Once a mainstay of the seventies and eighties, the mullet is still a haircut that makes a statement in the modern era.
You may have heard the phrase, ‘business in the front, party in the back’. Cringy, yes, but these features make the mullet easily distinguishable from other haircuts.
People used to style their mullets in classic 80s blown-out hair, though others chose to wear theirs loose or tied back.
The mullet isn’t as dated as it once was. Many men choose to rock the mullet today, even adding bright colors or faux hawks to their haircut.
It can work particularly well for those with textured hair, as shorter pieces in the front can make it easier to manage curlier hair.
If you’re considering trying this haircut out for yourself, you’ll learn how to cut a mullet in this post.
What Does The Mullet Haircut Involve?
While some mullets look different from others, they all have the same features. These are a shorter top, a longer back, and much shorter sides.
However, you can cut and style these features to your liking. For instance, you can choose to grow the back quite long, or use a product to make the shorter front pieces stand out more.
Even though mullets are established on the same features, the results can look very different from person to person. David Beckham, for instance, is known for his traditional take on the mullet.
It manages to look conservative and business appropriate.
On the other hand, one of David Bowie’s most famed haircuts was his bright orange mullet during the Ziggy Stardust era.
Paired with bright makeup and bold fashion choices, Bowie’s mullet represented his eccentric nature at the time.
Whether you choose to keep your mullet on the traditional side or want to make a statement, the way you cut and style your mullet is completely down to you.
How To Cut A Mullet
Now you know what the mullet involves, we can get into how to cut a mullet at home.
You Will Need
- Scissors, ideally sharp ones designed to cut hair
- Comb
- Clippers
- Hair clips
Method
Step 1
Begin by washing your hair and letting it air dry. Make sure that the hair is completely dry before you cut it.
Barbers usually cut hair wet, but as you’re cutting your hair at home, you’ll see the shape that you’re cutting if the strands are dry.
You can cut it wet if you prefer, but bear in mind that hair becomes longer when it’s wet, so it will become shorter when it dries.
Step 2
Start by sectioning off the hair that you need to cut. Create four sections, the back, two sides, and the top.
Do this by positioning your finger on your head, at the highest spot of the crown. Think about the entire rectangular figure on the top of your scalp. This will be the topmost panel.
Step 3
Find the deepest corners of the forehead and comb the hair backward. Don’t comb any further than the highest spot on your scalp. This will be your top panel.
You can then section off your side panels. Start by finding the bones that are placed behind each of your ears. The side panels should finish at this point.
Use the hair clips to section off these pieces, then begin working on the top panel. Start at the top of your head, beginning at the back.
Move forward in horizontal pieces that are no bigger than two fingers wide. This will help maintain an even length as you go.
Hold these pieces up at a right angle, then use the scissors to cut directly across. Keep moving forward as you repeat this step. Every new section will act as a guide for the next one.
There should be around five sections in total. If you want the front pieces longer, pull the pieces backward at around 45° while you work forward. This will sustain some of the length.
Step 4
After you’ve finished this step and are content with the length, you might want to start adding more texture. To do this, position your scissors vertically and start cutting into the hair.
This will create some uneven pieces to make the mullet look choppier. You can also do this to the fringe, but bear in mind that this will make the fringe shorter.
Step 5
When you’ve created the desired length on the top section, use hair clips to section it away from the sides. Keep these lines clean and neat, then prepare to cut the side sections.
Use your clippers to trim the sides, working slowly to avoid any mishaps.
Set your clippers to a high number guard and start moving down until you reach the desired length. Position the clippers square against your head.
If you want to create a bolder look, you can choose to cut directly towards the line. If you prefer a softer look, curve the clippers away from your head while you arrive at the temples.
Don’t trim anywhere past the bones behind your ears, as this will take off some of the length from the back.
If you’d prefer the sides to blend into your hair, take the hair clips off from the top section. Use your clippers to trim any overhang, choosing a guard higher than the setting you used for the sides.
You can also use your scissors to do this instead, positioning them away from the curve of your scalp. This will prevent any harsh lines from forming.
Step 6
You’ll tackle the ‘party’, or the back section last. The mullet’s main characteristic is the longer length around the nape of the neck, so you won’t need to do much with this.
If you think that the top of this section is too dense, you can reduce the weight with your scissors.
Take the section just under the crown, then raise it at a 45° angle. Use the scissors to chop into the ends. This will remove some of the weight, making it feel lighter as a result.
The Bottom Line
Now you know how to cut a mullet! This haircut isn’t as dated as it once was. There are lots of different variations that are suitable for many styles and preferences.
Whether you prefer a bolder look or would like to stick to a softer finish, a mullet is a great haircut choice for the modern age.
Just remember to keep up with your regular trims, as this will prevent the mullet from growing out too much.
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