I always enjoy when I get to meet new customers and every few years I hear the same line, “I want a mullet, but no judging.” I personally love mullets and feel they could have chosen something much more generic, but I think we can all agree that mullets are back in fashion. They really shine when combined with wavy hair as they look great with that irregular short to long look.
I remember a young girl with tight lovely curls who came to my salon every day and fought her way through the entire process of slicking her hair back in order to avoid the dreaded curls just to be able to come to my salon. After that, I convinced her to get a curly mullet and when she said it was the first time a haircut ever felt like her, I knew we created something special. Rocking a curly mullet is a great way to encourage your curls to act naturally instead of stifling them. Also, modern mullets can be styled in a wide range from cute to quite edgy. A fit of your choice is guaranteed to exist with an updated mullet!
#1: That Glow-Up Layered Curly Mullet
I really appreciate this transformation! Adding some layers to those curls really changes the whole vibe. The shorter layers create volume and movement, and the longer curls in the back give you the length you’re not ready to let go of. This haircut also reduces that heavy “triangle head” look while still keeping your curl pattern. The layers around the face really complete the look. Those top layers will need a trim every 6 to 8 weeks to keep their shape, so make sure to keep those scheduled!
#2: That Asymmetrical Bang Curly Mullet
These bangs really deserve some love. They put an angle on what would be pretty standard curly mullet. It creates a lot of incredible volume and texture, and the front pieces of the cut provide just the right amount of face framing. This style will really work with your natural bounce and mid-density curls, and will avoid adding any fake volume with layers. To avoid unflattering growth, you will need to be pretty transparent with yourself about your cancellation habits since you will need to book regular shape ups to maintain the silhouette.
#3: Soft Tapered Curly Mullet with Big Volume
I like the simplicity that this style gives and I like it all. The light tapering on the sides is nice and the soft narrowing makes the curls stand out. This may be the look you’re going for. If you have thick and unruly hair, this shape gives good support while still keeping volume. I honesty have to say, this shape gets shaggy quickly, so you need to stay on top of your trims. It looks great when it is fresh.
#4: Choppy Front, Party Back Curly Mullet
This style works particularly well with the all-black color since it allows each individual curl to be seen clearly. A strong front layer gives depth and focus to the facial area, but the long flowing back curls support the broad drama of the style. For thicker hair this is ideal. The back balances the choppiness of the top. It has that ‘I woke up this cool’ look, although we know some thought went into it. The shape will need to be maintained because as the front layers grow, everything will change.
#5: That Gorgeous Tousled Grey-Streaked Mullet
I am going to celebrate the appearance of natural gray hairs… and I mean *celebrate*! It’s my job to convince clients to embrace their gray hairs, and now I’m ‘greying’ the hair out with them. Gray hairs bring so much natural dimension to the hair; no colorist can replicate that. This look features a curly mullet that hits at shoulder-length and has soft layers framed around the face. Looks so beautiful and soft! While it may seem effortless, trust me, it takes a lot of skill to get that undone balance just right. There’s a thin line between tousled and messy, and you need someone to know where that line is. The result is a style that can make you look amazing whether you spent 5 minutes or 25 minutes on it.
#6: Long Curly Cascade with Side Bangs
This is for my girl who wants mullet energy but isn’t ready to go super short on top, and honestly, I respect that. The length here is generous with curls hitting the shoulders and those side-swept bangs adding softness without feeling too “done.” What I really notice is how the bangs melt right into the layers, there’s no harsh line where the fringe ends and the rest of the hair begins, which is actually harder to achieve than it looks. If you’ve got a natural curl pattern, this gives you a ton of versatility in how you wear it day to day. You ARE going to need to stay on top of defining those curls though, a good curl cream and regular conditioning are non-negotiable with this length or frizz will take over fast.
#7: Spring-Loaded Coils with a Tapered Neckline
I LOVE how every single curl here looks like it has its own IDENTITY, it is SO GOOD! The length is perfect because it shows enough curl to see the pattern without the weight pulling everything down. And the tapered neckline?? People never comment what happens to the back of the neck, but it helps so much with how the whole cut looks. It lifts everything and gives you a super clean look from all angles. The back of the neck looks so good! The layers are beautifully springing with each curl’s natural spring. If I’m being honest your first styling session after this cut is going to take a little while to get your curl routine down, but once you do then I swear it’s so easy to maintain.
#8: That Wine-Colored Curly Mullet Moment
If you’ve been thinking about adding some color to your curly mullet, consider this your sign! That wine color is stunning! It adds warmth and richness to your entire look and elevates your cut. This look is super versatile, you could even wear it to brunch or a gallery opening! The sculpted edges are a fantastic addition here and really add contrast to the curls. If you have thicker hair, the voluminous layers are perfect because they help maintain the shape without sacrificing fullness. If your work environment is a bit conservative, this haircut may raise a few eyebrows, but that is on them! Just be sure to use a color-depositing conditioner to keep your wine color looking fresh between salon visits!
#9 Sun-Kissed Highlights on a Curly Mullet
The highlights look great and give off that I just got back from vacation feel, which is what sun kissed colors are supposed to do, right? The back also has longer curls and a classic mullet with a graduated look towards the front, and I love that natural texture is celebrated here. And…the highlights seem to have intention behind them, and aren’t just placed randomly all over the place. They are placed to go with the curls so each spiral has so much more depth and dimension. The length is also a huge bonus because it is super easy to manage for everyday styling. Just a heads up, between maintaining the highlights and keeping the ends of your curls defined, you will be a regular at the salon, and I’m not mad about it because I get to see you more!
#10: Big Natural Curls, Classic Mullet Shape
When showing people about curly mullet styles that are “wash n go”, this is the style I show them. The tight curls provide great natural volume with no need for a round brush or a diffuser. The crown lift is also natural! The graduated layers are perfect because they work with the way curly hair naturally stacks. As this haircut grows out, it will still look intentional for a long time, which is great for those with a busy schedule. Just a heads up, though, this version might not translate the same way on finer/straighter hair without a lot of product, so keep that in mind.
#11 Flowy Curly Mullet with Easy Layers
The vibe I get is “I didn’t put any effort into this but I look flawless” and that’s what most people want, right? The layers are really subtle, not dramatic, just adding to the natural movement and texture to give a bit of enhancement. Light and airy around the face creates a nice soft fall. If you have wavy or curly hair and want something low maintenance, this is it! For round faces, I love this look. The layers really help create length and dimension, but it’s not extremely layered. The only thing is, with this texture, you’ll need a good deep conditioner to maintain the bounce. Otherwise, the frizz will take over.
#12: Copper Curls Mullet with Warm Tones
The color on this one is absolutely regal! That deep copper color is so rich and reflects beautifully on every curl! The cut is smart too because it provides volume at the crown and the tapered ends help prevent it from feeling heavy at the bottom. The variation in color is beautiful and contrasts nicely with the curl pattern. I will be honest though, while copper is absolutely stunning, it is one of the fastest fading colors so you will definitely need to keep up with maintenance on the cut and color. For medium to thick hair, this is a total knock out. The layers perfectly keep the shape in between appointments.
#13: Golden Ringlets with a Clean Fade
I love how the golden ringlets contrast with the neat fade on the sides. It’s very bold and stands out. This haircut stops people in the street! The ringlets have loads of personality and work well as the centre piece of the cut while the sides are all neat and sharp. If you have thick hair, this style will help you achieve that curled top look. You won’t have to spend too much time styling this in the morning which is great. The fade is also super clean which means you can leave the style as it is. You might need to visit the barber more often to maintain the fade, but it will definitely be worth it.
#14: Sculpted Volume Curly Mullet with Clean Edges
The detail in the sculpting of this cut is stunning. The way the natural shape and volume of the hair is showcased is beautiful. The way the springy curls on the top complement the layering on the side is impressive. It really gives a nice silhouette to oval and heart shaped faces, and I love how it is balanced and effortless. To get the curls to look this good it will take some dedication to your conditioning and curl enhancing routine. The curls are really going to need a lot of maintenance, but to keep protecting your investment it is worth it. There is no effort that will be needed to keep the shape of this cut. It will continue to look great without a lot of work.
#15: Tight Ringlet Mullet with a Soft Fringe
This is another one of those haircuts where I find something new every time that I appreciate. The ringlets here give so much life and the soft fringe pulls the entire look together effortlessly. The fringe also doesn’t just hang there like an afterthought. It is fully integrated into the curly layers which provide tons of styling options. You can sweep it to the side or let it fall forward, or do whatever you want. This haircut definitely works best for people with naturally curly hair. It requires the least amount of maintenance for a mullet style because the curls do most of the work for you. It is such a fun haircut that I would recommend as a “set it and forget it” style!
Enter your email and get this picture and description straight to your inbox, and you'll also get new hair ideas ❤️
🔒 We don't spam or sell emails. See our Privacy Policy.