The resurgence of mullets is steadily rising, and Black women are at the forefront of its comeback.
The eccentric look is a choppy hairstyle where the front, top, and side areas are cut short, and the back of the hair flows with length. Dubbed as the hairstyle that embodies the mantra “business in the front, party in the back,” rocking a mullet upholds a reputation of rebelling against conventional hair and beauty norms.
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The mullet has a long history, and its origin has been linked to ancient Greece, Rome, and the Viking Age, as well as connections with certain Indigenous tribes that have been traced back centuries. The emergence of mullets in pop culture derived from the 1970s punk rock era, where freedom of expression and individuality were driving forces behind the movement that brought prominence to the unique hairstyle.
Edginess, unpolished, and boldness represented the punk rock era’s hair concepts, fashion pieces, music, and attitudes. Famed musician David Bowie inspired the rise in popularity of the mullet after being seen onstage and in public wearing it with pride. His public display led artists like Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart, and others to sport the haircut, which helped catapult mullets into becoming a mainstream hair trend.
As mullets spiked throughout the 80s, the immense popularity grabbed the attention of athletes and other musicians. Tina Turner and Michael Jackson participated in the fad until its peak ended in the following decade. The craze over the mullet hairstyle dwindled and faded in the early 90s.
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As the style continues to evolve, Black women have found new ways to reimagine the original style and modernize the haircut.
The hairstyle has expanded since returning as a trend in 2023. Instead of restricting mullets to straight and textured hair, Black women are creating mullets with protective styles. Across social media, Black women are online showing how they are reviving the 70s and 80s trend. Mullets are now being integrated into braids, locs, and twists, unlocking a new level of creativity for the iconic haircut.
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In 2023, many Black women candidly shared on TikTok the step-by-step process of achieving their mullets with a quick weave.
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To avoid experiencing the various cutting techniques that were once required to attain the desired style, they used quick weaves as a new method that drove the same results. Braiding the natural hair underneath, putting on a wig cap, and gluing or sewing extensions on top were the go-to options for those who did not want to fully commit to the cutting that comes with having a mullet.
Black women have since adopted the old-fashioned style, altering the look in distinct ways that explore the endless realms of creative hair designs. Throughout the years, Rihanna, Zendaya Coleman, Teyana Taylor, and Ryan Destiny are among the crowd of celebrities who have shown off their version of fearlessly wearing a mullet.
Image Source: Getty Images
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Rihanna was first spotted with the hairstyle in 2013, with a modern twist incorporating the top of her hair to resemble a pixie cut. She revisited the style in 2020 and wore a different variation that was more fuller than before.
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Also, in 2020, Destiny shared her rendition of the everlasting style with fans. The actress embraced bangs with flared shorter pieces of hair in the back to still achieve the style’s length component.
Beads, colored braiding hair, clip-ins, and other accessories included in the protective styles have contributed to a reimagined version of the mullet. Although the trend has not always centered on Black women, they continue to cement their stamp on the legendary hairstyle and redefine the various ways a mullet can be displayed now and in the future.
Need help figuring out what haircut is best for your curls? Get inspired by these different styles.
1. Bigen GB6 Golden Blonde SemiPerm Hair Color
2. African Pride Black Castor Miracle Extra Hold Braid, Loc, & Twist Gel
3. Treasured Locks H2G Hair Growth Shampoo
Will you be trying out a mullet protective style? Let us know in the comments.
