The mullet has shed its novelty reputation. Today’s versions use tapers, fades, layering and natural texture to make the contrast between front and back feel intentional rather than accidental. This collection runs from a tidy slicked-back mullet with side undercuts and a back-combed faded style to wilder options: a spiky crown, a pompadour mullet, a mohawk hybrid with a V-shaped nape and a cut streaked in bright orange and red.
Texture decides a lot. Wavy and curly hair gives a mullet volume and movement with very little effort, which is why the shaggy curly versions here look so relaxed. Straight, fine hair can look flat in the long section, so extra layering or a matte paste helps. Men with a strong jaw or beard can carry a heavier back, while a short buzz-cut mullet keeps things neat for anyone who wants the silhouette without the length.
Plan for upkeep: faded and shaved sides need a barber visit every two to four weeks, while the back can be left to grow between trims.
1. Mid-Length Mullet Haircut
A mid-length mullet can look dated on its own, but tapered sideburns and well-groomed facial hair bring it straight back into fashion. The beard visually links the short sides to the longer back, giving the cut a deliberate, finished shape. Ask the barber to blend the taper into the beard line.
Inspiration: @Instagram
2. Shaggy Mullet for Wavy Hair
Rather than two sharply contrasting lengths, this wavy mullet keeps the top only slightly longer than the sides and relies on layers and a side-swept fringe. It is a softer take that flatters natural waves. A little sea-salt spray scrunched in while damp brings out the movement.
Inspiration: @Instagram
3. Extreme Dyed Mullet
Vivid green sides and ends cut through an otherwise traditional black mullet for a properly bold result. The central top section stays dark, which frames the neon and keeps the shape legible. Colour this bright needs pre-lightening and regular toning, plus colour-safe shampoo to slow fading.
Inspiration: @Instagram
4. Flipped Mullet
Naturally curly hair gives a short mullet distinctive flipped ends without any need for a curling iron or straightener. The curl pattern does the styling work, so the cut looks unique to its wearer. A light curl cream applied to wet hair keeps the flicks defined and controls frizz.
Inspiration: @Instagram
5. Spiky Mullet
Spiky texture concentrated at the crown sets the tone here, while the long back stays sleek and smooth. Starting the drama on top keeps the overall look balanced. Work a strong-hold wax through dry hair and twist small sections upward to build the spikes.
Inspiration: @Instagram
6. Pompadour Mullet Hairstyle
A pompadour at the front flows into a mohawk-style mullet with closely cut sides, merging two classic looks into one cut. Volume at the fringe needs a blow-dry with a round brush and a pomade or styling cream to hold the height through the day.
Inspiration: @Instagram
7. Slicked Back Mullet
Slicked back and kept fairly short, this layered mullet with side undercuts is about as business-friendly as the style gets. It suits workplaces where a wild cut would stand out too much. Comb a medium-shine pomade through damp hair and smooth everything away from the face.
Inspiration: @Instagram
8. Curly Mullet
Loose, imperfect curls dominate this mullet, proving how much texture shapes a haircut. The front stays short over undershaved sides, while the back is left long and springy. Curly hair needs moisture, so a leave-in conditioner and minimal brushing keep the coils intact.
Inspiration: @Instagram
9. Shaggy Mullet for Curly Hair
Shaggy curls get their shape from a medium-hold styling product, either a matte paste for a dry, textured finish or a wet-look gel for more definition. Apply to damp hair, rake through with fingers and let the curls set without touching them until fully dry.
Inspiration: @Instagram
10. Hair Design Mullet
An intricate shaved pattern runs from the front hairline all the way to the nape, showing how creative modern mullets can get. Designs like this need a skilled barber and fresh touch-ups every couple of weeks, as the lines blur quickly once the hair starts growing back.
Inspiration: @Instagram
11. Extra Long Mullet
Length is the headline in this mullet, which flows well past the shoulders while the temples are shaved close. It is memorable precisely because the back is so long. Keep the lengths healthy with regular conditioning and occasional dustings so the ends do not split.
Inspiration: @Instagram
12. Extreme Mullet with Shaved Sides
Shaved sides, a spiked top and an extra-long back create an extreme mullet that suits anyone wanting to show off scalp tattoos. Clipping the sides very short keeps any ink on display. Expect frequent barber visits to keep the shaved areas crisp.
Inspiration: @Instagram
13. Short Buzz Cut Mullet
Length is optional, as this short mullet shows. A tight buzz on top and at the sides is paired with a slightly longer nape, making it a low-maintenance option for coily hair. Regular line-ups keep the edges sharp, and a light oil adds shine.
Inspiration: @Instagram
14. Wavy Mullet
Natural waves turn this mullet into the opposite of the classic poker-straight eighties version. Letting texture show is a great way to make the cut personal. Avoid heavy products; a lightweight mousse or texturising spray lets the waves move freely.
Inspiration: @Instagram
15. Messy Mullet
A bedhead finish in the long back section gives this extra-long mullet a relaxed, slightly chic attitude. The messiness looks intentional because the front stays controlled. Rough-dry with fingers and finish with a dry texture spray rather than combing.
Inspiration: @Instagram
16. Mohawk Mullet
Mohawk and mullet, two eighties favourites, come together here in a surprisingly restrained short, spiky fauxhawk with a V-cut nape. It works for anyone who wants an edgy outline without going over the top. A matte paste pushed toward the centre defines the ridge.
Inspiration: @Instagram
17. Back-Combed Mullet
Combed straight back, this mullet with faded sides looks neat and polished, proving the cut can be refined in skilled hands. Use a comb and a light-hold pomade on damp hair, then let it dry in place for a smooth, groomed finish.
Inspiration: @Instagram
18. Faded Mullet
Faded sides on this black fauxhawk balance the fullness through the top and back, a modern alternative to the blunt short sides of older mullets. The gradual fade keeps the silhouette clean. Book touch-ups every two to three weeks to maintain the blend.
Inspiration: @Instagram
19. Bright-Colored Mullet
Chunks of bright orange and red, a flipped back and a spiky crown add up to a rock-star mullet that is impossible to miss. Warm shades fade quickly, so wash in cool water with sulphate-free shampoo and plan a colour refresh every few weeks.
Inspiration: @Instagram
What to tell your barber
- Say how long you want the back to sit: at the collar, shoulder-length or longer.
- Choose the sides: scissor-tapered, skin fade, low drop fade or shaved with a design.
- Ask for the top to be connected to the back with layers if you want a softer, modern shape, or kept disconnected for a bolder contrast.
- Bring a photo of a cut on hair with a similar texture to yours.
Styling a mullet day to day
For wavy or curly hair, scrunch a curl cream or sea-salt spray through damp hair and let it air-dry or use a diffuser. Straighter hair benefits from a matte clay or paste worked through the crown for texture, leaving the back loose. To make the cut office-friendly, comb the top back with a light-hold pomade and tuck the length behind the ears. Trim the back every six to eight weeks to keep the ends from looking stringy, and keep the neckline tidy between visits.