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Quiff vs Pompadour: Which Suits Your Hair and Face

By The Lilacroix barbers · October 28, 2026 · 1,125 words

The quiff and the pompadour are both styles with height at the front, and the difference is size and shape. A quiff is shorter and looser, with the front lifted up and a little forward. A pompadour is taller, rolled back and smoother, with a lot more volume at the front.

Both need length on top, so both start with a good long haircut and a clean blend on the sides. Here is how the two compare, how each one works on coily and 4C hair in Laurelton, how to ask for them and how to keep them up between visits.

What is the difference between a quiff and a pompadour?

A pompadour has more height and sweeps back from the forehead in a smooth, rolled shape. A quiff has less height and more texture, and the front falls forward or up in a looser way.

If you only remember one rule, remember this one: the quiff is relaxed and the pompadour is tidy. Both begin as a long haircut, which is $25 at our shop, with a faded or tapered side added.

How do quiffs and pompadours work on coily and 4C hair?

They work well, and 4C hair gives a lot of natural height without any help. The shape is built with a pick and a scissor cut, and not with a blow dryer and a comb.

The coily quiff

A quiff on tight coils is a short textured top, lifted at the front and cut so the front sits a little higher than the crown. It reads as full and soft, and it needs very little product.

The coily pompadour

The pompadour on 4C hair is a taller, squared or rounded shape that rises from the front hairline and slopes back. It looks like a high top, and the barber shapes it with scissors and a razor so the outline is clean. If you want a sharp contrast, add a skin fade on the sides.

On wavy or curly hair, a blow dryer and a round brush help set the direction. A little paste on top holds the shape, and a spritz of water in the morning revives it.

Which one suits your face shape?

Pick the quiff if you want a relaxed look and the pompadour if you want a bold one. Both work on most faces, and the barber adjusts the height to balance the shape of your face.

• Round face: more height on top lengthens the face. A pompadour works well.
• Square face: a quiff softens the jaw without adding too much volume.
• Long face: keep the height lower, so choose a quiff and keep the front forward.
• Receding hairline: a short quiff is easier to keep full. Our post on a buzz cut with a receding hairline explains why short is often better.

Whatever the shape, a taper or fade on the sides draws the eye up to the top. A scissor cut shapes the front, and the fade gives you the contrast.

How do you ask your barber for a quiff or a pompadour?

Name the style, show a photo, and say how tall you want the front. Then say how short the sides are and where the blend starts.

1. Say whether you want a quiff or a pompadour, and show a photo of the shape.
2. Tell the barber how long the top is now, and how tall you want it at the front.
3. Ask for a taper or fade on the sides. A burst fade adds a curve at the ear, which is covered in our burst fade guide.
4. Ask for a line up at the hairline to sharpen the front.
5. Ask for a quick lesson on how to style it, because the barber knows your hair.

A fade is $30, a taper is $25 and a line up is $16, so a quiff with a fade and a line up is around $46 if you book the pieces separately. If you want the beard done at the same time, ask about the Cut and Beard package, priced by call.

How do you style a quiff and a pompadour at home?

For a quiff, use a small amount of matte paste and lift the front with your fingers. For a pompadour, use a stronger hold and shape the front up and back with a comb or a pick.

Quiff in three steps

Start with damp hair. Work a pea of paste through the top, then push the front up and a little forward. Leave the sides alone.

Pompadour in four steps

Dry the hair, apply a pomade or a cream, lift the front with a pick, and smooth the sides back with your hand. For 4C hair, moisturize first, because dry hair breaks when you pick it.

Keeping it fresh

Brush or pick the top each day, and cover it at night with a silk or satin cap. Both styles need a refresh every three to four weeks. If you work early, our shop opens at 7:30 AM Monday to Thursday and 7 AM Friday to Sunday, which is covered in our early morning hours post.

Can you keep a beard with a quiff or a pompadour?

Yes, and both styles go well with a trimmed beard. The beard balances the height on top, and the faded sides connect the two.

A short beard, lined at the cheek and the neck, keeps the look clean. A fuller beard gives a more rugged shape and can hide a weak jaw. If you have gray in the beard and not on the top, a beard dye can even it out, and our beard dye guide explains how natural it looks.

For men who want everything in one visit, the packages bundle the cut, the line up and the beard work. See the groom package for what is included. A package is priced by call.

Get your quiff or pompadour in Laurelton

Bring a photo and plan on a little extra time, because both styles are shaped by hand. Lilacroix Barbers is at 232-12 Merrick Blvd in Laurelton, NY 11413, and the number is (718) 749-5800. We are open seven days, and walk ins are welcome, but call ahead for the wait.

Start with a long haircut and tell the barber the height you want. For hours and directions, use contact and directions.

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