Licensed to quiff: how to get hair like James Bond's

Unless you’re a prime physical specimen or have tons of hard cash, the things James Bond has an abundance of – top of the range cars, the sharpest suits money can buy, a string of impossibly beautiful girlfriends – will remain a fantasy.

But in our pursuit to be a bit more like 007, there is one thing we can have: proper Bond-style hair (assuming you’re not completely bald – though that never stopped Connery).

So, for budding secret agents who need a bit of guidance up top, London and Edinburgh barbers Ruffians have revealed to us their expert tips of how to get the look of each Bond.

Sean Connery – Side-Partings Are Forever

What’s The Look? The original and timeless sweep to the side.

Who Wears It Best? Suits most hair types and faces, but if the hair’s too long and fine on top, it runs the risk off looking like a comb-over – a massive Dr No No.

What’s Good About It? Absolutely nothing beats a classic side-parting and tuxedo combination. Acerbic wit and heightened libido optional.

How Can I Style It? Select the right product for your hair density – a paste for thicker hair or clay for finer hair. Apply when slightly damp and comb back. Find your natural parting, comb over, and keep your sides flat. Use a spray to set, if you’re going to be out saving the world (or have quite unruly hair).

George Lazenby – Her Majesty’s Not-So-Secret Parting

What’s The Look? Old school gent with hint of LEGO man.

Who Wears It Best? Only double-o agents with seriously thick locks need report for this mission.

What’s Good About it? This style (much like Lazenby himself) hasn’t stood the test of time, but can be brought up to date by taking the weight out of the sides and lifting the top to create a textured quiff.

How Do I Style? For the quiff, towel-dry your hair. Take a small amount of styling paste and add a drop of water to make a smoother balm. Apply from the roots, sweeping it back. Add a salt spray to really nail that ‘just out of the sea’ effect.

Roger Moore – The Blow-Dry Who Loved Me

What’s The Look? A classic short back and sides with a soft touch.

Who Wears It Best? This cut works with most face shapes. The length kept on the sides can either add or reduce width, which in turn can elongate the face or accentuate the jaw line.

What’s Good About It? It’s an inoffensive and versatile haircut. Moore opted for a soft, textured look, which goes nicely with the sandy colour of his hair. It’s quite casual though – not the sharpest, most dapper look.

How Do I Style? To keep this set properly all day, blow-dry the hair. Apply a styling paste evenly through the roots, continuing to blow-dry the hair back into place using a vent brush. It’s a bit high maintenance, but that’s just how Roger would like it.

Timothy Dalton – The Living Highlights

What’s The Look? 1980s-style volume and texture.

Who Wears It Best? If you’ve got the patience to grow your hair a bit longer, this works well with most face shapes.

What’s Good About It? It might seem a little dated for our current tastes, but the volume and texture can be easily incorporated into a contemporary style. There are ways of making it look good with wavy and curly hair, though it’s harder to achieve with dead straight hair.

How Can I Style It? Texture and volume always looks best when kept fairly natural, so stick to using products like salt spray or hair powder to keep the silhouette in check.

Pierce Brosnan – Tomorrow Never Dyes

What’s The Look? The falling quiff.

Who Wears It Best? The gentleman with a natural, rugged manliness.

What’s Good About It? This one’s all about effect, giving the impression you’re smart and important, but far too busy (bungee jumping off dams, presumably) to keep every hair in place. Also good for detracting from temporal thinning.

How Do I Style? You’ll need a product with a very strong hold, such as a water-based pomade and a styling paste. Rub them together in your hands with a tiny drop of water and comb through the hair – finish by running your hands through. Top up with water if the hold starts to wear off, allowing the front strand to cascade naturally down over the forehead.

Daniel Craig – The Crop Royale

What’s The Look? Neat, tidy and unpretentious textured crop.

Who Wears It Best? Perfect for the maturing gent whose head of hair isn’t what it used to be, but can still provide full coverage when queen and country demands it.

What’s Good About It? It gives the illusion of choppy and textured hair and puts those thinner patches under deep cover. As it’s close to the skin, it also sharpens less angular faces and emphasises square jaws.

How Do I Style? Towel dry and rub a matt clay evenly through the roots. This gives a strong hold while bulking out finer patches. For a lighter hold, use a powder and sprinkle over your head.

For more on Ruffians Barbers visit ruffians.co.uk