Pennsylvania Barber Licensure Practice Exam 2026 - Free Barber License Practice Questions and Study Guide

The pompadour haircut is characterized by significant volume on the top of the head, combined with shorter sides. This style is achieved by incorporating longer hair on top that is often styled backward and upward, creating a dramatic, voluminous effect. The sides are cut shorter, which helps to accentuate the height and fullness of the hair on the crown. This contrast between the top and sides is a defining feature of the pompadour.

In contrast, a buzz cut features very short hair all over the head, lacking the volume on top and shorter sides structure seen in a pompadour. An undercut involves shaving or cutting the sides very short while leaving longer hair on top, but it does not specifically emphasize volume in the same way as a pompadour. The quiff also has volume on top, but it is generally styled forward in a more casual manner, without the same level of height and styling requirements that characterize the pompadour.