24 Burst Fade Mullets That Look Modern, Not 80s: Bold Yet Easy

A low burst fade mullet starts the fade low, just around the ear, and curves it towards the nape. It’s the most subtle version, so it works well for school, work and first-timers.

The low fade keeps more hair on the sides, which grows out more gracefully. It’s the easiest burst fade mullet to live with between cuts.

The height of the burst changes how bold the cut looks. Here’s how the main options compare.

A low burst is the safest choice if you’re unsure. You can always go higher at the next cut.

A mid burst fade mullet takes the fade halfway up the side of the head. It’s more noticeable than a low burst but not as dramatic as a high one.

The fade frames the ear clearly while the back stays long. It’s a good balance for men who want a statement without going extreme.

Keep the back at least collar length. Shorter than that, and the mullet shape starts to disappear.

A high burst fade mullet starts the fade near the temple, creating a strong contrast between the faded sides and the long back. It’s bold, edgy and very eye-catching.

The high fade shows growth quickly, so it needs regular touch-ups. Expect to visit your barber every week or two.

High bursts suit oval and long face shapes well. On round faces, they can make the head look wider at the top.

The modern burst fade mullet is softer and more textured than the 80s original. The top is choppy, the sides are faded around the ear, and the back is textured rather than one heavy flat layer.

Where the Word Mullet Comes From

According to Vocabulary.com, the haircut was common in the 1980s, but the earliest confirmed use of “mullet” as the name of a hairstyle is the Beastie Boys’ 1994 song “Mullet Head,” which the Oxford English Dictionary cites. An earlier 1992 “mullet-headed” sighting in an Australian car magazine could not be confirmed.

A short burst fade mullet keeps the back only slightly longer than the top. It’s subtle enough for most workplaces but still has the mullet shape.

Keeping the back this short is what most short modern mullet cuts are built around.

It’s a good way to try a mullet without committing to lots of length. You can grow the back longer later if you like it.

A light matte paste is enough to style it. Run it through the top for texture and leave the back natural.

A long burst fade mullet lets the back flow past the collar or even the shoulders. It’s dramatic, rock-and-roll and easy to tie back.

Getting Through the Grow-Out Stage

Growing the back takes patience. The natural hair site CurlCentric says a medium-length mullet typically takes around four to six months to take shape, and textured hair grows only about a third of an inch a month.

On a Men’s Long Hair Hyperboard thread about the awkward stage, members growing out their hair described a mullet-like phase, and one said at 13 months that “the ‘mullet’ effect has gone away.” Another member’s advice was simple: “it DOES get better, so hang in there.”

A curly burst fade mullet lets natural curls do the work. The faded sides keep the shape clean, while curls on top and at the back add volume and movement.

Curls shrink when dry, so the back looks shorter than it really is. Ask your barber to leave a little extra length.

A curl-friendly barber cuts curls dry or semi-dry to see how they fall. Ask about this if your barber usually cuts everything wet.

A wavy burst fade mullet has a relaxed, effortless look. Natural waves give movement to the top and back without much styling.

Sea salt spray on damp hair brings out the waves. Scrunch it in and let it air-dry for a beachy finish.

Wavy hair can go frizzy in humid weather. A little leave-in conditioner keeps it smooth.

A burst fade mullet on straight hair needs texture to avoid looking flat. Point cutting, where the barber cuts into the ends, breaks up the hair and adds movement.

Straight hair shows every line, so the fade and the back must be cut precisely. A skilled barber makes a big difference.

A matte clay or texture powder adds grip and volume. Blow-drying the top upwards helps too.

A textured, messy fringe gives the burst fade mullet a youthful, relaxed look. The fringe falls naturally over the forehead, while the sides and back keep the mullet shape.

The fringe should be choppy and uneven, not cut in a straight line. That keeps it looking natural.

A fringe also helps hide a high or large forehead. Ask your barber to keep it long enough to cover it.

A shaved design in the faded area adds a bold, personal touch. Simple lines, curves or triangles cut into the burst look clean and modern.

A sharp line-up at the front frames the face and matches the crisp design. Both need regular touch-ups.

Simple designs grow out more cleanly than detailed ones. Start with one or two lines if you’re unsure.

A burst fade mohawk mullet, sometimes called a fohawk mullet, keeps a strip of longer hair down the centre and at the back. The burst fade around the ears makes the strip stand out.

It’s bold and punk-inspired, but softer than a full shaved mohawk. The hair blends from the top into the back.

Styling paste pushed towards the centre creates the raised mohawk shape. A light hold keeps it textured rather than spiky.

A burst taper mullet fades only a small area around the sideburn and the nape, leaving more hair on the sides. It’s the subtlest, most professional version of the style.

It grows out gracefully, since the tapered area is small. It’s a great choice if your workplace is conservative.

A perm adds curls or waves to straight hair, giving a burst fade mullet extra volume and texture. Permed curls look great with a clean burst fade.

Perms work best on healthy, undamaged hair. A professional stylist will check your hair before perming.

Skip It If Your Hair Is Bleached or Damaged

Perming chemically changes your hair, and doing it on already bleached or damaged hair can cause breakage. Let your hair recover first, or choose a cut that works with your natural texture.

Use a sulphate-free shampoo and curl cream to keep permed curls defined. Avoid washing for a couple of days after the perm.

An afro burst fade mullet combines a sharp burst fade with natural afro-textured hair on top and at the back. It’s bold, clean and shows off natural texture.

A sharp line-up and a crisp fade around the ear make the shape look intentional. The back can be picked out for volume or left in natural coils.

Moisturise daily with a leave-in conditioner and a light oil. Coily hair dries out quickly.

A blonde burst fade mullet adds bold colour to the cut. Bleached blonde on top and at the back contrasts with the darker faded sides.

Darker roots growing in can look intentional, especially with a textured cut. Platinum looks dramatic, while honey blonde is softer.

Have bleaching done by a professional colourist. Home bleach on dark hair often turns orange.

Thick, straight hair can stick out at the sides and look bulky if it isn’t thinned. A burst fade removes bulk around the ear, and texturising on top keeps it light.

The cut depends a lot on thinning and texturising. Thick straight hair cut bluntly can look heavy and helmet-like.

A matte clay adds texture and stops thick hair from lying flat. Blow-drying with a round brush adds shape.

A V-shaped burst fade mullet cuts the back into a pointed V or triangle shape. It looks sharp and sculpted, and it shows off the length at the back.

The V needs regular trims to keep its sharp point. As hair grows, the shape softens.

A V shape suits straight and wavy hair best, since curls hide the shape.

A bulky, textured burst fade mullet has lots of volume on top and at the back. It’s a bold, full look that suits thick hair.

Volume comes from styling as much as the cut. A simple daily routine makes a big difference.

A burst fade mullet can work with a receding hairline if the top is styled forward. A textured, forward fringe hides the temples and draws attention away from the hairline.

A low burst fade keeps the sides short, which makes the top look fuller. Avoid high fades, which highlight receding temples.

A cowboy burst fade mullet has a slightly longer top, a low burst fade and hair at the back that flips out under a hat. It’s a relaxed, country-inspired look.

The longer back looks great under a cowboy hat or cap. The low burst keeps the sides neat.

Keep styling minimal, since this look should feel natural. A little texture spray is enough.

A low burst fade mullet is a popular cut for teens, especially young athletes. It looks sporty and works under caps and helmets.

A low burst is easier to keep tidy for school than a high one. The back can stay short or medium.

A kids’ burst fade mullet is a fun, trendy cut for boys. A low burst fade keeps it neat for school, and the slightly longer back gives it personality.

Short to medium lengths are easiest for kids to manage. They don’t need much styling.

A toddler burst fade mullet, often called a baby mullet, has a soft taper around the ear and a little extra length at the back. It’s cute and practical.

Toddler hair is fine and soft, so the cut should be gentle. Many barbers use scissors rather than clippers on very young children.