The mullet came back, and it came back with manners. The modern low taper mullet keeps the old idea of shorter hair at the front and sides and length at the back, then cleans up the edges so it can walk into a Midtown conference room without an apology.
A low taper mullet is a short, gradual taper around the ears and neckline with a longer top and a back that falls past the collar line. Ask for a low taper on the sides, scissor length on top and a back you can feel on your neck. It is a fade haircut at $35 with the length left where you want it.
What is a low taper mullet?
It is a mullet where the sides are tapered low and tight instead of left bushy. The taper starts close to the hairline above the ear and the nape, so the cut stays clean around the edges while the back keeps its length.
The old mullet was business at the front and party at the back with nothing in between. The modern version blends the two. The top is cut with scissors so it has shape and movement, the sides step down gradually, and the back is trimmed to a deliberate length instead of simply never being cut. That blend is what makes it look chosen rather than forgotten.
If you already wear a low taper and want something with more personality, this is the natural next step. If you have never had a taper, our guide to the low taper fade explains the base cut first.
Who does a low taper mullet suit?
It suits most men who have enough hair to grow past the collar and who are comfortable with a cut people will notice. It is not a quiet haircut, but the low taper keeps it tidy enough for offices that are not strictly corporate.
Face shape
Oval and square faces carry it easily. Round faces do well when the top has some height, because the length at the back and the volume up front lengthen the outline. Long, narrow faces should keep the sides a little fuller than a tight taper and avoid too much height on top.
Hair type
Straight hair gives the cleanest, sleekest version, though fine straight hair needs texture spray to avoid lying flat. Wavy hair is the sweet spot, since the back length curls on its own. Curly hair makes a strong mullet, and the version for curls has its own rules, which we cover in the low taper for curly hair.
Very thin hair or a receding crown is harder. The cut works best when there is some density to give the top and back a shape.
How do you ask your barber for it?
Say “low taper on the sides, scissor cut on top, keep the back long.” Then be specific about two numbers: where the taper stops and how long the back should be. Those two details decide whether you get a polished cut or an accident.
| Part of the head | What to ask for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Neckline and around the ears | Low taper, starting at a number 1 guard or skin, blending up to a number 2 or 3 | Keeps the edges clean without a high fade |
| Sides | Tapered short, then left slightly fuller above the taper | Gives the shape a base |
| Top | Scissor cut, 3 to 5 inches, with texture | Movement and a place to style |
| Back | Past the collar, blended into the taper, not blunt | The mullet part of the cut |
Bring a photo if you can, and tell your barber how you wear it on a normal weekday. A cut that works on your commute and in your Monday meeting is the goal, so say so. We cut it as a fade haircut with scissor work on the top and back.
What is a low taper blowout?
A low taper blowout is the same shape styled with a hair dryer for lift and volume. The taper does the same job, and the blow dry gives the top a full, swept back finish instead of letting it fall flat.
It works well on straight and wavy hair with a bit of length on top. The idea is to dry the hair away from the face with your fingers or a round brush, direction first and heat second, so the roots stand up and the ends fall into the back.
- Towel dry until the hair is damp, not wet.
- Work a little pre styling product through from roots to ends.
- Dry the top up and back, lifting at the roots with your fingers or a brush.
- Let the back dry the way it wants to fall.
- Finish with a light cream or texture spray, then leave it alone.
Ask your barber to show you how the top should sit before you leave. Ten seconds in the mirror saves you a week of guessing.
How is a taper fade mullet different?
A taper fade mullet takes the sides down shorter, often to the skin, so the contrast with the long back is stronger. A low taper mullet is softer and keeps more hair on the sides, which is why it passes in more offices.
The difference is how much hair disappears. A taper fade mullet shows a clear gradient to skin at the neckline and around the ears. It reads sharper and sportier. A low taper mullet leaves a little length even at the bottom of the taper, which reads more relaxed and easier to live with as it grows.
If you are not sure which side of that line you belong on, start with the lower contrast. It is easy to go shorter on the next visit and impossible to go longer the same afternoon. Our taper versus fade guide breaks down the terms so you can ask for exactly what you want.
Low taper designs worth asking about
The base cut stays the same, but small design choices change the whole feel. These are the ones we get asked for most, and each one is a request you can make at the chair.
Middle part
A center part with the sides tucked back gives a 90s look that works better than people expect on longer hair. See the low taper middle part for how to ask for it.
Textured fringe
Cut the front shorter and rougher so it falls forward in loose pieces, with the back still long. It is a modern mix that suits younger professionals.
Burst back
A burst shape curves the fade around the ear and leaves the back to fan out. It is a more dramatic cut, and we explain it in our burst fade mullet guide.
Clean line
Add a line up at the forehead and temples for a crisp frame, which pairs well with the soft back.
Styling it, growing it and keeping it fresh
Plan on a touch up every three to four weeks. The taper is what grows out first, and once the sides lose their line the cut starts to look like an accident again. The back and top can wait longer, so a quick visit for the edges keeps the whole shape alive.
For daily styling, use a light cream or sea salt spray on damp hair and let it dry. Add a small amount of paste if you want more definition on the top. Skip heavy gel, which turns the mullet stiff and shiny. In winter, the back sits on your collar and scarf, so expect some flip. A touch of product stops that.
Growing into the cut from short hair takes about two to three months. In that stretch, get the sides tapered cleanly while you let the top and back grow, and ask for a line up and edge up at $18 to keep things tidy. It is a patient cut, so book regular visits and it will look intentional the whole way.
Get the cut at Deja Vu in Murray Hill
Deja Vu Barbershop is at 101 E 34th St, New York, NY 10016, between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue in Murray Hill. Our barbers are New York State licensed with 15+ years of experience on the team, and a low taper mullet is a fade haircut at $35 with a hot towel neck finish included.
We are open Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm and Sunday 10am to 5pm, closed Saturday. Walk ins are always welcome, or book your visit online. Call (212) 576-1062 with questions. For the base cut behind all of this, read about the low taper fade before you come in.
Questions readers ask
How long does hair need to be for a low taper mullet?
You need about 3 to 4 inches on top and enough at the back to reach your collar or just past it. If you are shorter, we can start the taper now and let the rest grow.
Is a low taper mullet office appropriate?
In most Midtown offices, yes, as long as the sides are tapered clean and the back is blended rather than blunt. Very conservative dress codes may prefer a shorter back.
How often do I need a touch up?
Every three to four weeks for the taper, a bit longer for the length. The edges lose their shape first.
Can I get a low taper mullet with a beard?
Yes. A trimmed beard keeps the shape balanced, and a beard trim and grooming visit is $18 on its own or can be bundled in the Classic Combo at $48.