Taper Fade Mullet Styles: A Modern Twist on Classic Cuts

The taper fade mullet combines the edgy charm of a mullet with the clean finesse of a taper fade. Characterized by longer hair at the back, typically shoulder-length or a little higher, and neatly tapered sides and nape, this hairstyle melds retro appeal with contemporary style. It’s well-suited for those with oval and rectangular face shapes, bringing balance with its volume. This look thrives on medium to thick hair, and styling clay is often used to add texture and hold. Distinguished from the classic mullet by its refined sides, it offers a more polished appearance while still capturing that rebellious spirit. Embraced in modern culture for its unique blend of vintage and fashion-forward elements, it serves as a versatile base for personal style statements.

Best For

Perfect for oval or rectangular face shapes and medium to thick hair. Its structure emphasizes length at the back, keeping volume balanced.

What to Tell Your Barber

Request a low to mid-taper fade on the sides and nape. Specify longer hair at the back for the mullet effect.

How to Maintain It

Trim every 4-6 weeks to preserve the fade and mullet length. A texture spray helps enhance the style and keep it modern.

Mullet with Low Taper Fade

The mullet with low taper fade offers a subtler edge compared to its traditional counterpart. Featuring a gradual fade from the temple down, the low fade seamlessly blends into longer hair at the back. This adaptation suits those preferring a conservative approach to a bold style. Its reserved nature complements round or heart-shaped faces by elongating the appearance. It shines with wavy or curly hair, where the natural movement adds depth and charisma. While maintaining every hallmark of the mullet, the low taper fade adds an elevated touch of sophistication and keeps the look grounded in the present, making it an excellent choice for professional settings that still allow a hint of individuality.

Best For

Well-suited for round or heart-shaped faces with wavy or curly hair types. Balances facial features with understated flair.

How to Maintain It

Regular trims every 4 to 5 weeks ensure the low taper stays clean and the back maintains shape without overshadowing the face.

Products That Work Well

Opt for a curl-enhancing mousse or a light hold gel to accentuate the wavy or curly textures without overwhelming the style.

Modern Shag Mullet with Taper

The modern shag mullet with taper brings a textured, layered look to the timeless mullet style. With a taper fade, it manages to look fresh and tousled, ideally suited for those who want a blend of grunge and polish. This style best suits those with square or angular face shapes, as the layered texture softens sharp lines. The modern shag requires regular trims to maintain its intentional messiness without crossing into unstyled territory. This variation is particularly flattering on fine to medium hair, using layers to create volume and movement. The shaggy top and sleek fade make it adaptable enough to progress from daytime office aesthetics to nighttime edginess effortlessly.

Best For

Great for square or angular faces with fine to medium hair, achieving volume and soft lines through clever layering.

What to Tell Your Barber

Ask for a textured top with a taper fade along the sides, and layered lengths at the back for that signature shag look.

How to Maintain It

Regular use of texture spray and light pomade helps maintain volume and movement, keeping the look purposefully unkempt.

Spiky Mullet with Taper Fade

The spiky mullet with taper fade introduces a punk-inspired twist on the versatile mullet. Featuring sharp, angled spikes through the crown and a faded undercut tapering from the temples, this style makes a statement. Ideal for bold individuals with heart-shaped or oval faces, it accentuates cheekbones and jawlines without overwhelming face structure. Best played out on straight to slightly wavy hair, the spikes add a dynamic layer of interest. The taper fade seamlessly accentuates the textured top and dramatic mullet length, ensuring a sharp, consistent look. Popular among the younger, trendsetting crowd, it represents a daring departure from conventional styles, proving itself as both a modern and futuristic choice.

Best For

Suits heart-shaped and oval faces, primarily on straight to wavy hair, ensuring a sharp jawline accentuation without overpowering features.

What to Tell Your Barber

Request a short spiky top with a defined taper fade on the sides, followed by a longer neck length.

How to Make It Your Own

Customize by altering spike length or adding subtle colored highlights to enhance the spiky texture.

Textured Mullet with High Taper Fade

The textured mullet with high taper fade is a contemporary take that emphasizes dimension and volume. Distinguished by a high fade starting abruptly above the temples, it draws attention to the textured layers on top and the length at the back. This style works wonders for individuals with round or oval faces, providing height and the illusion of elongation to balance facial proportions. It’s best suited to medium to thick hair, encouraging experimentation with different texturing techniques—razoring or point cutting—to achieve a multi-dimensional look. The high taper directs focus to the height and crown, showcasing the mullet’s dynamic structure in a sleek, modern way.

Best For

Perfectly complements round or oval faces with medium to thick hair, promoting height and volume to create a balanced silhouette.

Products That Work Well

Use volumizing powder or a feather-light mousse to ensure the top retains its volume, enhancing textured layers.

Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid overly blunt cutting techniques; they can disrupt the texture and lead to a flat appearance.

Classic Mullet with Tapered Quiff

The classic mullet with tapered quiff blends retro with polished elegance by pairing the timeless mullet with a robust, structured quiff. The gradual taper complements the elongated, voluminous quiff, leading back to the signature mullet length, offering an interplay of smooth transitions and dramatic flair. Oval-faced individuals benefit from this style, focusing on softening and lengthening the face. Thick hair provides the best canvas for the quiff, allowing natural volume and fullness. It stands out for its adaptability, bringing a sense of formality to social and professional settings alike, yet retaining the original mullet’s rebellious undertones, keeping it appropriately nostalgic.

Best For

Most flattering on oval faces and thick hair, balancing qualities from sophisticated to laid-back.

Styling Time & Difficulty

Requires daily styling to maintain the quiff’s volume and smoothness—approximately 10 to 15 minutes with a blow dryer.

What to Tell Your Barber

Ask for a classic mullet structure with a gradual taper and a high-volume quiff at the front.

Messy Curl Mullet with Taper

The messy curl mullet with taper adds a carefree, relaxed vibe to this bold cut. Defined by a casual, tousled curl presence atop and a sharp, clean taper on the sides, it serves individuals aiming for minimal maintenance yet high style. Suited for individuals with naturally curly or wavy hair and square or round face shapes, it uses the curls to create playful textures and intrigue. The mullet remains evident with its tail, yet with the rebellious feel of intentionally undone curls. It’s a daytime to evening-friendly hairstyle that pairs well with an easy-going, creative lifestyle.

Best For

Ideal for square or round faces, pairing naturally curly or wavy hair with a low-maintenance, friendly look.

How to Maintain It

Enhance curls using a curl activator cream and visit the barber every 5 to 7 weeks to keep the taper defined.

How to Make It Your Own

Encourage individuality with a sporadic sweep of color or highlights through the curls for added depth and personality.

Faux Hawk Mullet with Taper

The faux hawk mullet with taper injects an additional layer of edginess to the traditional mullet. This style keeps the dramatic flair of a mohawk at the forefront, tapering down the sides to blend seamlessly with the longer mullet length in the back. It’s a high-energy, statement-making cut, favored by adventurous types who embrace a vivid style. Suitable for individuals with angular faces, such as diamond or heart shapes, its structure sharpens and accentuates facial features. Requires thick to coarse hair for maximum impact—ideal for those comfortable experimenting with bold, textured styles. It’s a modern reimagining that offers an aggressive yet sustainable edge to those driven by unique aesthetics.

Best For

Favored by diamond or heart-shaped faces with thick to coarse hair, emphasizing a bold, angular face structure.

Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid over-texturing the top which can steal focus from the bold faux hawk shape, disrupting the intended impact.

What to Tell Your Barber

Specify a faux hawk structure with a taper fade along the sides, maintaining a longer back for traditional mullet character.

Curly Mullet with Tapered Sides

The curly mullet with tapered sides redefines a classic with natural texture and flow, allowing the curls to feature prominently alongside sleek, tapered sides. Perfect for individuals with naturally curly hair, ranging from loose waves to tight coils, this style creatively showcases those dynamic textures. It adds depth to round or oval faces, taking advantage of the added volume to charm and captivate. Suitable for either casual or more polished occasions, the taper creates a distinguished frame for the cascading curls, bringing a touch of elegance to the mullet’s laid-back essence. It’s adaptable, easy to maintain, and a true testament to embracing one’s natural texture.

Best For

Suits round or oval faces with naturally curly hair, as it leverages texture for fullness and graceful volume.

Products That Work Well

Use a hydrating curl cream or leave-in conditioner to keep curls moisturized, preventing frizz and maintaining bounce.

How to Maintain It

Regular trims every 5 weeks maintain taper neatness and keep the curls at the desired length and shape.

Disconnected Mullet with Taper Fade

The Disconnected Mullet with Taper Fade offers an edgy variation on classic mullet elements by combining contrasting lengths and a smooth gradient from the temples to the neckline. This hairstyle showcases longer locks in the back while maintaining shorter, clean-cut sides. The disconnect provides a clear division between the top and the longer sections, enhancing the style’s bold presence. Ideal for those searching for a trendy, fashion-forward look, it modernizes the timeless mullet with a contemporary twist. It’s perfect for medium to thick hair types, allowing movement and texture to shine. Successfully balances rugged and sleek aesthetics, making it relevant for both casual and professional settings. An ideal option for those who appreciate a blend of retro style with modern flair.

Best For

Round, oval, and square faces benefit most. Medium to thick hair types add texture and allow the disconnect to be more pronounced.