BUSINESS IN THE FRONT, PARTY IN THE BACK

You’ve seen it, I’ve seen it. Honestly, at this point, it’s undeniable. The long standing joke of the styling world is back with a vengeance, and whether you like it or not- MULLETS ARE IN. They’re trending for all genders, all hair types, in the midwest, on the coasts, short, long, it is all mullets, all the time. There are even mullet specialists making careers teaching the modern mullets, curly mullets, and even mullet perms. I highly recommend @ashleymedinahair on TikTok. 

For all stylists, and non-stylists who follow trends, when you hear the word mullet, an image definitely comes to mind. In researching this haircut turned phenomenon, I learned a LOT. There are historical documents dating all the way back to the Roman Empire detailing a haircut that was short around the eyes and forehead. This proto mullet was born mostly out of necessity. It allowed for minimal maintenance, and maximum practicality. Easy to see, and additional protection and warmth on the neck. There is additional evidence that this practical mullet was worn by Indigenous people in North America. For these Indigenous groups, they gained the practical benefits, but also used the haircut as a demonstration of spiritual strength. Historically this haircut has been everywhere, basically forever. 

The mullet that most of us pictured probably didn’t go quite that far back in history. The first time this haircut was broadly popular was in the early 70’s. The iconic David Bowie wore a mullet, and was joined by Keith Richards, Paul McCartney, and Rod Stewart. Like most trends, once we see them on celebrities, we see it EVERYWHERE. By the mid 80’s mullets were on everyone, including a full Superman comic book series!

2021 brought a new resurgence, and some of the coolest celebs have embraced the look. Fashion forward Rhianna and Gigi Hadid both had mullet moments recently, and Scarlet Johanssen and Miley Cyrus both wore platinum, punk mullets last year. Personally, I like Miley’s better than her dad’s but that’s just my opinion. 

As a stylist, I had a very memorable mullet moment and it sticks with me now. Here’s what happened:

“ I want the top very short, like 2 inches, and in the back, keep the length.” Not wanting to be offensive, I patiently asked about a million questions. She couldn’t mean what she was saying. She didn’t really want this…. Did she? I cut her hair, and didn’t quite cut it as short as she asked, I blended the top section into the back, so that it had some type of flow, and turned her around to show her. She was not satisfied. She re-stated “I want the top SHORT.” 

Reluctantly I jumped in, both feet. I cut the queen of mullets. Super short and even spiky on the top, curls nearly to her shoulders in the back. The way this client beamed after seeing just what she wanted is the reason why I am so obsessed with salons and spas. It is the reason why the beauty industry will always feel more like home than work. 

This haircut is absolutely one of the most polarizing haircuts of all time. There are people who have maintained their mullets for decades, avowedly obsessed with the look. There are also people who swear that they’ve never had one, never liked one, and would never be swayed. This haircut even has a tagline:

Business up front, party in the back!

When I was marinating on mullets, I got really stuck on this tagline. As a person who loves a party, and encourages frequent celebration, I don’t know if I like the idea of hiding the party in the back…. Why keep the best part secreted in the back? This concept immediately reminded me of the salon breakroom.  In many salons  there is an entirely different culture in the breakroom than there is on the salon floor. The salon floor, and front desk is about guest service, smiles and customer service voices. Definitely business up front. 

In the backroom, it’s lunchtime, scrolling on your phone, connecting with your coworkers, laughing about the challenges and successes of the day. Snacks, laughing, taking a break with friends and colleagues, sounds like a party to me. And one in the back, not interfering with the business up front. 

This cultural mullet if you will, has its benefits, just like the haircuts. It allows you to focus on customer satisfaction, and work with dedication and professionalism. It also sets the stage for your guests to see that this is an environment where they will come first, and treat their needs seriously. The party in the breakroom provides a much needed stress-relief valve. 

I’ve said this before, and I truly believe it. Every single salon, even multiple locations of the same business has a different culture. Each salon has its own mix of personalities, skills and clients, which creates new environments. This wide range of differences means that very few recommendations and policies are universal. Just like every client doesn’t want a mullet, every salon might not best be served by this mullet-y salon culture. 

What if your salon needs a shag? Trendy, sultry curtain bangs, represented by a swanky waiting room with pink neon and sparkling wine? With flowy appointments for detailed hand painted hair color, and long extension appointments with movement in and out of conversation and consultation?

Maybe your salon needs a pixie. Sweet, sassy and timeless. You have a dress code focused on creativity and everyone on your team can do a perm or a roller set. Pixies come in all shapes and sizes, and your team shines with versatility, and can cover a stylist’s sick day with no sweat. 

If you’re a salon owner, you have the power to choose what culture best suits you, and your ultimate vision. Emulating the culture of a salon that you follow on social media, or where you worked previously can help inform and shape your salon culture, but it is NOT an area where “copy and paste” will lead to success. You are not the same person as another owner, and your team is not the same. In the same way that a blunt bob looks amazing on your 9 am client, but wouldn’t work at all for your 3 pm, someone else’s salon culture might not be flattering on your team. And changing salon culture can sometimes take as long as growing out an undercut….

If you’re curious about what haircut best describes your salon culture click the link to take my quick quiz. It is mostly for fun, but is also designed to inspire intentional thought about your salon culture, and why it matters. Use it at a huddle or team meeting to kick start a conversation with your team.

I can’t wait to hear what your results were! Share it on instagram and tag me @rootstrengthconsulting, or send me an email at rootstrengthconsulting@gmail.com!

CLICK HERE TO FIND YOUR SALON’S HAIRCUT CULTURE