30 Best Ducktail Haircuts & Hairstyles for Men
Ducktail haircuts & hairstyles should be on your list if you want to wear something old-school. They became legendaries in the past as many people joined this hairstyle trend. However, they turned out to be rarer so it can be a little hard to see a ducktail hairstyle among men.
Although the popularity of ducktail is not big as in the past, it does not mean that it is out of style. You can find a lot of variations of a ducktail hairstyle so you can choose a more classic or modern style.
3 Basic FAQs
Knowing the basic things about a specific hairstyle is necessary when you plan to apply it. It is what men usually do when they want a ducktail hairstyle. They probably will ask the following questions to know what it looks like and who create it.
· What are Ducktail Haircuts?
Some people might mistakenly think of a ducktail as a pompadour at a glance because they look alike. However, if you see it closer, a ducktail involves hair in the back, combed over the sides into the front. Therefore, this look will remind you about the rear body part of a duck.
Ducktail haircuts & hairstyles allow various styling options, especially for hair at the front. You can try the most popular option like a pompadour or a quiff. You also can let the front hair grow longer for a more elegant pompadour.
· What Does a Ducktail Haircut Look Like?
Like its name, a ducktail is a specific hairstyle similar to a duck’s body part. You will remember the duck’s back body of a duck when you once you look at this hairstyle. The characteristic of this style is it has two sides of the hair that meet at the back of your head.
You can create a ducktail hairstyle by slicking the hair on the top and sides into a particular point at the back of your head. Hence, it looks like a center parting. Then, apply a hair pomade so the hair stays in place.
· Who Invented a Ducktail Haircut?
The initial invention of ducktail haircuts & hairstyles belonged to Joe Cirello, a Philadelphian barber. He introduced this prominent hairstyle to the public in the 40s and still became a popular haircut option in the 50s. Even the 50s was famous as the rebellion era of young adults worldwide.
Therefore, this hairstyle appeared for Rockers and Teddy Boys which made a breakthrough from the World War II effects. It continued as a fashion icon when Elvis Presley wore it during that time. Even became one of the trendiest retro haircuts and was favored by many public figures.
30 Haircut Varieties
Getting a ducktail haircut requires more effort and styling than many other haircuts but it is worth trying if you fancy an eye-catching hairstyle. If you want to get this style but do not know where to start, you can begin by considering some inspirations of ducktail hairstyles below.
1. Ducktail Fade
You can create a short and simple ducktail with a medium to high fade. Ask your barber to trim the back of the hair along the neckline to form the triangle edge. Otherwise, you can comb the hair back with your fingers, pull it inwards, and down with hair grease.
2. Ducktail Top
A ducktail top requires you to work more on the top when getting ducktail haircuts & hairstyles. You need to style the top of the hair to create a ducktail so it looks more appealing. This ducktail styling option can make your Mohawk look even bolder.
3. Blonde Ducktail
You can create a blonde ducktail with your natural blonde or blonde-dyed hair. It gives a modern impression to this style that originally looks highly retro. You can use a blonde ombre to show different layers on the back of your head by combining lighter and darker colors.
4. Horizontal Ducktail
Ducktail haircuts & hairstyles come in various options and not always be vertical. Try the horizontal model to give this classic hairstyle a unique look. You need to brush the sides of the hair toward the back and up to create a horizontal line along the middle part.
5. Retro Ducktail
You can use a classic scissor cut to create a retro ducktail. Then, apply a hair product like a gel or pomade on your hands and comb the hair toward the back to make a ducktail shape. Then, you can sweep away the hair at the front of your face.
6. Reverse Ducktail
A reverse ducktail comes from the David Bowie-inspired look. Brush the hair forward into your face and separate the parts down in the middle. Then, curls both sides of the hair upward. It allows the strands to fall naturally, perfect for ducktail haircuts & hairstyles with a bit messy look.
7. Short Ducktail
A short ducktail is a simple hairstyle you can try with some light fading down into the neck. It is perfect for men who want to try a ducktail haircut but want to keep their hair low-maintenance. It also allows them to explore old-school hairstyling options.
8. Stranded Ducktail
A stranded ducktail is one of the most ducktail haircuts & hairstyles you can discover. It goes beyond the nice hair texture you often see among ducktails. It shows some strands on the sides to appear a perfectly-styled and choppy line that goes down in the middle.
9. Asymmetrical Boogie Ducktail
An asymmetrical boogie ducktail is a unique variation because the more volume you have on the boogie, the longer the ducktail will be. Separate the hair asymmetrically when applying the gel. As you brush the hair to a certain point, use a rat tail comb to separate the middle.
10. Elephant Trunk Ducktail
Elephant trunk ducktail is one of the ducktail haircuts & hairstyles that add a dramatic look to your hair. Use a pomade to brush the hair upward instead of combing it backward. Curl and blend the sides outward into the face until you achieve an elephant trunk shape.
11. Fine Hair Ducktail
A ducktail is a versatile hairstyle because it works on all textures, sizes, and shapes. Using a fine comb to center the hair will be helpful for men with short and thick hair. The sweeping motion will allow a pattern of wavy lines to appear.
12. High Pompadour Ducktail
A high pompadour ducktail is advisable for men with medium-length hair who want ducktail haircuts & hairstyles. It does not require long hair to create high pomp. You only need to brush the hair upward, into the middle, and near the face for a perfect shape.
13. Medium Fade Ducktail
A medium fade ducktail is worth trying if you want a natural African ducktail. Let your hair grow naturally until it is long enough so your barber can cut it to form a ducktail with burst fade. Ask the barber to style the back to give a duck’s rear illusion.
14. Jelly Roll Ducktail
Jelly roll ducktail is ideal for men with long hair for ducktail haircuts & hairstyles. The long hair can create a high enough jelly roll shape but it is slightly tricky to meet in the middle. Form a wider ducktail by parting wide the center with your fingers.
15. Light Classic Ducktail
A light classic ducktail is advisable if you want to get a not-too-sticky appearance like most overly-gelled ducktails. This classic ducktail also requires you to brush the hair into one place with a little gel. Therefore, you can get a stylish and super clean look simultaneously.
16. Deconstructed Ducktail
A deconstructed ducktail helps to add more texture to ducktail haircuts & hairstyles. It can be an alternative if you want to go beyond a plain ducktail haircut. It features layered hair that points in different directions. Therefore, you can get a carefree and modern look from this hairstyle.
17. Pronounced Full Ducktail
A pronounced full ducktail is worth trying to achieve a classic ducktail appearance. It radiates a heavy vintage feel because it features an extremely high and slick look. You can discover a very pronounced line down the entire length. You never miss the old-school vibe with this style.
18. Elvis Presley Inspired Ducktail
You can get the inspiration for ducktail haircuts & hairstyles from public figures in the past. The King of Rock N’ Roll was prominent with his symmetrical ducktail. Comb the hair from the front toward the back after applying pomade to create an airy top and polished sides.
19. Flat Top Boogie Ducktail
Flat top boogie ducktail offers a more modern look because this style features a smooth flat top. Separate the hair along the side of the pomp and form a ducktail in the back. Asking the help from the hairstylist is the best decision to create a perfectly flat top.
20. Short and Simple Ducktail
A short and simple ducktail is ideal for men with longer and thicker hair who want to create ducktail haircuts & hairstyles with higher pomp. It requires you to twist the hair further from the middle part. Then, wave or curl it closer to another side until almost overlaps.
21. Side Part Boogie Ducktail
Creating a side-part boogie ducktail allows you to explore the style with a comb-over than a pompadour. You can try various ways to part the hair into the side. Then, determine a shape on how you place the ducktail on top and emphasize your facial features.
22. Swept-Back Quiff Ducktail
Swept-back quiff ducktail is a good choice for ducktail haircuts & hairstyles to achieve a vintage look without greasing the hair. A swept-back quiff presents a contemporary and old-school look. Create a ducktail by brushing gel along the sides with your fingers. Then, bring the hair outward for edgy bangs.
23. Angular Take on Ducktail
The angular take on ducktail does not appear as the most that feature a straight line downward in the middle. It allows you to create an eye-catching look with your creativity. This hairstyle involves the slicked back sides that meet into the angular line on the back of your head.
24. Front Volume and Curly Ducktail
A front volume and curly ducktail allow men to create a twist on the regular ducktail haircuts & hairstyles. The line along the middle serves as a guide for you to add volume to the front hair. You do not need a complex technique to form this curly ducktail.
25. Ducktail and Neckline Design
The ducktail usually features some fascinating patterns running along the head. You can try a ducktail and combine its slicked back sides to meet along a wavy line on your head. You can discover a neckline pattern in this haircut and you can apply other patterns too.
26. Ducktail Quiff with Neck Design
The ducktail quiff with neck design is one of the ducktail haircuts & hairstyles that exude a 21st-century look. Apply a pomade and use your fingers to bring the hair back. If you have fringe or layered hair, it creates small waves of ducktail on the sides of your hair.
27. Ducktail with V-Shaped Neckline
The neckline plays an essential role in your whole look and a ducktail with v-shaped neckline looks neat and attractive from all sides. You need to trim the back of your hair often to keep this look. A v-shaped is the easiest option for your neckline to look elegant.
28. Modern Ducktail with Tapered Neckline
Modern ducktail with tapered neckline is a good idea for men who want to get recent ducktail haircuts & hairstyles. It requires you to form slicked sides and layer them into the back hair. This style takes time to grow long hair but the final results are worth your wait.
29. Formal Ducktail with Undercut
A formal ducktail with undercut is suitable for men who look for a hairstyle that supports formal occasions. It keeps the back hair nice and short so you do not need much effort to style this part. Meanwhile, you can style the top like other ducktails to keep the characteristics.
30. Inverted Ducktail on Crop
The inverted ducktail on crop uses a ducktail concept and flips it around. It is one of the unique ducktail haircuts & hairstyles men can try. It requires you to slick two sides forward until they meet in the middle instead of slicking them backward to create a fascinating crop.
More FAQs
As a ducktail hairstyle needs a slightly complex styling, men interested in this style will look for more information about it. It may include its invention time, benefits, and proper ways to trim and style a ducktail.
· When was a Ducktail Haircut Famous?
Although the ducktail was first invented in the 40s, this men’s haircut style was famous during the 50s. Many young people in the 1950s want to bring something fresh in fashion style to move from World War II. Hence, it began to spread you can discover more ducktail haircuts & hairstyles vary worldwide.
This hairstyle gained popularity during the 50s because many public figures and musicians use it. You could see it from Elvis Presley whose favorite ducktail hairstyle still becomes an inspiration for men now. People also refer to a ducktail as slicked-back hair.
· What are the Benefits of a Ducktail Haircut?
You might give more effort into styling a ducktail haircut but it offers some benefits, especially for your appearance. The ducktail is unique and recognizable because it looks different from other haircuts. You can recognize it quickly from the shape of the hair on the back of your head.
This style gives an impression of a duck’s rear body. It can be a good choice to wear if you want to stand out from the crowd. The running line splitting the middle part downward also draws everyone’s attention. It helps you to look more fashionable too.
· What to Trim a Ducktail Haircut?
First, you take diagonal sections behind your ears and form them into a V shape on the back of your head. You can create this V shape with your fingers. Then, you can continue by paralleling the hair sections. You can over-direct every section to the first and create a V shape again in the middle part.
If you work with longer hair, you can continue by making a line down to create a tight hairline area with a slightly longer and scruffier back. These steps form tighter and shorter sides area downward along with a nice ducktail shape.
· How to Style a Ducktail Haircut?
Styling a ducktail requires much effort but the technique is similar to styling a pompadour. You need to apply some pomade to your hair using your fingers. Then, comb the middle part of the hair backward to add volume to the back. You can slick back the sides with a roller brush.
The texture of the pomade usually makes the strands fall out of place. Hence, you can brush the sides continuously until you achieve a polished look. Then, run the edge of the brush down to the back and inward fold you commonly see in ducktail haircuts & hairstyles.
