Pompadour & Quiff Hairstyles

by Julyne Derrick
Julyne Derrick is a freelance beauty writer and contributing writer for Byrdie.
Updated November 08, 2016
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The Hot Pompadour Trend: Is the "Fake Hawk" for You?

Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus. Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images

A hot new hairstyle trend is the pompadour, also known as the quiff or the "faux hawk." This hairstyle -- which usually features shaved sides and a puffy teased top that reminds me of a rooster's comb -- has become the cool hairstyle of choice for singers Miley Cyrus and Pink as well as a host of other celebrities.

In this photo gallery of 20 amazing pompadour hairstyles, you'll see many different types of pompadours and fake mohawks (also known as "faux hawks").

So what is the "Quiff"? To me, it's a rockabilly hairstyle. According to Wikipedia, the quiff is a "hairstyle that combines the 1950s pompadour hairstyle, the 50s flattop, and sometimes a mohawk. The etymology of the word is uncertain but may derive from the French word "coiffe" which can mean either a hairstyle or, going further back, the mail knights wore over their heads and under their helmets. The hairstyle was a staple in the British 'Teddy Boy' movement, but became popular again in Europe in the early 1980s and is currently facing a resurgence in popularity."

What is a "Pompadour"? This hairstyle is named after the mistress of King Louis XV, Madame de Pompadour, who wore her hair swept high up off the face.

What is a "Faux hawk"? This is a fake mohawk. The sides of the head in a mohawk are usually shaved with a strip of hair kept long and swept up and off the face. A fake mohawk keeps the upswept plume, but the sides of the head are rarely shaved, but rather combed tightly against the head so it appears to be shaved.

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Pink

Pink in her signature pompadour. Jason Merritt for Getty

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Ruby Rose

Ruby Rose
Ruby Rose. Lisa Maree Williams / Getty Images

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Kate Peck

Kate Peck
Kate Peck. Brendon Thorne / Getty Images

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Kimberly Wyatt

Kimberly Wyatt
Kimberly Wyatt. Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images

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Rihanna

Rihanna at the Grammys
Rihanna at the Grammys. Jason Merritt / Getty Images

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Ruby Rose

Ruby Rose
Ruby Rose. Cameron Spencer / Getty Images

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Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus. Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images

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Eva Pigford

Eva Pigford
Eva Pigford. Jason Merritt / Getty Images

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Teija Vaittinen

Teija Vaittinen
Teija Vaittinen. Adam Berry / Getty Images

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Agyness Deyn

Agyness Deyn
Agyness Deyn. Andreas Rentz / Getty Images

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The Singer Pink

Pink
Pink. Isaac Brekken / Getty Images

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Singer Sarah Smith

Sarah Smith
Sarah Smith. Graham Denholm / Getty Images

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Emeli Sande

Emeli Sande
Emeli Sande. Tim Alban / Getty Images

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Bo Bruce

Bo Bruce
Bo Bruce. Stuart Wilson / Getty Images

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Taja Riley

Taja Riley
Taja Riley. Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images

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Dominique Tipper

Dominique Tipper
Dominique Tipper. Stuart Wilson / Getty Images

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Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton
Tilda Swinton. Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

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