7 Celebrities who Rocked the Quiff Haircut

The humble quiff has lived a charmed existence, appearing above the features of celebrities and sports stars throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.

So what’s behind its impressive staying power? Well, for one thing, it’s a look that’s been constantly tweaked and reinvented to fit the times. Only last year, you couldn’t step outside without seeing an undercut-quiff combo, normally paired with a generous helping of 90s-inspired street-wear.

And that’s not even to mention the style’s sheer adaptability. Regardless of age, gender and hair type the quiff can be made to work for you.

To illustrate the point, we’ve pulled together seven guys and girls who each offer their own unique spin on the look. Read on to discover some of the finest examples of the quiff hairstyle.

1. Miley Cyrus

From brunette waves to long auburn hair to Hannah Montana-throwback blonde, Miley Cyrus has had tons of enviable ‘dos. One of our favourites, though, is the short platinum hair from her iconic “We Won’t Stop” era.

If you fancy giving this look a spin, then one thing you're going to need is a lot of hairspray. We'd recommend something like the Goldwell Style Sign Creative Texture Unlimitor Strong Wax Spray, which locks your style in like a wax but applies easy like a spray (and it also comes with frizz and UV protection).

2. Harry Styles

Like Miley, Harry Styles’ hair has gone from short to long and back again during his career. Whilst long curls look ah-mazing on him, we are focusing on quiffs here. We love the slight variations he’s worn on the style for occasions like the 2019 Met Gala and the Howard Stern Show earlier this year, as well as the Mad Men-esque look for his 2022 movie Don’t Worry Darling.

Styling slightly curly hair can be a tad more difficult, but it can also be an advantage, giving your hair natural texture and bounce that’s totally enviable.

Something like the L'Oréal Professionnel Tecni ART Full Volume Extra Mousse is perfect—offering hold without leaving hair crunchy, giving structure while still allowing bounce.

3. David Beckham

Yes, David Beckham has recently gone for the chop and worn his grey hair proud and short, but the ex-football player’s super recognisable dark brown quiff will live forever in our hearts.

If you want to up your game Beckham-style, we recommend asking your barber to cut a hard part on one side of your hair for that clean line you see in Beckham’s hair.

Given that the quiff involves lifting hair away from your face, and therefore exposing the roots, you also might want to have a think about your hair's condition. After all, you probably don't want to draw attention to thinning or greying patches, no matter how much you enjoy the style.

For all that, age doesn't need to close off a whole avenue of styling possibilities. Nioxin 3d Intensive Care Night Density Rescue offers a scientifically-derived solution to the problem of thinning hair, for any man who's balancing his affinity for a swept-back style against a retreating hairline.

4. P!nk

Singer-songwriter P!nk is one of the most iconic quiff-wearing celebrities out there. Through onstage acrobatics in her amazing live performances, P!nk has always kept her icy blonde hair looking flawless.

Whilst most of us don’t have a team of stylists behind us, it’s still possible to get salon-worthy hair from the comfort of your own home. We love this icy colour that makes the haircut look simultaneously more high-fashion and more punk, depending on how you choose to rock it.

For a stylish blonde quiff like this one, you’ll want to keep your hair from getting too brassy in between salon visits or re-toning. Wash in a powerful purple shampoo and wash away unwanted, brassy yellow tones that make your blonde cut look less than luscious.

5. Austin Butler/Elvis Presley

Austin Butler has a pretty great quiff hairstyle in real life, but the hairstyle he’s probably going to be associated with for the rest of his acting career is the jet black quiff worn for his role in Elvis’ biopic.

For an Elvis-inspired look like this, you’ll probably want a couple of products to really get that slick yet voluminous hairdo we’ve all come to know.

We recommend using a pomade during the styling process, something that will give you hold and shine without weighing your hair down. For this, the Osmo Pomade Hold is a great option, a super high-shine, lightweight pomade made of beeswax.

To keep it in place and even more shine, finish it off with a hairspray like this Redken Quick Dry 18 Instant Finishing Hairspray.

6. Ruby Rose

Model, DJ, actress, LGBT+ advocate, haver of great hair—what can’t Ruby Rose do? She’s rocked all manner of short and long hairstyles, including buzzcuts in multiple colours.

If you want to emulate her carelessly chic quiff cut, go for a styling product that doesn’t have too strong of a hold. You want your hair to have volume and movement for that cool, floppy look Ruby’s got going on in this pic.

For this, we love a mousse like this flexible hold one from Wella. It gives you that volume, shine and hold you want without weighing down your hair, making sure it stands up tall like Ruby’s.

7. Robert Pattinson

Of course, no discussion of quiffs would be complete without R-Patz himself and the haircut that adorned a million teenagers' walls. These days, the actor has cast off franchises in favour of edgier work – a shift that's also reflected in his hair. Gone is the gravity-defying quiff that was for a while his trademark, replaced instead by an on-trend look that's both clean and flattering.

If you're attempting to replicate this look at home, it's important not to overlook the item that makes it work. And we're not talking about some fancy formula or product (although, sure, that helps). No, we're talking about the humble comb. After all, it's a major mistake to think the comb should only be called upon for neat partings; your fingertips can do a sterling job on many looks, but are not exactly at the pinnacle of styling craft. The Kent Men's Handmade Pocket Comb balances a masculine aesthetic with both affordability and efficacy.

A few last tips for how to get the quiff hairstyle...

Every quiff relies on volume at the roots, since the hair is pushed up and away from your face, defying gravity. The key to this is starting when your hair is damp, blow drying it into position in combination with a root lifting product. Here are a few recommendations the guys and gals at Cosmetify swear by for all our blow-drying, voluminising needs!

The quiff's popularity means that you've likely already had at least one pass at the style. Now, with some celebrity inspiration and a sizeable dose of practical advice, you can return to the mirror a little wiser and better equipped to work out your own spin on the classic look.

To make your quiff the best it can be, make sure you're nourishing your hair with our top 10 cruelty-free haircare products and protect it from sun damage with these sun protection hair products.