The Mullet Haircut: What It Is, Who It Suits, and How to Get It
Learn what a mullet haircut looks like today, who it looks best on, and how to test it out before you cut your hair.
The mullet is a famous haircut. People used to describe it with a funny line: "business in the front, party in the back." That means the hair on top and on the sides is cut short. The hair in the back is left long.
Old mullets from the 1980s were huge and puffy. Today, mullets look much cooler and softer. Barbers blend the short parts into the long parts so it looks smooth.
Who Looks Good in a Mullet?
Mullets can work on almost anyone, but your face shape and hair type make a big difference.
Oval faces: Almost any mullet style looks good on you. You can go very short on the sides or keep it longer. Square faces: A mullet with soft, messy hair on top helps round out a sharp jawline. Round faces: Keeping the sides very tight and adding height on top makes your face look longer and slimmer. Wavy and curly hair: Curls give the back of a mullet great natural bounce. It looks full without much work. * Straight hair: Straight hair needs a bit more work. You might need sea salt spray or paste so the top does not lay flat.
What to Tell Your Barber
Do not just walk in and say, "Give me a mullet." That word means different things to different people. Instead, bring a photo of a cut you like.
Tell the barber how short you want the sides. Do you want a skin fade, where the scalp shows? Or do you want a taper, where some hair stays? Next, tell them how long you want the back. Some people want the hair to just touch their collar. Other people want it down to their shoulders. A good barber will tell you what works with your hair thickness.
Daily Care and Upkeep
A mullet is easy to wash, but you still need to shape it. When you get out of the shower, dry your hair with a towel. Rub a small dab of matte clay or cream between your hands. Work it through the top and the front to give it texture. You can leave the back alone to dry naturally.
You will need to see your barber every three to four weeks. The sides grow out fast. If the sides get too long, the cut loses its shape and looks messy.
Try It Before You Cut
Cutting your hair into a mullet can feel scary. Once the sides are cut short, it takes months to grow them back. You can check your face shape for free using HairMatch AI to see what styles fit you best. If you want to see a mullet on your actual face, you can unlock photo packs starting at $0.99. That way, you know you will love the look before the barber touches your hair.