The Quiff Hairstyles: 25 Stylish Variations For Modern Men
The quiff hairstyle is a classic men’s style that features shorter sides with longer hair on top, styled upward and back to create volume and character. This stylish cut mixes the boldness of a pompadour with the casual charm of a brush-up, giving men a fashionable and confident look. It’s one of those hairstyles that never goes out of style because it’s fresh, modern, and full of personality.
The quiff haircut focuses on movement and shape, blending traditional and modern elements to achieve a versatile style that feels classy yet relaxed. In today’s versions, the cut often includes short faded sides paired with textured, slightly messy styling for added volume and edge. It works with all hair types, whether straight, thick, or wavy, which makes it even more appealing.
In this article, we’ll explore trendy quiff hairstyles for men that perfectly combine vintage charm with a modern, edgy twist.
Trendy Men’s Quiff Haircut Ideas
Classic Quiff
The classic quiff is a timeless style that combines old-school charm with a masculine vibe. It’s all about thick hair styled upward and pushed back to create a strong, standout look. This cut manages to be neat but still cool, with its defined shape and bold appearance. For a modern touch, you can ask your barber for a low taper, mid fade, or even a high undercut on the sides. To keep the traditional feel, go for a matte styling product that adds texture and hold.
Messy Quiff
The messy quiff is for guys who want a carefree style with just the right amount of chaos. It keeps the height and shape of a quiff but adds a tousled, textured finish that looks natural and effortless. Instead of perfection, this style focuses on attitude and confidence. A high fade makes the top stand out even more, while mid and low fades are versatile choices that flatter most face shapes. Use a strong matte pomade or clay to keep the messiness in control.
Textured Quiff
The textured quiff is a modern style that focuses on movement and separation for a relaxed, stylish finish. It’s great for short to medium-length hair and works especially well with a clean fade on the sides. Blow-dry your hair upward and back for lift, then run a matte product through with your fingers to highlight texture and create a natural, rugged look.
Modern Quiff
The modern quiff sharpens the classic style with clean fades or tapers and a more sculpted, textured top. It’s a trendy option for younger men who want a bold look without going too extreme. The contrast between the short sides and the longer top creates balance, while the quiff itself offers more control than a messy version but a softer look than a pompadour. A skin fade feels sharp and polished, while a scissor-cut taper adds a subtle dimension. Leaving extra length at the front gives flow and movement.
Short Quiff
The short quiff is a neat, low-maintenance style that’s perfect for guys who want something stylish but easy to manage. With short layers and clean sides, it has just enough volume to look modern without needing much effort. Pair it with a mid or high skin fade for a sporty edge. You can wear it messy, spiky, or brushed forward depending on your mood. A quick blow-dry and a small amount of matte paste or clay is enough to style it.
Quiff Fade
The quiff fade blends the height and volume of a quiff with a precise fade on the sides and back. This gives you contrast, dimension, and a fresh, sharp finish. Whether you choose a low, mid, or high fade, the focus always stays on the longer hair on top. The seamless transition creates a clean foundation that makes the quiff stand out. Add some texture with a matte product, and you’ll have a hairstyle that looks polished but still modern.
Medium Quiff
The medium quiff offers more length on top, making it a flexible style that can be dressed up or down. It works nicely with tapers, fades, and undercuts, and naturally gives off a relaxed, stylish vibe. This length allows you to play around with volume and flow without going too extreme. It’s professional enough for the office yet trendy enough for casual outings. Adding a well-kept beard balances the look and enhances your overall appearance.
Quiff with Beard
Pairing a quiff with a beard is a strong and masculine look that’s both stylish and rugged. The height of the quiff draws the eyes upward, while the beard grounds the look and adds structure. A mid or low fade works well to separate the hair from the beard and create a clean outline. Opt for a textured, slightly messy short quiff if you want a style that feels mature but still youthful.
Short Quiff with Low Taper Fade
This style is clean, modern, and professional, featuring a short quiff on top with a gradual taper around the sides and back. The soft blend keeps the look balanced without harsh contrasts. Use matte clay for texture and a vented brush with a blow dryer to lift the front slightly, which will help elongate your face.
Tousled Textured Quiff with Low Fade
A tousled textured quiff with a low fade has a relaxed, messy vibe that’s full of natural movement. The fade keeps the sides neat while the top gets all the attention. Wavy or slightly curly hair works especially well for this style. Texture powder or dry shampoo can help add lift and keep the style fresh between washes.
Wavy Quiff
The wavy quiff embraces natural texture, giving you a cool, stylish look with minimal effort. Just apply some styling cream or mousse to tame frizz and define your waves. Let it air dry for a relaxed vibe or use a diffuser for extra body. Adding layers around the crown helps shape the quiff and makes waves look more defined.
Short Textured Quiff with Mid Fade
This short textured quiff paired with a mid fade creates a high-contrast style that’s bold and masculine. It’s easy to manage, especially for men with thick or coarse hair. A matte product works well to twist small sections for a piece-y finish, or you can keep it casual with a little pomade for a softer look.
Messy Quiff with Taper Fade
A messy quiff paired with a taper fade gives structure while keeping the top wild and carefree. This balance of neat and messy makes it stylish yet approachable. Use a flexible styling cream or fiber to keep the texture intact. Blow-dry your hair while lifting at the roots for maximum volume and movement.
Long Quiff
The long quiff is a dramatic style that keeps plenty of length on top for impressive volume and height. It’s best suited for men with thick hair who can hold the shape. Blow-dry with a round brush and use mousse for lift. To extend the style, use texturizing powder or dry shampoo to refresh between washes.
Thick Quiff Fade
A thick quiff fade is all about combining lots of volume on top with clean faded sides. The fade keeps things cool and light while the thick top creates a bold statement. Pre-style with a blow-dry cream to lock in shape, then add finishing product for hold. Pairing this style with a beard, goatee, or even a clean shave adds balance and edge.
Full Textured Quiff with Low Skin Fade
This quiff variation has a lot of texture on top combined with a sharp low skin fade for extra contrast. The fade keeps the look edgy and precise, while styling clay or powder boosts lift at the roots. You can wear it spiked or swept to the side for variety throughout the week.
Tousled Short Quiff with Low Fade
A tousled short quiff with a low fade is a simple, everyday cut that still looks stylish. The low fade keeps it neat, while the textured top adds character. Finger-style it with cream, pomade, or wax, and blow-dry for some height. Air-drying gives it a more natural and relaxed finish.
Messy Wavy Quiff with Low Taper
This version takes advantage of natural waves, giving you a messy yet stylish quiff. Scrunch some curl cream or sea salt spray into damp hair and let it dry naturally for bounce and definition. Strands falling casually across the forehead add a carefree, rebellious touch.
Natural Quiff with High Fade
The natural quiff with a high fade is bold and attention-grabbing. The fade adds sharp edges while the top flows freely with lightweight styling cream or conditioner. This combination highlights your face shape and bone structure. Pair it with a clean-shaven look for maximum sharpness.
Undercut Quiff
The undercut quiff has disconnected sides that contrast dramatically with the voluminous top. It’s a stylish, fashion-forward choice. Blow-dry with a volumizing product for lift, or slick it back with pomade on more formal days.
Youthful Short Quiff with Drop Fade and Beard
This playful style pairs a short quiff with a drop fade and beard for a trendy yet masculine look. The drop fade curves around the ears, highlighting the quiff’s height, while the beard balances the shape. Use a matte paste and your fingers to style the top for extra volume and texture.
Textured Quiff with Sharp Fade
This quiff combines edgy texture with a sharp, angled fade that defines the jawline and cheekbones. The precise cut makes the face look slimmer and sharper. Ask your barber for point cutting on the top layers for a natural finish, then style with matte clay for definition.
Edgy Blonde Quiff
For a bold, standout look, the blonde quiff mixes daring color with textured layers and a high skin fade. The light hair color makes the style pop, while the choppy quiff adds lift and personality. Platinum or icy blonde tones work best for a fearless statement.
Long Quiff Fade
The long quiff fade is a powerful style that keeps extra length on top while blending the sides into a neat fade. The added height elongates the face and flatters square or round shapes. Regular barber visits are needed to maintain the fade. Use hairspray to hold the long top in place.
Straight Smooth Quiff with Mid Skin Fade
This version offers a sleek and polished look by combining a straight, combed-back quiff with a mid skin fade. The glossy pomade finish makes it formal and refined. The mid fade starts at the temples and blends smoothly, giving the style an elegant edge.
Curly Quiff
The curly quiff celebrates natural curls while adding structure with a taper on the sides. The curls are styled upward into a loose quiff for a carefree, stylish vibe. Use curl cream or leave-in conditioner to shape and control frizz, and add gel for hold. A trimmed beard pairs perfectly with this textured look.
What Is A Quiff Haircut?
A quiff is a hairstyle with short sides and back while leaving the top longer, especially at the front. The longer hair is styled upward and pushed back, creating height and a dynamic finish. Modern quiffs often include a fade or taper for contrast, making the style fresh and updated.
The hairstyle first became popular in the 1950s during the rock ‘n’ roll era and was worn by icons like Elvis Presley and James Dean. It was seen as a rebellious alternative to the pompadour.
Today, men often style quiffs short, textured, and slightly messy for a casual, masculine vibe, but it can also be tailored for formal occasions depending on personal style.
How To Style A Quiff
To get a proper quiff, you’ll need the right haircut, good hair care, and the right styling products. Follow these steps to achieve a stylish quiff with volume and shape:
- Step 1: Wash and condition your hair so it’s clean and manageable.
- Step 2: Apply a pre-styler like sea salt spray for extra volume, then blow-dry on low heat while lifting your hair at the roots.
- Step 3: Use a matte clay, paste, or pomade for hold and texture. Apply a small amount from root to tip, focusing on the front. For formal occasions, a shiny pomade works best.
- Step 4: Style the quiff by pulling the hair upward and back with your fingers or a comb. For a casual vibe, leave it tousled and textured. For a formal look, comb it neatly for definition. The key is controlled height with a soft, natural finish.
Read: Ivy League Haircut.