Mullet – many people still cringe at the word. Mullet, football pitch, yellowed posters from the eighties. But things will look completely different on curly hair in 2026. The taper mullet with curls sets short taped sides against a long, lively neck and turns the former style accident into one of the most exciting men’s cuts of the year.
Natural curls are not a problem that needs to be tamed, but rather the actual driving force of the look. This cut deliberately exploits the bounce that smooth short haircuts often take away. And the next time you sit at the hairdresser, you should be able to say exactly what you want – otherwise the taper mullet will quickly turn into a random fade.
In short
- cut – short taped sides, square-cut top hair and a long, lively neck.
- Effect on curls – The multi-layered structure supports volume instead of pulling heavy curly hair down.
- Suitable – works with tight corkscrew curls as well as with soft waves and can be adjusted to the shape of your face.
- Care – Sulfate-free shampoo, a diffuser when blow-drying and a leave-in keep the curls defined even after weeks.
What is the Taper Mullet – and why does it suit curls?
The Taper Mullet is the cleaned up version of the old mullet. The sides are taped briefly – i.e. thinned out gently from the base to the length – or created as a sidecut. The top hair, on the other hand, is deliberately left longer and is cut square so that the curls at the top retain their full length. The neck can remain casual and lively. It is precisely this contrast between short sides and full back of the head that is an eye-catcher.
The cut shows its real strength on curly hair. The shorter sections remove weight, while the longer zones emphasize bounce. Especially with medium to medium-length hair, the multi-layered structure prevents heavy curly hair from simply hanging down – the volume remains at the top, where it supports the look. How much contrast you want on the sides depends on the transition you want; If you are unsure, you can find the right fade for your taper in advance and consciously choose the height of the transition.
This is how the taper mullet cut works at the hairdresser
At the barber the cut is made in a clear order. If you know the individual steps, you can explain to your hairdresser exactly what is important to you – and avoid the sides being too short or the neck being too well-behaved.
- Map sections: The head is divided into zones so that length and volume can later be specifically distributed.
- Feathering frontal area: The front sections are gently frayed along the shape of the head so that the curls fall naturally.
- Top of head square: The top hair is cut square to get as much length and therefore curl volume as possible.
- Sides diagonally: The side sections are worked slightly diagonally forward, which gives the face structure.
- Back of head triangular: The neck is cut triangularly and vertically so that the length appears casual instead of boxy.
- Style with diffuser: In between, blow-dry with the diffuser to see the actual shape of the curls when cutting.
- Set taper: Now comes the actual taper on the sides for clear, clean contours.
- Outline at the end: Finally, the contour and neck line are worked out, which frame the finished look.
A detail that is often overlooked: A good barber cuts curls as dry as possible or only after blow-drying. When stretched wet, a curl looks significantly longer than it did when dried – and what looked perfect in the salon suddenly jumps two centimeters higher at home.
What type of curls is the cut suitable for?
The good news: The Taper Mullet is surprisingly straightforward when it comes to curl texture. Tight corkscrew curls particularly benefit from the volume on the top of the head because the dense structure at the top becomes a statement. Soft, open waves, on the other hand, have more contour thanks to the shorter sides and thus appear more consciously styled.
Matching the shape of your face is more important than the exact degree of curl. A longer top hair elongates a round face, while a shorter, clearly contoured transition emphasizes striking features. If you are unsure, clarify before the appointment which cut suits your face shape and adjust the length and transition height accordingly. If you have very fine curly hair, it’s worth keeping your neck a little shorter so that it doesn’t appear weak.
Care & Styling: This keeps the curls defined
A precise cut is half the battle – the rest is taken care of by daily routine. Curly hair tends to be dry and frizzy, so proper care will determine whether the Taper Mullet still fits like it did on the first day after two weeks. The most important lever is blow-drying: With a diffuser attachment, you support the curls from below instead of tearing them apart with the airflow.
Pro tips
- Wash without sulfates: A mild, sulfate-free shampoo removes less moisture from the curls and prevents frizz. Two to three times a week is usually enough.
- Diffuser from below: Place the hair in small sections in the diffuser and blow-dry at low speed on medium heat – this will preserve the bounce.
- Work in leave-in: Apply a leave-in conditioner to towel-dried hair to keep the length supple and define the individual curls.
- Mousse or cream: Finally, knead a curl mousse or cream into the damp curls, do not comb – this sets the structure and keeps frizz at bay.
Stay away from too much product at once: It’s better to start with a small amount and add more as needed, otherwise the curls will stick together and lose exactly the volume that defines the cut. If you want to go deeper, you will find further care tips for curly men’s hair for everyday life.
Combine: beard, parting & graphic contours
The Taper Mullet rarely stands alone. A prominent, well-groomed beard along the jawline balances the volume at the top and frames the face. A deliberately placed side parting brings additional movement to the curls and draws the eye to the transition.
If you like it more urban, you can have a graphically sharply shaved contour line placed over the parting – a fine, precise contrast to the soft curl structure. You shouldn’t overdo it: a single clear detail has a stronger effect than three competing effects. If you would like to get further ideas before the appointment, it is worth taking a look at other hairstyles for men with curls. In the end, only one thing counts: Go to the hairdresser with a clear idea and a saved reference image – then the Taper Mullet will become your cut and not the one on the wall in the salon.
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