In this case, sculpt a higher peak to create an elongating effect.This is the basic styling process for a quiff.

If you’ve a square or broad face be mindful of creating a flat top as this will emphasise broadness.

Who does it suit?Ĭonfident types who like to stand out from the crowd. Comb meticulously into place and finish with a strong-hold hairspray to keep it in place all day long. To style, start with freshly washed, damp hair and add a root-boosting powder or mousse before blow-drying the hair up and backwards with the help of a round or vented brush until you’ve created enough volume throughout.Ī slick finish is a hallmark of the Rockabilly quiff, so once the hair is dry and in place, apply a medium-to-high-hold gloss pomade from root to tip. But there’s no denying it’s a statement-maker, if you get it right. You’re going to need a liberal amount of product, and quite a bit of time each morning, in order to achieve the desired effect. There’s no getting away from it: this is a high-maintenance style. The other way to wear it is with an “elephant’s trunk”: this refers to the smooth curl over around the front (for which you need a lot of length up top). The classic elements include the “duck tail” at the back, where the two combed back sides meet in the middle, and the “cow lick” at the front (you need a strong widow’s peak to achieve this), which is basically a loose lock pulled out from the front. In more recent times, Arctic Monkeys front man, Alex Turner (above), wore a very strong example around the release of the album AM. Styling ProductsĪ modified version of the pompadour, this is the original greaser look. Shorter cuts make the hair look thicker overall, too, so make sure you book in for regular maintenance cuts with your barber every four weeks. Fine, receding and thinning hair will benefit from a definitive shape at the front – even if your hairline isn’t as strong as it used to be. Men who need to maintain a respectable appearance for more conservative industries such as finance and law. Alternatively, use a comb if you require a little more shape and polish. Once your hair is washed and dry, rub a little grooming cream, pomade or paste between your palms and use your fingers to push the hair back and slightly sideways off your forehead. You’d do well to copy Gosling and opt for a soft, natural finish on this neat, low-maintenance style. Ryan Gosling (above) has long worn a short quiff. Any height at the front can create a strong outline, even if there’s less to play with around the sides and back. Styling Productsįor men with a less than bouffant thatch, the short quiff should be your go-to style. As a rule of thumb, the longer and thinner the face the less volume/height you want on top, and vice versa. “Play with the height and density of the front to ensure it balances with and complements the face shape,” advises Burt. It’s a pretty universal cut but the longer sides can be used to bulk out long and thin faces. Need a current reference? Look no further than male model Oliver Cheshire (above). This means you can embrace your individual hair texture and work with your natural parting, not against it, while using just your fingers to style it.Ī matte finish works best with this look, says Burt, so try using a reworkable styling paste or clay. With a classic quiff there is less contrast in length between the top and the sides. Below you will find Ape’s favourite takes, along with who they’re best suited to. With the advancement of barbering techniques over the years, there are now plenty of ways you can choose to wear this timeless hairstyle.

Comb over quiff