24 Quiff Haircut Styles That Hold Height All Day: Barber-Ready

A classic quiff keeps short sides and 3 to 5 inches on top, with the front lifted and swept back. It looks polished without being stiff, and it grows out gracefully.

Height comes from the blow-dry, not the product. Writing for MR PORTER, barber Adam Brady says “The hair on top needs to be pretty long for it to get as much height as possible,” and recommends a round brush because it “will give tension from the roots of the hair.”

Quiffs vary mainly in top length, height and finish. Here’s how the main types compare.

If you’re unsure, start with a classic quiff. It’s the easiest to adjust into any of the others at your next cut.

A textured quiff swaps the smooth front for choppy, separated strands. The barber point-cuts or texturises the top, so the hair breaks into pieces instead of one solid wave.

It’s more forgiving than a classic quiff. A bit of messiness looks intentional, and it holds better through the day with a matte clay.

A modern quiff with a mid fade pairs a longer top with sides that fade out around the temple. The contrast makes the quiff look taller and cleaner.

It suits most face shapes except very long faces, where the extra height adds length. The fade grows out quickly, so plan on regular touch-ups.

A low fade quiff fades only the bottom of the sides, just above the ears and at the nape. It looks clean but keeps more weight on the sides than a mid fade.

That extra side weight helps round and wide faces. It doesn’t make the head look narrow at the temples.

A low taper quiff only shortens the sideburns and nape, leaving the sides mostly intact. It’s softer than a fade and grows out more gracefully.

A taper suits men who can’t get to the barber every two weeks. It still looks tidy at week four.

A high taper quiff takes the short sides high, close to the top. The quiff sits like an island on top, which looks bold and athletic.

It suits oval and diamond faces. On long faces, the narrow sides and tall top can look stretched.

Leaving Too Little Hair Between Taper and Top:

If the taper climbs too high, the quiff looks disconnected and top-heavy. Ask for a blended transition of at least half an inch.

A short quiff keeps only 2 to 3 inches on top with a small lift at the front. It’s neat, professional and quick to style.

It’s close to an Ivy League cut, just with a bit more lift at the front. A short quiff suits men who want structure without daily blow-drying.

A long quiff keeps 5 inches or more on top for maximum height. It’s dramatic and suits men with thick hair and patience.

It needs a proper blow-dry every morning. In the MR PORTER piece, Brady also warns that a big quiff “will simply crumple” under a hat or helmet.

A messy quiff keeps the lift but lets strands fall loose and uneven. It looks relaxed and takes almost no skill.

It’s the easiest quiff to wear on second-day hair. Re-wet the front and scrunch it up with your fingers.

Hairstylist Pete Goupil told Daily Hive he tries to make sure his clients have “at least two different styling products at home.” For a quiff, that usually means a pre-styler for the blow-dry and a clay or pomade to finish.

An undercut quiff buzzes the sides to one short length with no blend into the long top. The hard disconnection makes the quiff stand out sharply.

It’s bolder than a fade, and it shows more scalp as the sides grow back. The long top can hide the line when worn down.

A side quiff sweeps the front up and to one side instead of straight back. A soft side part adds structure.

It suits men with a natural cowlick or a front that won’t go straight back. Work with your hair’s direction.

A curly quiff piles defined curls at the front instead of blow-drying them straight. The curls create natural height.

Skip the round brush and blow-dry. Use a curl cream, then diffuse upward to lift the roots without frizz.

A wavy quiff uses natural waves for texture and lift. It looks effortless when styled lightly.

Sea salt spray before a quick blow-dry boosts the waves. Finish with a little paste.

An Asian textured quiff suits thick, straight hair that tends to lie flat or stick out. Texturising thins the bulk so the top lifts without puffing.

Straight, heavy hair needs heat to hold height. A good blow-dry is non-negotiable.

Here’s the blow-dry routine for lifting thick straight hair into a quiff.

A slick rockabilly quiff combs the front high and smooth with plenty of shine. It’s the vintage version of the cut.

Use pomade for shine and hold. Comb the sides back neatly.

How the Quiff Moved From the Barracks to London Streets

Etymonline dates “quiff,” meaning a lock of hair over the forehead, to 1890, first among soldiers. The London Museum describes London’s 1950s Teddy boys as a working-class subculture that “stood out with their quiffs.”

A short spiky quiff spikes the front pieces upward instead of sweeping them back. It’s quick and suits shorter hair.

Use a firm paste or wax for defined spikes. Gel spikes look stiff and dated.

A quiff mohawk narrows the top into a strip and lifts the front. It’s edgier than a classic quiff.

It works best with a high fade. Keep the strip about two to three inches wide.

A military quiff keeps the sides very short and only a small lift at the front. It’s clean, tidy and fast.

It’s practical for men who want minimal styling. A little cream on the front is enough.

A sport quiff is short and practical, with a low lift that survives sweat and exercise. It’s a quiff that doesn’t need a blow-dry.

A blonde quiff adds bleached or blonde colour to the top. The light colour shows the texture and height clearly.

Bleached hair is drier and more fragile. Use a heat protectant and lower blow-dry heat.

A quiff with a beard balances volume at the top and the chin. A fade blending into the beard links the two.

Keep the beard shape neat. A messy beard with a sharp quiff looks unbalanced.

A quiff for a round face keeps the sides short and the top taller. The height adds length and makes the face look longer.

Avoid puffy sides. Short sides make the face look slimmer.

A quiff for older men keeps the lift soft and shorter. It looks distinguished and tidy.

Grey hair can be finer, so use a light texturising cream. Heavy products weigh it down.

Skip It If Your Hairline Has Receded Deeply

A tall quiff on a deeply receded hairline draws attention to the temples. A short crop is often more flattering.

A boys’ quiff is a shorter, simpler version of the classic. It looks smart for school and photos.

Use a little water and a dab of light cream instead of heavy product. Kids’ hair doesn’t need strong hold.