Style Hair Ways to Rock a Girl Mullet, Plus Mullet Styling Tips From Hairstylists Adapt this iconic style to your face. By Didi Gluck Updated on May 15, 2024 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images It’s the rare haircut that is edgy and wearable. But the mullet is both. A far cry from its retro roots, today’s mullet is “a hybrid of several styles,” says celebrity stylist Adir Abergel (whose clients Kristen Stewart and Charlize Theron have sported versions of a mullet). Whereas yesteryear’s mullet was a slightly jarring blend of a short bowl cut with a long tail in the back, today’s iteration simply “emphasizes shorter layers around the face, which lengthen toward the back,” says Claire Malarkey, owner of Voe Studio in Brooklyn. Consider it the mutt of haircuts: a lovable mix of looks. Evoking images of Patti Smith, Pat Benatar, and David Bowie the androgynous style is not only flattering to every gender, it is eminently customizable. Read on for ways to make the look your own. The Difference Between a Shag and a Mullet The mullet often gets confused with its cousin the shag. Like a mullet, a shag is a highly layered cut that is shorter in front than in back, but the mullet is more “disconnected” (stylist-speak for a sharp delineation between lengths). The shag, on the other hand, is more connected so there is some graduation between lengths. Types of Mullets Looking for some mullet inspiration? Here are eight ways the girl mullet has been interpreted—then and now. 01 of 13 Wispy Mullet Neil Mockford / Contributor/ Getty Images Rita Ora sported a gently textured mullet at the 2024 Met Gala, with face-framing layers. The wispy layers give the mullet a look that's a little more romantic than rock-and-roll, 02 of 13 Modern Mullet Ray Tamarra / Contributor/Getty Images Greta Lee's razor-cut bangs and textured layers give this modern mullet plenty of movement. Look for hair products like texture balms to help accentuate the layers. 03 of 13 Accessorized Mullet Cindy Ord/MG23 / Contributor/Getty Images Who says you can't dress up a mullet? Consider using currently in vogue claw clips to create an updo for a change of pace, opt for a bandana or headband to pull back the wispy front layers, or add a little wow factor with decorated hairpins, like this look from model Amber Valletta. 04 of 13 Curly Mullet Curly girls don't have to skip out on this style, which will get plenty of volume from their built-in waves. Just use a diffuser when you're drying to help you define your curls. 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Diffusing Curly Hair 05 of 13 Straight Mullet Jane Fonda rocked the straight mullet back in the 1960s and 1970s—and showcases a great look for people with straight hair (or those who don't mind using a little product and a straightening iron to make it happen). 06 of 13 Choppy Mullet Kristen Stewart's piecey mullet adds plenty of texture and movement to the classic mullet cut. Using a beach spray when you're styling will help highlight the choppy texture. 07 of 13 Vintage Mullet Getty Images Actress Barbie Ferreira's mullet throws back to the 1980s classic, with fringy, face framing layers and a longer back. 08 of 13 Extreme Mullet Zendaya took the "business in the front, party in the back" look to its extreme with this sleek style. If you're looking to make a big change from a long-locked style, this mullet gets you halfway there. 09 of 13 Soft Mullet Is it a mullet or is it a shag? Charlize Theron's less-extreme version of the mullet features longer layers in the front than many other mullet looks. 10 of 13 Mid-Length Mullet Miley Cyrus took inspiration from Jane Fonda's classic mullet for this look, which balanced out bangs and chin-length layers in the front with wispy layers in the back. If you're feeling at all ambivalent about a mullet, try this length, which can easily be trimmed back to a textured bob if you're not sold on the mullet look. 11 of 13 Mullet With Heavy Fringe A healthy crop of bangs help draw focus to the eyes—as this short-and-sweet mullet on Scarlett Johansson shows. Find Out Which Bangs Work Best for Your Face Shape, According to Hairstylists 12 of 13 Colorful Mullet Taylor Hill / Contributor/Getty Images The mullet style lends itself to having some fun with your color—like Billie Eilish's neon green roots. Or, opt for colorful ends to reduce the need for frequent root touch-ups. 12 Low Maintenance Hair Color Techniques, According to Experts 13 of 13 Mullet With Baby Bangs Teyana Taylor shows how you can really go from short to long, with teeny baby bangs in the front, and long waves in the back. Who Can Rock a Mullet? Malarkey says that all hair types can rock the look, provided that if you’ve got wavy hair “you’re okay with curly bangs.” How to Personalize Your Mullet For Abergel, the mullet is a canvas of limitless possibilities. “You can intermingle favorite elements from the haircuts that have looked best on you, such as shorter bangs, shaggy layers, or longer perimeters, to tailor it to your face.” The trick is to understand what suits your face and incorporate those elements into the cut. Malarkey advises bringing your stylist pictures of the look you’re after to ensure a successful result. Mullet Styling Tips This is actually a true wash-and-wear style, Malarkey says. In other words, you shouldn’t have to style it to give it a personality; the cut itself is the statement. Because the mullet is an air-dry style, using products with soft hold is essential to maintaining its shape. Clare recommends using volumizing mousse on the roots and mid-section of the hair, and balm on the ends to create definition. (Try Kerasilk Volumizing Styling Foam and Kerasilk Taming Balm.) Finish with a light misting of flexible hairspray, such as Verb Ghost Hairspray. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit