The Permed Mullet Is Back + Better Than Ever

By Matt V

Updated:

The planets have aligned to bring back one of the greatest hair men’s hair trends of all time – the permed mullet. Nineties hair is back, along with the perm. Lots of guys are rocking long hair and cleaning it up with a mullet haircut. Combine the two and you have a mullet with a perm.

In addition to the golden age of the 80s and 90s, the mullet haircut has been associated with baseball, country music, and rednecks. More recently, the mullet has been popular with K-pop bands, work-at-home guys who only need to show business at the front, and ironic hair lovers everywhere.

Whether your mullet is serious or just for fun, take it to the next level with a perm to add texture from surfer waves to tight ringlet curls.

All mullets follow the short “business” at the front, longer “party” back formula but there are two ways to wear the mullet perm. The first perms all hair, including the front. Or just perm longer hair at the back, keeping hair straight at the front.

Check out these 20 retro and fresh ways to wear the permed mullet.

1. Mullet With Perm

Mullet with perm
The White Box

Perm-fection? We think so. The earrings and necklace complete the 90s look and feel. Hair is permed before it is cut because straight and curly hair have different requirements.

This cool cut contrasts a light layer of bangs with full curls at the neckline.

2. Long Permed Mullet + Faded Sides

Long permed mullet for men
Brooke’s Blondes

The most popular type of fade for a mullet is a temple fade but this cool look shaves off most of the sides, emphasizing permed curls.

3. Mullet + Fade + Line

Permed mullet with temple fade
Sarah’s Styles And Stuff

Curls make hair shorter so start with as much length as you can to get a curly mullet that begins to cover the neck.

Permed mullet back
Sarah’s Styles And Stuff

What does it look like from the back you ask? Boom.

4. Baseball Mullet + Beard

Permed Mullet with Pit Vipers
Wow Hair And Body Care

Channeling Eastbound and Down’s Kenny Powers in his glory days, this dude clearly looks and feels good. Do you have to accessorize with Pit Viper sunglasses? No, but you might want to.

Permed mullet long hair temple fade
Wow Hair And Body Care

Now that is some beautiful flow. It will keep looking good as the perm fades into waves and starts growing out on top. For hot climates, a fade along the neckline keeps things cool without affecting length.

5. Mullet Hawk

Permed mullet mohawk
Sweeney Tom

Curls cut into a V at the neckline pushes this haircut into the popular mullet-mohawk territory, trading spiky hair for curls.

6. Permed Mullet + Fade

Permed mullet with fade
Alex

All of these mullets have a fade at the side but this one keeps that fade going all the way down to the neckline.

7. Slick Back + Mullet

Cool mullet perm
Mollie Van Maanen

Longer hair at the front has a lighter perm than the back for a wavy slick back that blends with curls at the back.

Permed mullet with beard
Mollie Van Maanen

With a permed mullet and full beard, this gentleman has hair volume all over.

8. Long Mullet With A Perm

Long mullet with a perm
Bella Viaggio

As far as we’re considered, the longer the better. Tight sides make it easy to style. Work in a light product or curl cream to hold hair in place and you’re good to go. For those really hot days, this would also look great tied back into a ponytail or up in a man bun.

9. Permed Mullet: Before + After

Mullet perm before and after
Key Smith

Can changing your hair change your life? It’s absolutely possible. Even though a perm is chemical processing, the shape and volume makes hair look healthier.

10. Mullet With Perm In Back

This is one of the signature country music/country boy hairstyles. The front has some fluffy fringe with a part and a cascade of curls at the back. The sides are short but not faded.

Hair does get shorter with a perm but not so much shorter. This mullet goes from touching the shoulder to about an inch above. The volume makes hair appear fuller and thicker though.

11. Permed Mullet For Boys

Permed mullet for boys
Lexie Clark

You’re never too young or too old to have fun with your hair. This cool kid (or maybe his cool parents) opts for a short spiky front with long hair permed tight curls at the back.

12. Mullet Perm For Boys

Mullet with perm for boys
Be You Hair Boutique

With very short hair and longer curls, this mullet perm doesn’t need any styling, a great choice for boys on the go.

13. Long Perm In Back Mullet

Kentucky waterfall permed mullet
Tiffany Mathus

If you’re wondering what a perm looks like grown out, here it is. The curls get looser and new hair grows in straight, or whatever it was before. When you’re ready, tighten it all back up with a fresh cut and perm. Now that’s a sweet Kentucky waterfall.

14. Mullet With Tight Curls

Mullet with a perm
Meagon Lyon

Because of the way a perm grows out, perming only the back of hair keeps the look going longer because hair at the top and front is already straight.

15. Short Top, Long Back

Permed mullet
LaNena

Keeping it simple with short hair at the front and long curls at the back.

16. Perm On Top Mullet Haircut

Mullet perm
Wiiborn Hair Salon

Or for something different, perm hair at the front and keep it straight at the back.

17. Temple Fade Mullet With Perm

Mullet fade with perm
Leo’s Barbershop

Straight hair on top with curls at the back also occurs naturally when hair is cut too short for the curl pattern to emerge. This permed haircut mimics that look.

18. Short Bangs + Curly Back

Mullet with perm at the back
Kari Watts

This cool cut emphasizes the extremes of the mullet perm – the business is very short with a temple fade. The party at the back is full and curly with a flattering rounded shape.

19. Spiky Front + Curly Back Mullet

Permed mullet with vents
Salon 507

There is a lot happening hair with spiky hair, vents at the side, and golden curls. Now all he needs is some Pit Vipers.

20. Permed Mullet At The Back

Mullet permed at the back
Riley Webster

Of course you don’t get a haircut for how it will look while wearing baseball cap, but this might be an exception.

We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases. Please read our disclosure.

Related Content

wolf cut hairstyle for men

The Wolf Cut For Men

The wolf cut combines two retro hairstyle trends – the shag and mullet – into one ... Read more
Low Fade Haircut

25 Low Fade Haircuts For Men

Low fade haircuts may be the most popular type of fade. They look great with every type of ... Read more
mens haircuts - best and most popular styles

150+ Men’s Haircuts That Will Turn Heads In 2024

Time for a new haircut right? You will find the best inspiration here. Even if you ... Read more
How to grow out hair men

How To Grow Your Hair Out (Men’s Tutorial)

Longer hairstyles for men, from chin to beyond shoulder length, are a popular and attractive look.  ... Read more
mid skin fade

Types of Fade Haircuts: A Complete Guide

Fade haircuts are one of the most popular men’s hairstyles because they look great and make ... Read more

44+ Best Mullet Haircuts For Men

Even at the height of its popularity, the mullet was not for the timid. Known as ... Read more
Men's Haircuts - Best 2023

100+ Newest Fade Haircut Ideas For Men

Most guys get super cool fade haircuts when they visit their barber these days. This has ... Read more
haircuts

100+ Men’s Haircuts: Most Popular Styles Short To Long

This collection of popular men’s haircuts includes old favorites, reinvented classics, and the newest hair trends ... Read more

What Is The Southside Fade Haircut?

The Southside fade gets its name from the location of its origin, the Southside of Houston, ... Read more
Cool Mexican Hairstyles For Men

33 Ways To Wear Short Sides, Long Top Hair For Men

Most men’s haircuts follow the short sides, longer top formula. These short sides, long top hairstyles ... Read more
popular haircuts for men

50 Popular Men’s Haircuts: Fresh New Styles For 2022

The most popular men’s haircuts include a little bit of everything. That’s why we have 50 ... Read more
Mexican haircuts for men

Trendy + Classic Mexican Haircuts For Men

What are Mexican haircuts for men? Looks for guys that live in Mexico as well as ... Read more