Quiffs also work with most hair types, except those that are very curly, excessively frizzy or very fine. “The most modern take on the quiff is certainly to have the sides finished with a fade.” “The beauty of the quiff is that, depending on the shape or how tight the sides are taken, it can look quite different on whoever is wearing it, so you can make the style your own,” says Steve Robinson from the Electric Hair Group. Since most modern quiffs require shaving or fading at the sides to emphasise what’s on top, they don’t always look great on guys with larger ears, either. Instead, opt for something a bit more single story than towering skyscraper. “Rounder faces tend to have little structure or prominent angles, so a square-shaped hairstyle with height such as a quiff or classic casual side part with some height will be flattering,” says celebrity groomer Amy Komorowski, who has tended to the barnets of Eddie Redmayne and Ryan Reynolds.Įxercise caution if you have a particularly thin face, though – the higher the hair, the more angular and elongated it’ll make you look.

Fortunately, there is an up-do for every dude, but they are especially good for those looking to elongate a round face. When it comes to choosing your own style of quiff, one of the most important factors to take into consideration (as with most cuts) is your face shape. “Ask your barber for a tapered cut with plenty of length on top and you can’t really go wrong,” says Chapman. While pomps, quite literally, big up all the hair, quiffs predominantly focus on the forelock (the hair just above the forehead) and in some cases, the rest can remain relatively flat. Pompadours are similar in that they take the hair off, up and away from the face, but are usually glossier and are very precise.” But this can be messy, straightened or brushed, making it a generally more versatile style. “A typical quiff features short back and sides, and longer hair on top that’s swept upwards and backwards at the front. “In truth, there’s no black and white answer,” admits Devon-based barber Tom Chapman, founder of mental health awareness group The Lions Barber Collective. As a general rule, the classic quiff is less showy than the kind of top-heavy pomp sported by rock ‘n’ roll legend Little Richard and later Bruno Mars. The Quiff VS The PompadourĪrguments rage over how the quiff itself differs from other classic cuts, such as the pompadour. Bottom line? It’s not an exaggeration to say that the quiff changed the course of hair-story. This unabashed narcissism also liberated men from the tyranny of not having to outwardly care about their appearance, laying the ground for the grooming revolution we take for granted today. That in itself became part of the quiff’s iconic appeal, with Elvis managing to turn combing his hair in public into an act as sexually charged as a shake of the hips or a caress of the microphone. The fact that the hair was piled upwards also meant that it had a natural tendency to flop forwards, demanding constant attention. “It’s a hairstyle that literally takes up more space, so it makes you stand out and gets you noticed.” “As a style, it has always represented rebellion, and it screams confidence,” says ReeRee Rockette, owner of Rockalily Cuts. But it only became truly iconic with the advent of rock ‘n’ roll, when it became an overnight badge of teenage revolt. The hairstyle itself had been around for some years by the time it became popular as a post-war reaction to military buzz cuts and flat wartime styles. When quizzed by styling product company Fudge on which haircut they are most likely to swipe right to on dating apps, 28 per cent of the 2,000 females asked picked the quiff. Splicing together elements of the pompadour, flat top and sometimes even the mohawk, unafraid to make its voluminous presence felt, the amped-up quiff suits a wide range of ages, face shapes and personal styles.Īccording to research, it’s also judged one of the sexiest by women. You’ll find that the sharp contrast between different lengths of hair makes this a more edgy and trendy look that isn’t far off from the classic pompadour.

The longer portion of hair on top of the head built up with volume, and then combed back for a sleek, yet textured look, while still concentrating the vertical volume towards the front of the head. While this may apply to various hairstyles, what sets the quiff apart is how it’s styled. It’s easily distinguished by the short cut on the sides and back of the head, with longer locks on top. The quiff hairstyle is one that you’ve certainly come across before.

Quiff slang