20 Mullet Hairstyles for Women: Modern Cuts, Styling & Care

Hi, I’m Lena — a salon stylist with over a decade of experience creating bold, wearable looks. The modern women’s mullet has evolved into a versatile statement that flatters many face shapes, hair textures and lifestyles. In this gallery of 20 images I showcase everything from soft, layered mullets for fine hair to textured, choppy versions for thick, wavy textures and sleek, polished cuts for a more refined vibe. Whether you’re curious about a subtle grow-out or a full-on edgy transformation, I’ll walk you through which variations suit oval, round, square and heart-shaped faces, plus quick styling tips for each. Expect practical advice on layering, thinning, product picks and heat tools so you can recreate the looks at home or bring a clear reference to your stylist.

Textured Mullet with Micro Bangs and Long Back Layers

This textured mullet with micro bangs and long back layers suits straight to wavy hair and fine-to-medium density; thick hair can be adapted with thorough thinning. The cut is executed wet: a short, blunt micro fringe is set at the browline, then disconnected face-framing sections and graduated back layers are created. Use point-cutting and a razor or thinning shears to soften lines and introduce movement. Tools: sharp salon shears, thinning shears or a razor, tail comb, blow-dryer with nozzle, small round brush, and a flat iron or 1 curling wand for shaping. Products: lightweight mousse or root-lift, sea-salt spray, matte paste or clay, heat protectant, and dry shampoo. Styling technique: towel-dry, apply mousse to roots and sea-salt spray through lengths, rough-dry while encouraging natural texture, finish the fringe with a small round brush, and piece out layers with a fingertip amount of matte paste or light flat-iron bends. Difficulty: intermediate — precise fringe placement and disconnected blending are key. Maintenance: trims every 6–8 weeks for the fringe (8–12 for overall shape), refresh with dry shampoo between washes, and deep-condition monthly to keep ends healthy.

Choppy Shag Mullet with Wispy Curtain Bangs — Textured Layered Cut

This choppy shag-mullet with wispy curtain bangs works best on fine to medium-density hair and straight to softly wavy textures. The cut uses short, feathered layers at the crown and longer, disconnected layers through the mid-lengths and nape to create lift, movement, and an undone, lived-in finish. In the salon, I recommend razor or point-cutting and light thinning to remove bulk while preserving piecey ends and soft bangs. For styling: towel-dry, apply a volumizing mousse or sea-salt spray, then blow-dry using your fingers or a diffuser to enhance texture; use a round brush to shape bangs and a flat iron or 19–25 mm wand to add subtle bends at the ends. Tools: sharp cutting shears, razor or texturizing shears, blow dryer, round brush, flat iron/curling wand, wide-tooth comb. Products: heat protectant, sea-salt or texturizing spray, light matte pomade or cream for definition, dry shampoo for refresh. Difficulty: haircut requires professional skill; daily styling is low–moderate. Maintenance: trim every 6–8 weeks to keep shape, deep-condition ends monthly, and use dry shampoo between washes to preserve texture.

Short Curly Shag Mullet with Textured Fringe

This short curly shag mullet suits naturally wavy to coily hair (2A–4A) and medium to thick density. The cut uses lots of disconnected layers, a tapered back and a textured fringe to create movement and reduce bulk. In the salon, dry-cutting or cutting curl-by-curl is recommended so the shape follows the curl pattern; employ point cutting and a light razor for soft edges while preserving length at the nape. Tools needed: professional shears, thinning shears, straight razor (optional), wide-tooth comb, sectioning clips, blow dryer with diffuser and fingers for shaping. Products required: lightweight leave-in conditioner, curl cream or mousse for definition, sea-salt or texturizing spray for grit, small amount of styling paste or pomade for piecey ends, and a light-hold hairspray. Difficulty level: moderate — precise layering is best done by a stylist, but daily styling is straightforward. Maintenance tips: trim every 6–8 weeks to keep shape, deep-condition weekly, refresh curls with water + curl cream or a mist, diffuse on low heat to boost volume, and sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce frizz.

Textured Shag Mullet with Choppy Fringe

This modern textured shag mullet with a choppy fringe suits fine to medium hair best, but can be adapted for thicker hair by removing bulk with thinning shears. The salon cut uses short, uneven crown layers and razor‑feathered sides that graduate into a longer, disconnected nape for natural movement and separation. Styling technique: work on towel‑damp hair, mist a sea‑salt or volumizing spray through lengths, blow‑dry while lifting the crown with a vent brush, then twist and scrunch mid‑lengths with a small round or flat iron to create flicked, piecey ends. Tools needed: professional shears, razor or texturizing blade, thinning shears, blow‑dryer with nozzle, vent/round brush and a small flat iron or curling wand. Products required: heat protectant, sea‑salt/texturizing spray, light‑to‑medium hold clay or matte paste for separation, dry shampoo for refreshes and purple shampoo if hair is bleached. Difficulty level: cut — advanced (recommended for experienced stylists); everyday styling — moderate. Maintenance tips: trim fringe and crown every 6–8 weeks, tidy nape every 8–10 weeks, weekly deep conditioning for bleached hair, and refresh texture with dry shampoo and a dab of paste between cuts.

Textured Shag Mullet with Micro Bangs — Choppy Layers & Tousled Finish

This modern shag-mullet with micro bangs works best on straight to wavy hair and medium to thick densities. Fine hair can wear it with added layering and root lift; naturally curly hair will need more texturizing to keep the fringe defined. The cutting technique uses short, blunt micro bangs at the hairline, heavy layered graduation through the crown, and razored, piecey ends at the nape for movement. In the salon, cut on dry or slightly damp hair with shears and a razor for texture, finishing with point-cutting to soften edges. Styling: apply heat protectant and a volumizing mousse to damp hair, blow-dry using your fingers or a diffuser to encourage wave, then define pieces with a small-barrel curling wand or flat iron for soft flicks. Tools: professional shears, razor or texturizing scissors, blow-dryer, diffuser, small curling wand, wide-tooth comb. Products: heat protectant, sea salt or texture spray, light matte paste or pomade for ends, flexible-hold hairspray, and dry shampoo for refresh. Difficulty: intermediate (precision cutting required). Maintenance: trim bangs every 4–6 weeks, reshape layers every 8–12 weeks, use a weekly moisturizing mask to prevent split ends and refresh texture with dry shampoo between washes.

Textured Shag Mullet with Choppy Fringe — Layered, Tousled Finish

This modern shag mullet suits fine to medium hair and works well on naturally straight to wavy textures; thicker hair can also wear it when heavily texturized. The cut is built from short, cropped layers at the crown and choppy fringe, graduating to longer, razored lengths at the nape to create movement and contrast. Cutting technique: establish a short perimeter around the crown, point-cut and razor the ends for feathered texture, and create disconnected longer back sections for that mullet silhouette. Salon tools: sharp haircutting shears, a razor or texturizing blade, thinning shears, tail comb and clip, and a handheld dryer. Styling tools & products: blow-dryer (diffuser optional), small barrel wand or flat iron for piece-defining, sea-salt spray or texturizing mousse for grip, lightweight pomade or styling paste to define choppy ends, heat protectant, and flexible-hold hairspray. Difficulty level: moderate — recommend a professional for the initial cut; daily styling is quick once the shape is established. Maintenance tips: schedule trims every 6–8 weeks to maintain the silhouette, use a moisture mask weekly if colored, refresh texture with dry shampoo or sea-salt spray, and avoid heavy conditioners at the roots to preserve lift.

Textured Shag Mullet with Wispy Fringe — Layered Feathered Cut

This textured shag-mullet with a wispy fringe suits straight to wavy hair and fine-to-medium densities best; thick hair can wear it but benefits from strategic thinning and razor texturing to reduce bulk. The salon technique uses choppy, short layers on the crown, graduated longer layers at the back, point cutting and soft razor work through ends and fringe for feathered separation. Tools: sharp cutting shears, thinning shears, a barber razor (optional), clips, a blow-dryer with nozzle, round brush, and a flat iron or small-barrel wand for shaping. Products: volumizing mousse or root-lift spray on damp hair, a salt or texture spray to enhance separation, light paste or pomade for piecey definition, heat protectant, and flexible-hold hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — the cut requires professional expertise for balanced layering; daily styling is simple once the shape is in place (styling effort ~10 minutes). Maintenance: trim every 6–8 weeks to preserve the fringe and layer shape, refresh texture with a light trim and thinning as needed, use conditioner primarily on mid-lengths and ends, and revive roots with dry shampoo between washes.

Textured Shag Mullet with Micro Fringe and Natural Waves

This look suits medium to thick hair and wavy to loosely curly textures best; fine hair can wear it with added layering for volume, while very curly hair will benefit from longer, more blended layers. The cut is a modern shag-mullet: short, textured crown and micro fringe, longer disconnected layers through the sides and back. Styling technique: work on damp hair—apply a lightweight mousse or sea-salt spray, diffuse while scrunching to encourage wave and lift at the crown, then define a few face-framing pieces with a small-barrel curling wand if needed. Tools needed: professional shears and thinning shears or a razor for the cut, blow-dryer with diffuser, round brush for crown shaping, wide-tooth comb, and a 19–25 mm curling wand. Products required: heat protectant, lightweight mousse or curl cream, texturizing spray or sea-salt spray, small amount of styling paste or pomade for piece-y definition, and a flexible-hold hairspray. Difficulty level: medium—requires a skilled cutter for the shape but quick daily styling. Maintenance: trim every 6–8 weeks to keep the fringe and crown shape, deep-condition weekly to prevent dryness, and refresh texture with dry shampoo or texturizer between washes.

Textured Shag Mullet with Curtain Bangs — Medium/Long Hair

This modern shag-mullet pairs feathered, mid-length layers with soft curtain bangs for a textured, lived-in silhouette. Suitability: Best for straight to wavy hair and medium to thick density; fine hair can wear this shape with added layering and root-lift products, while very curly hair should take longer, softer layers to control bulk. Styling technique: The cut features shorter, choppy layers at the crown, graduated sides and a longer back with point-cut ends; curtain bangs are trimmed and texturized. To style, towel-dry and apply a root-lifting mousse, then blow-dry with a medium round brush to lift the crown and smooth lengths. Use a 1 curling wand or flat iron to add soft flips and separation at the ends for piecey movement. Tools needed: professional cutting shears, texturizing scissors or razor, blow dryer with nozzle, medium round brush and a 1 iron. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse/root lifter, sea-salt or texturizing spray, small amount of styling cream or pomade for ends, flexible hairspray. Difficulty level: Cut is advanced (salon recommended); daily styling is moderate (10–15 minutes). Maintenance tips: schedule trims every 6–8 weeks for bangs and layers, clarify monthly, deep-condition as needed, and refresh day-two hair with dry shampoo and a mist of texturizer for instant lift and separation.

Textured Half-Up Ponytail with Curtain Bangs for Wavy Hair

This textured half-up ponytail with soft curtain bangs is ideal for medium to thick wavy and curly hair, and can be adapted for straight hair by adding texture. To create it, section the top third of the hair from temple to temple, lightly backcomb at the crown for lift, then gather and secure with a small elastic, leaving face-framing bangs and the lower lengths loose. Use a 1–1.25-inch curling wand or diffuser to define waves, then finger-comb for a lived-in finish. Tools needed: wide-tooth comb, tail comb, small elastic, bobby pins, curling wand or diffuser, microfiber towel. Recommended products: lightweight volumizing mousse or root lift, sea-salt/texturizing spray, heat protectant, lightweight oil on ends, flexible hairspray. Difficulty: easy–medium — about 10–20 minutes once hair is prepped. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase or tie a loose silk scarf; refresh by misting sea-salt spray and reworking waves with fingers or a diffuser; use dry shampoo at roots between washes; trim curtain bangs every 4–6 weeks and remove excess weight with long layers to keep movement. Salon tip: request long face-framing layers so the half-up sits naturally and reduces bulk.

Feathered Mullet Shag with Voluminous Crown and Textured Ends

This modern feathered mullet-shag works best on straight to wavy hair and on fine-to-medium thickness — it adds lift for limp hair and can be softened for thicker hair by removing weight with long layers. The salon technique: cut short, graduated layers at the crown and face with longer length in the nape; use point-cutting or a razor for feathered ends and texture. Styling: apply heat protectant and a root-lifting mousse to damp hair, blow-dry with a round brush to lift the crown and flip the top sections back, then use a medium-barrel curling iron or flat iron to bend pieces for separation. Tools needed: blow dryer with concentrator, medium round brush, vent brush, 1–1.25

Textured Shag Mullet with Micro Fringe for Wavy & Curly Hair

This modern textured shag mullet with a short micro fringe suits fine-to-medium density hair and is especially flattering on natural waves and loose curls; straight hair can wear it with added texture from styling. The salon technique combines short, choppy layers at the crown, tapered sides and a feathered nape to create movement and silhouette. Cutters use blunt-to-point cutting for the fringe, slide-cutting and razor or point cutting through mid-lengths, and occasional thinning shears to remove bulk without losing shape. Tools needed: quality cutting shears, thinning shears, straight razor (optional), tail comb, sectioning clips, blow dryer with diffuser and a small styling brush or fingers for finishing. Products required: heat protectant, lightweight mousse or curl cream on damp hair, sea-salt or texturizing spray for separation, small amount of pomade/wax for piece definition, light-hold hairspray and dry shampoo for refreshes. Difficulty: the cut requires a professional cutter for balanced layering; everyday styling is low–medium effort. Maintenance tips: trim fringe every 4–6 weeks, reshape layers every 8–12 weeks, deep-condition monthly, refresh with water + salt spray and scrunch, diffuse on low heat or air-dry, and sleep on silk to minimize frizz.

Textured Shaggy Mullet with Choppy Micro Bangs – Short-to-Medium Layered Cut

This modern shaggy mullet with choppy micro-bangs works best on straight to wavy hair and on fine-to-medium densities; thicker hair can be thinned to achieve the same piecey separation. The cut is created with short, textured layers on top, graduated sideburns and a slightly longer, feathered nape — achieved in-salon using point-cutting, razoring for soft edges, and clippers for a clean neckline. For styling, start on towel-dried hair with a light volumizing mousse at roots and a heat protectant through lengths. Blow-dry using fingers and a medium vent brush to lift the crown; smooth the fringe with a small round brush if desired. Add a texturizing spray or sea-salt spray, then define individual pieces with a small amount of matte paste or pomade, twisting strands for separation. Finish with a flexible-hold hairspray to lock shape without stiffness. Difficulty: moderate — precise layering requires a skilled stylist, while home styling is quick. Maintenance: schedule trims every 6–8 weeks to preserve shape, use a weekly deep-conditioning mask for mid-length health, and refresh between washes with dry shampoo and texture spray.

Textured Shag Mullet with Micro Bangs — Layered, Wavy, Tousled Finish

This textured shag-mullet with short/micro bangs works best on medium to thick hair and naturally wavy textures; it can be adapted for straight or curly hair by adjusting layer weight. The salon technique uses disconnected layering: shorter, feathered layers at the crown and fringe with longer, tapered lengths through the nape to create movement and contrast. For styling, towel-dry and apply a lightweight volumizing mousse at roots, then diffuse to set natural wave. While damp, mist a sea‑salt or texturizing spray through mid-lengths and scrunch; use a small-barrel curling wand to define selective pieces if needed. Finish by raking a matte paste through ends and pinch the fringe into soft, separated pieces. Tools: professional shears, thinning or texturizing scissors (or a razor), blow dryer with diffuser, wide-tooth comb, small curling wand. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, salt/texturizing spray, matte paste or clay, flexible-hold hairspray. Difficulty: the cut demands an experienced stylist; daily styling is low–moderate (5–10 minutes). Maintenance: trim bangs and shape every 6–8 weeks, deep-condition monthly, refresh texture with water + salt spray, and sleep on silk to reduce frizz.

Textured Shag-Mullet with Short Curtain Bangs

This modern shag-mullet features short, choppy curtain bangs, heavy textured layers at the crown and feathery long layers through the length. Suitability: ideal for medium to thick hair and naturally wavy textures; straight hair can achieve the look with styling, while very fine hair will need careful layering and root-lifting products to avoid limpness. Styling technique: the cut is created with razor or point-cutting to add separation and remove weight, followed by root stacking for lift and face-framing fringe. To style, rough-dry with a blow dryer while lifting at the roots with fingers or a small round brush, then enhance movement with a diffuser or a 1

Textured Shag Mullet with Choppy Micro-Bangs

This modern shag-mullet blends short, choppy micro-bangs with feathered layers and textured ends — ideal for straight to slightly wavy hair of medium density. The cut creates movement and edge without excessive bulk, working well for oval, heart and oblong face shapes. Technique: start with dry point-cutting and slide-cut layers to build internal texture; use a razor or texturizing shears on ends to feather and remove weight. Tools needed: professional cutting shears, texturizing shears or razor, blow dryer with nozzle, vent brush, small round brush, flat iron (optional) and sectioning clips. Products required: lightweight heat protectant, sea-salt or texture spray for grip, matte paste or fiber wax for definition, and a light finishing hairspray. Difficulty level: intermediate — requires precise layering and texturizing skills to balance fringe and mullet length. Maintenance tips: schedule trims every 6–8 weeks to keep bangs and layers crisp; use a nourishing weekly mask on mid-lengths to ends; apply styling paste sparingly to avoid weighing hair; and refresh texture between washes with a spritz of salt spray and light tousling with fingers.

Textured Mullet Shag with Short Fringe — Layered Tousled Volume

This modern mullet-shag with a short, textured fringe works best on straight to wavy hair and is ideal for fine to medium densities; thicker hair benefits from internal thinning so the shape sits light and airy. The salon technique combines short, graduated layers at the crown with longer layered lengths at the nape and razor or point-cut texturizing through the ends to create movement and feathered fringe. For styling: work on towel-dried hair with a volumizing mousse or root-lift spray, blow-dry using a round brush to lift the crown, then run a flat iron or small-barrel wand through mid-lengths for soft separation. Finish by scrunching in sea-salt or texturizing spray and define pieces with a light cream paste or matte pomade. Tools needed: sharp cutting shears, texturizing shears or razor, blow dryer, round brush, flat iron, clips. Products: heat protectant, mousse/root lift, texturizer, light paste, flexible hairspray. Difficulty: intermediate — precision cutting should be done by a stylist; everyday styling is quick (5–10 minutes). Maintenance: trim fringe/crown every 6–8 weeks, refresh length every 10–12 weeks, deep-condition monthly and use dry shampoo between washes.

Textured Wavy Shag-Mullet with Short Fringe

This edgy shag-mullet with a cropped, textured fringe is ideal for naturally wavy to loose-curly hair and medium-thick textures; it also adapts well to straight hair when given body with styling. The salon cut uses disconnected layers: short, choppy bangs at the front, heavily texturized crown layers for lift, and longer, razored length at the back to create movement. Styling technique: towel-dry to damp, work a volumizing mousse or sea-salt spray through roots to ends, scrunch to enhance natural wave, then diffuse on low heat or air-dry. Use a small-barrel curling iron to boost any flattened pieces and finger-rake. Finish by working a pea-sized amount of matte paste or light texturizing cream through the mid-lengths and ends to separate layers, and mist with flexible hold hairspray. Tools needed: professional scissors and razor (cut), thinning shears, blow dryer with diffuser, wide-tooth comb, small curling iron/flat iron. Products required: gentle shampoo/conditioner, leave-in detangler, sea-salt spray or mousse, texturizer/paste, flexible hairspray. Difficulty: medium — precise cutting requires a stylist; daily styling is quick. Maintenance: trim bangs and crown every 6–8 weeks, deep-condition weekly, sleep on a silk pillowcase, and refresh texture with a dry texturizing spray between washes.

Textured Shag Mullet with Piecey Fringe — Tousled Layered Cut

This textured shag mullet suits fine to medium-thick hair and works beautifully on natural waves or relaxed curls. The cut features short, choppy top layers and a longer, feathered back with a piecey, eyebrow‑length fringe to frame the face. Styling technique: cut with point‑cutting and softening with a razor or texturizing shears to create separation; dry with a diffuser or air‑dry while scrunching to enhance natural texture. Tools needed: hair‑cutting shears and texturizing scissors or a razor, blow dryer with diffuser, wide‑tooth comb, small flat iron or 19–25mm curling iron for piece shaping, and a vent brush. Products required: lightweight mousse or sea‑salt spray on damp hair, heat protectant, a small amount of texturizing paste or cream for definition, lightweight oil for ends, and flexible‑hold hairspray. Difficulty level: moderate — shaping the top layers and fringe requires skill to balance texture and length. Maintenance tips: trim every 6–8 weeks to preserve the silhouette, use dry shampoo between washes to retain lift, avoid heavy conditioners at the roots, and add a weekly deep‑conditioning mask for mid‑lengths and ends.

Textured Silver Waves with Choppy Micro‑Bangs and Low Pigtails

A modern, textured look that pairs choppy micro‑bangs with loose, low pigtails—ideal for enhancing natural wave and showing off silver or ash tones. Best suited to wavy to loosely curly hair (2A–3A) or relaxed straight hair that can hold a wave. For the cut and color, book a salon visit: a razor or point‑cut technique creates the wispy, short fringe while long layers through the lengths preserve movement. Styling technique: start on damp hair with a lightweight leave‑in and heat protectant, scrunch in a sea‑salt or curl‑enhancing spray, then diffuse or air‑dry to set texture. Part in the middle, pull two low sections at the nape and secure loosely with covered elastics, tugging pieces free for softness; finish by texturizing the bangs with a tiny bit of pomade. Tools needed: diffuser, 1

Choosing a mullet is a fun way to reinvent your look while keeping real-world manageability. As a pro, I recommend starting with a consultation so your cut is tailored to your hair density, growth patterns and face shape. Maintain shape with trims every 6–8 weeks, use a lightweight texturizing spray or sea-salt mist for lived-in texture, and a smoothing serum for polished styles. Protect hair from heat with a barrier spray and keep color vibrant with sulfate-free shampoos and regular gloss treatments. For fine hair, ask for long layers and blunt edges at the front to create the illusion of thickness; for thick hair, soften bulk with interior thinning and shorter top layers. Bring one of the 20 images from this post to your appointment — visual references help ensure we get the length, layering and finish you want. If you’re unsure, I’m happy to help you adapt a mullet to your daily routine and styling comfort.