26 "Shullet" Haircut Ideas for a Fresh New Look

Everything old is new again, and that goes for haircuts, too. The mullet, first famous in the '80s, got a recent makeover, and this time around, it's combined with the shaggy cuts reminiscent of the '90s, making it far more wearable. If you're the one in our friend group who's always rocking the newest hairstyles before they become mainstream, the modern-day mullet-meets-shag cut, otherwise known as the "shullet," is one you should consider.

Related: The Best Shag Haircut for Every Hair Length

As hairstylist Pekela Riley explains, the modern take on the shag-mullet haircut typically consists of longer layers in the back, similar to a mullet, with shorter, choppy layers throughout for a unique and edgy look. Each length and hair texture will have its own unique look and feel, but Riley adds the shullet works especially well on medium-to-thick hair with some natural texture or wave. "The layered, choppy nature of the cut helps enhance and define the hair's natural texture."

Hairstylist Eyal Berger adds that the shullet has some elements of punk with a shorter bang. "Still, it is a very defined style, meaning that once it's cut, it's hard to style it differently." Read on for 26 ways to rock this buzzy haircut.

Wavy with Front Bangs

To style a shag-mullet haircut like Taylor Swift’s, Riley says to always start with clean hair so that it’s more manageable. “Prep damp hair with a volumizing mousse or texturizing spray, which will add texture and hold. Then, using a round brush, blow-dry the hair, lifting the roots to create volume,” she shares. Once the hair is dry, add loose waves with a curling iron or wand, alternating the direction of each wave. Then, Riley recommends taking a small amount of texturizing paste or pomade and applying it to the ends and mid-lengths of the hair, focusing on the layers to create separation and definition. “Finally, use your fingers to tousle and style the hair, shaping it in place and pulling a few strands forward to frame the face.”

Semi-Curly

According to Berger, Diane Kruger's semi-curly, textured mullet is a vibe because it goes from short to long. To prevent curly hair from becoming frizzy, he recommends using anti-frizz products, like Long by Valery Joseph Smooth Heat Defense Style Cream ($34) to de-frizz the hair or Kérastase Gelée Curl Contour Gel-Cream ($45) to help control it.

Feathered Pixie

The shullet cut is adaptable and doesn’t have to look the same on everyone. Case in point: Rosario Dawson’s feathered pixie version, which Berger says works well for more of an oval face shape. Adding bangs gives a playful feel, but they can easily be pulled back or gelled to the side for a more sophisticated glam look.

Long and Featherd

Styled on Teyana Taylor, “this is an extreme shullet look that is super punk-y with a short bang and longer feathered layers,” says Berger. To create waves throughout the length of the hair, start by adding a thickening mousse first and then curl the hair, paying attention to the ends so that they wrap around rather than sticking out and giving a straight look.”

Cool and Cropped

Kristen Stewart's short, cropped cut equates to more of a punk rock n’ roll look that Berger says not everyone can pull off. “I’d recommend this more for someone with an oval-shaped face so that the cut doesn’t accentuate the forehead or chin and make either feature look too long.”

Mid-Length Modern

Berger describes Kesha’s cut as “more mullet-inspired” because it’s a mid-length modern style. “This version is more of a mainstream way to wear a shag mullet-like haircut because the heavier layers on the perimeter allow the hair to be styled more casually,” he explains.

Short and Shaggy

Shorter, shaggy, mullet-inspired haircuts aren’t reserved just for the 20-somethings of Hollywood. Berger says  Sharon Stone’s heavily textured, shorter cut look has a rock-n-roll feel.

Structured Shag

A completely different take on a typical shullet, Zendaya mixes a few other cuts to create her unique short and structured style with a hint of shagginess. “The hair is cut into a blunt bob with texture and pixie bangs.”

Face-Framing Layers

Jill Turnbull, a celebrity hairstylist and founder of JillTurnbullBeauty says that Barbie Ferreira’s face-framing layers and her bangs, which hover between micro and Birkin bangs, create an effortless chic jellyfish mullet style. If you’re considering bangs, Turnbull recommends having a skilled stylist cut them to complement the overall look.

Spiky & Layerd

Selma Blair's seasonal refresh calls for longer layers cut into her iconic cut and a spikier touch that Turnbull says is edged and sophisticated without screaming scream ‘80s mullet or ‘70s shag. “She wears her blonde hair with a unique flair, and the newly layered, spikier cut results in an effortlessly chic look.”

Short and Soft

Turnbull calls Demi Lovato’s short, soft style more of a '90s-inspired silhouette with a deep, dramatic side part. Run a bit of hair wax through the ends to keep the hair in place.

Grunge and Glamorous

Turnbull says Julia Garner's curly cut is a striking blend of '90s grunge and Old Hollywood glamour. "The intricate, artfully arranged waves evoke a timeless sophistication, but the textured cut adds a piece-y finish. It's a look that captures the "I woke-up-like-this" vibe, but with a level of polish that makes it stand out.

Inverted Layers

Turnbull calls Julia Fox’s wide fringe a bold take on street style. “The fringe, which features textured layers, hits wide and sits above the eyebrow, giving raw energy to the look. With inverted, close-to-the-head shorter layers throughout the top that blend into a longer length, this is a new twist on the jellyfish haircut, which combines elements of a mullet. This style is all about making a strong, unapologetic statement.”

Sharp Lines

Sporting the popular jellyfish haircut, a spin-off of the mullet, Natasha Lyonne puts her twist on the style. “She wears two large sections of chin-length hair that frame her face and over-curled bangs spread across her forehead,” Turnbull shares. “This cut is not for the faint of heart; it's a bold statement that plays on shapes and contrasting lines.”

Long Shag

“Sophie Thatcher’s long shag cut is effortlessly cool yet still blends in the classic appeal of long layers with the audacious geometry of the jellyfish cut,” Turnbull says. “Her cut is a nice hybrid style that captures the fluidity of a shag while incorporating bold shapes and contrasting lines for a look that's both head-turning and laid-back.”

Icy Shullet

Take cues from Cara Delevingne’s icy silver hair, which features an edgy, short haircut for a show-stopping look. To create the style, Turnbull says to curl small sections of hair outward with a flat iron to add texture to a meticulously crafted hairstyle.

Asymmetrical Shullet

Hairstylist Andy Cooper says Hall eBerry’s asymmetrical shullet gives over-layered sides and texture. “You can recreate this style by using a smaller curling iron and then breaking up the hair with a textured sea salt spray or light hairspray,” he says. “It’s a dynamic look for sure and edgy.”

Pixie Shag

Marion Cotillard shows off a fabulous pixie-like shaggy hairstyle, which thrives with natural waves. “The easiest way to achieve hair like this is to use a sea salt spray and gel in wet hair and then diffuse the hair with a sock diffuser,” he shares. “Then, after the hair is semi-dry, break up the waves with a light soft pomade or wax.” One of our favorites is PHYTO Shine Wax ($28), which melts into the hair and leaves a shiny finish.

Related: 20 Punk Pixie Cut Ideas for a Dramatic Refresh

Micro Shullet

For a less contrived and more lived-in take on the shullet, consider Iris Law’s micro version, which Cooper says is more of an easy, wash-and-go hairstyle. “I love the mix of a rooted blonde with layers and cropping around the face and hairline,” he says. “This look works well when styled with a spray-in volumizer, letting it air dry before breaking up the texture with a powder styling product.”

Bob Shullet

Cooper refers to Emily Ratajkowski’s version of the shullet as a hybrid style with hints of a bottleneck bob. “The texture and wave on top of a clean-edged length that hits right above the shoulder is so stunning on her,” he says. “I would style this with a curl cream and then enhance once dry with a medium to large curling iron, adding the bounce and playfulness of this look.”

Slicked Back

For a super modern take on the shullet, try slicking it back like Lisa Rinna. To create a wet look, Cooper says to start by drying the hair straight for volume and body. “Then add a shine spray and tuck the sides behind the ears. You can even backcomb or tease the hair at the crown to add more volume. Finish with a strong hairspray. This entire look is just absolutely iconic!”

Sculpted Bangs

Turnbull says Chloë Sevigny's cut epitomizes effortless chic with a daring edge. Rather than wearing her layers too long, her sculpted bangs give her midi shag cut a new look.

Soft Movement

"With soft movement setting the tone, Alexa Chung's haircut showcases an undone, medium-length bob that's effortlessly chic," Turnbull says. "The center part adds a modern touch to the style for a statement that effortlessly combines vintage and contemporary style."

Wet Shullet

Milla Jovovich's shaggy haircut makes a statement with the wet look. Turnbull says that her modern mohawk boasts a softer transition between lengths. “It’s a fusion of short-up-top and long-in-the-back that resembles a cross between a shag, mullet, and a mohawk. What's genuinely eye-catching is how this style masterfully blends features with the slick back sides, adding a bold twist to the overall look. It's a modern classic that demands attention.”

Tousled Curls

As evident in Sandra Oh's style, a shaggy mullet haircut works with curls, too. “Her hair is styled with tousled curls throughout, and her long shag is the epitome of dynamic texture and boho allure. Thicker, shorter bangs dial up the charm and make this look a standout. Best of all, it's a cinch to maintain,” Turnbull says.

Versatile Chic

Annabelle Dexter-Jones first brought attention to her shaggy mullet haircut on Succession. Turnbull shares that her cut is a mix of modern flair and '60s mod nostalgia for versatile chic style. “What sets this cut apart is the arched fringe, elevating the style from merely trendy to iconic, which is accentuated by a blonde hue with a sophisticated shadow root.”

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