Product update: By Vilain Powermade has been improved and reformulated as By Vilain Flow Pomade. The original images have been retained and may show the former Powermade product.
Looking for a 1950s-inspired men’s hairstyle? Start with the pompadour, ducktail, slick back, quiff or crew cut. These five looks range from short and understated to high-volume and carefully combed. The right choice depends on the length you want to keep, your hair’s natural texture and how you like to style it.
Below, we explain what makes each look different, what to discuss with your barber and how to approach the finish. The photographs show modern interpretations of the styles, rather than photographs from the 1950s.
Which classic hairstyle should you choose?
| Style | Defining feature | What to discuss with your barber |
|---|---|---|
| Pompadour | Height at the front, swept back through the top | Enough top length to build volume without making the shape too heavy |
| Ducktail | Sides combed toward a central seam at the back | Enough length at the sides and back for the two sections to meet |
| Slick back | Hair directed away from the face in a smooth shape | A length that follows your growth pattern when combed back |
| Quiff | A raised front with a neat or textured finish | Fringe length and the amount of contrast between the top and sides |
| Crew cut | A short top with shorter sides and back | How short to go and how much texture to leave on top |
1. The pompadour
The pompadour is the choice when you want height and a sculpted shape. Its raised front flows back through the top, while the sides help frame the volume. You can keep the finish polished or soften it with less shine.
Bring your barber a reference photograph and explain how high you want the front to sit. The cut should leave enough length to shape, while accounting for your hair’s weight and natural direction.
To style it, build the shape while blow-drying rather than relying on finishing product alone. A pre-styler such as By Vilain Sidekick can support the styling process. For strong hold with low natural shine, finish with a small amount of By Vilain Revolution. Work it between your palms first and add more only where needed.
For a closer look at the shape, read our pompadour styling guide.
2. The ducktail
The ducktail is defined by the way the hair meets at the back of the head. Both sides are combed toward the centre to form a seam. That back detail can be combined with a pompadour or another swept-back shape at the front.
Tell your barber that you want to retain the length needed for the sides to meet. Cutting those areas too short changes the result, even if the front still looks right.
Use a comb and a second mirror to check the back as you style. Work the two sides inward, then refine the meeting line. Ask your barber to demonstrate the direction if you are trying the look for the first time.
3. The slick back
A slick back follows the head more closely than a tall pompadour. The emphasis is on direction and a controlled surface: the hair moves back from the forehead rather than falling forward.
For a softer version with natural shine, use a small amount of By Vilain Flow Pomade. It provides light, flexible hold; it is not an extreme-hold substitute. Comb the hair backward with a By Vilain Cutting Comb and adjust the amount of product to the finish you want.
If your hair springs forward or separates, discuss the cut and growth pattern with your barber. Adding more product is not always the answer. Our slick-back guide covers the styling steps in more detail.
4. The quiff
A quiff lifts the front of the hair and can be worn neat or textured. Compared with a carefully sculpted pompadour, the finish can be looser and more separated.
Ask your barber to adapt the fringe length to the height you want. A modern fade or shorter sides can create stronger contrast, but you can also choose a softer transition.
Lift and guide the front while drying. For strong hold and a matte finish, work a small amount of By Vilain Dynamite Clay through the hair, then refine the front with your fingers. Start small so the product supports the shape without overwhelming it.
5. The crew cut
The crew cut keeps the top short, with shorter sides and back. It offers a compact alternative to the longer, combed styles above, with less hair to shape each morning.
Ask your barber how much length to leave at the front and how closely to taper the sides. Hair density, growth direction and the outline you prefer should guide the choice; one length will not give everyone the same result.
You may prefer to wear it without finishing product. If you leave some texture on top, use a small amount of styling product and work it in with your fingers.
Do 1950s-inspired hairstyles have to be shiny?
No. The shape and the finish are separate choices. A combed, glossy finish gives a more polished interpretation, while a matte product creates a different feel. Choose the shape first, then decide how much hold and shine you want.
Can you wear these looks with short hair?
The crew cut is the short option in this selection. A pompadour, ducktail or slick back needs enough length in the relevant areas to create its shape. Bring a reference photo to your barber and ask which version is realistic with your current length.
Original article by Sarah Pelham, Beauty & Wellness Expert for Bookwell.com.au, first published 27 March 2020. This edition has been revised for Slikhaar; the updated copy is not attributed to the original contributor.
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