The Mullet & Shag Haircut Guide: Why SF Can't Get Enough of This Cut

If you've been walking around San Francisco lately, you've noticed something. The mullet is everywhere. The shag is everywhere. And honestly, they've never looked better.

These aren't your dad's mullets or your mom's 70s shags. The modern versions of these cuts have been completely reimagined for 2025, and San Francisco, with its deeply creative, community-driven, unapologetically individual energy, is one of the best cities in the world to get one. At Headprint Studio, the mullet and shag haircut are two of our most requested looks, and for good reason.

Here's everything you need to know about both cuts, how they differ, how they overlap, and how to figure out which one is right for you.

What Is a Modern Mullet?

Let's get one thing straight: the modern mullet has almost nothing in common with the cultural punchline version from the 80s. Yes, it's still business in the front and party in the back. But the way it's being executed today is a completely different conversation.

The modern mullet is intentional. It's structured. It often features a disconnected or faded undercut on the sides, a defined fringe or curtain bang situation in the front, and length in the back that can range from just past the ears to full-on dramatic. It works on straight hair, wavy hair, curly hair, and everything in between. It works across gender presentations. And it has a way of looking effortless even when a significant amount of skill went into making it that way.

What makes the mullet so popular in San Francisco specifically is that it fits the city's ethos perfectly. It's a little bit punk, a little bit retro, completely unafraid of attention, and it pairs naturally with the kind of bold, expressive personal style that SF has always celebrated.

What Is a Shag Haircut?

The shag is the mullet's slightly softer, heavily textured cousin. It's characterized by lots of layers, a choppy lived-in finish, and usually some kind of fringe, whether that's a full curtain bang, wispy baby bangs, or a more dramatic blunt fringe. The shag is all about movement and texture. It's supposed to look a little undone, like you woke up like this, even though your stylist spent considerable time making it look exactly that way.

The modern shag works beautifully on wavy and curly hair because the layers enhance natural texture rather than fighting it. On straight hair, it creates the illusion of thickness and movement that a blunt cut just can't deliver. And like the mullet, it has a strong vintage reference point, think 70s rock and roll, Stevie Nicks, David Bowie, that it draws from while still feeling completely current.

Where the shag and mullet often blur together is in the length distribution. Both tend to be shorter in the front and longer in the back. Both use layers heavily. The main difference is that the mullet typically has a more pronounced disconnect between the short sides and the longer back, while the shag is more about seamless layering throughout.

The Mullet Shag: The Best of Both

Here's where it gets really interesting. A lot of the cuts coming out of Headprint Studio right now live somewhere between the two. The mullet shag, sometimes called a shullet, takes the length and drama of the mullet and combines it with the heavy layering and textured finish of the shag. The result is a cut that has serious structure but doesn't feel rigid, lots of personality but still looks intentional.

It's also one of the most versatile cuts we do. Wear it down with the texture on full display and it reads artistic and expressive. Pull it back and the length in the back creates a cool, effortless look. Add some color and it becomes something else entirely.

The mullet shag haircut in San Francisco has become something of a signature look for the city, and if you've been considering it, there's never been a better time.

Who Is This Cut For?

Genuinely? Almost anyone. That's not a sales pitch, it's just the truth about these cuts.

If you have fine hair, the layers in both the shag and mullet add volume and movement that a one-length cut simply can't give you. If you have thick hair, the layering removes weight and makes the hair much easier to manage. If you have curly or wavy hair, the shape works with your texture rather than against it. If you have straight hair, the layers create the kind of lived-in dimension that otherwise takes a lot of product to fake.

These cuts also work across a wide range of face shapes. The fringe options alone give your stylist a lot of tools to work with when it comes to framing your face in a way that feels balanced and intentional. The key is talking to your stylist about what version of the cut makes the most sense for your specific hair type, texture, and lifestyle.

How to Maintain a Mullet or Shag

One of the most common questions we get about these cuts is how much upkeep they actually require. The honest answer is that it depends on how precise you want the shape to stay.

Both cuts grow out relatively gracefully, which is part of their appeal. The shag in particular tends to soften beautifully as it grows, and many people love the way it evolves between appointments. The mullet requires a bit more attention to maintain the disconnect between the sides and the back if that's a key part of your look.

In terms of styling, both cuts are designed to work with your natural texture. A little texture spray or curl cream, depending on your hair type, goes a long way. Heat tools are optional, not required. And if you have wavy or curly hair, air drying is genuinely your friend with these cuts.

For trims, most people come back every six to ten weeks depending on how fast their hair grows and how tight they want to keep the shape. Your stylist will give you a realistic picture of what to expect based on your specific cut.

Why Get Your Mullet or Shag at Headprint Studio

San Francisco has no shortage of talented stylists. But the mullet and shag haircut require a specific kind of skill and creative confidence that not every salon brings to the table.

At Headprint Studio, these cuts are genuinely part of our DNA. Our stylists have done hundreds of them across every hair type, texture, and gender presentation. We charge by the hour so you're paying for exactly the time and skill your cut requires, with no hidden fees and no mystery pricing. And we start every appointment with a real conversation about what you want, what your hair can do, and how to get you there.

We foster an inclusive, vibrant space for all hair types and all identities, which means whoever you are and whatever version of this cut you're going for, you're going to feel at home here.

Ready for Your Mullet or Shag?

If any of these looks made you stop scrolling, that's your answer. Come see us at our Cow Hollow location (2848 Webster St, San Francisco, CA 94123) or our Castro location (4327 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94114).

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We foster an inclusive, vibrant space for all hair types and all identities. Learn more about what makes us a truly queer-friendly hair salon in San Francisco.