40+ Outstanding Quiff Hairstyle Ideas

Over the last few years, the quiff hairstyle has become one of the most popular men’s hairstyles. It’s up there with the undercut and the pompadour. If you’re looking for a fashionable style that’s survived the test of time, then the quiff just might be for you. Quiff is suitable for a wide range of professional and casual situations.

Garrett Hedlund quiff hairstyle — Jaguar PS / Shutterstock.com

The quiff hairstyle has actually been popular since the 1950s. It has a multitude of variations and can be modified for nearly any face shape, hair type, and aesthetic. This versatility allows you to modify it to your liking. It’s also suitable for a wide range of professional and casual situations, so it’s great for most jobs. It’s also a good look for schools that don’t have strict dress codes.

Another benefit that the quiff hairstyle gives you: While the quiff is widely seen in the men’s fashion world, you probably don’t see too many quiffs in your everyday life. That’s because it’s more of a fashion style and less of a casual style. This means if you choose to rock the quiff, you’ll immediately stand out with your style.

What is the quiff hairstyle?

In terms of the cut, the quiff hairstyle is basically like the undercut: longer on top and shorter on the sides and back. The real difference is the top of the hair, which is styled upward and combed slightly back for a textured, eye-catching look. The styling process is vital here, and we’ll be going into detail on how you can get this contemporary look for yourself.

And like other voluminous styles, such as the disconnected undercut, the quiff is a high contrast style. This means that the long hair on top provides a stark contrast to the short hair on the sides and in the back.

In terms of the look, the quiff is closely related to the pompadour. Both are voluminous styles that sweep the hair back. However, there are some important differences between the two. Guys who sport quiffs tend to focus on vertical volume at the front of the head, and this isn’t always the case with a pompadour. Lots of pompadours can be smaller and less extreme.

Another defining characteristic of the quiff is its somewhat messy nature. The hair at the front of the head is often slanted and takes on a wavy appearance. Pompadours, on the other hand, tend to be tighter and have a bit more slickness and shine to them.

Zachary Quinto classic quiff — Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com

What do I need for the quiff hairstyle?

The quiff hairstyle is a medium length hairstyle because of the volume needed on the top of the head. 3 inches is a bare minimum for a good quiff. Going longer, from 4 to 6 inches, will give you massive volume and a taller quiff. Like the pompadour, the quiff allows for a variety of lengths, so experiment and find what works best for you.

You’ll also need high-quality products, and you can choose pomade, gel, or wax, depending on the exact type of style you’re going for. Pomade will give your quiff a shinier, slicker look to it. Gel and wax will accentuate the texture of your hair and also help to maximize and preserve volume.

You’ll need a fantastic blow dryer, which will play a vital role in shaping the quiff and setting it into place. A good blow dryer will also help to add a ton of volume and get the most natural texture out of your hair. A diffuser nozzle for your blow dryer can also help optimize the drying process for styles like the quiff.

Since the styling process is so crucial to forming a nice quiff, you won’t want to opt for anything less than the best. By using hair products and a blow dryer that perform well and are high quality, you’ll be ensuring you get the best quiff possible.

How to Style the Quiff

This is the basic styling process for a quiff. We’ve also included some of our favorite quiff variations so you can choose the perfect style for you.

There are 3 steps to getting a great quiff:

Step 1: Start with a freshly showered, towel-dried head of hair. Your hair should still be damp.
Optional step: You can blow dry your hair at this point to add more volume. (Copy Step 3.)
Step 2: Apply a small amount of product (about the size of your fingernail) to your hair and work it in evenly.
Step 3: Blow dry your hair in the direction you want your quiff to go. You can use a comb to tease your hair higher and get more volume.

That’s it! While it seems simple, it’s a matter of experimentation. You’ll have to find the exact technique that works for you to produce a fantastic quiff. If you’re not getting results you like, try using a higher heat setting or a diffuser nozzle on your blow dryer.

Once you’ve mastered the art of the basic quiff, here are some of our favorite quiff variations for you to try.

1. Side Swept Quiff

2. Burst Fade Quiff

3. The Modern Quiff

The modern quiff is today’s answer for a classic, clean hairstyle with a little personality to it. A sharper fade on the sides and back will give you a sharp, modern look, while a less pronounced fade will have a more relaxed feel.

How To Style the Modern Quiff – Towel dry hair, leaving it slightly damp. Rub some pomade or wax onto your fingertips and run it through your hair, teasing the front up and combing the rest back. If you want a little more volume, add a little mousse. Finish by blow drying the quiff into place.

4. The Short Quiff

The short quiff is like the modern quiff, but it offers a younger, more casual feel. The top is cut much shorter at about 2-4 inches and typically is accompanied by a sharp fade or undercut on the sides. This cut is perfect for guys who want a clean cut look with minimal hassle.

Style the short quiff as you would a regular quiff.

5. The Long Quiff

The long quiff is a much more dramatic look for a contemporary, well groomed man. Like the previous styles, the sides are kept short, but the hair on the top is kept longer. This gives it significantly more volume. Typically, the longer your hair, the more time it takes to style, and this rings true here. But the final result is well worth it.

How To Style the Long Quiff – The styling process is almost identical to that of the basic quiff, but there’s two important differences. First, you might need to use a higher heat due to the amount of hair involved. Second, you might need a little more product to give your longer hair the hold it needs.

6. The Curly Quiff

The curly quiff is basically the long quiff for guys with curly hair. The effect is less sleek and polished, but more artistic and relaxed.

How To Style the Curly Quiff – Style the curly quiff as you would a regular quiff. However, you may need to use a wide-toothed comb to manipulate the hair more easily. And if you want curls on top of your quiff, make sure you don’t flatten them with product or blow drying.

7. The Messy Quiff

This is the perfect mesh of classy and casual. The same principals for any quiff still apply, but instead of primping, the aim is to get your hair roughly into shape without caring to make sure everything is sleek. The effect is a devil may care attitude while still looking well put together. This is the best way to look stylish without much effort.

How To Style the Messy Quiff – Do your basic quiff preparation, but instead of meticulously combing your hair into place, just comb some mousse with your fingers and blow dry. You can add a little hairspray in the front to keep hair from falling in your eyes.

8. The Side Quiff

The side quiff hairstyle is essentially a modern quiff with a pronounced part. You can simply part your hair, or, for more definition, your barber can cut a hard part into your hair. This variation on adds a nice dapper touch to this hairstyle.

How To Style the Side Quiff – Start out as if you’re styling a modern quiff, but pull your hair over to one side so there’s a definitive line separating your top and side. Apply a little hairspray and press your fingers along the line. Finish the look by combing the rest of your hair in the opposite direction of your part.

9. The Undercut Quiff

The undercut quiff is another hybrid quiff hairstyle. It looks like a modern quiff on top, but the sides are completely shaved down, giving it an alternative edge. Perfect for the modern hipster.

Style the undercut quiff as you would style a basic quiff.

10. The Rockabilly Quiff

This is the father of all men’s quiff hairstyles. Think of Elvis or John Travolta in Grease. The longer top is combed and styled up out of the face with a bit of height. It’s also combed into a point or curled forward in the front. A variation of the rockabilly quiff is the Morrissey quiff, which has shorter sides and is done up a little looser.

How To Style the Rockabilly Quiff – Apply product evenly into hair. Comb it up out of the face, and blow dry into shape. For a touch of vintage rockabilly, take a lock of hair from the front of your head, curl it with your finger, and pull it forward onto the forehead.

11. The Psychobilly Quiff

The psychobilly quiff is the punk version of rockabilly, combining a severe undercut quiff, the classic rockabilly quiff, and a mohawk. The psychobilly quiff is also sometimes referred to as a wedge because of the sharp angles the hair is styled into. This style is great if you’re looking for a dapper way to maintain your edge.

How To Style the Psychobilly Quiff – This requires some time and patience. Start with damp hair. Apply a generous amount of extra firm hold gel and comb it through the hair. Starting on one side and working across, apply hairspray and comb your hair upward. Finally, blow dry it into place.