Behold the "Shullet": 28 Modern Takes on the Mullet (Seriously)

leigh anne pinnock wearing a mullet

@leighannepinnock / Instagram

Here's one thing we never thought we'd say: The mullet is back, baby! (Hang on now, hear us out.) With a softer look and less-harsh transition between lengths, the once extremely polarizing cut has returned with a refreshing rebrand. Now dubbed the "shullet," the short-up-top, long-in-the-back style resembles more of a cross between a shag and a mullet that beautifully suits both poker-straight and curly hair. Frankly, we're here for it and with so many celebs repping the look, the cut has taken on a whole new level of cool. Still not convinced? We consulted stylists Chris Jones and Rena Calhoun to dish on the trending 'do.

Meet the Expert

  • Chris Jones is a stylist and co-founder of Salon Bugatti. He is also a Virtue ambassador.
  • Rena Calhoun is a Virtue ambassador and celebrity hairstylist represented by A-Frame Agency.

Keep scrolling to see 28 of our favorite shullet styles.

01 of 28

Defined Shullet

leigh anne pinnock in neon suit with shullet hair

@leighannepinnock / Instagram

English singer-songwriter Leigh-Anne Pinnock's lime-green suit and lived-in texture is attention-grabbing, to say the least. "This is a great option if you like the idea of a mullet but want to keep some length in your hair," comments Calhoun. The best part? Any hair type and texture can pull off this cut, she adds.

All it takes is priming with a texture spray throughout. "Follow by applying just a bit of a sticky/tacky (but lightweight) pomade on just the ends to create piecey-ness and definition," instructs Calhoun.

02 of 28

Glam Rock Shullet

rowan blanchard in sequin dress with curly shullet

@rowanblanchard / Instagram

Rowan Blanchard's shullet has got it all: volume, texture, even glam rock. "Her natural texture works perfectly for this effortless wash-and-go look," comments Jones.

Byrdie Tip

If you have stick-straight hair, Calhoun suggests getting a wave perm to add body.

03 of 28

Fluffy Copper Shullet

Sadie Sink

@tommy_buckett

Sadie Sink recently unveiled a shaggy copper mullet. The actress' hairstylist Tommy Buckett gave the look extreme volume and body by adding tons of layers.

04 of 28

Coiled Shullet

Brunette woman with coiled curly shullet

@haircolorkilla / Instagram

Speaking of curls, these springy strands are oh-so lush. With loads of multi-length angles, the shullet cut is ideal for shedding weight and amplifying bounce.

05 of 28

Finger Wave Shullet

lizzo wearing a finger wave mullet hairstyle

@theshelbyswain

Lizzo is known for her head-turning hair looks—and this finger wave mullet is no exception. The singer's go-to hairstylist Shelby Swain created this look using Dove products like the Flexible Hold Hairspray ($8) and Finishing Gel ($16).

06 of 28

Chocolate Brown Shullet

Kristen Stewart mullet close up

Getty Images

Kristen Stewart debuted her choppy chocolate brown shullet at Chanel's SS22 runway show. Her hairstylist, Adir Abergel, added layers and dimension to her neck-grazing haircut by adding micro fringe bangs.

07 of 28

Braided Shullet

Brunette woman in black aviators with braided and beaded shullet

@tiffanymbattle / Instagram

A braided shullet is nothing short of a hairstyle power move. We love how the beaded ends emphasize the angles and varied lengths.

08 of 28

Punk Shullet

kesha with shullet hair

Steve Granitz / WireImage / Getty Images 

Kesha's hair evolution has seen many cuts, colors, and styles, but we count this look as one of her mane's most memorable moments. "In a world saturated with bobs and balayage, the modern mullet is a rebellious way to go against the grain. It’s the faded jeans and band T-shirt of hairstyles," says Jones.

09 of 28

Neon Shullet

billie eilish with neon shullet hair

@billieeilish / Instagram

It comes as no surprise that Billie Eilish is yet another recording artist to make our list of top modern mullet looks. When it comes to sourcing head-turning hair inspo, we find that musicians almost never disappoint.

10 of 28

Shaved Shullet

rihanna with shaved shullet hair

Jason LaVeris / FilmMagic / Getty Images

Rihanna's interpretation of a modern mullet involves playing with texture. While she wears most of her mane thick and wavy, she undercuts with a shaved side to highlight contrasts. It's "an effortless look that works best on slightly textured hair. Because it's so layered, the haircut does all the work and is virtually wash-and-go," says Jones. 

11 of 28

Voluminous Shullet

Smiling woman with black voluminous curls in shullet cut

@rahelbrhane_ / Instagram

This soft glam iteration is all about the volume. To achieve lightweight, bouncy curls, Calhoun adds, "I always prep my clients with Virtue Moisture Defining Whip ($38). Once you’ve applied product, you can air-dry but a diffuser works wonders on curls if you want that extra pump of volume."

12 of 28

Soft Shullet

charlotte carey with soft shullet hair

@_charlottecarey / Instagram

British and Indonesian model Charlotte Carey can't decide between wearing her hair straight or curly—so she does both. Her face-framing bangs lead into cascading curls for a result that is casual and cool.

13 of 28

Faux-Hawk Shullet

kristen stewart with highlighted shullet hair

Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images 

Hair chameleon Kristen Stewart pulls off a shullet without a hitch. For this cut, leave hair longer in the center and cut sides a bit shorter. The effect is a subtle faux-hawk of sorts. The blonde on top and darker shade underneath add depth and the illusion of thicker strands.

14 of 28

Sophisticated Shullet

sharon stone with feathered swept-back shullet

 Jean Baptiste Lacroix / WireImage / Getty Images

Sharon Stone's shullet is chic and low-maintenance (was there ever a better combo?) Not to mention, "this length is great for finer textures and hair that can lack natural volume," notes Calhoun. To achieve this look, she instructs prepping hair with a volumizing primer—we like Alterna Haircare Caviar Anti-Aging® Multiplying Volume Styling Mist ($30)—"focusing on the top and front sections. Round brush with over direction to create as much volume as needed. To finish, apply a lightweight pomade on your hands and fingers and run it through gently, away from the face."

15 of 28

Shullet With Bangs

zendaya with caramel blonde shullet

Getty Images

With a full, thick fringe, this style would have easily held its own as a bowl cut, but we love how Zendaya opted to leave some length to create a modern mullet instead. It's a great cut for those with thick tresses and the honey-blonde color is too good to ignore.

16 of 28

Curly Shullet

Mica Argañaraz curly shullet

Getty Images

Working with your mane's natural texture, rather than against it, is the new hair mantra that seems to be gaining traction. "I think that having texture in hair is so flattering because it creates softness around the face," says Calhoun. To achieve this low-maintenance look, which works best on those with naturally wavy or even curly strands, "apply a bit of Virtue 6-in-1 Leave-In Cream ($36) to tame and create a lightweight, shiny finish."

17 of 28

Wet-Look Shullet

Barbie Ferreira with wet-look shullet hair

@barbieferreira / Instagram

Barbie Ferreira is no stranger to pushing the envelope when it comes to interesting hairstyles. She's played with costume wigs, green hair, and, now, the shullet. A bold graphic eye takes this trendy look to the next level.

18 of 28

Shattered Shullet

ursula Corberó with shullet hair

Getty Images

Never has a shullet looked so chic than on Úrsula Corberó. "Because the haircut is square it works great on oval and heart-shaped faces. The textured top and longer back will elongate the face, something a narrow or longer face shape might not find as flattering," comments Jones.

19 of 28

Rounded Shullet

miley cyrus with blonde shullet hair

Getty Images

Miley Cyrus has been seen wearing a shullet on more than one occasion, in fact, we're hoping it becomes her new signature look. Calhoun loves how she incorporates a fringe since "[it] makes a mullet look super modern. I think that a fringe is very flattering and can be softening on most people, especially when cut to the correct length for their face shape."

20 of 28

Wavy Shullet

halsey with black shullet hair

Roy Rochlin / Getty Images 

Halsey has had a lot of hair-worthy moments—even her natural hair gave us pause— and this shullet is no exception. "Love this modern but wearable version. It's edgy but not overly layered and cropped," says Jones. A hair oil and styling cream combo like Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil ($43) and Kristin Ess Weightless Shine Air Dry Crème ($11) respectively, "would not only give the texture some support but also a ton of shine," he adds.

Byrdie Tip

Since this is a versatile style, consider air-drying hair for a natural finish, notes Jones. However, he points out that this will work best if you have some natural texture or wave.

21 of 28

Pompadour Shullet

portia de rossi with shullet hair

Jason LaVeris / FilmMagic / Getty Images

Portia de Rossi's subdued style is an elegant shullet spinoff worth noting. "I actually love this haircut. This works great for clients with finer hair. The short top blown up and away from the face is so in right now," says Jones.

22 of 28

Wispy Shullet

Scarlett Johansson blonde wispy mullet

Getty Images

Scarlett Johansson has the more extreme version of the shullet, with the fringe bangs, short wispy sides, and long back. Instead of graduated layers, ask your stylist for more pronounced length difference between the front and the back.

23 of 28

Effortless Shullet

woman with blonde shullet

@anhcotran / Instagram

These face-framing graduated layers give the ultimate cool-girl vibes. The slightly crinkled pattern beautifully emphasizes the layers and fringe bangs for that coveted live-in look.

24 of 28

Long Shullet

Doja Cat with long shullet hair

Getty Images

Doja Cat tops off her sexy look at the Grammy Awards with this chic dark shullet. Her hairstyle features more dramatic layers between the front and the back, and gives a new twist to the mullet by switching the longer fringe bangs with the shorter bangs.

25 of 28

Transitional-Length Shullet

Demi Lovato in blue velvet suit with shullet haircut

Getty Images

Demi Lovato's short mullet haircut is perfect for showing off their features. This haircut was also a great transition look as they were growing out their short pixie cut. Lovato keeps the bangs super short and has more gradual layers going from shorter in the front to longer in the back.

26 of 28

Micro Shullet

Zoe Kravitz with baby bangs and shullet attends the 2022 GQ Men Of The Year Party Hosted By Global Editorial Director Will Welch at The West Hollywood EDITION

Getty Images

Speaking of transitional length, Zoe Kravitz's micro shullet emphasizes the very beginnings of growth. If this isn't proof that going from a pixie to a shullet requires zero down time we don't know what is.

27 of 28

Baby Shullet

brunnette woman with pixie mullet

@hayleyswanbeauty / Instagram

With a little extra length, the shattered angles of a shullet truly take form. We love the addition of wispy, elongated sideburns to frame the face.

28 of 28

Feathered Shullet

woman with platinum mullet

@anhcotran / Instagram

This ethereal shullet is giving major 70's glam. From sharp and edgy to soft and sweet, this styling beautifully illustrates how versatile the cut can be.

FAQ
  • Will a shullet haircut work with curly hair?

    Yes, a shullet hairstyle will look great on those with curly hair. Thanks to the layers, your hair will have lots of volume in the front and a nice wave in the back. Keep in mind that the shorter the hair is cut, the curlier your hair will be.

  • What is the best face shape for a shullet?

    Oval or square face shapes look fabulous with the shullet haircut. If you have a round face, you can still pull off the shullet—just make sure to not have too much volume on the sides. If you have a heart-shaped face, opt for a longer shullet to help balance out your features.

  • Can I pull off a shullet if I have thin hair?

    Yes, thin hair works well with the shullet. Ask for a medium-length or shorter mullet over a longer haircut, and focus on creating volume up top.

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