Business in the front, party in the… wait—what year is it?!
It wasn’t too long ago that the mullet was the haircut people joked about—the punchline, the “what were we thinking?” moment of 80s style. Fast-forward to today, and suddenly the once-cringeworthy cut has become one of the most requested looks in salons. What happened? The mullet didn’t just come back… it evolved. The modern mullet haircut is softer, shaggier, more intentional, and surprisingly wearable for different hair textures and personality types.
Let’s rewind, shall we? Think back to David Bowie’s androgynous glam-rock shape, Billy Ray Cyrus’s country version, and 80s teen idols who wore the look like a badge of rebellion. Today’s mullet revival has its own icons: Miley Cyrus, Zendaya, K-Pop stars like TXT’s Yeonjun, and even TikTok creators who turned it into a genderless, edgy staple.
Maybe you’re thinking about getting one and want to know exactly what you’re signing up for. Or maybe you already have a mullet and you’re trying to figure out how to style it without looking like you time-traveled from a 1987 concert tour. Either way, you’re in the right place.
Below, we break down how to mullet haircut options, how to cut and style them, and how to keep yours looking chic (not ironic).
The mullet: a haircut that breaks the rules
A mullet is built on contrast: shorter at the front and sides, longer in the back. It doesn’t follow traditional haircut rules, and that’s exactly the point. Instead of creating symmetry or a clean blend from root to ends, the shape leans into uneven lengths to create personality and movement.
Where other cuts aim for balance, a mullet creates interest through imbalance. The shorter layers around the face can look like a bob, a shag, or a cropped cut, while the longer back adds length, texture, or softness depending on how it’s styled.
Today’s mullet isn’t stuck in the past. Modern versions use softer transitions and light layering, which makes them easier to wear for different hair textures and densities. It’s a haircut that adapts to the person wearing it and shows up differently depending on how it’s styled each day.
5 modern mullet haircuts for women
Whether you want something dramatic or something you can downplay when needed, there’s a version designed to fit how you live with your hair—not just how it looks the day you cut it.
1) The soft wolf cut
Source: Butchers Salon
This is the mullet that went viral, and for good reason. The soft wolf cut uses face-framing layers and feathered volume to give texture without exposing hard lines. It’s shorter around the crown and sides, but the transition into length is more gradual than a classic mullet. The result feels undone without looking messy. Best for wavy and curly hair that benefits from weight removal at the top. On straight hair, it may need a little styling help—texture sprays, matte pomades, or subtle waves go a long way in making the layers visible without crunch or stiff hold.
2) The shag mullet (shullet)
Source: Pinterest
The “shullet” blends shag-like layers with the classic mullet silhouette, giving movement at the crown and a soft, lengthier back. It frames the face with airy, wispy finishes and feels more editorial than retro. If you want a haircut that can shift from casual to high-fashion styling, this version has range.
This cut works well for people who love bangs, whether blunt, wispy, curved, or micro. It brings attention to the eyes while keeping the back loose and free. It’s versatile with heat-styling but especially flattering when air-dried with a curl cream or wave spray that enhances natural bends.
3) The curly mullet
Source: Hermosa Hair
Designed specifically for texture, the curly mullet is all about sculpting shape without weighing curls down. Shorter layers on the top and sides open up the face, while the longer back keeps curl pattern intact and adds bounce. The cut helps curls fall into shape naturally without stacking too much volume at the crown.
This style thrives on moisture and definition products rather than heavy oils or thick creams. A lightweight gel or curl foam can hold shape without flattening or hardening the curl. The more natural body the hair has, the more interesting and dynamic the overall silhouette becomes.
4) The micro mullet
Source: Byrdie
A micro mullet takes the length down dramatically, keeping only a short tail at the nape. Instead of relying on length for drama, it uses shape and texture. The front can resemble a pixie, while the back adds a subtle flick or soft drop of length. It’s an expressive cut that works especially well for those who like statement bangs, chopped edges, or undone texture. Since there’s less length to balance mistakes, it’s a cut that benefits from a professional stylist rather than a DIY attempt. Styling is simple: matte waxes or texture pastes accentuate the layers and make the shape more intentional.
5) The long mullet
Source: Latest Hairstyles
The long mullet keeps significant length in the back and mid-lengths while introducing strategic layering around the crown, face, and sides. It gives movement without sacrificing length, making it a good choice for anyone who wants mullet energy without fully committing to a shorter crop. This cut is ideal for wavy or straight hair that needs help creating shape. Because the bulk of hair remains long, styling options stay flexible—half-up looks, braids, beach waves, or blow-dried volume all work with minimal effort. Maintenance is lighter too; trims focus on the shorter layers rather than the full length.
When choosing between these styles, the biggest factor is how much shaping you want in the front and how much length you’re willing to keep in the back. The modern mullet is anything but one-size-fits-all, and these variations allow the haircut to adapt to personality, lifestyle, and hair type.
How to cut a mullet (DIY… but seriously, consider a salon)
A mullet relies on deliberate imbalance, which means shaping it isn’t as simple as chopping the back or shortening the front. If you’re determined to try a DIY version, the goal should be creating structure, not just removing length. The cut lives or dies by how cleanly the layers transition from short to long, so approach the process with patience and a plan.
Here’s a simplified way to attempt a mullet at home:
- Start with damp hair so curls, waves, and straight pieces fall in their natural direction.
- Section the hair into two main areas: front/crown and back. Clip the back out of the way—this is where length will stay intact.
- Cut the front and sides first, using small vertical snips rather than straight, horizontal cuts. This keeps the transitions soft instead of boxy.
- Shape the crown area, removing weight in small increments. Always cut less than you think you need to; heavy-handed cutting is the fastest path to a choppy bowl shape.
- Release the back, and only trim it if needed for split ends or uneven tails.
- Blend lightly at the connection point, where the short top meets the longer tail. Point-cutting or shear-over-comb techniques help avoid a harsh line.
The biggest mistake DIYers make is treating the mullet like a short haircut in the front and long hair in the back, without paying attention to how those two worlds meet. The magic isn’t in the tail; it’s in the shaping around the face and crown. That’s also where it’s easiest to mess up.
If you want something more structured (like a micro mullet or shag mullet), visiting a salon is worth it. A stylist understands how your texture, density, and face shape affect the cut, and they can tailor the mullet so it works with your features instead of fighting them. A professional can also set the foundation so you can maintain it yourself with minor trims later on.
How to style a mullet (5 ways)
A mullet can look effortless, undone, polished, grungy, or glam depending on how it’s styled. That versatility is its real appeal—but the styling needs to support the shape, or else it can flatten out, puff up, or look more accidental than intentional. The right products and techniques depend on your texture and how defined you want the cut to appear.
Here’s how to style a mullet so it feels current, not costume.
For natural volume + texture
Mullets thrive when the layers around the crown and face have lift. If your hair has natural movement (waves or curls), embrace it rather than blow it flat.
How to style it:
- Apply a lightweight curl cream, foam, or gel to damp hair.
- Scrunch or twist sections to define shape.
- Air-dry or diffuse for more lift.
- Break up any crunchy cast with a pea-sized drop of hair oil rubbed between fingertips, focusing only on the ends.
Pro tip: Avoid heavy butters or thick oils—they weigh down the shorter pieces and can hide the haircut’s structure.
For sleek + intentional definition
A mullet doesn’t have to be messy. You can go sleek or edgy by smoothing the top while keeping movement in the back.
How to style it:
- Blow-dry the crown with a round brush or styling comb.
- Apply a small amount of smoothing cream or serum to tame frizz.
- For the tail, add wave spray or texturizing mist to encourage separation and movement.
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Finish: Use a flexible-hold hairspray to keep sleek areas in place without freezing the tail.
For maximum texture (“model off-duty” look)
This is the lived-in, tousled mullet that looks like it styled itself—spoiler: it didn’t.
Products you’ll need:
- Matte clay, texture paste, or dry shampoo powder (for grit)
- Sea salt spray or texture mist (for movement)
How to style it:
- On dry hair, spray the mid-lengths and back with texture spray or sea salt mist.
- Use fingertips (never a brush) to lift and separate the crown area.
- Add a pea-sized amount of paste to short layers, scrunching toward the roots to highlight the cut.
Avoid: heavy waxes—they clump and make everything look greasy.
For curly mullets
Curly mullets rely on bounce and definition. Moisture is key, but so is shape.
How to style it:
- Apply leave-in conditioner + lightweight mousse or curl foam.
- Diffuse on low heat, lifting the crown.
- If curls shrink too tight around the forehead, stretch them gently while drying.
Best finisher: a tiny amount of serum on the ends—not at the roots.
For straight fine hair
The biggest challenge is volume. Without lift, the cut can look flat in the front and stringy in the back.
How to style it:
- Start with volumizing mousse at the roots.
- Blow-dry lifting sections upward with a round brush.
- Once dry, use a tool like the TYME Iron Pro to bend the shorter layers forward and flick the longer tail slightly outward. This creates movement without losing root lift.
- Finish with texturizing spray in the back to give separation.
Skip: oils and heavy creams; they collapse the shape.
Maintaining your mullet
A mullet thrives on movement and structure, which means maintenance isn’t just about trimming the back. To keep the shape intentional instead of accidental, focus on the face-framing layers, crown, and tail balance. Here’s how to keep it looking chic:
- Get mini trims every 6–8 weeks. You don’t need a full cut; just reshape the shorter areas and remove bulky weight around the crown.
- Avoid cutting the tail at home. That length is the foundation of the haircut. If it shortens unevenly, the whole silhouette collapses.
- Refresh layers, not length. A mullet looks best when the short pieces are defined, not when the back gets shorter.
- Use clarifying shampoo monthly. Product build-up can flatten layers and make texture harder to style.
- Hydrate ends regularly. Light serums or leave-ins keep the tail soft without weighing it down.
- Revive definition between washes. Use a texture mist, curl foam, or sea salt spray to bring movement back without starting from scratch.
- Protect your hair while sleeping. A silk or satin pillowcase reduces frizz and keeps layers from matting.
Your “how to” mullet haircut guide, wrapped up
A mullet can be soft, sharp, minimal, or expressive depending on how it’s cut and styled—which is why it’s made one of the biggest comebacks in hair. With the right shape, a little styling awareness, and consistent maintenance, mullets feel modern rather than retro, expressive rather than ironic.
Want salon advice before taking the plunge (or fixing a DIY)? Visit the LifeTYME blog for haircut breakdowns and product recommendations from salon pros.