The Two-Toned Mullet Is Spring 2021’s Coolest Hair Color Trend — See Photos

We get it — the days are getting longer, the temps a little bit warmer, and… are those birds chirping? As you watch the seasons change, it’s only natural to want to follow by switching up your look. One of the ways to do that is to change your hair. With warmer days approaching, there are plenty of spring hair trends that’ll restore lackluster strands and give your head a fresh start, whether you choose to get highlights or a softened version of an edgy cut.

If you’ve been toying with the idea of trying out a bold new color but still not sure about committing to a full head, there’s a highlighting trend you can try: The two-toned mullet. And for those who already took the plunge on the soft-serve mullet cut (one of the first big trends for 2021), this is a great way to get more creative with it. The dye job features a dark color at the base layer and a lighter color on top, letting you play around with all the fun hues your heart desires. 

Jessica Ruby, New York City and Los Angeles-based hairstylist and owner of Flaming Lounge Hair, is behind one of the most popular takes on the trend. “My pink candy mullet was 100 percent inspired by my talented musician client Kailee Morgue,” she says. “We wanted a new take on the two-toned a.k.a. half-and-half hair-color look with a neon pink and platinum contrast. You see a lot of dark hair and rainbow color (think Billie Eilish) but never platinum and rainbow!”

To achieve the look, she first bleached the section of the hair where the color would later be applied to make sure the neon pink would stand out. “Her haircut, which is a textured mullet, was the main inspiration for the placement of the color. Having a fringe really helps make the statement pop for two-toned hair color.”

The beauty of this style, compared to a full dye job, is that color maintenance is basically cut in half. The color should last six to eight weeks on its own but Ruby recommends visiting your stylist between sessions for a gloss that will help prevent fading.