- Quiff lookbook
- Good to know
- Getting the haircut (video)
- Styling the perfect hairdo
- The quiff with short hair
- The quiff with long hair
- Practical products
- History of the quiff
Quiff lookbook
Good to know
- The quiff works best with oval, heart, triangular or rectangular face shapes.
- The classic quiff (with volume) will take you a lot of time to style every morning.
- The modern quiff is the most popular version among almost every age group.
- The quiff is suitable for both straight and curly hair types, but curly hair requires a little more hold to style.
- A hair dryer and comb are indispensable for creating a quiff.
- If you have thin hair, use a mattifying clay to create volume.
Since its birth in the 1950s, the quiff (also known as “brush up hairstyle” or “crest”) has become one of the most iconic hairstyles of all time.
In the meantime, the quiff has been modified and reinvented here and there, but one thing is certain: the quiff has never been out of style.
That is why the quiff has now gained legendary status as a classic and timeless hairstyle.
The brush up is elegant, refined and a bit cheeky at the same time. It’s a hairstyle that you as a man must try at least once in your life. Are you looking for a hairstyle with a retro feel?
Then go for the modern, short quiff. If you prefer to leave your hair a little longer, then the classic quiff, which boasts similar features to the pompadour, is definitely for you.
If you want something more striking, you can choose a side part in combination with the quiff. And if you really want to make a statement, you can always opt for an undercut quiff.
In short, there are plenty of versions and combinations possible, so you are sure to find one that suits you.
→ Read more: The quiff is also included as one of the popular men’s haircuts of the year.
In this guide, we will discuss the different versions of the quiff and how to best style your hair to achieve the perfect look. We will also discuss a bit of history, origin and influences for the style.
And of course, we will share lookbooks full of inspiration so that you can go to the hairdresser well prepared.
Getting the haircut
Styling the perfect hairdo
Below, you will learn how you can best style your hair into a quiff. These are the basic steps that you can apply for almost any version or combination.
- Make sure your hair is towel dry.
- Next, use a fine-tooth comb and comb your hair back in a straight line, against the natural direction of your hair.
- You can then apply a sea salt spray if you want. This will make it easier to style your hair after drying.
- Use a hair dryer to blow-dry your hair upwards from the roots (brush up / blow up).
- Once your hair is completely dry, you will find that you now have more control over the volume and texture of the hair, especially if you used sea salt spray (step 3).
- Then, comb the sides of your hair into shape as desired.
- You can now choose to use pomade (for long hair) or wax (for short hair) with your hands (for a natural look) or with a comb (for a sophisticated look).
- If your hair does not remain in shape, use hairspray to apply the necessary hold as a finishing touch.
Tip: because you will use more gel and pomade for this look, you will also need to wash your hair more often.
This is at the expense of the natural minerals and vitamins in your hair and roots. With that in mind, make sure to use a nourishing conditioner.
The quiff with short hair
If you want a less striking quiff, for example because of your work or for a special occasion, the short version is the best option.
This version is quite easy to style and you will not have to stand in front of the mirror for too long in the morning.
With the short version, you actually choose texture instead of volume. It makes sense, since you don’t have that much hair to create volume with.
You can opt for a “messy” look by “shaping” your hair on top with your hands, or for a more sophisticated look by using a comb.
The quiff with long(er) hair
For a quiff with longer hair, you are going for volume instead of texture.
Make sure that your hair does not get too long because then it becomes too heavy and you can no longer style it properly, even with a large amount of strong hold of firm pomade.
While longer hair generally takes less time to style, this style is different.
You will probably have to style your hair throughout the day. Of course, the advantage is that you get to sport a striking and cool hairstyle.
Practical products
We have researched a number of products that will come in handy when creating your quiff.
A comb with medium and fine teeth, like the Baxter of California hair comb.
→ Read more: The top 5 best pomades of the moment
Hairspray. It provides more volume on longer hair and gives you just that little bit of extra hold you need to keep your hair in shape for a longer period of time.
The history of the quiff
After the Second World War, men became preoccupied with their appearance again. They cared about their clothes and of course their hairstyles.
The brush up (or crest) look was a statement in contrast to the typical hairstyles such as the buzz cut and crew cut that were mandatory during the war.
The quiff has always been associated with a rebellious culture and people who want to go against the traditional order. During the 1950s and under the influence of Rock ’n Roll music, this rebel image was reinforced.
The quiff combines different hairstyles such as the pompadour and shaved sides and back.
A little later, in the ‘60s, the top-heavy hairstyle had to temporarily make room for the hippie-inspired longer hairstyles. That did not last long, as in the ‘80s the quiff enjoyed another boost in popularity.
From then until now, the quiff has never really gone away.
It is therefore a timeless hairstyle that you can always wear in any of its versions.
