipital zone with a gradual transition to the crown. The task is to make a cascade with pronounced transitions;
4. The next zone will be the temples – they are cut much shorter than the back of the head;
5. At the end, the crown is cut, and then the bangs;
6. At the final stage, it is important to profile all the hair to make the transitions smoother, cascading.

There may be a small variation in the sequence and basic design of the haircut. Everything is dependent on the master’s technique and the type of haircut selected, such as whether to go for a long or short hairstyle or a mullet with or without bangs.

How to style a women"s mullet

If you don’t want to spend your mornings holding a hairdryer in front of the mirror, you can get a mullet haircut. The hairstyle looks put together even without any additional styling. Additionally, you can try any of the styling techniques listed below to add some diversity to the image.

Mullet with bangs

If you went with a style that featured a long, ripped bang, consider styling it back to accentuate the crown.

1. Wash your hair and dry it with a towel;
2. Using a hairdryer, dry the main part of your hair, and then start styling the bangs. Using a brushing comb, lift the bangs and pull them upward towards the back of the head, curling from the roots;
3. Fix the styling with hairspray.

After using a hairdryer to thoroughly dry the hair, you can also use a large-diameter curling iron to style the bangs.

Classic styling

Typically, a round brush and a hairdryer are used to style mullets:

1. Apply a heat-protective spray to minimize damage from the hot air of the hair dryer;
2. Starting from the lower layers of the haircut, curl the hair with a brush and pull it down, while drying it with a hairdryer;
3. After styling, fix the result with hairspray.

With smoothed temples

In order to create contrast with the length of the occipital strands and add volume to the crown area, you can occasionally smooth down the elongated temples in your hairstyle:

1. Dry clean hair with a hairdryer and a round brush;
2. Apply hair wax to completely dry strands in the temple area;
3. Using medium pressure, smooth the hair on the temples so that it fits tightly to the head.

Mullet-like haircuts

Despite being a distinctive cut, the mullet has a few "brothers" that are comparable styles that can be used as an alternative.

• Shaggy, eng. shaggy, shaggy. Shaggy is a multi-layered, almost torn haircut with protruding ends of strands. Like the mullet, it adds volume to the hair. The only difference is in the length of the temples – for a shag they are not shortened so much;

• Wolf cut, from English. "wolf haircut". This hairstyle is the result of mixing shag and mullet. Wolf haircut is shortened temples, long strands at the back and all this in a multi-layer technique. Wolfcut turns out a little careless, but very bright and youthful;

• Chelsea. Women"s Chelsea haircut can safely be called an extreme version of the mullet. The basis is the same contrast of the back of the head with the rest of the head. For Chelsea, almost all hair is cut short – usually under the machine, and the temple strands and the back of the head remain long;

• Gavroche. This retro hairstyle was especially popular among French women around the 70s. The characteristic features of this style are an elongated nape, medium temple strands and a short crown. Gavroche is a little less rebellious and is suitable when you don’t want to shock.

Questions

Are girls suited for the mullet hairstyle?

Teenage girls between the ages of 15 and 16 will look natural wearing this style. It appears distant and frequently uncomfortable on very young children. A short mullet with little variation in length is the exception.

Why is the mullet haircut considered to be Korean?

Celebrities from South Korea are among those who helped the haircut make a comeback in fashion. Ben Baekhyun and Kim Tae Hyun, members of the boy band BTS, were wearing it.

What new ways can a mullet be styled?

Apart from the previously mentioned options, the mullet can also be crazy volume on the crown or pulled back into a ponytail at the back of the head. Using a tiny curling iron to curl your hair is an additional option that will give you a 70s-inspired look. Try a variety of styling techniques; you’ll undoubtedly discover your own.

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One comment on “All about the mullet haircut – choosing a type and styling”

Daniil

Guys, since more and more guys are sporting the mullet these days, I insist that at least Oliver Tree, the singer, be included. Take a peek at his new hairdo!

Type of Mullet Haircut	Description
Classic Mullet	Short in the front, long in the back; a timeless look.
Modern Mullet	Updated with faded sides and a more refined finish.
Shaggy Mullet	Textured layers for a more relaxed, tousled appearance.
Curly Mullet	Perfect for naturally curly hair, adds volume and bounce.
Edgy Mullet	Bold, with sharp angles or dramatic contrasts in length.

The mullet haircut is making a big comeback because it offers a distinctive modern twist on retro fashion. There’s a mullet to fit every personality and type of hair, whether you’re drawn to its rebelliousness or its versatility. This hairstyle is a fun and daring choice because it allows for a variety of expressions, from the classic look to more modern variations.

Mullets come in a variety of styles, matching the cut itself. The mullet easily adjusts to your preferred style, whether it’s tousled waves, a sleek finish, or something in between. Finding the ideal balance that enhances your features and sense of style is crucial.

In the end, the mullet is a statement rather than just a haircut. It’s a tribute to personal style and a nod to a trend that’s simultaneously nostalgic and progressive. If you’re thinking about getting a mullet, seize the chance to show off your distinct sense of fashion and personality.