The Mullet of Your Dreams
For a hairstyle that was once the butt of lots of jokes and is now the fashion forward look of the moment, the mullet is certainly having it’s comeuppance. We spoke to Emily, Senior Barber at our SoHo location (and mullet expert), to better understand what it means to rock a mullet, best practices for keeping your mullet looking fresh and how to ask your barber for the mullet of your dreams.
Is the mullet an "it" haircut right now?
It is undoubtedly getting more popular and I’m certainly getting a lot more requests for them. But it’s all relative and it’s still a haircut that sits on the fringes (pardon the pun) of everyday society.
What's so great about having a mullet?
That it provokes such a reaction in people! The mullet is often the butt of a lot of jokes, so it takes a lot of confidence for someone to rock it. It shows that they don’t care what others think of them and often someone is just having fun with their hair. I also love that it breaks a lot of conventional haircut rules.
What is a mullet, technically speaking?
There are so many varieties on how a mullet can be cut and worn. It can be super extreme or really subtle. It reached its peak in the 1980’s from Joan Jett to Miami Vice. A more modern take would be a skin-faded mullet, or something much softer and face framing. The main defining factor is the length left in the back, typically disconnected from the rest of the haircut. The rest is up to you!
Is it "appropriate" nowadays?
What even is “appropriate" nowadays? If you have a more corporate/button down job, probably not. But if you work in a profession where you are allowed to express yourself freely, sure. Go for it! It’s only hair.
Do you have a lot of clients getting mullets?
Currently I have about 15 regular mullet customers. I’d say it varies depending on the stylist.
How does someone ask for one?
If you’re asking for a mullet, then you probably have some level of awareness of what you’re in for! Sometimes, if I get a client who is open to suggestions and says ‘what would you do?’, I like to suggest it if I think it would fit their lifestyle, and if I’m lucky, they say yes!
What are the prerequisites? Long hair? Short hair? In-between?
All you need is enough hair to leave a longer length in the back than what you have on the rest of your head. If your hair isn’t particularly long but you want something extreme, it’s something you can work towards with your stylist. With each cut, you can leave the back longer, allowing it to grow for a more dramatic effect
Is it the ideal after-winter haircut, when you have a little extra shag to work with?
If anything I would say it’s the ideal pre-winter haircut! Mullets have been called ‘neck warmers’ in the past.
How can someone make sure their barber understands which type they want? Meaning Joe Dirt vs modern.
I would say that’s the work of the professional to be honest. A Joe Dirt mullet is pretty long and extreme. If you want something more modern, shorter, softer, that should be worked out and understood in the initial consultation. Don’t feel bad if you don’t have the language, that’s our job.
How do you care for your mullet and what products should you use?
Once you are the owner of a fantastic mullet you’ll want to keep it in tip top condition. You’ll have some length preserved, so make sure you are gently cleansing the hair whilst adding moisture to avoid breakage. For this, I’m a HUGE fan of Fellow Winter Wash. Often, I cut mullets with a lot of texture, so styling with Fellow Mineral Spray is a great shout for adding volume and really bringing out that playfulness of the haircut. You can further condition and refine the ends with our Fellow Styling Cream.
When should your next appointment be?
Hair grows about 1/2 inch every month, so you’ll tend to notice any growth a lot quicker on shorter hair as opposed to longer hair. Factors that contribute to haircut frequency include: your end goal for your hair, your vanity threshold and your availability. As a benchmark, most people get their haircut every 4 - 6 weeks.