What is The Skullet Haircut? A Barbers Guide to the Mullet-Buzz Cut Hybrid

As bold cuts go, the skullet ranks among the most daring. But what exactly is this edgy cut?

The skullet blends two iconic styles, the popular mullet and buzz cut (or skinhead) to create a hybrid look that's both revellious and raw. This distinctive haircut has deeper roots than many realise, with origins that date back well before punk subcultures. It was even worn by both men and women during the American Civil War and can be traced as far back as Ancient Rome. 

"You need to make sure the head shape is right. The rounder the head the easier it is to work with," shares Ryan Lewis, owner of Club Thirteen, Hull. "Start fading and tapering off just at the start at the curve of the head, that way you're going to get the nicest blend at the back. A skullet that hasn't been blended properly will not look good."

Recently, the skullet repopularised as part of the growing trend for alternative hairstyles. Singer, FKA Twigs, brought renewed attention to the skullet during the release of her third album, Eusexua. The hairstylist behind the cut, Louis Souvestra, told Dazed magazine: "We were inspired by 70s images of children from north-east Africa, with shaved fronts and upward braids, drawing from twigs' heritage, as well as styles seen in Ancient Egyptian sculptures, like that of Akhenaten's oldest daughter."

"People will have seen variations of the skullet on shows like This Is England," says Andis Global Educator, Hayden Cassidy, adding: "You have to be pretty creative and edgy to pull this off."

Ryan Lewis, agrees that because the skullet hairstyle is so niche, it's important for barbers and stylists to have the confidence to say no to clients: "If it's not on the right person it's never going to look good. You need to look at your client's aesthetic, their style and their character. If it won't suit them then they're not going to pull it off."

Is The Skullet Here to Stay?

"Anything that stands out and is a bit different excites me from a barber's perspective because it means you can show off your skillset a bit better. I don't think there'll be many requests for them though," predicts Ryan; and Hayden agrees: "There are variations of the shag and the mullet that have made a comeback but the skullet is a certain type of style for a certain type of client - it won't stick around as long as the mullet has."

Whether it's a passing trend or a lasting statement, the skullet haircut is a undeniably making waves and for those bold enough to rock it, it offers a powerful way to express individuality.

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