Pompadour (hairstyle)

The pompadour is a distinct hairstyle defined by significant vertical volume.

The hair is swept upwards from the face and worn high over the forehead. In many versions, the hair is also upswept around the sides and the back of the head. This style is used by men, women, and children across many different eras. It serves as a way to create dramatic height and a bold silhouette. While it has many variations, the core concept remains the same: achieving massive volume above the hairline.

Creating this volume requires specific techniques and tools.

For women, a common method involves using a roll of false hair. A stylist combs the person's natural hair up and over this roll to create height. Another method is backcombing, which is also called ratting at the roots. This involves combing the hair toward the scalp at the roots on the sides of the pompadour. Once the hair is ratted, it is combed up and over the textured base. The front is then styled into a curl that sweeps straight back, while the sides are pulled toward the center.

There are several distinct variations of the style used in different subcultures. In the 1950s, men often used different names for their version, such as the quiff, DA, ducktail, or jelly roll. Some called it the "Elvis cut" after the famous singer. In the psychobilly subculture, fans wear a modified version known as the quiff. There is also a style called the psychobilly wedge. This is a hybrid that mixes a mohawk with a pompadour. In this version, the sides of the head are shaved, but the middle is slicked back and stood up.

Another unique version is the punch perm, which combines elements of the afro with the traditional pompadour. In Japan, the style is known as the "Regent" hairstyle. This version is often seen in popular culture, including anime and manga. In these media, the hair is sometimes drawn with improbable levels of length and volume. These different styles show how one basic idea can change to fit different cultural identities and artistic expressions.

Despite its name, the hairstyle has a surprising history regarding its namesake. The style is named after Madame de Pompadour, who lived from 1721 to 1764. She was a mistress of King Louis XV of France. However, she did not actually wear her hair in a pompadour. Her hair was worn relatively low and backswept with a simple aura of locks. The name was actually coined much later, during the 20th century. The trend of adding vertical volume actually began in the French royal court as early as the 1680s.

In 1680, the Duchess of Fontanges created a style called the "Fontange." She arranged her hair this way after falling from a horse, and King Louis XIV loved the look. This fashion added vertical volume and lasted for 20 years. Later, in the 1770s and 1780s, height became popular again under Louis XVI. This extravagant style peaked during the time of Marie-Antoinette. The look saw a revival in the 1890s as part of the "Gibson Girl" look. It remained in vogue until World War I and appeared again for women in the 1940s.

In the mid-20th century, the pompadour became a staple of specific social groups. In the 1950s and 1960s, it was central to the greaser subculture. This group included many Italian American, Latin American, and Asian American youths. In the United States, the style was popular among Mexican American Chicanos, Cuban Americans, and Puerto Ricans from the 1930s to the 1960s. During the 1980s, the style was embraced by the rockabilly culture. These fans loved vintage items like antique cars, hot rods, and American folk music. Today, the style continues to appear on modern celebrities like David Beckham and Justin Timberlake.