The Modern Mullet Is the It Celeb Haircut Right Now (Yep, You Read That Right!)
Business in the front, party in the back. Few hairstyles are as iconic as the mullet—and maybe no others can claim to have their own tagline. But the retro style, once a punchline reserved for the ‘80s and old-school country music, is having a resurgence (better luck next year, bowl cut and mohawk). But these aren’t your dad’s mullets.
While the mullet was once primarily a men’s hairstyle, it’s now for everyone thanks in part to celebs like Miley Cyrus and Rihanna who’ve made the look modern—dare we say—chic. If you’re considering a modern mullet hairstyle, keep reading below to find out just what details bring it into the 21st century, plus the best modern mullet looks on celebs.
About the Expert:
Amy Abramite is a stylist and creative director at Maxine Salon in Chicago, Illinois.
So, What Exactly Is the Modern Mullet?
First, a quick flashback to when the mullet haircut first began. According to hairstylist Amy Abramite of Maxine Salon in Chicago, the traditional mullet was split into two distinct halves, à la David Bowie: “The front had short spiky bangs and tight tapered sides abruptly ending in long, disjointed hair in the back. The front was appropriate for the office, and the back was ready for the club. If you didn’t know this was fashion, you might think the hairstylist walked away before the haircut was fully complete.” But, of course, real hairstylists—and a lot of real hair products—were behind those looks. “Strong gels and hair sprays were used to pump up the volume and freeze the style,” she adds.
Fast-forward 30 plus years, and the look is back with a few key updates. “While the modern version still has the iconic hallmark of a mullet—shorter sides and a longer back—the bi-level shape is subdued with soft blended layers for a connected flow and uniformity,” says Abramite. “The fringe [bangs] and sides are shaggier and it’s worn with a natural relaxed texture.” It’s also been adapted to be more versatile for different hair types, from thin to thick hair, curly to straight.
Before getting this cut, it’s important to know that maintaining it is a bit more work than the typical short haircut. “The fringe and the sideburns will grow out quickly, so a trim is due every four to eight weeks to keep those areas tidy,” says the stylist. And of course, you’ll need a few styling products in your arsenal. “I recommend curl creams, leave-in conditioners, or texture sprays used on damp or dry hair to encourage moisture, soft separation, and a light hold,” Abramite adds.
8 Celebrity Modern Mullets We Love:
1. Miley Cyrus
Considering her father Billy Ray Cyrus was a pioneer in the field of hair mullets, it makes perfect sense Miey Cyrus carried on the tradition. “The proportions are well-balanced between the longer fringe and sides for a subtle shaggy mullet with airy movement on the ends,” says Abramite.
To style a look like the singer’s, “apply leave-in conditioner [such as OUAI Leave-In Conditioner] on damp hair for moisture, and blow dry the fringe with a paddle brush,” explains the hairstylist. For the remaining long hair in the back, “air dry naturally and mist texture spray throughout for movement.”
2. Barbie Ferreira
Getting a cut that works for your face shape is key, too. Abramite says the wispy bangs and layers help to “remove bulk for a face framing effect on this longer version” of the mullet. If you have wavy hair like Ferreira’s, use a texture spray like AIIR PROFESSIONAL Texture AIIR before blowing out to keep the look piecey.
3. Rihanna
Always ahead of the trend, RiRi has worn her hair out in a mullet several times, and she’s even been spotted in a rat tail. And of course, she always pulls it off. “The ultra short pixie top coupled with undercut sides make this a hip-punk mullet style,” says Abramite. Opting for straight hair keeps this daring long mullet a bit easier to style. “Apply a leave-in conditioner on damp hair for moisture and blow dry straight with a paddle brush. Touch up with a flat iron for smooth locks throughout,” says the stylist.
4. Ella Emhoff
The model and step-daughter of Vice President Kamala Harris is a fashion icon, and has become the face of the curly mullet. “The uniformity of the layers gives bounce and lift to the curls throughout the mullet for a consistent texture and flow,” says Abramite.
Styling this look is all about defining that curly hair. The stylist says to “Massage curl cream into damp hair and use a blowdryer that comes with a diffuser attachment, like TRADEMARK BEAUTY Speedy Blo to define and separate curls.”
5. Zendaya
“Risk-taker” is basically Zendaya’s middle name, so naturally she’s sported a modern mullet look. “The full straight fringe and short sides expose the cheekbones for a bold update on this classic mullet shape,” says Abramite. For her pompadour-esque look, Abramite says to again apply a leave-in, then blow dry straight with a paddle brush. “Touch up with a flat iron for smooth locks throughout.”
6. Rowan Blanchard
The former Girl Meets World star’s short mullet has elements of the “party in the back” look, but it also proves that any hair length works with this new look. When styling short hair like Blanchard’s, it’s almost like styling a pixie, so a bit of pomade can help keep everything in place.
7. Debby Ryan
Former child stars cutting their hair into mullets: It’s a thing. Ryan debuted her shag-meets-mullet hairstyle in late 2020—and totally pulled it off. Another great thing about this cut? If she wants to grow out the shorter hair, it’s an easier transition than a full-on mullet.
8. Doja Cat
Joan Jett, but make it 2021. All eyes were on Doja Cat at the Grammy Awards, where she paired her slicked-back, rocker-chic mullet cut with equally dramatic eye makeup and a plunging neckline. The short fringe and medium-length mullet is perhaps the closest adaptation of the original mullet we’ve seen this side of the new millennium, but she kept it modern with lots of shine and low-maintenance, shoulder-length hair.
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