The butterfly haircut has taken social media by storm with over 1.1 billion views on TikTok alone. You’ve likely spotted this trendy style while scrolling through your feed, characterized by short, face-framing pieces and longer layers beneath that resemble delicate butterfly wings (hence the name). This game-changing style has become one of the biggest hair trends of 2023, dominating salons everywhere.
Not only is the butterfly haircut stylish and flattering, but it’s also surprisingly low-maintenance. Whether you have straight, wavy, or curly hair, this magical cut creates stunning layers that add incredible volume, movement, and dimension. The weightless, feathery effect is particularly enhancing around the crown and face, making it adaptable for virtually any hair type or lifestyle.
Top Butterfly Cut Styles That Are Trending Now
1. Classic Butterfly Cut with Curtain Bangs
Timeless and universally flattering. This variation blends curtain bangs with cascading layers, softening facial lines while elongating round and square faces. Curtain bangs part naturally down the centre, adding symmetry and a gentle frame around your cheekbones.
2. Short Butterfly Cut for a Bold, Fresh Look
This shorter version hits around the chin, offering a light, edgy frame that accentuates your features. It’s ideal for anyone who wants a low-maintenance yet high-impact hairstyle that air-dries beautifully.
3. Long Butterfly Cut with Airy Layers
Perfect if you love your length but crave more movement. The longer version removes bulk from thick hair and adds bounce without sacrificing fullness. It’s flattering for oval and heart-shaped faces alike.
4. Butterfly Cut with Full Fringe
Adding a fringe gives your cut extra volume and structure. A soft, brow-skimming fringe complements the winged layers beautifully, balancing wider foreheads and creating a bold, fashion-forward silhouette.
5. Butterfly Cut for Curly Hair
Curly hair thrives with this cut. The layered structure helps curls form naturally while reducing bulk. For best results, request a dry cut — it maintains shape and prevents unwanted shrinkage.
6. Medium-Length Butterfly Cut with Retro Flips
Inspired by early 2000s glamour, this version hits just below the shoulders. It’s a brilliant choice for thicker hair, as it lightens the weight while keeping plenty of movement.
7. Straight Hair Butterfly Variation
For straight hair, the butterfly cut adds much-needed shape and body. The wispy layers prevent flatness and create soft texture. Keep it sharp with trims every 6–8 weeks to maintain definition.
8. Natural Butterfly Cut (Undone Texture)
The effortless, “woke-up-like-this” version that’s all over Gen Z’s feeds. Airy, disconnected layers embrace your natural texture — ideal for a relaxed, cool-girl aesthetic that doesn’t try too hard.
How to Choose the Right Butterfly Cut for Your Hair Type
Selecting the perfect butterfly cut depends largely on your natural hair texture and thickness. Finding the right variation ensures you get maximum benefit from this versatile style.
Straight hair: Add volume with feathered layers
Straight hair immediately gains dimension through strategically placed feathered layers. For naturally straight strands that tend to fall flat, a textured butterfly cut creates much-needed lift. Focus on shorter pieces at the crown to add height, coupled with a volumizing mousse at the roots. This approach prevents the common problem of limp-looking straight hair while maintaining that signature butterfly movement.
Wavy hair: Enhance bounce with mid-length layers
Wavy hair naturally complements the butterfly cut, as your existing texture enhances the layered structure. Mid-length layers specifically amplify your wave patterns without creating frizz. Consider incorporating a curl-defining spray to emphasize the natural movement. Indeed, this combination creates that sought-after soft, romantic look with minimal styling effort.
Curly hair: Reduce bulk and define shape
For curly textures, the butterfly cut removes weight so curls maintain their springy nature. Request dry cutting techniques to account for shrinkage, ensuring layers blend seamlessly. The specialized layering highlights your curls’ natural texture, giving them definition without disrupting their pattern. Subsequently, apply curl cream and scrunch upward for that effortless, lived-in finish.
Thick hair: Use layering to remove weight
Thick-haired individuals benefit tremendously from the butterfly cut’s ability to reduce bulk. This specialized approach distributes volume more evenly throughout your hair, eliminating that heavy, flat look. Through creating shorter layers at the crown and longer layers below, the cut feels lighter and more breathable. Accordingly, your thick locks gain movement without sacrificing fullness.
Thin hair: Create fullness with face-framing pieces
Fine or thin hair requires a modified approach—ask for soft, graduated layers around the crown. Instead of all-over layering, pair face-framing curtain bangs with a blunter cut to create thickness illusion. The butterfly cut adds perceived volume, especially at the crown. Finish with root-lifting spray before blow-drying to maximize volume where needed.
Styling Tips to Make Your Butterfly Cut Stand Out
Mastering the art of styling brings your butterfly haircut to life, highlighting those gorgeous layers and creating that signature bounce. With the right techniques and tools, you’ll transform your cut from beautiful to breathtaking.
Using a round brush for volume
The secret to salon-quality volume lies in your round brush technique. Choose a 2-inch round brush for longer layers and a 1.5-inch brush for shorter sections. First, apply volumizing mousse to damp hair, concentrating on the roots. Next, rough-dry your hair to about 75% before using the round brush. For maximum lift, slide the brush back into your hair, hook it, and pull forward while directing the blow dryer’s airflow down the hair shaft. This creates tension that activates the mousse for impressive volume at the roots.
Heatless styling with mousse and rollers
Not a fan of heat? Your butterfly cut naturally lends itself to heatless styling! Apply a light mousse to damp hair (about 80% dry) and choose your preferred method: Velcro rollers create blown-out volume, sock curls offer looser waves, whereas overnight braids provide defined, frizz-free texture. For best results with rollers, roll each section away from your face and let them set for 30-40 minutes before gently removing.
How to style butterfly haircut with a curling iron
For polished yet bouncy waves, a curling iron perfectly enhances your butterfly layers. Choose a 1.25-inch barrel for defined waves or a 1.5-inch barrel for looser movement. Always apply heat protectant first! Section your hair (three sections on each side plus three on top), then curl the front sections toward your face and the rest away from it. Afterward, run your fingers through the curls to break them up for that effortlessly tousled finish.
Best products for butterfly layers haircut
The right products elevate your butterfly cut’s natural movement. Essential items include volumizing mousse for lightweight lift, texturizing spray for definition, heat protectant before any hot tools, and a light-hold hairspray that won’t weigh down your layers. For straight hair, light pomades help define layers, meanwhile curly hair benefits from curl-defining creams applied with a raking motion.
Quick styling for butterfly haircut straight hair
Need a fast refresh? For straight hair, simply grab a curling wand and quickly re-curl just the top layers and face-framing pieces. Alternatively, use dry texturizer at the roots for instant lift without restyling. For maximum volume in minimal time, flip your head upside down, apply volumizing spray at the roots, and finish with a cool shot from your dryer to set the style.
Color Ideas That Elevate Your Butterfly Cut
The right color technique transforms a butterfly cut from merely stylish to absolutely stunning. Strategic color placement highlights layers, adds movement, and personalizes your signature look.
Good hair color for brown skin tones
Warm undertones truly shine on brown skin with butterfly cuts. Caramel highlights create rich dimension on darker bases, complementing warm brown shades beautifully. For a more dramatic statement, copper red tones bring fiery vibrancy while emphasizing layered movement. Moreover, espresso hair color pairs exceptionally well with butterfly cuts, creating an enchanting appeal while maintaining depth and sophistication.
Blonde balayage for added dimension
Blonde balayage masterfully showcases butterfly layers, creating that coveted sun-kissed dimension. This technique features soft, feathered highlights creating champagne tones that move naturally with your hair. Consequently, the layers appear more defined, with each one catching light differently. For straight hair butterfly cuts, blonde balayage prevents the style from appearing flat while maintaining natural-looking radiance.
Soft ombre for long butterfly cut
Long butterfly cuts gain extraordinary dimension through ombre techniques. The gradual color transition creates a stunning gradient effect as layers cascade downward. In fact, chocolate brown to soft light brown ombre enhances flowing layers while creating a seamless, blended appearance. This technique adds visual interest without overwhelming the cut’s natural movement.
Pastel ends for a playful twist
Playful personalities can experiment with pastel-colored ends—typically pink, lilac, or blue—that draw attention to feathered ends. These unexpected pops of color work wonderfully on red or brown bases. Similarly, rose gold tones offer a modern twist on the traditional butterfly cut, creating an ethereal, romantic look with wispy bangs.
Money piece highlights to frame the face
Face-framing money piece highlights have become inseparable from butterfly cuts. These strategic lighter sections at the front instantly illuminate facial features, creating a striking focal point. Alternatively, honey blonde or caramel strands delicately highlight facial features while emphasizing layered texture. For a bolder approach, platinum blonde sections create modern flair against darker bases.
Conclusion
The butterfly haircut stands out as one of the most versatile and flattering styles today. Throughout this guide, you’ve discovered how this revolutionary cut combines short, face-framing pieces with longer layers beneath to create that signature winged effect. Whether you prefer the classic version with curtain bangs or a bolder short variation, the butterfly cut offers something for everyone.
Your hair type no longer limits your style options. Straight hair gains much-needed volume, wavy hair embraces enhanced bounce, curly hair benefits from reduced bulk, and thick hair becomes more manageable. Even those with thin hair can achieve the illusion of fullness through strategic face-framing pieces.
Styling your butterfly cut remains surprisingly simple. You can choose between round brush techniques for volume, heatless methods for damage-free texture, or curling irons for defined waves. Additionally, the right products—from volumizing mousses to texturizing sprays—help maintain that salon-fresh look between appointments.
Color techniques further elevate this dynamic haircut. Face-framing money pieces highlight your features, while balayage and ombre effects accentuate the layers’ movement. For those feeling adventurous, pastel ends offer a playful twist that showcases your personality.
After all, the butterfly haircut’s enduring popularity stems from its perfect balance of style and practicality. This adaptable cut works with your natural texture rather than against it, creating effortless movement that turns heads everywhere. As you consider your next salon appointment, remember that the butterfly cut doesn’t just transform your hair—it gives you wings to express your unique style with confidence.
FAQs
Q1. How does a butterfly haircut differ from a regular layered cut?
A butterfly haircut features shorter face-framing layers combined with longer lengths underneath, creating a winged effect. Regular layered cuts may not have the same dramatic contrast between short and long sections.
Q2. Can a butterfly haircut make me look younger?
Yes, a butterfly haircut can create a youthful appearance by adding volume, movement, and face-framing layers that soften facial features. The style’s versatility allows it to be adapted to complement various face shapes and ages.
Q3. Is the butterfly haircut still trendy?
Absolutely! The butterfly haircut remains a popular trend, with billions of views on social media platforms. Its ability to blend short and long layers while maintaining overall length continues to attract those seeking a stylish, low-maintenance look.
Q4. Which face shapes are best suited for a butterfly haircut?
The butterfly haircut is versatile and can be adapted to suit most face shapes. It’s particularly flattering for round and square faces, as the face-framing layers and curtain bangs can help soften and contour facial features.
Q5. How often should I trim my butterfly haircut to maintain its shape?
To keep your butterfly haircut looking fresh and well-defined, it’s recommended to get regular trims every 6-8 weeks. This helps maintain the layered structure and prevents the style from losing its signature shape and movement.
