What is a butterfly haircut?
A butterfly haircut is a hairstyle that mixes short and long layers. Butterfly cuts are heavily layered, with two distinct sections that are blended together: the shorter layers hitting around chin-length and the longer layers that start just past the shoulder. These two sections distinguish butterfly cuts from standard layer cuts that may have more uniform layers throughout the length of the hair. Many butterfly cuts also feature curtain bangs—the short layers around the crown plus the face-framing curtain bangs resemble butterfly wings, which is where the butterfly cut gets its name. Butterfly cuts have been compared to other popular hair trends like the 1990s “Rachel” cut, the 1970s shag cut, and the wolf cut. Wolf cuts, however, have a more edgy and choppy look than the butterfly cut’s soft and rounded layers. Will a butterfly cut suit me? Due to the dimension of the layers, butterfly cuts add texture, movement, and volume to the hair. This style works for all hair types, is easy to style, and defines the face without having to do a major chop!
How to Ask for a Butterfly Haircut at the Salon
Ask your stylist for face-framing layers that blend into longer layers. Decide exactly where you want the shortest layer to fall on your face, which is typically at your cheekbone or jawline. From there, ask for those shorter layers to gradually blend into long layers. The long layers should continue all the way to the ends of your hair. Show your stylist photos of the cut you want on people who have hair types and textures similar to yours. Otherwise, the stylist may copy the cut exactly, but it won’t turn out exactly like your inspo photos. If a hairstylist is familiar with the butterfly cut, then you can simply tell them that that’s the style you want. If not, they should be able to replicate what they see in the photos.
How to Style a Butterfly Haircut
Styling with a blow dryer and round brush Wash, brush, and towel dry your hair. Apply heat protectant to your hair to protect against heat damage. Massage in a volumizing mousse, focusing the product on the crown of your head. Use a round brush to blow dry your hair upwards and away from your face. Slightly rotate the round brush toward the ends of your hair to add some bounce to your layers. Optionally, you can wrap your hair in velcro rollers to add extra volume and bounce. After blow drying each section, start from the ends of your hair and roll the velcro rollers upwards to your crown. Let the rollers set for at least 10 minutes before removing them. Flip your hair upside down and shake it out. Flip it back over and apply a few spritzes of hairspray or texturizing spray.
Styling with a curling iron Wash and towel dry your hair before letting it air dry. Once your hair is dry, apply a heat protectant to your stands. Use a curling iron with a 1–1.5 inches (2.5–3.8 cm) barrel to curl each section of your face-framing layers away from your face. Then, wrap each 1 inch (2.5 cm) section of hair into a velcro roller. Starting at the ends of your hair, roll each roller upwards and away from your face until it rests on your crown. Let the velcro rollers set for at least 20 minutes, then take them out and flip over your hair. Shake out the curls and spray a few spritzes of hairspray.
Styling with a leave-in curl enhancer Use this method if you already have naturally curly hair. Wash or dampen your hair, then plop your curls with a T-shirt or cotton cloth to remove excess water. Apply a leave-in conditioner for curly hair, which will enhance the soft, bouncy layers of your butterfly cut. In between washing/styling days, use a leave-in spray for curly hair to keep your locks looking fresh.
19 Butterfly Haircut Ideas & Examples
Short butterfly haircut Adjust the butterfly cut style for a shorter hair length by adding face-framing layers or bangs to the hairstyle you already have. Adding a butterfly haircut to short hair can amp up the volume of your look.
Short butterfly haircut with bangs Combine a butterfly cut with shaggy bangs to add ‘70s flair to your short-length style. Ask for choppy bangs to increase the textured, layered look that a traditional butterfly cut would have.
Short butterfly haircut with highlights Add face-framing layers to your short haircut to mimic the butterfly look. Then, add simple highlights that are 1-2 shades lighter than your normal color. Highlighting your hair will add extra depth, dimension, and flair to your short butterfly cut!
Mid-length butterfly haircut Try a medium-length butterfly haircut of Jennifer Aniston’s iconic “Rachel” look on Friends. Trade out the shorter, face-framing layers of the classic butterfly cut with longer, face-framing pieces. This change will make for easier styling, air drying, and general upkeep.
Mid-length butterfly haircut with highlights Cut the wispy, longer layers of your butterfly cut to end around your collarbone. Add deep, warm-colored highlights to your medium-length style to create more definition and softness.
Long butterfly haircut Butterfly styles are often cut into longer hair, so this take on the look is pretty similar to the original. Ask for your shortest layers to start around the jaw, and make sure your longer layers are blended all the way down your lengthy locks. Long hair can often fall flat due to the weight of the strands, so the dimension and movement of a butterfly cut make for a gorgeously voluminous look.
Long butterfly haircut with bangs cut fringe bangs straight across your forehead. Blend the sides of your bangs into the face-framing layers of your butterfly cut. This spin on the butterfly cut works well for thicker heads of hair!
Long butterfly haircut with ombre Add an ombre hue to the layered ends of your butterfly cut. The ombre will add definition to the layers and make them look more pronounced and eye-catching. Choose an ombre color that’s 2-3 shades lighter than your overall shade, or go for a fun and vibrant color!
Butterfly haircut with curtain bangs Cut curtain bangs into your butterfly cut to maximize the romantic, layered look of this style. Curtain bangs can soften your features and literally change the shape of your face. Pair them with the typical butterfly-cut look of long layers descending down the length of your hair.
Butterfly haircut with side bangs While butterfly cuts are typically styled with a middle part, that doesn’t mean you can’t style it in your own way! If you prefer a side part or a side-swept bang, let your stylist know so they can adjust the cut accordingly. The romantic, side-swept look pairs great with fluffy butterfly layers to help soften an angular face.
Butterfly haircut for straight hair Style straight hair with a butterfly cut to add volume and oomph to hair that would otherwise lay flat. Cut the shortest layers starting at the cheekbone with longer layers starting just below the chin. Use a volumizing shampoo or texturizing spray to boost the layers even more.
Butterfly haircut for wavy hair Butterfly cuts add extra texture and dimension to hair that already has natural waves. Cut long, blended layers into your wavy hair and make sure they blend seamlessly together. Your hair should look like a wave of gently cascading locks. Add extra texture and shine with a salt spray or hair oil.
Butterfly haircut for curly hair Butterfly cuts work great on any hair texture, including curly! Ask for long, internal layers that blend into each other seamlessly. A butterfly cut may help your curls feel more manageable, as they reduce weight while still giving shape to your curly locks.
Sleek butterfly haircut Pair the effortless movement of the butterfly cut with a sleek, straightened look. Cut your hair into a traditional butterfly cut with short, face-framing layers and longer layers starting at the collarbone. Instead of styling your hair with a round brush or curling iron, use a hair straightener to sleek your locks.
Butterfly haircut with bouncy waves Cut many different lengths of layers into your butterfly cut—preferably starting with curtain bangs, face-framing pieces, and long layers starting below the chin. Style your cut with a large barrel curling iron and brush out your curls for bouncy, voluminous waves.
V-shaped butterfly haircut Ask your stylist to cut your butterfly style into a V-cut to give it even more movement. The V-shaped cut works great for especially long and thick hair, as it reduces bulk while adding a dynamic and interesting shape. V-shaped styles are cut at a diagonal around the face and taper toward the back of the head to create a sharp “V” shape.
Icy-colored butterfly haircut Go for longer, face-framing pieces that start just below your chin. Ask a stylist to add a platinum-colored balayage to black or dark brown roots. The high-contrast, icy color of this style accentuates the layered texture of the butterfly cut while adding a cool and edgy twist.
Pastel-colored butterfly haircut Cut a traditional butterfly cut with short layers blended out into longer lengths. Add a colorful, personalized touch to the trendy style by coloring your whole head with a pastel shade of dye. Try lilac purple, baby blue, or a light ashy pink dye.
Punk-style butterfly haircut Add some edge to the ultra-feminine butterfly look with a punk-inspired cut. Ask your stylist to do an asymmetrical cut on your butterfly style—either in the bangs or in the blended layers. Then, bleach or dye sections of your hair with vibrant colors that contrast with your natural color.
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