The Modern Mullet Is Trending in 2020

May 2024 · 4 minute read

In 2019, we saw an onslaught of nostalgic haircuts make a comeback. And in 2020, beauty trends are continuing to be influenced by the past. Case in point: the bowl cut walked again so other controversial retro haircuts like the mullet could run.

Traditionally shorter in the front and longer in the back, the mullet was the look of choice back in the '90s for anyone who wanted the world to know that they mean business, but also like to party.

Mullet jokes out of the way, the modern rendition of the cut is a low-key, natural progression of the '70s shag — another of this year's biggest vintage-inspired hair trends.

Miley Cyrus has been an early adopter of the mullet.

Celebrity hairstylist Sally Hershberger first gave the singer a modern mullet in the fall of 2019. The style had a cool "punk vibe," with Hershberger using scissors for the initial cut, then going in with a razor to add definition and texture.

"The mullet is having its moment because it's a much edgier look and style than what we've been seeing with the wavy bob or the beachy bob," Hershberger tells InStyle. "This style is much more cool and strong."

Celebrity hairstylist Laurie Heaps is also a mullet enthusiast. She's styled the look on actresses Rowan Blanchard and Barbie Ferriera. "As a progression of the shag, the mullet cuts we are seeing are a bit more provocative," she says. "They're are elevated and chic – not words we typically associate with the look."

VIDEO: Miley Cyrus Has a Full-On Mullet Now

Like the shag, both stylists say the mullet works well with a number of hair types. "You can work with your natural wave pattern, keep it straight, or switch it up with hot tools," Heap says. "This is a great cut to let your natural texture run free."

But if you want to style your hair for a more tousled look, Heap suggests using a flat iron like the CHI Lava Ceramic Hairstyling Iron to add some dimension to your hair or enhance your natural texture. "Taking small sections of hair, you can flick your wrist and wave the iron back and forth up and down the strand," she says. "This will give it some funky twists and curves."

To control or shape the cut — whether it's styled straight, wavy, or curly — Hershberger recommends using a lightweight balm that doesn't weight the hair down. Her go-to is the Vanity Shaping Balm from her eponymous haircare line.

For anyone who needs to be further convinced about the mullet, Rihanna is officially here for it. Her circa-2013 mullet made an appearance in Amazon's preview of her second Savage X Fenty show. Then, she sent models like Cara Delevingne and Raisa Flowers down the runway wearing the look.

Below, how some of our favorite celebrities are wearing the modern mullet.

Barbie Ferriera

Here, the Euphoria star demonstrates how to do the mullet with a full set of bangs. Heaps styled her hair straight, tucking a few of Ferriera's front pieces behind her ears for an effortless, laid-back look.

Miley Cyrus

The razored ends of Cyrus' cut by Hershberger give it an edgy punk vibe.

Raisa Flowers

Jerritt Clark/Getty Images

The model and makeup artist channeled the '90s with her choppy mullet at the Savage X Fenty Vol. 2 fashion show.

Finn Wolfhard

Wolfhard shocked fans when he debuted this '70s-inspired shaggy mullet on Instagram. Mike Wheeler, who?

Rowan Blanchard

Heaps channeled '80s glam rock legends when styling the A Wrinkle in Time star's curly mullet for a NYFW appearance in Sept. 2019.

Cara Delevingne

Jerritt Clark/Getty Images

Delevingne was one of the many models that wore mullets at Rihanna's Savage X Fenty show. Her style was complete with textured bangs.

Halsey

The singer's take on the trend is longer than the traditional mullet, but it still falls into the category because of her cut's heavy face-framing layers and textured bangs.

Billie Eilish

Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images

Eilish updated her signature neon green and black hair with cheekbone-length bangs and longer pieces towards the back of her head.

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