Mastering the Men's Quiff Haircut: A Guide for Beginners

Want to know how to perfect the quiff haircut? Our guide for beginners will have you well on your way to achieving this trendy and versatile hairstyle. 

As one of the most popular men's hairstyles, the quiff has a long history and has evolved into various styles over the years.

From the classic Elvis-inspired look to Beck's textured quiff, this hairstyle can be customised to fit any personal style, which is what makes it a go-to style for many men.

If you too want to master the quiff as many others have, keep reading and follow our step-by-step guide for achieving the perfect quiff haircut.

Short quiff , messy quiff, classic quiff... the list goes on. The versatility of this hairstyle is one of the reasons why it's been a favourite since the 50s. Since that classic era, the quiff has undergone several transformations and added a range of options for men to choose from.

The classic quiff is characterised by short sides and back with longer hair on top, styled up and back.

Elvis Presley popularised this look in the 1950s during his early career, and it has remained a timeless style ever since. Austin Butler underwent a similar style transformation when he starred as Elvis in a biopic.

The classic quiff is characterised by short sides and back with longer hair on top, styled up and back.

Elvis Presley popularised this look in the 1950s during his early career, and it has remained a timeless style ever since. Austin Butler underwent a similar style transformation when he starred as Elvis in a biopic.

While a classic quiff is typically longer on top, the short quiff takes it down a few inches. Rather than having a medium-to-long length on top, the hair is cut short to create a more manageable hairstyle.

The sides are also cut shorter for this quiff, often with a low or mid fade, which adds to the overall clean and sharp aesthetic of the style.

On the flip side, the long quiff is all about length. The characteristic long length on top remains, but the sides and back are longer than in other styles. It's almost a bit mullet-esque.

Messy hairstyles for men , like the bedhead look or surfer style , have been in for a while. The messy quiff combines the two. This style is more relaxed and less structured, with a bit of natural texture.

It works particularly well for men with naturally curly hair, but you can add texture to straight hair with a sea salt spray like Marine Mist . The Atlantic Sea Salt in this spray will create a messy, natural look without weighing down your hair (and this is key for achieving the height required for a quiff).

Remember Jedward from X-Factor? That was an undercut quiff.

Okay, so you don't have to go as dramatic as Jedward, and it can be more subtle. The sides and back are shaved, creating contrast with the longer hair on top.

You can talk to your barber about how short you want to go with the undercut and how much length you want to keep on top.

A slicked-back wavy quiff is a sophisticated and trendy take on this hairstyle. Keep the sides and back short, and let your natural waves shine on top.

You can use a hold styling cream to add some definition and hold to your waves, like Hybrid Hair . This will also give your hair a matte finish, rather than a shiny one.

This style sees the hair styled to one side instead of straight back. For face shapes with a large forehead, like a diamond or oblong shape, this is a great option to help balance out your features.

If we were to rank a quiff on a maintenance scale, we would put it somewhere in the middle. It certainly doesn't need as much attention as, say, curly curtain bangs, but it's more maintenance than a buzz or crew cut.

The type of quiff will also determine how much product you need and the styling process. A shorter quiff won't need as much holding product, while a longer quiff may require more effort to achieve the desired height.

But speaking generally, it might take you 5 to 10 minutes to style your quiff in the morning.

Volume is really the key characteristic for this hairstyle, so a volumising shampoo and conditioner are a must. Regular hair washing products aren't formulated with this in mind and can actually weigh your hair down, particularly poor-quality or 2-in-1 products.

Instead, go for something like our Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner Duo . Vitamin B3 is a key ingredient in increasing hair fullness , and this duo also contains stimulants to promote healthy hair growth – a win-win.

Keeping the top of the quiff in place through the day will require a strong hold product.

Our Hybrid Hair clay-wax blend does it best, and you won't find the same level of hold in a gel or hairspray. Combining the great qualities of Bentonite Clay and British Beeswax, Hybrid Hair offers a matte finish with great hold and definition. Perfect for achieving the textured look of most quiffs.

So, there you have it – everything you need to know about the quiff haircut. Screenshot your favourite style and head to the barbers, armed with all the information you need to achieve your desired look.

And when it comes to styling, make sure you're all set with the right products to keep your quiff looking sharp.

You can shop our range of men's hair styling products below, with 10% off your order when you sign up for our newsletter (not to mention, you'll be first to know about any exclusive offers and new product launches).