The Modern Mullet Haircut For Men and How To Style Them

Let's clear up a massive myth right off the bat: you don't need the jawline of a Greek god to wear this look, but it does require a bit of tailored wizardry from your stylist.

Because the classic mullet architecture removes weight from the sides while retaining length through the back and crown, it draws the eye vertically. If you've got a square, diamond, or heart-shaped face, you've basically hit the genetic jackpot for this cut. The extra length at the nape softens sharp angles, while the texture up top adds instant balance.

If you have a rounder face, the key is keeping the sides super tight and building height at the crown to elongate your profile. For oval faces, pretty much anything goes—though you'll want to avoid going too sparse around the temples unless you fancy looking like you've accidentally joined a synth-pop band from 1984.

Beyond bones, it suits anyone ready to trade rigid, heavily-gelled side parts for something with genuine movement and grit. If you like hair you can run your fingers through without breaking a hard cast of hairspray, you're in the right place.

This style is defined by a skin fade that curves in a semicircle around the ears (a "burst" pattern), leaving length behind the ear to flow down into the back. The clean skin fade on the sides draws immediate focus to the length and volume at the back and top, giving traditional retro length a sharp, modern streetwear edge.

Tailored specifically for naturally wavy, curly, or coily hair, a curly mullet cut keeps the sides tightly tapered or faded to eliminate unwanted bulk around the temples. The length at the back lets curls cascade naturally down the neck, while the top maintains soft, voluminous height that requires minimal effort beyond a hydrating curl cream or sea salt spray.

The micro mullet features minimal contrast between the front, sides, and back. The hair at the nape of the neck extends just an inch or two past the crown length—enough to frame the neckline without full, dramatic flow. Paired with soft tapered sides and a short textured crop on top, it offers a neat, business-casual silhouette from the front with a hint of retro edge at the back.

Somewhere between a shag and a mullet, this one leans into chaos on purpose. The crown stays full and layered while the ends taper off behind the ears, so it never quite settles into one shape; which is precisely the appeal for anyone bored of "tidy."

Proof a mullet doesn't have to announce itself the second you walk in. Soft, centre-parted fringe frames the face, almost demure, borrowing more from '90s heartthrob than rock rebellion. Then you catch the back view, and you remember what you actually signed up for.

No half measures here. The sides go all the way to bare skin, leaving a sharp, clean line before the eye travels up into the texture on top. That stark contrast makes the length at the back feel deliberate rather than like an afterthought nobody tidied up.

Two rebellious haircuts that, by rights, shouldn't get along, somehow fuse into something that works. The sides vanish into a tight fade, the centre stands to attention, and instead of stopping there, the length just keeps going into a proper mullet tail. Equal parts 1982 punk show and next Tuesday.

The fringe is cut with almost architectural precision. It's blunt, straight, and unmissable, while the sides fade in tight beneath it. The back, meanwhile, is left to do its own thing entirely, falling into longer, wavier layers. A cut that argues with itself at every angle and wins.

Height at the front, history at the back. This one borrows its posture from an era of pomade and perfectly set waves, lifting into a tall, swept-back shape while the sides taper tight to keep it looking sculpted. Then it tacks on a length nobody from that decade would've dared wear.

Most mullets end in a blunt, slightly apologetic shrug. This one doesn't, because the back tapers to an actual point, giving the length real shape and direction. Paired with faded sides and texture on top, it feels more finished than the usual shaggy mullet silhouette.

Before you let anyone unleash a pair of shears near your scalp, you need an honest sit-down about hair density—the actual number of strands packing out your head.

• Thick, Dense Hair: You're in luck, but your barber needs to do some serious debulking inside the cut. Without proper weight removal through the crown, a mullet can quickly puff out into an uncontrollable helmet shape rather than falling with piecey separation.

• Fine or Thinning Hair: Approach with a light touch. Because this cut relies on chopping away the sides, removing too much weight on fine hair can leave the length at the back looking thin and ratty. Ask for soft point-cutting to build maximum texture up top without sacrificing the baseline thickness at the nape.

Your natural hair pattern dictates everything about your morning routine. The golden rule here is working with what grows out of your head rather than wrestling it into submission every single day.

Straight Hair Mullet

When dealing with bone-straight strands, the various types of mullet haircut rely heavily on structural layering to generate movement. Straight hair can flop flat quickly, so you'll want sea salt sprays and matte clays in your daily arsenal. Scrunch them into damp roots and blow-dry on medium heat to create that coveted lived-in grit.

Curly Hair Mullet

Blessed with natural spring? A curly hair mullet is practically cheat-mode for this trend. Curls give natural volume to the crown and create a soft, cascading fall along the neck. The main battle here is keeping frizz under control while maintaining definition. Ditch heavy, drying styling gels and lean into hydrating leave-in conditioners and light curl creams to keep those coils defined and touchable.

Now for the reality check. The modern mullet is designed to look delightfully undone, but achieving that level of "I just woke up looking this cool" actually takes a small amount of strategy.

Because the geometry of the cut relies on a specific ratio between the tight sides and the longer back, you'll need a neat-up every four to six weeks. Leave it too long without a trim, and that sleek balance quickly slides into unkempt territory.

Your wash-day routine is equally critical to keep the scalp clean and the longer ends looking intentional rather than straw-like. For your quick, high-performance washes, reaching for Dove Men+Care Fresh & Clean 2in1 Shampoo+Conditioner keeps the scalp fresh and energised while delivering light, weightless conditioning that won't weigh down your volume.

If your scalp needs a bit of a reset or you're focusing on hair strength and scalp health, swap in Love Beauty & Planet Onion, Blackseed & Patchouli Shampoo. Its sulfate-free, botanical formula gently cleanses while strengthening strands—giving the crown and fringe that touchable, natural grit without stripping away essential moisture.

Once a week—especially if you're using heat tools, diffusors, or salt sprays—treat the longer tail at the back to TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Deep Smoothing Mask. It rehydrates tired ends, seals the cuticle, and keeps the longer back section looking glossy, healthy, and intentionally styled rather than neglected.