Straight from Australia to the salon chair, the Aussie-inspired Soft Mullet is the haircut everyone is talking about this year, and now that it’s summer, it’s taking off yet again. This modern, wearable mullet is an update to the classic mullet, being heavily blended with short, faded sides with longer, textured lengths at the back. This creates that edgy, low-maintenance and effortlessly cool vibe everyone has been looking for. The best part? You can personalise this to your client's hair type and length so they can make it their very own.

If your clients are after a relaxed summer cut that adds some edge or a subtle statement to their look, the soft mullet is the perfect fit. We teamed up with our Alan Howard Educator, Sara Simpson, to get the low-down on how to achieve this trending look with a step-by-step guide and some pro tips along the way.

We’re not talking retro with the soft mullet. Instead, think refined, soft and shape without the drama. The soft mullet works perfectly on most hair types, especially those with medium to thick and coarser hair. Ideal for clients who want an easy-to-maintain style that also channels an ‘undone’ edgy vibe.

  

Our model, Alisdair, wanted a soft, subtle mullet with clean and short edges, while still building volume and keeping the length throughout the centre. Although his starting length was shorter than the typical mullet canvas, this look proves that you don’t need a long starting length to get involved in the trend. Plus, this will grow out effortlessly!

Firstly, we’re going to start by shaping the sides to build the foundation of the mullet. Going in with your clipper (Sara is using the Wahl Super Taper), go in with a number 3 guard working up to the recession line. Drop to a 1.5 guard to soften the edges and begin tapering. Using a number 2 guard, blend between a 1.5 and 3, diffusing any harsh lines. At the very edges, blend with a 0.5 guard to go short and sharp for a clean fade. Repeat the process on the side to keep the hair look symmetrical.

Pro Tip: Always follow the head shape and use a flicking motion to avoid any weight lines. This particular mullet is all about softness, so blending for a seamless transition is extremely important!

Now that the sides are prepped, it’s time to sculpt the mullet’s signature structure. Using the Alfa Italia Platino Scissor, shorten any longer hairs for shape and control of the mullet cut. Following with the Alfa Italia Soft Cut scissors, these will help blend and refine the cut. Just above the crown, take a triangular section at the whirl and blend forward to create movement and balance. Don’t forget to dust off any excess hair to keep your visual tidy and to prep for styling!

As the soft mullet is all about movement, it’s key to choose the right products when adding texture to your client's cut. Firstly, Sara diffused the hair dry to bring out the natural wave or curl, especially at the crown and the front of the hair. By applying the Shed Beach Bum Texturising Salt Spray, you can add a matte, beachy texture to the hair for that effortlessly styled look. Sara finished with Shed’s Tropic-Oil, putting this throughout the ends of the hair for hydration.

Pro Tip: If you’re working with thicker hair, Sara suggests using the Shed Clay Dough Styling Paste for a stronger hold, and to also define the texture and maintain the mullet’s shape all day.

    

And here is the Soft Mullet brought to life! An effortless hairstyle, yet still styled with edge, the soft mullet is the perfect blend of creativity and practicality for your clients. Being tailored to suit different hair textures, the soft mullet is also the perfect low-maintenance cut as it grows out effortlessly.

Have your clients wear a soft mullet this summer, and transform their look to something edgy, wearable, and super on-trend.