Hi, I’m Hakan — a men’s grooming specialist with over a decade of hands-on experience helping guys modernize their look. The mullet has evolved from a retro statement to a versatile, contemporary cut that flatters many face shapes and hair textures when executed correctly. In this guide I’ll walk you through 26 mullet variations, explain which styles suit square, round, oval and diamond faces, and share practical tips on length, fades, and maintenance. Whether you have thick, fine, curly or straight hair, I’ll recommend the right cut, daily styling routine and products that make the mullet wearable and refined. Expect clear advice on communicating with your barber, choosing the right taper or disconnected undercut, and easy-at-home techniques to keep the back and fringe looking intentional—not messy. Read on to find the mullet that fits your lifestyle and confidence level.
Textured Curly Mullet for Men — Modern Wet‑Look, Tapered Sides
A contemporary textured curly mullet: short, tapered sides with layered length at the crown and nape, finished with a controlled wet-look. Face-shape suitability: works best on oval, oblong and heart-shaped faces and complements strong jawlines; men with round faces should add height at the crown or keep sides slightly tighter to avoid extra width. Styling technique: start with towel‑damped hair, apply a lightweight leave‑in or curl cream, then scrunch to encourage curl definition. Use a diffuser on low heat to build volume at the crown, directing curls back and slightly up. Finish by smoothing a small amount of medium-hold matte paste or pomade through the sides and a light shine gel on top for the wet effect; finger-style to separate and texturize. Tools needed: blow dryer with diffuser, wide-tooth comb, fingers for shaping, and barber scissors for trims. Products required: leave‑in conditioner or curl cream, sea-salt spray or mousse (for texture), medium-hold paste/pomade, light gel or shine serum, and optional hairspray. Difficulty level: moderate — requires basic blow‑dry technique and product balance. Maintenance tips: trim every 4–8 weeks to retain shape, deep-condition weekly, refresh daily with water + leave‑in, and avoid heavy buildup to preserve curl bounce.
Modern Textured Curly Mullet for Men
This modern textured curly mullet pairs volume on top with tapered, longer length at the back — a versatile look that flatters oval, oblong, diamond and heart-shaped faces by adding height and elongation. Men with round faces can wear a softened version with less crown volume. Styling technique: start with towel-damp hair, apply a light sea-salt spray or mousse from roots to ends, then rough-dry with a diffuser on low while scrunching to enhance natural curl and separation. Use a small round brush to lift the fringe and crown for added structure, then work a pea-sized amount of matte clay or styling paste through mid-lengths and ends with fingers to define pieces. Finish with a light-hold hairspray to lock shape without stiffness. Tools needed: hair dryer with diffuser, wide-tooth comb, small round brush, and barber scissors/razor for texturizing. Products required: sea-salt spray or mousse, matte clay/paste, light hairspray, weekly deep conditioner or leave-in oil for moisture. Difficulty: moderate — requires basic styling skills and product control. Maintenance: trim every 6–8 weeks to maintain shape, deep-condition weekly, avoid daily heavy washing, and refresh with water and a dab of paste between washes.
Modern Shaggy Mullet for Men
Modern shaggy mullet with layered texture and fringe suits oval, oblong, diamond and heart-shaped faces—adds length for round faces if sides are tapered. Best on straight to wavy hair; thick hair benefits from thinning; very curly hair needs more shaping. Styling technique: towel-dry to damp, apply sea-salt or texture spray through lengths, rough-dry with fingers and a blow dryer while lifting at the crown. Use a round brush or fingers to push fringe forward and slightly up for volume. Work a pea-sized amount of matte clay or paste into roots and mid-lengths to separate layers; twist small sections at the ends for piecey definition. Finish with light-hold hairspray for longevity. Tools needed: scissors and thinning shears (stylist), clippers for clean neckline, blow dryer (with diffuser or nozzle), round brush or vent brush, and a fine-tooth comb. Products required: texturizing spray or sea-salt, matte paste/clay, light hairspray, and occasional deep conditioner. Difficulty: medium — daily styling takes 5–10 minutes. Maintenance: trim every 6–8 weeks to preserve shape, wash 2–3 times weekly, and use a weekly conditioning treatment to keep ends healthy.
Modern Textured Mullet for Men — Voluminous Top with Tapered Sides
A contemporary textured mullet balances length and volume for a stylish, effortless look. Face shape suitability: works best on oval, square, diamond and heart-shaped faces; adding height at the crown helps elongate round faces. Styling technique: towel-dry hair to damp, apply a small amount of volumizing mousse or root-lift spray, then blow-dry using a round brush to lift the roots and push hair back. Use fingers or a wide-tooth comb to create separation through the mid-lengths and ends, scrunching slightly if hair is wavy. Finish by working a matte clay or paste through the top and back for definition and hold, and mist lightly with flexible hairspray. Tools needed: hairdryer with nozzle, round brush or vent brush, wide-tooth comb, diffuser (for curly/wavy hair), and barber scissors or trimmer for at-home touch-ups. Products required: volumizing mousse or sea-salt spray, matte clay/paste, lightweight hairspray, and a weekly deep conditioner. Difficulty level: moderate — daily styling takes 5–10 minutes. Maintenance tips: trim every 4–6 weeks to preserve shape, avoid overwashing (2–3×/week), and use a nourishing mask weekly to keep mid-lengths healthy.
Textured Curly Mullet for Men — Modern Short-Sides Long-Back Hairstyle
This textured curly mullet balances volume on top with a longer, tapered back for a modern retro look. Suitability: best for oval, diamond, and rectangular face shapes — the added height and length elongate the profile. Men with round faces can adapt it by keeping more height on top and tighter sides; square faces should avoid excessive width at the crown. Styling technique: ask your barber for short, blended sides and layered, point-cut lengths on top with a gradual transition to a longer nape. For natural waves, towel-dry then apply a volumizing mousse or sea-salt spray through damp hair. Use a diffuser on low heat to enhance curls or a round brush and blow dryer for softer waves; define pieces with a small amount of matte paste. Tools needed: scissors and texturizing shears (barber), comb, blow dryer with diffuser, round brush, and a fine styling spatula. Products required: sea-salt spray or mousse, lightweight leave-in conditioner, matte paste or cream, light hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — requires basic styling skills and product control. Maintenance tips: trim sides every 4–8 weeks, shape the nape every 8–12 weeks, deep-condition weekly, and avoid heavy oils that weigh curls down.
Textured Modern Mullet/Shag for Men — Layered Volume & Natural Texture
This textured modern mullet/shag suits oval, square, oblong and heart-shaped faces best — the layered top adds width while the longer back balances a strong jawline. To style: towel-dry damp hair, spray a sea-salt or texture spray through the mid-lengths and ends, then rough-dry with a blow dryer while using your fingers (or a diffuser for wavy hair) to lift the roots and encourage natural movement. Use a round brush to add subtle lift to the fringe if you want more height. Finish by warming a pea-sized amount of matte paste or clay between your palms and raking it through layers to define separation and reverse-direction pieces; lock with a light-hold hairspray for longevity. Tools needed: blow dryer (diffuser optional), round brush, vent or wide-tooth comb, and texturizing shears for the cut. Products required: sea-salt spray or volumizing mousse, matte paste/clay, light-hold hairspray, and regular conditioner (weekly deep conditioning recommended). Difficulty: intermediate — daily styling is quick but the layered cut requires scheduled trims every 6–8 weeks and heat protection for regular blow-drying.
Textured Modern Mullet – Layered Tousled Cut for Men
This textured modern mullet pairs short, tapered sides with longer, layered length at the crown and nape for a relaxed, lived-in finish. It flatters oval, square and oblong face shapes by adding volume on top and length at the back; men with round faces can adapt the look by keeping the sides a touch tighter to create height. To style: towel-dry damp hair, apply a salt or texture spray through the mid-lengths to ends, then rough-dry with a blow dryer while tousling with fingers or a diffuser to enhance natural wave. Finish by working a small amount of matte clay or paste through roots to ends for separation and hold, and use a light hairspray for lasting texture. Tools needed: blow dryer with diffuser, wide-tooth comb or fingers, barber clippers or scissors for periodic shaping. Products required: sea salt spray, matte clay/paste, light hold hairspray and a weekly deep conditioner. Difficulty level: medium—easy day-to-day styling but requires a skilled cut. Maintenance: trim tapered sides every 4–6 weeks, refresh layers every 8–12 weeks, and condition regularly to preserve texture and prevent split ends.
Textured Layered Mullet — Modern Mens Cut with Volume and Feathering
This textured layered mullet pairs short, voluminous top layers with a tapered, feathered back — a contemporary take on an 80s classic. Face shape suitability: best for oval, oblong, and diamond faces where added height and length work well; it can also soften strong square jaws but may overwhelm very round faces. Styling technique: start with a mid-length damp hair; apply a volumizing mousse at the roots and a sea-salt spray through the mid-lengths and ends. Blow-dry using a vent brush or round brush to lift the crown and direct layers back, then rough-texture the ends with a dryer on low. Tools needed: blow dryer with concentrator, round or vent brush, small comb, and barber scissors or texturizing shears for trims. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, sea-salt spray, matte paste or fiber for hold and separation, and light hairspray for finishing. Difficulty level: medium — daily styling is straightforward but requires some technique to shape the crown and feather the back. Maintenance tips: schedule a shaping trim every 6–8 weeks, deep-condition weekly, avoid overwashing (2–3 times/week), and refresh texture with a few sprays of sea-salt spray or a dab of matte paste between washes.
Textured Modern Mullet for Men — Voluminous Layered Mullet
This modern textured mullet pairs a voluminous, swept-up top with feathered, tapered back for a bold, contemporary finish. Best suited to oval, square, diamond and oblong face shapes and men with medium to thick hair; round faces can wear it if the sides are kept tighter and the crown gets extra height. Ask your barber for disconnected layers: longer length on top and back with softer, tapered sides. On damp hair, apply a root-lifting spray or light mousse, then blow-dry using a round brush or fingers to build lift at the crown. Spray sea-salt or texture spray through the mid-lengths for grit, then work a small amount of matte paste or clay through ends to define separation and hold. Use a flat iron briefly to refine stubborn pieces if needed and finish with a flexible-hold hairspray. Tools: hair dryer with nozzle, round/vent brush, optional flat iron. Products: volumizer/mousse, sea-salt spray, matte clay, light hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — about 10–15 minutes daily. Maintenance: trim every 6–8 weeks, deep-condition weekly, and avoid heavy oils that flatten volume.
Modern Textured Mullet with Voluminous Quiff
Suitability: This textured modern mullet with a voluminous quiff suits oval, square and oblong faces by adding forehead width and balance, and it flatters strong jawlines; it may overwhelm very round faces. Best for medium to thick hair with natural wave—fine hair can work if you add root lift and texture. Styling technique: Start with towel-damp hair and apply a small amount of volumizing mousse to the roots and a texturizing sea-salt spray through the lengths. Blow-dry the front upward with a medium round brush to build the quiff, use your fingers to rake through mid-lengths and back for separation, and finish with a cool shot to lock shape. Work a pea-sized matte clay or medium-hold paste through the top and back, and mist light hairspray for hold. Tools needed: hair dryer, medium round brush, vent brush or wide-tooth comb, optional flat iron, and scissors/clipper for shaping. Products required: volumizing mousse, sea-salt spray, matte clay/paste, light-hold hairspray and heat protectant. Difficulty: Medium—daily styling but straightforward steps. Maintenance: Trim every 6–8 weeks to keep the silhouette and remove bulk, condition regularly, and avoid over-washing to preserve texture.
Modern Textured Mullet for Men — Voluminous Top with Feathered Back
This modern textured mullet (shag-inspired) pairs a full, lifted crown with a feathered, tapered back — a versatile look for contemporary men. Best suited to oval, oblong and heart-shaped faces, it also softens square jaws by adding height and movement; works best on medium to thick, straight or wavy hair (fine hair can adapt with product and blow-dry volume). Styling technique: towel-dry, apply a sea-salt spray or lightweight mousse at roots, then blow-dry with a nozzle or diffuser while lifting the crown with a round brush or fingers. Create separation by raking a pea-sized matte paste or clay through mid-lengths and ends, and finish with a flexible-hold hairspray to lock shape without stiffness. Tools needed: blow dryer (nozzle/diffuser), 1–1.5 round brush, wide-tooth comb, textured scissors or thinning shears for the cut. Products required: volumizing shampoo and conditioner, sea-salt spray or mousse, matte paste/clay, flexible-hold hairspray and occasional leave-in conditioner. Difficulty level: moderate — daily styling about 5–10 minutes; requires an experienced barber for layered shaping. Maintenance tips: trim to reshape every 6–8 weeks (longer back can be trimmed less often), wash 2–3 times weekly to retain body, use dry shampoo between washes, and deep-condition weekly if hair is dry or chemically treated.
Textured Modern Mullet – Mens Medium-Length Layered Hairstyle
This textured modern mullet combines a voluminous, feathered top with tapered sides and longer, layered length at the back for a contemporary, masculine silhouette. Suitability: best for oval, oblong and diamond face shapes; it can also help visually lengthen round faces when you add height at the crown and soften strong jawlines with layered sides. Styling technique: towel-dry hair to damp, apply a light volumizing mousse or sea-salt spray, then blow-dry while lifting the roots with a 1–1.5-inch round brush to create crown volume. Blow hair back and slightly to the side to encourage the feathered shape; finish by working a pea-sized amount of matte clay or paste through the mid-lengths and ends with fingers for separation and texture. Tools needed: blow dryer with concentrator, round brush, wide-tooth comb, hair clips (for sectioning), and sharp scissors or razor for the cut. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or sea-salt spray, matte clay/paste, and light hold hairspray. Difficulty level: moderate — requires 8–15 minutes daily styling and a stylist familiar with layered point-cutting. Maintenance tips: trim sides every 6–8 weeks to keep taper, reshape length every 10–12 weeks, deep-condition weekly if hair is dry, and refresh texture by dampening and reworking product rather than over-washing.
Textured Wavy Mullet — Layered Medium-Length Mens Hairstyle
A modern textured wavy mullet that pairs length at the nape with layered, tousled volume on top. Face-shape suitability: flatters oval, square and diamond faces and works well for oblong profiles by breaking vertical length; it can add structure to softer round faces but may overwhelm very short necks or very round silhouettes. Styling technique: towel-dry to damp, work a sea-salt spray or lightweight volumizing mousse through roots to mid-lengths, then diffuse or blow-dry while lifting the crown with fingers or a vent brush. Define layers and ends with a small amount of matte clay or paste, scrunching to enhance natural waves and create separation. Tools needed: blow dryer with diffuser, wide-tooth comb, vent or round brush, and sharp scissors for texturizing. Products required: sea-salt spray or mousse, leave-in conditioner, matte paste/clay, light hairspray and dry shampoo for day-two refresh. Difficulty level: moderate — daily styling takes 10–15 minutes and benefits from basic blow-drying skills. Maintenance tips: trim sides and shape every 6–8 weeks, remove bulk with point-cutting, deep-condition weekly, and refresh texture with misting plus a dab of product.
Textured Wavy Mullet with Voluminous Quiff — Mens Medium-Length Cut
Face shape suitability: This textured wavy mullet with a lifted quiff flatters oval, square and diamond faces; men with round faces can wear it if they add height at the crown, while very fine hair may need thickening products or light extensions. Styling technique: Start with towel-dried hair, apply a salt spray or light volumizing mousse through the lengths, then blow-dry with a round brush to lift the front into a quiff. Use a diffuser on the back and sides to encourage wave and movement. Finish by working a pea‑sized amount of matte clay or paste through the roots and mid-lengths, scrunching the ends for texture and separating pieces with fingers for a lived-in look. Tools needed: blow dryer (with diffuser), round brush, wide-tooth comb, barber scissors or thinning shears for at-home touch-ups, and hair clips. Products required: sea-salt spray or volumizer, matte clay/paste, light hairspray, leave-in conditioner and occasional deep-conditioning mask. Difficulty level: Moderate — basic blow-drying and shaping skills are required. Maintenance tips: Trim sides and shape the mullet every 6–8 weeks to retain silhouette, condition weekly, avoid daily heavy product buildup (refresh with water and a tiny product amount), and protect from heat with a thermal spray when blow-drying.
Textured Modern Mullet – Brushed‑Back Volume for Men
This medium-to-long layered mullet combines a brushed-back, voluminous top with tapered sides and a soft, textured tail. It flatters oval, square, and diamond face shapes by adding height at the crown and length at the back; men with round faces should keep the sides tighter and add more height to balance proportions. To style, towel-dry hair to damp, apply a small amount of volumizing mousse at the roots, then blow-dry using a round brush or vent brush while lifting at the crown and sweeping the top back. Use a diffuser for natural wave definition. Finish by working a pea-size of matte paste or clay through mid-lengths and ends for separation and hold; a touch of sea-salt spray adds lived-in texture. Tools needed: blow dryer with concentrator, round or vent brush, wide-tooth comb, and diffuser (optional). Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, sea-salt spray, matte clay/paste and light hold hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — requires practiced blow-drying and regular shaping. Maintenance: visit the barber every 6–8 weeks for layered trims, deep-condition weekly, and shampoo 2–3 times weekly with a sulfate-free cleanser to preserve texture and shine.
Modern Textured Wet-Look Mullet for Men
This modern textured wet-look mullet pairs medium-long layers in the back with tapered, slightly shorter sides for an edgy yet wearable silhouette. It flatters oval and square faces by adding width at the crown and length at the nape, and suits heart-shaped faces when the front fringe is softened. To style: work a leave-in conditioner or sea-salt spray through towel‑damp hair, then distribute a medium-hold styling cream or gel from roots to ends. Rake with fingers to create texture, define a loose fringe at the front, and scrunch the mid-lengths for movement. Use a blow dryer with a diffuser on low heat to set shape while keeping the wet finish, or air-dry for a more natural sheen. Tools needed: wide-tooth comb, fingers for raking, blow dryer with diffuser, and hair clips for sectioning. Products required: leave-in conditioner, sea-salt spray, medium-hold cream/gel, lightweight shine serum. Difficulty: moderate — needs product control and basic blow-dry technique. Maintenance: trim every 4–6 weeks to keep tapered sides tidy, deep-condition weekly, avoid heavy buildup by clarifying monthly, and refresh with water plus a small amount of product between washes.
Textured Modern Mullet for Men — Layered Tousled Back with Volume on Top
This textured modern mullet flatters oval, square and heart-shaped faces best — the height at the crown and longer nape balance strong jawlines and can help visually elongate round faces when styled with volume. To create the look, start on towel-dried hair and apply a sea-salt spray or light texture cream through mid-lengths and ends. Rough-dry with a blow dryer and diffuser or use your fingers to encourage natural wave; use a medium round brush at the crown for lift and direction. Work a small amount of matte paste or light-hold pomade through the top to define separation, then scrunch the ends for piecey movement. Finish with a flexible hairspray for hold without stiffness. Tools: blow dryer (diffuser/nozzle), medium round brush, wide-tooth comb, and scissors/thinning shears for professional cutting. Products: sea-salt spray, texture cream or matte paste, light hairspray, and a weekly deep conditioner. Difficulty: moderate — expect 5–10 minutes daily. Maintenance: trim the perimeter every 4–8 weeks to keep the disconnect clean, avoid daily overwashing to preserve texture, and show your barber layered reference photos for consistent shape.
Textured Modern Mullet with Voluminous Quiff — Mens Layered Hairstyle
This textured modern mullet with a voluminous quiff pairs layered length at the back with a lifted, feathered top — a bold choice that flatters oval, square, and heart-shaped faces and can visually lengthen round faces. Best on medium to thick hair for natural body; fine hair can work with volumizing products and root-lifting techniques. To style: towel-dry hair until slightly damp, apply a light volumizing mousse and heat protectant, then rough-dry using fingers and a blow dryer to build lift at the crown. Use a round brush to shape the front quiff and a vent brush to encourage texture down the sides and back. Finish by working a small amount of matte clay or texturizing paste through mid-lengths and ends with fingertips for separation, and lock with a light-hold hairspray or sea-salt texturizer for extra grit. Tools needed: blow dryer with nozzle, round brush, vent brush, and hair clips. Difficulty: moderate — requires some daily shaping. Maintenance: trim layers every 6–8 weeks, limit washing to preserve texture, use dry shampoo between washes, and schedule regular barber visits to maintain clean side blending.
Textured Modern Mullet Shag for Men — Medium-Length Wavy Hairstyle
This medium-length textured mullet-shag suits oval, square and oblong face shapes and can soften angular jaws when paired with light stubble. It works best on naturally wavy or straight hair with medium density. To style, start with towel-damp hair, apply a sea-salt spray or light texturizing cream, then blow-dry using fingers and a vent brush to lift the crown and create forward-to-back movement; for more volume use a round brush at the front. Once dry, work a pea-sized amount of matte clay or paste through mid-lengths to ends to define layers and add separation; use fingertips to mess and lift the top. Finish with a light-hold hairspray for control. Tools needed: hairdryer, vent or round brush, wide-tooth comb, and professional scissors for periodic texturizing. Products: sea-salt spray, heat protectant, matte clay/paste, light hairspray and occasional conditioner. Difficulty level: moderate — requires a skilled barber for the initial cut and about 8–10 minutes daily styling. Maintenance: trim every 6–8 weeks to preserve shape, deep-condition weekly, refresh texture with paste between washes, and keep the neckline tidy.
Textured Modern Mullet for Men — Voluminous Top with Natural Waves
This textured modern mullet balances volume up front with longer, natural waves at the back — a versatile look that suits oval, square, and diamond face shapes and can add length to round faces. To achieve it, ask your barber for clipped or tapered sides with length left on top and the crown, and long, blended layers through the back. Styling technique: towel-dry to damp, apply sea-salt spray or light leave-in, then blow-dry using a vent brush or fingers to lift the roots and direct hair back. Use a diffuser on low heat for wavy texture. Finish by working a matte clay or lightweight pomade through the top for separation and hold; a small amount of curl cream can define the back waves. Tools needed: hairdryer with nozzle and diffuser, vent or round brush, wide-tooth comb, scissors/texturizing shears and clippers for maintenance. Products required: sea-salt spray, leave-in conditioner or curl cream, matte clay/pomade, light hairspray and dry shampoo. Difficulty: moderate — daily styling takes 8–12 minutes. Maintenance tips: trim sides and shape every 4–8 weeks, deep-condition monthly, detangle gently, and use dry shampoo between washes to preserve volume and texture.
Textured Wavy Mullet for Men — Tapered Sides with Long Back
This textured wavy mullet suits oval, oblong and diamond face shapes best and flatters triangular profiles by balancing a narrower chin with added volume at the crown. It works particularly well on medium to thick, naturally wavy hair; fine hair can still wear it with added layering and volume techniques. Styling technique: ask the barber for a soft taper at the temples and nape, with longer layered lengths on top and at the back. Use point-cutting to create movement and remove bulk. Tools needed: scissors, clippers (guards), thinning shears, wide-tooth comb, blow dryer with diffuser or vented nozzle, and a round brush. Products required: sea-salt spray or texturizing spray, lightweight leave-in conditioner, matte paste or clay for definition, and light hairspray for hold. Difficulty level: medium — requires basic cutting skill and daily styling to maintain shape. Maintenance tips: trim sides every 6–8 weeks and reshape the back every 10–12 weeks, deep-condition weekly, avoid overwashing (2–3×/week), refresh with water and texturizer between washes, and sleep on a low-friction pillowcase to preserve wave definition.
Textured Mid-Length Shag Mullet for Men — Layered, Voluminous Styling
This textured mid-length shag mullet is ideal for men wanting modern edge with easy versatility. Best suited to oval and square face shapes—where the extra length at the back and volume on top balance strong angles—but also adaptable for heart and round faces if you add height at the crown to elongate the profile. To style: towel-dry damp hair, apply a lightweight sea-salt spray or volumizing mousse from roots to mid-lengths, then blow-dry with fingers or a diffuser while lifting at the roots. Use a medium round brush to create crown lift and finger-comb the ends to keep natural movement. Finish by working a pea-sized amount of matte clay or paste through the mid-lengths and ends for separation, and lock with a light-hold hairspray if needed. Tools and products: blow dryer (diffuser/nozzle), round brush, wide-tooth comb, matte clay/paste, sea-salt spray or mousse, heat protectant, occasional light hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — requires basic blow-drying technique and texturizing cuts. Maintenance: trim layered ends every 6–8 weeks, deep-condition weekly if hair is porous, shampoo 2–3 times per week, and refresh texture daily with a damp hand and a small amount of product.
Textured Modern Mullet — Layered Mens Medium-Length Hairstyle
This textured modern mullet suits oval, square and oblong face shapes best and can soften angular features on heart-shaped faces. The cut relies on short-to-medium layers on top with longer, feathered length at the nape to create movement and volume. Styling technique: towel-dry hair to damp, apply a volumizing mousse or sea-salt spray through roots and mid-lengths, then blow-dry using your fingers and a medium round brush to lift the crown while directing the back length down and slightly outward. Finish by working a pea-sized amount of matte paste or light wax through the ends to define texture and use a light-hold hairspray to set. Tools needed: hairdryer with nozzle (diffuser optional), medium round brush, wide-tooth comb, sectioning clips, and texturizing scissors for the cut. Products required: pre-styling mousse or salt spray, matte paste/wax, heat protectant, and light-hold hairspray; a weekly deep conditioner helps maintain shine. Difficulty: moderate — requires an experienced barber for the initial shape and 5–10 minutes daily styling. Maintenance tips: trim every 6–8 weeks to keep layered shape, avoid overwashing, use sulfate-free shampoo, and protect from excessive heat to preserve texture.
Modern Textured Mullet for Men — Voluminous Back with Tapered Sides
Built around tapered sides and a voluminous, textured back, this modern mullet flatters oval, square and oblong face shapes best — it adds height on top and balances strong jawlines. For styling: towel-dry until slightly damp, mist in a sea-salt spray or light mousse, then blow-dry using fingers or a diffuser to lift roots and enhance natural wave. Use a round brush to shape the front fringe and a wide-tooth comb to arrange mid-lengths; a small flat iron can define loose waves if needed. Work a pea-sized amount of matte clay or paste through lengths for separation and a natural matte finish, and finish with a light-hold hairspray for lasting shape. Tools needed: blow dryer (diffuser optional), round brush, wide-tooth comb, flat iron (optional), and scissors/trimmer for upkeep. Products required: sea-salt spray or mousse, heat protectant, matte clay/paste and light hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — daily styling is straightforward but requires weekly shaping. Maintenance tips: trim tapered sides every 3–4 weeks and the back every 6–8, deep-condition monthly, wash 2–3 times weekly depending on oiliness, and refresh with water + product between washes.
Textured Modern Mullet — Tousled Top with Layered Back
This textured modern mullet works best for oval, square, diamond and slightly oblong face shapes — the added volume at the crown and tapered sides create height and angularity, while the layered back keeps movement. To style: towel-dry hair to damp, apply a lightweight sea-salt spray or volumizing mousse through the mid-lengths and roots, then use a hair dryer with a concentrator nozzle while lifting the crown with your fingers or a vent brush to build texture. Finish by working a small amount of matte clay or texturizing paste through the ends to separate layers and create a piecey, undone look; lock with a light-hold hairspray if needed. Tools needed: hair dryer, vent or round brush, wide-tooth comb, and barber scissors for shaping. Products required: pre-styling spray or mousse, heat protectant, matte paste/clay, light hairspray. Difficulty: medium — requires blow-dry technique and product control. Maintenance tips: get a tidy trim every 6–8 weeks to maintain the tapered sides and layered back, deep-condition weekly to prevent dryness, and avoid over-washing to preserve natural texture.
Textured Curly Mullet for Men — Modern Shag with Volume
This textured curly mullet pairs mid-length layers with a cropped, voluminous top — ideal for oval, square, oblong and heart-shaped faces where added height and cheek framing enhance proportions. Styling begins on towel-dried hair: apply a lightweight leave-in conditioner or curl cream to detangle and define. Use a wide-tooth comb to distribute product, then diffuse on low-to-medium heat while scrunching to boost natural wave and volume. For texture and separation, finish with a small amount of matte paste or light wax worked through the ends and crown; a salt spray can add lived-in grit for straighter hair. Tools needed: hair dryer with diffuser, wide-tooth comb, small styling brush, barber scissors for at-home trims. Products required: sulfate-free shampoo, moisturizing conditioner, leave-in cream or mousse, sea-salt spray (optional), matte paste/wax and light hairspray. Difficulty level: moderate — routine takes 10–20 minutes daily but is forgiving thanks to texture. Maintenance tips: trim the nape and shape layers every 6–8 weeks, deep-condition weekly, refresh with water + product between washes, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce frizz.
The mullet is no longer just a throwback—when tailored correctly it’s modern, adaptable and surprisingly professional. From soft, textured mulets for finer hair to bold disconnected versions with skin fades for thicker hair, the key is proportion and consistent upkeep. Always start with a clear consultation: bring photos, discuss how much length you want to keep at the back, and agree on the type of transition at the sides. Invest in a good texturizing product and a lightweight hairspray for shape, and schedule trims every 4–8 weeks to maintain the silhouette. If you’re unsure which variant suits you, try a conservative, longer-top/shorter-back approach first and evolve the look. As a stylist who’s refined men’s hair for 10+ years, I recommend trusting your barber and being patient—great mullets take a little shaping but reward you with an unmistakable, modern edge.
