Few styles have aged as gracefully as the quiff. It borrows the volume of the 1950s pompadour, the tidiness of a side part, and the sharp edges of a modern fade, then blends them into something that looks equally at home in a Grand Central boardroom and a Friday night out. At The Groom House, a few blocks up Fifth Avenue near Grand Central, it is one of the most requested cuts our barbers put in the chair. This guide walks through everything you need to know about the style before you book.
What Is a Quiff Haircut?
The quiff haircut is defined by length and lift at the front. Hair is left longer on top, then swept up and back so the fringe rises off the forehead into a soft crest, while the sides and back are cut noticeably shorter. Think of it as a spectrum: on one end sits a clean, glossy quiff with a defined part, and on the other a loose, tousled version with plenty of movement. What ties them together is that signature front volume.
Unlike a strict pompadour, which is slicked high and tight, the quiff is more relaxed and forgiving. It reads as intentional without looking overworked, which is a large part of why it has stayed in rotation for decades. If you are still deciding between looks, our overview of men's haircut styles is a good place to compare it against the alternatives.
Who Does the Quiff Suit?
One of the quiff's biggest strengths is its versatility, but a few things make it shine.
- Face shape: The height it creates elongates the face, which flatters round, square, and oval shapes especially well. If you have a rounder face, we keep the sides tighter and push more volume upward to add length. For longer faces, we keep the crest lower and softer so it stays balanced.
- Hair type: Straight to wavy hair takes to the quiff most naturally, since it holds the backswept shape with less effort. That said, thick and even curly hair can look excellent in a textured quiff, where the natural bend of the hair does the styling work for you. Fine hair works too; we simply cut it to maximize the illusion of density.
- Lifestyle: If you want a look you can dress up for the office and dress down on weekends with the same haircut, the quiff delivers.
During any consultation at The Groom House, our barbers assess your hair's growth pattern, density, and how much time you actually want to spend styling before recommending a length.
How the Quiff Is Cut
A good quiff lives or dies by the cut underneath the styling. Here is how our barbers approach it.
Length and Graduation
We leave the top long enough to sweep up and back, typically three to five inches at the front, tapering slightly toward the crown. The sides and back are graduated shorter so the eye travels upward to the volume. The transition between the two is where the personality of the cut is decided.
The Textured Quiff
For the textured quiff, we point-cut and thin the top rather than leaving it blunt. This removes weight, separates the strands, and creates the piecey, lived-in movement that makes the style look effortless. Textured quiffs are the most low-maintenance version to style because the hair naturally falls into place, and they hide fine or thinning hair better than a slick finish.
The Quiff With a Fade or Undercut
The most contemporary interpretation pairs the volume on top with tight sides. A skin fade blends the sides down to the skin for a crisp, gradient contrast that makes the top look even fuller. An undercut instead keeps the sides one uniform short length with a hard visual break, giving a bolder, more disconnected look. Both sharpen the quiff considerably; the fade is softer and more gradual, the undercut more graphic and editorial.
Styling: Blow-Dryer and Matte Product
Volume is built, not bought. The single biggest mistake we see is men skipping the blow-dryer and expecting product alone to lift the hair. It will not. Here is the method our barbers teach every client.
- Start damp, not soaking. Towel-dry until your hair is about 80 percent dry.
- Prime it. Work a pea-sized amount of a lightweight pre-styler or sea-salt spray through the top for grip and hold.
- Blow-dry with lift. Point the dryer at the roots and push the hair up and back with your fingers or a round brush. Direct the airflow from the front hairline toward the crown to train the crest. This step is what creates the height.
- Finish with a matte product. Emulsify a small amount of matte clay or paste between your palms and rake it back through dry hair. Matte formulas hold the shape without the wet, greasy shine of a pomade, which keeps the modern textured look intact.
For a slicker, dressier quiff, swap the matte clay for a medium-hold pomade and use a comb. For everyday texture, fingers and clay are all you need. If you like this volume-forward direction, the pompadour is its natural next step up.
Upkeep: How Often to Get It Cut
Because the contrast between top and sides is central to the quiff, it grows out of shape faster than a uniform cut. We recommend a trim every two to four weeks if you run a fade or undercut, since the sides lose their crispness quickly, and every four to six weeks for a softer, textured quiff. Regular clients at The Groom House often book a standing appointment to keep the shape dialed in without thinking about it. Between visits, a weekly wash-and-condition routine and the occasional use of a clarifying shampoo will keep product buildup from weighing the top down.
Popular Variations
- Classic quiff: Glossy, combed, with a defined side part. The most polished, office-ready option.
- Textured quiff: Piecey and matte, the go-to for a modern, casual finish.
- Quiff with skin fade: Maximum contrast, sharp and current.
- Disconnected undercut quiff: Bold, graphic, and high-impact.
- Long quiff: Extra length up top for dramatic, swept-back volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a quiff hard to style every morning?
Not once you have the method down. A textured quiff takes about five minutes with a blow-dryer and matte clay. The blow-dry is the non-negotiable step; product alone will not hold the volume. Our barbers will demonstrate the technique on your own hair at the end of your appointment.
Can I get a quiff if my hair is thin or fine?
Yes. A textured, matte quiff is actually one of the better styles for fine hair because the added lift and separation create the appearance of more density. We cut it to maximize volume rather than lay the hair flat.
What's the difference between a quiff and a pompadour?
Both feature front volume, but a pompadour is styled higher, tighter, and usually with shine, while a quiff is lower, softer, and often more textured. The quiff is the more relaxed, everyday-friendly of the two.
Ready to try one? Our barbers will tailor the length, contrast, and finish to your hair and your routine. Book your men's haircut in NYC at The Groom House on Fifth Avenue and walk out with a quiff you can actually recreate at home.