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The skullet is one of the great hairstyles known to man. Why conform to the best long and short
men’s hairstyle trends when you can rock a truly individual cut with a demanding presence? The skullet has stood the test of time, and for good reason.
It speaks to its audience like no other. It’s the outlaw cousin of the mullet; the cut you choose when you want every pub within a 10km radius to know you’ve arrived. We’ve come to appreciate how it offers levels of creativity that aren’t for the faint of heart. If you want to be noticed, this is the haircut for you.
If you’re a creative bloke whose diet primarily consists of Zinger Boxes, long necks, and iced coffees
— or the type of guy who appreciates a Matt Damon-in-Stillwater transformation — the skullet is calling.
This hairstyle is for all creative geniuses and free spirits ready to mix things up. So whether you’re new to the skullet game or just keen to jump on the renewed trend, we’ve got the complete guide to skullet haircuts and hairstyles.
Related: Our complete guide to the best haircuts for men serves as your reference for hairstyles.
What is a Skullet?
Today, the skullet might be considered a new trend. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Versions of this haircut have been spotted on powerful men dating back to ancient Rome, the American Civil War, and more recently in music subcultures, the footy field, and even Urban Dictionary (where the skullet is defined with suspicious pride). Celebrities and personalities such as Matt Damon, Hulk Hogan, Dustin Martin, and even Charles Manson have all rocked a daring skullet, either by choice or pure coincidence.
Thinking outside the box can cause more problems than it fixes, but not here. The skullet is the perfect hairstyle for free-thinking gentlemen who know exactly who they are. It’s for the bloke always on the move, with little time to waste on whatever nonsense is happening at the front of his head.
The skullet is what happens when you blend two of the most practical and best haircuts for men: the mullet and the crew or buzz cut.
Some might call this a portmanteau of sorts, between the words mullet and skull. Regardless, this hairstyle is all business in the front and party in the back.
In technical terms, the skullet occurs when the hair on one’s forehead begins to thin, either through shaving or natural receding, thus giving way to more scalp. The skullet then takes form when the hair at the back starts to grow out or is shaved into a style of personal expression.
Best Skullet Haircuts and Hairstyles for Men
The general rule of thumb for the skullet is ‘the filthier the better’. This subspecies of mullet is for those who refuse to conform to the traditional and frankly blasé short back and sides. We have compiled a list of the best skullets in the hope of explaining what on earth is going on with these expressions of pure excellence.
1. Skullet Fade
You can start safely with this skullet. This hairstyle is perfect for the type of man who’s looking for a little more function than form. A short, tight taper fade is one of the classiest hairstyles there is, and combining that with the party that’s going on in the back, boy oh boy! Don’t worry too much about the top; just ask your barber to fade it up.
2. Crew Skullet
The crew skullet is a contemporary take on an old classic. The crew cut is the traditional hard-yakka style cut for blokes who like to get their hands dirty. When it comes to the top of this mullet-style haircut, you wouldn’t want anything to get in your way. It’s as simple as shaping that skinhead crew top into a show-stopping staple. Aim to control the shape by keeping a natural flowing motion as you move into the traditional mullet back.
3. Lion’s Mane Skullet
Talk about a statement. Don’t put on a hat; this skullet is perfect for those of us with a bit of patchiness up top. On a scale of 1 to party, the lion’s mane skullet is a party all the way. For this man’s haircut, you can do most of the work with your trimmer. Hell, if you can mow a lawn, you can probably pull this one off, no wuckin forries. Draw a straight line with your clippers from the top of one ear to the other. After you cut the lint, you can shave everything in front. If you want to scale this one up, add a beard to create a medieval ‘viking skullet’.
4. The Double Take Skullet
This one deserves a second look. Sometimes referred to as the Dustin Martin, this skullet means business. If you’re on the way to creating a masterpiece of a lion’s mane skullet, this is a great men’s hairstyle to get you on your way. For those of us who don’t have a built-in sun visor or hair covering the back of our neck, this works wonders. To get this look, treat it like any other skullet and proceed with caution. Make sure the line-ups are straight, then shave the whole top portion, leaving only the back. Now you’re done. Apologies for all the necks you’re going to break.
5. Curly Skullet
So you’ve read our guide on the best curly haircuts and hairstyles for men, and you still can’t think of a good way to style your natural curls? Luckily, we have one more tucked away, waiting just for you. If the lion’s mane skullet is for those with long straight hair, the curly skullet is for those with curly hair, go figure. This curly hairstyle for men is achieved in much the same way. First, line that bad boy up, then shave it forward, simple. If you want to take it to the next level, add some low-shine product to the party at the back and watch it glow like the beacon it is, for you know what.
6. The Afro Skullet
One of the most technically advanced skullets out there. First of all, if you can’t grow a natural afro, this one isn’t for you. You need maximum commitment to pull this bad boy off. Be prepared to dive deep when attempting this men’s hairstyle. The method is simple: tie back those follicles and line up the lochs. Don’t even attempt this at home unless you know what you’re doing; there’s no room for error.
How to Maintain Your Skullet
While the skullet gives off “couldn’t care less” energy, keeping it sharp still requires a little upkeep.
- Fade lightly, trim often: The sides and top need regular buzzing to keep the shape tight — once every 2–3 weeks is ideal.
- Let the back go wild: The business end grows out naturally, but you can refine the shape with a quick tidy-up around the neckline.
- Use the right product: A matte clay, low-shine pomade or sea-salt spray will keep the back looking intentional rather than feral (unless feral is the plan).
- Check your lines: A skullet lives and dies on clean line-ups. Visit a barber who understands mullet culture, AFL culture, or both.
- Commit fully: Half-hearted skullets look accidental. A great skullet looks deliberate, defiant, and a bit dangerous.
Interested in more hair stories, tips and tricks or looking for inspiration? Check out Dennis Rodman’s 8 Most Outrageous Hairstyles Ranked, or view our compilation of hair-related articles below:
Best Hairstyles
- Best Short Hairstyles for Men
- Best Medium Hairstyles for Men
- Best Long Hairstyles for Men
- Best Curly Hairstyles for Men
- Best Buzzcut Hairstyles for Men
- Best Beard Styles for Men
Best Hair Care
- How to Choose a Hairstyle for Your Face Shape
- How Often Should Men Shampoo Their Hair?
- How to Bleach Your Hair Safely at Home
- How to Talk to a Barber
- How to Deal With Grey Hair
- How to Shave the Right Way Using Shave-Oil
Skullet Haircut and Hairstyle FAQs
The skullet is what happens when you blend two of the most practical and best haircuts for men together, the mullet and skinhead crew cut. Some might call this a portmanteau of sorts, between the words mullet and skull. Regardless, this hairstyle is all business in the front and party in the back.
Dusty typically rocks a traditional crew or fade skullet.
A traditional mullet will have a few inches of hair on the top, whereas a skullet is traditionally clean-shaven crew cut style on top. This causes less interference with day-to-day tasks.
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