48 Quiff Hairstyles for Smart People

A quiff hairstyle is the ultimate fashion statement for modern men looking to make heads turn. This stylish cut featuring short sides and longer, voluminous hair on top is the perfect blend of intelligence and mess for today’s sophisticated gent. While a quiff hairstyles exudes effortless cool, creating the ideal textured quiff or messy quiff requires some skill. This guide to the top 48 quiff hairstyle men will provide inspiration and advice for getting the right height, achieving maximum volume, and maintaining your gravity-defying quiff hairstyle. Whether you prefer a sleek, polished quiff hairstyle or an artfully disheveled messy quiff hairstyles, you’ll discover expert tips, styling product recommendations, and bold new variations of the quiff hairstyle to try. Let’s delve into the fantastic versatility of the quiff hairstyle and how to make it work for you.

What is a Quiff Hairstyle?

Before diving into the various quiff styles, let’s briefly overview what defines this famous men’s cut.

A quiff features short hair on the back and sides with longer hair on top swept upwards and backward. The long hair on top is cut in a gradual taper, getting shorter as it approaches the nape of the neck.

The signature element is the voluminous front that creates a soft wave resembling a pompadour or duck’s tail. The hair is lifted and brushed back away from the forehead to achieve this look. Pomade or wax is usually used to hold the style in place.

The quiff adds height and projects a bright yet rebellious vibe. It works exceptionally well for men with oval, square, and heart-shaped faces, creating balance and drawing attention upwards.

Let’s look at 48 quiff variations, demonstrating how intelligent gents can customize this style to suit their unique look.

Classic Quiff Hairstyles

The classic quiff features hair clipped close on the back and sides with length on top styled into a deep side part. The longer hair on top is brushed upwards and backward, curling slightly at the ends. This is the standard quiff style that evokes 1950s cool guy swagger.

Textured Quiff Hairstyles

Adding texture creates a matte finish and flexible hold for a more natural rumpled look. Use a texturizing spray or cream for a ruffled quiff with separation and movement. The textured variation works exceptionally well for thick, coarse, or curly hair types.

Short Sides Long Top

For maximum contrast, go for a longer length on top with very short, faded sides. This elongates the face and emphasizes the volume of the front quiff section for a bold style statement. Keep the top section long enough to curl and crest.

Curly Quiff Hairstyles

Guys with naturally curly or wavy hair can rock a textured curly quiff. Allow the curls to enhance the height and motion of the quiff wave. Define the curls and reduce frizz by using a curl-defining cream.

Crop Top Quiff Hairstyles

Opt for a shorter crop on top faded into the sides for a neater look. This diminishes some gravity-defying height but still maintains the signature curl and side part. It’s a bit more restrained while allowing your natural texture to shine.

Messy Quiff Hairstyles

Embrace the perfectly imperfect look with an intentionally messy, tousled quiff. Allow strands to fall naturally out of place and avoid a stiff helmet head effect. A pliable matte product like wax or clay gives hold with a lived-in feel.

Spiky Quiff Hairstyles

Amp up the edge with a spiky quiff. Use a strong hold gel or glue to spike the hair upwards into an arched wave. Keep the sides tight for a dramatic contrast against the jagged spiked section on top.

Hard Side Part

Create a strong statement with a deeply defined side part. Comb the hair sharply to one side, leaving an apparent visible parting. Shave a sharp, clean line into the side section for added emphasis.

Side Swept Quiff

Soften the look by brushing the longer hair across the forehead to one side. Allow some pieces to lightly feather over the forehead instead of cleaning them straight up and back.

Pomp Quiff

Blend quiff and pompadour elements for a dapper retro appearance. Maintain length on top for loft and lift, but sweep the front straight upwards into a pomp-like wave.

Brushed Up Quiff Hairstyles

For casual wear, style a brushed-up textured quiff with added height. After applying the product, use your fingers to messily work the hair upwards, creating a jagged, piecey shape.

Natural Curl Quiff

Work with your natural texture for an effortless curly quiff. Allow curls to dictate the height and direction, gently sweeping them backward. Embrace the volume and avoid tightly combing.

Buzzed Sides Quiff

For dramatic contrast, buzz the back and sides down to the skin. The exposed scalp draws maximum attention to the fuller top section for an eye-catching two-block cut.

Skin Fade Quiff

A skin fade makes the transition between the long top and short sides seamless yet striking. Ask your barber for a high bald fade to accentuate the height of the quiff wave.

Hard Side Part + Skin Fade

This quiff variation combines multiple vital elements. Buzz the sides with a skin fade, maintain longer hair on top, and create an extreme side parting. The result is a very structured, sculpted cut.

Quiff + Line Up

Enhance definition by adding a sharp lineup around the hairline and temples. The straight razor line accentuates your natural hairline for a chiseled finish.

Quiff + Drop Fade

A drop fade creates a gradual taper, transitioning smoothly from longer to shorter lengths down the back of the head. Combine with a textured quiff for a modern, blended look.

Quiff + Razor Fade

Get a razor fade on the sides for a sharp, precise edge. This uses a straight razor to cut the hair down the sides in an extremely close taper. Pair with a voluminous quiff for impact.

Quiff + Mid Fade

A mid fade provides versatility, starting lower down the sides for less contrast against the longer top. Keep the quiff’s height and volume intact for balance against the faded sides.

Quiff + Temple Fade

Make a statement by fading out the sides horizontally, lower than a typical fade. Leave the area around the temples and forehead disconnected from the fade for a dramatic floating effect.

Voluminous Quiff

Maximize the appearance of thick, full hair with a bouffant quiff. Lift the roots and sweep the hair into an exaggerated wave using a strong hold gel or pomade.

Textured Crop

For a neater version, opt for a cropped quiff with added texture. The shorter length on top allows natural volume and movement to show through.

Side Part + Hard Part

Amp definition by combining a deep side part with a shaved-in hard part. Create contrast within the longer top section for a three-dimensional shape.

Swept Over Quiff

Soften the look by allowing pieces of the more extended section to sweep across the forehead. This creates a more relaxed shape while still maintaining height.

Side Swept Pomp Quiff

Directly connect the side-swept fringe to the pomp wave in one smooth, elegant sweep. This gives a fluid curled shape on top.

Short Pomp Quiff

Reduce the drama with a shorter pomp quiff silhouette. Maintain enough length to create lift but avoid an overpowering towering wave.

Taper Fade Quiff

Ask for a tight taper fade to transition sharply from the fullness on top to the cropped sides. The strategic blending of lengths adds structure.

Quiff with Comb Over Fringe

Create a multidimensional fringe by combining a side part with a deep comb. Sweep the more extended front section diagonally across the forehead.

Wavy Quiff

Work with your natural texture and enhance the movement by styling a wavy swept-back quiff. Allow the hair to undulate and curl for organic flair.

Center Parted Quiff

Change up the direction by parting the hair down the middle. Split the hair evenly and sweep both sides up and back away from the part.

Slicked Back Quiff

Bend the rules by brushing the lengthened top hair directly backward. Use pomade for a slicked-back quiff with height and polish.

Textured Slicked Back Quiff

Maintain a tidy slicked-back shape but add texture for flexibility. The texture allows small pieces to break free for a natural look.

Quiff Ponytail

Pull the top section into a half ponytail, creating lift and volume. Let the ends flare outwards for a playful yet polished take on this retro style.

Two Block Cut Quiff

Go for dramatic impact with longer hair on top styled into a quiff and closely cropped back and sides. The extreme contrast makes a bold visual statement.

Quiff with Disconnected Undercut

Shave the back and sides in an abrupt, disconnected pattern from the longer hair on top. The shorter sections allow the height of the quiff to take focus.

Quiff + Designs

Customize your look with shaved patterns or lines carved into one or both sides. Contrast the quiff’s smooth wave against intricate razor art.

Quiff + Highlights

Add dimension with highlighted pieces distributed throughout the quiff section on top. Lighter tones catch the eye and enhance texture.

Quiff + Bowl Cut

Incorporate unexpected elements like pairing a quiff with a shaggy, full fringe. The contrast of textures creates an edgy yet polished look.

Quiff + Cropped Beard

Balance the height of the quiff with facial hair like a cropped beard, goatee, or mustache. Keep facial hair neatly trimmed for a refined finish.

Quiff + Forward Brush

Put a new spin on the classic quiff by brushing the length forward instead of backward. Sweep the longer hair in the opposite direction for inverted volume.

Textured Crop + Low Fade

Tame the volume with a cropped textured top blended into a subtle low fade. This allows some natural dishevelment to come through within a neat silhouette.

Shape Up + Burst Fade Quiff

Get precise by combining a V-shaped line up around the hairline and temples with a burst fade on the nape and sides. The razor work accentuates your best features.

Side Part + Shape Up Quiff

This polished quiff variation involves longer hair on top worn in a defined side part. Precisely cut lining around the hairline and sides creates flair.

Quiff + Sideburns

Incorporate retro mutton chop sideburns to complement the old-school quiff. Maintain short, well-groomed facial hair to finish the dapper throwback vibe.

Swept Back Quiff + Hard Part

Control the wave with a strongly swept-back quiff separated by a shaved part. The hard lines enhance the split between the voluminous top and faded sides.

Textured Quiff + Angled Fringe

Allow some fringe to escape, cutting it to a sharp angle for asymmetry. Blend textured disheveled Ness with geometric precision.

Shape Up Quiff + Goatee

Combine razor-sharp hair lining with a bold goatee. This quiffed look aligns neat hair with a manicured beard for cultivated polish.

Windswept Quiff

Embrace the windswept look by letting the quiff fall naturally. Allow gravity to take effect and pieces to cascade for an attractively unfinished vibe.

Quiff Styling Tips

• Use a blow dryer to lift hair up and backward from the forehead. Concentrate warm airflow at the roots while brushing back to create a base for the wave. For example, start blow-drying your damp hair by brushing the front section directly upwards and back to mold the initial curve.
• Apply a small amount of pomade, wax, or clay, about the size of a dime, to texturize hair and enhance hold. Using your fingers, spread and massage the product evenly from roots to ends before shaping. Reapply sparingly as needed throughout the day to retain definition.
• If desired, use a round brush while blow-drying to smooth flyaways and further shape the quiff wave. Gently roll the warm round brush outward while blow drying to refine the curl and guide hair into place.
• For extra lift at the roots, lightly tease the front section using the tip of a comb. Gently comb backward against the direction of the hair growth to give quiff volume a boost.
• Finish with a light veil of strong-hold hairspray, about 8 inches from the hair, to lock the style in place. Give your quiff a quick once-over spray for a firm yet workable fixation that won’t flake or clump.

Conclusion

Do you want to look sharp and stylish but aren’t sure how to style your hair? The classic quiff hairstyle is the perfect way to add flair to your look without going overboard. But not every quiff hairstyle flatters each face shape and hair type. Before committing to the cut, get inspired by the top 48 examples of quiff hairstyles for men.

This guide shares tips for creating the ideal textured quiff or messy quiff hairstyle that complements your features. After exploring the trend in bridal hairstyles, delve into the hottest quiff variations, from sleek and polished to tousled and edgy. Discover the ideal quiff hairstyle for you from this comprehensive collection and let your personality shine through your hair, ensuring you feel confident and radiant on your special day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a quiff and a pompadour?

The main difference is that a pompadour maintains volume and height in the front section of hair swept upwards, while a quiff focuses volume on the top section swept backward. Pompadours have more of a wave, while quiffs curl slightly at the ends.

What kind of hair works best for a quiff?

Thicker, straighter hair types work best to allow the height and wave shape of the quiff. But all hair types can achieve some version of a textured quiff when cut into the right layered shape.

How do you style and maintain a quiff?

Use pomade, wax, or texture spray and style into place with your fingers or a comb. Blow dry while lifting at the roots to build volume and height. Reapply the product as needed to maintain the shape of the wave/curl.

What face shapes work well with a quiff?

A quiff flatters most face shapes but looks incredibly stylish on oblong, oval, square, and diamond face shapes. The quiff adds balance and draws attention upwards.

Is the quiff still in style?

Yes, the quiff has maintained steady popularity through the decades and has a fresh, youthful vibe. It works across age ranges and style sensibilities. The variance in quiff lengths and textures also contributes to its versatility.