How to Get a Modern Mullet: Grow-Out Timeline and Barber Guide
Most people who want a modern mullet do not have one yet. They have short hair, or a grown-out mess, and want to know how to get from here to there without looking awkward for months. This guide is that roadmap: how long it takes, what to ask for at each barber visit, and how to keep it looking intentional along the way.
If you want the background first, our modern mullet guide explains how the cut is structured.
How long does it take?
Hair grows roughly 1–1.5 cm a month. A modern mullet needs about 5–8 cm more length at the back than at the sides, so from a short cut you are looking at:
| Starting point | Short modern mullet | Classic collar length |
|---|---|---|
| Buzz cut or very short | 4–5 months | 6–8 months |
| Regular short cut (crew cut) | 3–4 months | 5–6 months |
| Already medium length | Same day | Same day |
Month-by-month grow-out plan
Month 1–2: let the back go
Keep getting the sides and top tidied, but tell your barber to leave the back alone. Ask them to clean up the neckline edges only, so it looks neat rather than overgrown.
Month 2–3: shape the top
Start leaving length on top as well. Ask for light texture through the crown so the top and back begin to connect.
Month 3–4: first mullet cut
Now there is enough contrast for a short modern mullet. Ask for the sides to be tapered and the back to be shaped into a soft V or rounded line.
Month 5+: decide your length
Keep going for a collar-length or longer mullet, or hold the shape with trims every 5–6 weeks.
What to say at the barber
“I’m growing a modern mullet. Taper the sides from a number 2 around the ears, keep length on top with texture, don’t take any length off the back, just shape the edges so it looks clean.”
Bring photos of the end result and say what stage you are at. A good barber will cut for the version you can have today, not the one in the photo.
Pick your fade
| Fade type | Contrast | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|
| Taper | Soft | Every 4–5 weeks |
| Low fade | Medium | Every 3–4 weeks |
| Burst fade | High, curved around the ear | Every 3 weeks |
| Skin fade | Highest | Every 2–3 weeks |
Not sure? Start with a taper. It grows out gracefully. See our guides to the taper fade mullet and the burst fade mullet.
Surviving the awkward stage
- Keep the sides tight. Short sides make the longer back look deliberate.
- Use texture. A little sea salt spray or matte paste stops the back from looking flat and grown-out.
- Tuck it. When the back flips at the collar, a cap or tucking it behind the ears buys you a few weeks.
- Do not cut it in frustration. Most people give up in month 2, right before it starts looking good.
Daily styling (2 minutes)
- Dampen the hair.
- Scrunch a few sprays of sea salt spray into the top and back.
- Rough-dry with your fingers, lifting the top at the roots.
- Finish with a pea-sized amount of matte paste on the top only.
FAQ
Can I get a modern mullet with curly hair?
Yes, and curls hide the awkward stage well. Leave extra length because curls shrink when dry. See our curly mullet guide.
Is a modern mullet professional?
A short, tapered version usually is. Keep the back at or above the collar and the sides neat.
How often should I trim it once it is grown?
Every 5–6 weeks for the sides and top. The back only needs a light shape every 2–3 months.
