Perm Mullet: How to Get the Texture Without the Regret

A perm mullet doesn't fail in the barber chair. It fails two weeks later when you're staring a frizzy, shapeless hair, wondering what went wrong.

Most content shows you what a permed mullet hairstyle looks like. This one explains how it behaves.

You've seen the photos. The texture. The effortless movement. But nobody talks about shrinkage, curl drop, or what happens when you wash it wrong.

This guide covers what actually matters: whether you should do it, what to ask for, and how to keep it looking intentional (not accidental).

Most modern mullet haircuts with perms look incredible on day one. By day fourteen? Different story.

There are two main ways this mullet style fails.

Hair damage

Chemical processing on hair¹ that wasn't ready for it. Dryness, breakage, hair texture that feels like straw.

This usually comes down to porosity (how your hair absorbs moisture) and elasticity (whether it stretches and bounces back or just snaps).

Messy over time

Curls loosen unevenly. The shape drifts. What started as "textured and modern" turns into "confused and unkempt."

Neither failure happens because the stylist messed up. They happen because nobody explained what comes after.

That's the gap this guide fills.

Not everyone should.

And that's not a cop-out—it's the fastest way to save you money and regret.

When a curly mullet works

• Want texture but hate heat styling
  
  

• Have naturally straight hair or slightly wavy hair that feels flat
  
  

• Are okay with a maintenance routine (not complicated, but consistent)
  
  

• Understand your hair will look different, not just "better"

When to pause

• Your hair doesn't hold curls from a curling iron for more than a few hours
  
  

• You've bleached or heavily processed your hair in the last 6 months
  
  

• You hate styling products or won't use them
  
  

• You're not long enough yet (more on this below)
  
  

Quick gut check

🧴If your current hair routine is "shampoo and air dry," a mullet perm will force you to level up. Not dramatically, but you can't ignore it either.

If that sounds exhausting, this might not be your move.

Hair type reality

Fine hair and thick hair behave differently after perming. Fine hair tends to drop curls faster…sometimes within weeks.

Thick hair holds texture longer but needs more weight removal in the cut to avoid looking bulky.

Face shape matters too. Perms add volume, which can balance longer faces but overwhelm rounder ones.

This is the question everyone asks. And the answer is more complicated than "yes" or "no."

Here's the part people gloss over: curls shorten your hair. A lot.

A perm pulls length up into the curl pattern. Depending on how tight you go, you could lose 2–4 inches of visible length.

So "long enough to perm" doesn't mean "long enough to look good after perming."

General rule

If you want the back of your mullet haircut to still look long after the perm, you need more length than you think. Add at least 3–4 inches to whatever you're picturing.

If you're borderline? Wait. Seriously.

Growing your long hair another 4 months is annoying. Paying for a perm you hate is worse.

A medium mullet is often the ideal starting point before adding a perm.

Length shrinkage reality

• Loose perm / beach wave = ~20% length loss
  
  

• Medium curls = ~30% length loss
  
  

• Tight curls / ringlets = ~40%+ length loss
  
  

If your mullet barely touches your collar right now, a medium perm will put it above your ears. Know that going in.

Walking into a barbershop or salon and saying "I want a perm mullet" is like ordering "food" at a restaurant. You'll get something. It might not be what you wanted.

Here's how to actually communicate what you're after.

Step 1: Show a reference photo

Point to specifics:

• "I want this length in the back, not shorter."
  
  

• "See how the curls are loose, not ringlets? That's what I'm after."
  
  

• "I want texture, not volume."
  
  

Step 2: Use these phrases

Copy these. Bring them on your phone if you need to.

• "I want waves, not curls. Beach texture, not poodle."
  
  

• "I want the back to keep its length—avoid curl-under at the ends."
  
  

• "Can we do a partial perm? Just the back and crown, not the sides."
  
  

• "What rod size would give me loose movement without tight spirals?"
  
  

Step 3: Understand rod sizes

• Large rods = loose waves, minimal shrinkage, subtle texture
  
  

• Medium rods = defined S-waves, noticeable curl, moderate shrinkage
  
  

• Small rods = tight curls, ringlets, maximum shrinkage
  
  

Most modern mullet styles use large or medium rods. If your stylist defaults to small rods without asking, speak up.

Step 4: Ask about their perm experience.

Not all stylists do men's perm services regularly. You want someone who perms hair weekly, not someone dusting off a technique from cosmetology school.

"How long will it last?" is the wrong question.

The right question: "How long will it look good?"

Week 1–2

Curls are tight. Maybe tighter than you expected.

This is when you follow the 48-hour rule—no washing for at least two days post-perm. The neutralizer needs time to fully set the new curl pattern.

Week 3–4

Curls start relaxing. This is usually when people say, "Okay, now I get why I did this." Loose, natural, lived-in vibes.

But frizz risk increases if you're not managing moisture.

Week 6–10

The perm is loosening noticeably. Curl relaxation is normal. Some sections will soften faster than others.

If you've been maintaining it well, you get soft waves with good movement. If not? Uneven texture and a shape that looks tired.

Month 3+

Most perms are mostly grown out by now.

You'll notice a demarcation line where your natural texture meets the permed ends. You're looking at a trim or a re-perm decision.

Can I perm just the back of my mullet?

Yes. A partial perm targets the back and crown while leaving the sides alone. For most fade mullet hairstyles (especially those with a taper fade), this looks better than a full perm.

What's the difference between a perm mullet, shaggy mullet, and wolf cut?

A shag is a cut with lots of layers and textured ends. A wolf cut combines shag layers with mullet length. A permed mullet adds chemical texture to the back and crown.

They're different hairstyles that can overlap.

Explore all mullet variations in our types of mullets guide.

Does a perm mullet damage hair?

It's a chemical process, so there's always some stress. The solution breaks and reforms bonds in your hair shaft.

That's how curl happens. Healthy, unprocessed hair handles it well.

Is it better to wait and grow more length first?

If you're on the fence about length, yes. You can always perm later. You can't un-perm if you hate the result.

How often should I trim a wavy mullet?

Every 6–8 weeks to maintain the shape and remove split ends. Perm hair is more fragile at the ends.