Named Mullet Variations: Curtain, Edgar, and More Explained

The mullet isn’t one haircut anymore — it’s a category. Barbers and clients now use specific names for different mullet variations, and two of the most searched are the curtain mullet and the Edgar mullet. Knowing these named mullet variations matters because asking for “a mullet” without specifying which one leaves too much room for interpretation.

This guide covers the major named mullet variations, with a close look at the curtain mullet and Edgar mullet specifically, how each is cut, who they suit, and how to ask for exactly the one you want.

In this guide:

Why mullets now have specific names rather than just “a mullet”
The curtain mullet, explained in detail
The Edgar mullet, explained in detail
Other named mullet variations worth knowing
A comparison of the main named mullet variations
How to communicate which one you want
FAQ

Why Mullets Have Named Variations

The modern mullet has moved far enough from its original short-front-long-back template that a single name no longer describes it accurately. Different combinations of fringe style, side treatment, and fade technique produce visually distinct results, and those combinations have picked up their own names over time.

Named mullet variations matter for communication as much as style. A barber who hears “curtain mullet” or “Edgar mullet” knows immediately what front and side treatment you’re picturing, whereas “give me a mullet” leaves the front, sides, and fade entirely up to interpretation.

The Curtain Mullet

The curtain mullet combines curtain bangs — hair parted in the middle and swept to both sides across the forehead — with a mullet’s long back section. The sides are typically left longer overall, without a dramatic fade, so the cut reads as fairly uniform in length aside from the parted fringe.

How it’s cut:

The front section is cut to fall just above or at the eyebrows.
Hair is parted down the middle and trained to fall to each side, sometimes with a light perm for hold if the natural texture doesn’t cooperate.
The sides are left at a longer, less dramatic length than a faded mullet variation.
The back is cut to mullet length, blending into the sides without a hard line.

Best for: Wavy or straight hair with enough length to part and hold; a softer, lower-maintenance overall look.

The Edgar Mullet

The Edgar mullet combines a sharp, straight-across fringe with short, tightly faded sides and a longer back section, drawing on styling elements associated with Edgar-style haircuts popularized in Latino and Caribbean barbering traditions. The front edge is cut with a crisp, defined line rather than the soft, swept look of a curtain fringe.

How it’s cut:

The sides and back are faded, often to a mid or high fade with sharp, defined lines.
The front fringe is cut straight across in a blunt, geometric line rather than layered or swept.
Edges around the hairline and temples are sharpened with a razor for maximum definition.
The back section is left longer, creating the mullet contrast against the short, faded sides.

Best for: Straight or wavy hair that holds a crisp line well; a bolder, more structured look than the curtain mullet.

Other Named Mullet Variations

Business mullet: A more conservative mullet with shorter overall length and minimal contrast, designed to read as professional from the front.
Mullet fade: A general term for any mullet paired with a fade at the sides, without specifying the front treatment.
Shullet: A mullet with a shaggy, heavily textured top and choppy layers throughout, rather than a defined fringe or fade.
Wolf cut: Closely related to the mullet, featuring heavy layering throughout for a shaggy, voluminous look rather than the sharper short-front, long-back contrast of a traditional mullet.

Comparing the Main Named Mullet Variations

Variation	Front Treatment	Side Treatment	Contrast Level	Maintenance
Curtain mullet	Middle-parted curtain fringe	Longer, minimal fade	Low	Every 6–8 weeks
Edgar mullet	Sharp, straight-across fringe	Faded, sharp lines	High	Every 2–3 weeks
Business mullet	Minimal or side-swept	Short, tidy, minimal fade	Low	Every 4–6 weeks
Mullet fade	Varies	Faded (height varies)	Moderate-high	Every 3–4 weeks
Shullet	Shaggy, no defined line	Layered, no fade	Low-moderate	Every 6–8 weeks

Recommendation: If you want the lowest maintenance, the curtain mullet or shullet stretch furthest between cuts. If you want the sharpest, most defined look, the Edgar mullet delivers the strongest contrast but needs the most frequent upkeep.

How to Ask for a Specific Named Mullet Variation

Use the specific name — “Curtain mullet” and “Edgar mullet” are different enough that saying just “mullet” leaves too much open to interpretation.
Bring a reference photo — Named mullet variations still have internal variation, so a photo narrows down exact fringe length, fade height, or back length.
Specify fade details for the Edgar mullet — Since it typically includes a fade, clarify low, mid, or high, plus whether you want a skin fade.
Discuss fringe length for the curtain mullet — Curtain fringe can range from eyebrow-grazing to cheekbone-length.
Confirm back length for either — This is the shared “mullet” element and should be agreed on regardless of which named variation you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a curtain mullet? A curtain mullet combines middle-parted curtain bangs swept to both sides with a mullet’s long back section, typically keeping the sides longer with minimal or no fade for a softer, low-maintenance look.

What is an Edgar mullet? An Edgar mullet combines a sharp, straight-across fringe with short, tightly faded sides and a longer mullet-length back, creating a bolder, more structured look than a curtain mullet.

What’s the difference between a curtain mullet and an Edgar mullet? The curtain mullet uses soft, swept fringe and longer, less faded sides, while the Edgar mullet uses a sharp, blunt fringe with tightly faded sides — the two sit at opposite ends of the contrast spectrum among named mullet variations.

Which named mullet variation is lowest maintenance? The curtain mullet and shullet are generally the lowest maintenance among named mullet variations, since neither requires frequent fade touch-ups the way an Edgar mullet or mullet fade does.

Can I get an Edgar mullet with wavy hair? Yes, though the sharp, straight fringe line typically holds better against straighter hair; wavy hair can still work but may need more regular styling to keep the blunt fringe line crisp.

What is a business mullet? A business mullet is a more conservative named mullet variation with shorter overall length and minimal contrast, designed to look professional and tidy from the front while still keeping mullet-style length at the back.

How often does an Edgar mullet need touching up? An Edgar mullet typically needs touch-ups every 2–3 weeks because of its faded sides, more frequent than the curtain mullet’s 6–8 week window.

Is a shullet the same as a mullet? Not exactly — a shullet emphasizes shaggy, heavily textured layers throughout rather than the sharper short-front, long-back contrast that defines a traditional mullet or its named variations like the curtain or Edgar mullet.

Key Takeaways

Named mullet variations exist because a single “mullet” no longer describes the range of front, side, and fade combinations in use.
The curtain mullet uses soft, swept fringe and longer sides for a low-maintenance, understated look.
The Edgar mullet uses a sharp, blunt fringe with tightly faded sides for a bolder, high-contrast look that needs more frequent upkeep.
Other named mullet variations — business mullet, mullet fade, shullet — fill in the space between these two extremes.
Using the specific name, plus a reference photo, is the most reliable way to get the exact named mullet variation you have in mind.

A note on accuracy: styling details and maintenance windows for named mullet variations can vary by individual hair type, texture, and barbershop — treat this as a general reference and confirm specifics with your barber.