Mini Mullet Haircut: The Men's, Modern and Little Versions
A mini mullet haircut is a toned down mullet: short on top and sides, with a little extra length at the back of the neck instead of the long tail of the old style. It gives you the shape of the cut without the commitment, and it is easy to fit into an office or a school.
At Lilacroix Barbers in Laurelton we cut modern mini mullets on coily, curly and wavy hair, and each type needs a different approach. Here is what the mini mullet is, the men's version, the modern version, the little mullet for kids, how to ask for it and how long it takes to grow.
What is a mini mullet haircut?
A mini mullet is a short top, tapered or faded sides, and a back that is left only a little longer, usually an inch or two past the collar line of the neck. It is the same idea as the full mullet in a smaller size.
The full mullet runs long at the back and short on the sides. The mini keeps the contrast without the length, so it looks intentional and not messy. On straight hair the back lies flat. On coily hair it forms a short, rounded back that sits at the nape.
It is a short cut with a small surprise. If you wear a cap, only the back shows. If you wear no cap, the sides are crisp and the top is neat. The Burst fade version is covered in our post on the burst fade mullet.
What is the men's mini mullet?
The men's mini mullet is a short, clean cut with a tapered side, a one or two inch top and a back that is allowed to grow a little. It is meant to read as a modern haircut and not a throwback.
| Part of the cut | What to ask for |
|---|---|
| Top | About 2 to 3 inches, with some texture |
| Sides | Low taper or low fade, number 1 or 2 at the bottom |
| Back | Left 1 to 2 inches past the neckline, rounded or squared |
| Edges | Clean line up at the hairline and temples |
| Beard | Trim and sculpt to match, if you wear one |
It fits a lot of different men, from a high school senior to a man in his forties who wants a small change. If you are weighing it against other cuts, men's hairstyles lays out the range, and the taper fade mullet is a close variation.
What does a modern mini mullet look like?
A modern mini mullet is cleaner than the old version: the sides are faded, the top is textured and the back is trimmed to a controlled length. The contrast between the sides and the back is what you see first.
On straight and wavy hair
The top can be brushed forward in a short fringe, and the back lies down on its own. A fade at the sides makes the back look longer than it is.
On curly hair
The curls on top have shape, and the back forms a loose cluster at the nape. A good barber will cut the back with scissors so the curls stack neatly.
On coily and 4C hair
The top is kept full, the sides faded, and the back left a little long and shaped into a soft square or curve. The cut is shaped with scissors, and a scissor cut at our shop is $25. Because 4C hair shrinks, an inch of growth shows up as half an inch, so ask for a bit more length at the back than you think you need.
What is a little mullet haircut for kids and teens?
A little mullet is the same cut sized down for a boy: a short top, tapered sides and a back left a little longer. It is a popular school haircut now, and it grows out without a fight.
It is best for a child whose hair is thick enough to hold a shape and who is fine sitting for a few more minutes than a regular cut. The kids cut at our shop is $20, and our barbers are patient with first haircuts. If it is a school photo, ask the barber to keep the back clean and the edges lined, so the cut looks neat in pictures.
Many parents in Laurelton and Rosedale ask us to keep the back short enough that it passes a school dress code. Tell the barber the rule and they will work to it. For more on boys' cuts, see kids' cuts.
How do you ask your barber for a mini mullet?
Say you want a mini mullet, show a photo, and give three numbers: the guard at the bottom of the sides, the top length and the back length. Then ask the barber to explain what they plan to do.
- Name the cut and show a photo of the shape you like.
- Pick the blend: low taper for a softer look, low fade for a sharp one. Our low fade versus high fade post helps you choose.
- Say how long the back should be, in fingers or inches.
- Ask for the edges to be lined up.
- Ask how often you should come in. A mini mullet needs a visit every three to four weeks.
If you are not sure whether the back will work with your neck and ears, ask the barber to cut it long first. It is easy to go shorter, but not longer.
How do you style and keep a mini mullet?
Style it with a little product on top and leave the back alone. The less you touch the back, the better it looks, and moisture is more important than hold.
Daily routine
Wash, dry and moisturize. On coily hair, use a light cream and a pick to lift the top. On wavy hair, use a bit of paste and push it forward.
Between visits
The back will get shaggy first. Ask the barber to clean the neckline, which a line up at $16 does well. Every second visit, ask for a trim of the back.
Growing it into a full mullet
If you want to go longer, stop trimming the back and keep the sides faded. The back will take four to six months to reach a full length on most heads. A long haircut is $25 and keeps the shape while you grow.
For a cut with the same shape on a smaller scale, look at the trendy haircuts for men, and the full list of cut types in types of barber haircuts.
Is a mini mullet right for you?
It is right if you want a neat cut with a small amount of character and you are willing to come in every three to four weeks. It is wrong if you want a cut you can ignore for two months.
Think about your job, your school dress code and your hair type. A mini mullet suits a creative office, a student, an athlete and a man who wants to look current without a major change. A high contrast skin fade looks sharper, but the mini mullet is friendlier, and it covers a back of the neck that has uneven hair.
If you are not sure, start with a taper and a slightly longer back, and see how it feels. You can always take it shorter at the next visit. Many of our clients start there and move toward a fuller shape as the hair grows.
Book your mini mullet in Laurelton
Come in with a photo and ask for the barber to start long. Lilacroix Barbers is at 232-12 Merrick Blvd in Laurelton, NY 11413, and the number is (718) 749-5800. We are open seven days, from 7:30 AM Monday to Thursday and from 7 AM Friday to Sunday, and walk ins are welcome.
Start with a scissor cut and tell the barber what you want. For hours and directions, open contact and directions.
Questions readers ask
Is a mini mullet the same as a regular mullet?
No. A regular mullet runs long at the back, and a mini mullet only leaves a small amount of extra length. It is a gentler version for everyday wear.
Does a mini mullet work on short hair?
It works if you have at least an inch or two at the back. On a very short cut there is nothing to leave long, so the barber would need you to grow it first.
Will a mini mullet look good with a beard?
Yes. A beard that is trimmed and lined matches well with a faded side, and the back adds shape. Ask your barber to blend the beard up into the sideburns.
How long does it take to grow a mini mullet?
From a short cut, plan on six to ten weeks to get enough length at the back. Coily hair needs a little longer because it shrinks.
Do I need a different product for a mini mullet?
A light cream or paste is enough for most men. If your hair is dry, moisturize before you style it.