Bored with beach waves and predictable pretty girl styles? Side with the mullet, to reveal a touch of the rebel in you!
If there was ever a controversial haircut, it has to be the mullet. Well, guess what: It’s back (but totally rebranded!) for fall. In fact, the current version of the mullet has very little to do with the harsh, polarizing haircut of the nineties. Buhbye Billy Ray Cyrus…
Instead of the short fringe, short sides and longer, wispier length at the back — “business in the front, party in the back,” — the current iteration is a bit more relaxed and graduated. The short, full, choppy fringe remains, but the sides are shaggier and less dramatic, making it infinitely more wearable.
A Haircut Many Centuries in the Making
While some claim the name itself wasn’t heard of before the release of the 1994 song “Mullet Head” by The Beastie Boys (open for debate, of course!), the bad-good hairstyle has a very long history in the making, being documented for the first time in Ancient Rome. That’s when the bi-level type of haircut was worn by young wealthy bands of hooligans and big fans of chariot races. Dress them in Burberry, and they’re not too far off from contemporary British soccer fans.
Fast-forward some 2,000 years later, in the glam rock seventies. That was the defining decade of the mullet, blossoming into its true rock ’n roll essence with the likes of David Bowie and his alter ego Ziggy Stardust’s signature flame red fade, Rod Stewart and Paul McCartney all choosing mullet-esque hairstyles. In fact, these legendary rockstars are prime examples of what a classic version of the mullet should look like. Of course, women also rocked mullets: from Jane Fonda with her mix of shag and mullet, to Cher and Tina Turner bringing it into bigger, bolder territory in the 80s.
In the 90s, the hairstyle fell into a bizarre mosh pit of cartoonish characters like MacGyver, Billy Ray Cyrus (Miley’s dad!), and even Mel Gibson.
Nowadays, the mullet is experiencing a renaissance, with modern interpretations and twists that breathe new life into this love-it-or-hate-it hairstyle. Celebrities like Rihanna, Zendaya, and the unstoppable Miley Cyrus have all sported mullets at various points, cementing its place in pop culture and fashion.
OK, But Why is this Happening Now?
Well, for one thing Miley Cyrus just debuted a choppy, layered haircut in Gucci’s newest fragrance campaign for ‘Flora Gorgeous Magnolia’. Yes, again. This is the third time the ‘Flowers’ singer has given the mullet a major glow-up over the past couple of years. And we all know the powerful clout Miley has on fashion and beauty trends.
Remember the wolf cut from a few months back? Well, that, coupled with the fact that people want wispier, shaggier haircuts, puts the mullet right in the spotlight. Because the wolf cut is, itself, a hybrid of the mullet and the shag. Plus, right now and more than ever, we all want unique haircuts that are custom-created. There’s a real trend of mixing and matching different styles and creating something totally new.
Some hairstylists are calling these new versions of the mullet the “shullet,” meaning the haircut is really a hybrid between the shag and the more classical mullet and suits every type of hair: from super straight to curly and more textured.
How to Style Your Mullet
The mullet is just one of those haircuts in that the messier it is, the better it looks. So that means it also has to suit your attitude. If you’re all about quiet luxury and pristine, perfect hair, this might not be the best option.
If you’re coming from short hair, remember that growing a mullet requires patience, especially if a cool mullet is what you’re after. But then, maybe some extensions can take you there, quicker. This, however, is where various interpretations of what constitutes a truly stunning mullet can come into play. But as long as the hair at the back of the head is longer than the hair at the front, you’ve got yourself a true mullet.
The beauty of the mullet lies in its versatility. There IS a mullet for everyone. To style it, remember that this is a chunky, uneven hairstyle that will necessitate the right hairstyling products to bring out its messiest state in all its glory.
“It’s a haircut that requires very little maintenance,” says Stéphan W, a hairstylist and owner of the salon Stéphan W Atelier in Montreal’s Mile-End. “But you will need the right styling products to get that gritty, lived-in look. I like using hair pastes and waxes to create great separations and make hair a little bit more matte. But curling cremes are also a great option for hair that needs a bit of finishing, particularly if you’re going for a platinum mullet — which will dry out the hair in the lightening process — or one that’s embellished with beautiful pastels.”
Right now, the trend is for very textured and uneven hair. And a mullet perfectly encapsulates this vibe. So, what about upkeep for your new rebel haircut? “If your mullet is very extreme, with the sides cut super short, you’ll need to trim it every four to six weeks. If not, you can go a little longer between salon visits, say from six to eight weeks. And, of course, if you colour your hair as well, it’s best not to go beyond that time to keep your hair looking fresh and beautiful.”
So, if you’re ready to embrace your inner rockstar and show the world your adventurous side, throw caution to the wind and go for the mullet. Remember, fashion is all about having fun!
Credit: Featured Image haircut, styling and hair colour: Esteban Nault at Stéphan W Atelier
