The Modern Mullet Haircut: What to Ask For, Styles, Maintenance & More

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Look effortlessly cool with this modern take on the mullet

Co-authored by Martin Nepton and Bailey Cho

Last Updated: October 6, 2024 Fact Checked

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What is a modern mullet haircut?

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Asking for a Modern Mullet Haircut

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Popular Styles

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Styling & Maintenance

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Frequently Asked Questions

The modern mullet is a softer version of the old-school mullet that we all know and love, making it the ultimate haircut for rockstars, athletes, and anyone who loves to break the rules. It’s super easy to maintain and suits a variety of hair textures, so if you’ve been wanting to switch up your style, look no further! In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the modern mullet haircut, including how to style, maintain, and ask your barber for the look.

An Overview of the Modern Mullet

The modern mullet features short hair on the front and sides, with longer hair in the back. To get the look, decide on the longest and shortest part of the haircut, then ask for gradual layers from front to back. Get creative with different styles, such as the modern mullet fade or the curly modern mullet.

Section 1 of 5:

What is a modern mullet haircut?

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The modern mullet is short at the front and sides and longer in the back. It’s an updated version of the bold and daring style that’s been loved for decades. Modern mullets feature short hair on the front and sides of the head, with longer hair in the back, but they’re worked into styles that include fades, texture, and other popular trends.^{[1]
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- Modern mullet vs classic mullet: Unlike a classic mullet, the modern mullet is softer. The transition between the front and back is much more blended, and it can be adapted to suit straight, wavy, or curly hair.

Section 2 of 5:

How to Ask for a Modern Mullet Haircut

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Request the modern mullet by name and bring reference photos. According to professional hair stylist Martin Nepton, you should “decide how long [you want] the shortest part of the haircut and how long [you want] the longest part of the haircut.” Then, you can ask for a soft, gradual transition in the layers from front to back. Have the sides faded for more contrast, keep them longer for a shaggier style, or add a step (which is a cross between the two).
- Show your barber reference photos of modern mullet haircuts that have the graduation and styling you like. Do you want the sides faded or more choppy? Are you going to push back the fringe? The key to a flattering haircut is to be clear about what you want!

Section 3 of 5:

Variations of the Modern Mullet

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Modern Mullet Fade The faded mullet features short sides that blend seamlessly into the longer back, making it a perfect choice for those who want a fresh twist on the classic mullet. You can ask for a low fade for a subtle transition or a high fade for a bold and dramatic look.^{[2]
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- To maintain the crisp fade, you’ll need to visit your barber regularly for touch-ups.
If you have naturally curly hair, you can still rock the modern mullet trend. In fact, curls add a more dynamic and carefree look, making the style more texturally interesting. Just apply curl cream or mousse to damp hair to form ringlets and set everything in place.^{[3]
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This version of the modern mullet is probably the easiest to maintain. Just ask your barber to add lots of layers for an effortlessly cool and rugged look, then style your strands with sea salt spray, pomade, or another texturizing product of choice.^{[4]
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For a bold and edgy style, ask your barber to trim the sides super short while leaving the back long. The sharp contrast between the two lengths is a daring choice that’s sure to grab attention!^{[5]
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The shaggy mullet is a popular choice for those who want a laid back, rockstar-inspired look. It features tousled layers and a fuller fringe, which can be styled with sea salt spray, pomade, or any texturizing product of your choice.^{[6]
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With heavy layers that add volume and movement, this haircut is a wild spin on the classic mullet. The top and sides are trimmed short and choppy, gradually transitioning into the longer, tousled hair in the back.^{[7]
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This trendy and voluminous style is ideal for those with a lot of length on top. Start with towel-dried hair and comb your hair backward from your forehead. Work some pomade between your fingers, then use it to slick the sides back. Finish styling the pompadour by arranging your hair to your liking and sealing the strands in place with a matte paste.^{[8]
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If you want to experiment with an edgier ‘do, this punk rock take on the mullet is just for you! It incorporates heavy contrast, volume, and texture, with pointed spikes of hair from front to back. Just keep your hair at a short to medium length so it doesn’t look cartoonish, and secure the spikes with some strong hold gel.^{[9]
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Strike the perfect balance between edgy and effortless with this modern mullet style. It features a structured mohawk strip running from the forehead to the nape of the neck, combined with layered hair on the sides and back. You can sport a crisp and clean version, or let it grow out and style it with mousse or gel.^{[10]
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For a fresh out of the shower look, apply mousse to damp hair, then spread gel from the roots to the ends. The gel will dry into your strands to give you the wet effect. If you have wavy or curly hair, use the end of a sectioning comb to define your waves and pull out some pieces in the front.^{[11]
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Section 4 of 5:

Styling & Maintaining a Modern Mullet Haircut

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Visit your barber every 6 to 8 weeks to trim your mullet. The longest length of hair is anywhere between 2 inches to 6 inches (5.1 cm to 15 cm) for a modern mullet, which means you can go in for a trim every 6 to 8 weeks. If you have short bangs or sides, you might have to visit your barber every 3 to 4 weeks (depending on how fast your hair grows).^{[12]
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- You can always grow out your modern mullet for a messy and effortless look, or teach yourself how to trim the sides or cut bangs at home.
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Brush your hair and blow dry it with a diffuser attachment. While your hair is damp, position your curls where you want them to live and diffuse them. Hold your blow dryer a few inches away from your hair and point the nozzle downward to minimize frizz. Repeat this process until your mullet is the perfect shape.
- Before blow drying, apply a heat protectant spray over your hair, avoiding the scalp area.
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Use sea salt spray, gel, or pomade to style your modern mullet. If you have fine or straight hair, apply sea salt spray over damp hair to add some texture. Let your hair air dry or blow dry it with a diffuser attachment. To keep the look in place, warm up a dime-sized amount of pomade or light-to-medium hold gel in your hands and run it through the ends of your hair. This will create an effortlessly cool and piecey look!
- Alternatively, use a matte clay or other texturizing product to achieve the look you want.
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Apply curl cream or mousse to enhance your natural hair texture. If you have naturally wavy or curly hair, apply a quarter-sized amount of curl cream or mousse to damp hair. Use your fingers to work the product through your hair, arranging it to your desired shape. Then, blow dry your hair with a diffuser attachment and spritz a flexible hair spray to seal the look.
- Pull out and twist some pieces around the face, then use a styling balm to secure it in place.

Section 5 of 5:

Modern Mullet Haircut Frequently Asked Questions

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Mullets started rising to mainstream fame in the 1970s and reached peak popularity in the 1980s. It became a symbol of rebellion and nonconformity, especially among white men who played hockey or rock music.^{[13]
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Research source} It faded in popularity during the 1990s and early 2000s, but celebs started wearing modern variations in the mid-to-late 2010s.
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How long does it take to grow a mullet? On average, hair grows at a rate of 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) per month, and you need to grow your hair out between 2 inches to 6 inches (5.1 cm to 15 cm) long. That means it can take anywhere from 4 to 12 months to grow a mullet, depending on your age, race, diet, stress levels, and other factors.^{[14]
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- Generally, you want to keep the back around 4 inches (10 cm) longer than the front.
While the classic mullet started with famous artists like David Bowie, Paul Young, and Billy Ray Cyrus, celebs like Miley Cyrus, Scarlett Johansson, Doja Cat, Zendaya, Rihanna, Troye Sivan, Paul Mescal, Jacob Elordi, Zac Efron, and Joe Keery have rocked the modern version in recent times.
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What face shapes look best with a modern mullet haircut? The modern mullet suits a variety of face shapes, but it’s especially flattering for those with oval, round, or square faces. With that being said, you can always style the longer hair on top in a way that complements your face shape, or customize the texture to accommodate your natural hair.^{[15]
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- After you determine your face shape, talk to your barber to see what style suits you. They can offer advice on what works well with your hair texture and length.