The mullet, a timeless hairstyle that blends business in the front with a party in the back, has resurged as a cultural icon, emphasising the significance for barbers to master its art. We caught up with barbershop owner and Educator Ryan Lewis to find out more about this style and his steps for cutting a heavily textured mullet in poker straight hair.
1. Using a serum to help with section work, take a vertical section from the crown to the nape of the neck, pulling further away towards the bottom to create a layered effect and more length as you descend.
2. Continue taking vertical sections either side of that middle section all over directed back towards the first section taken. This will create a far fuller and longer look towards the ears, ensuring this mullet cannot be missed even from a head on angle.
3. Taking horizontal sections from the crown down, use a deep point cutting technique to break up the edges and create more movement throughout the back of the mullet.
4. Connect the back of the mullet to the top of the hair using a profile section from just below the crown running up to around the recession area of the head.
5. Using a deep point cutting method, create exaggerated 'peaks and valleys' in the hair following the guide set by the previous profile section taken. It’s important with such straight hair to cut in deep 'peaks and valleys' in order to create a rough, textured look.
6. Use a similar technique to chop into the fringe, leaving a broken choppy finish to add to this extreme textured look.
7. Grab a natural finish product like the STMNT curl cream and cover the hair before blow drying with a diffuser to bring about a soft pre-styled shape.
8. Blend both side panels from a grade 2 into a 3 before using your trimmer to create a blunt, harsh line curving clean from the peak of the hairline back sitting flush with the natural curve around the ears.
9. Take your roughest matte products and work them into the hair in back-and-forth motions allowing the hair to overlap and bring out the extreme texture that’s been cut in, and that's it – from poker straight hair to a heavily textured mullet.
Looking for more online education with Modern Barber? Check out how to create a classic side part pompadour with Wez Jones here.
