The butterfly haircut is rapidly becoming one of the most sought-after hairstyles and is expected to gain even more popularity in 2025. With its chic, layered design, this two-tiered style creates volume and movement while maintaining the hair’s length.
What makes the butterfly haircut particularly popular is its versatility. It flatters a wide range of face shapes and can be easily customised with features such as soft bangs or feathered ends to suit individual styles. Shorter face-framing layers can add lift, while longer layers provide a flowing look.
What Is a Butterfly Haircut
The butterfly haircut is a layered style that resembles the wings of a butterfly. Its shape is typically round, which adds significant volume to the hairstyle.
Despite its whimsical name, the butterfly cut is highly wearable and flattering. It features two-tiered layering, incorporating both long and short, feathery layers. The shortest layers beautifully frame the face, while the longer layers extend below the shoulders. This design creates an illusion of shorter hair while maintaining overall length. Combining long and short layers adds dimension, movement, and body to the hair.
Medium to long styles of this cut offer the bounciness and lightness typically associated with shorter hairstyles, all without sacrificing length. By incorporating shorter layers, the cut also helps eliminate some heaviness, reducing unwanted split ends and damaged hair. The result is bouncy layers and healthier hair, without losing length.
What’s the Difference Between a Butterfly Haircut and a Layered Cut?
The butterfly haircut is characterised by its distinct layering, which sets it apart from a traditional layered haircut.
One of the main differences is that typical layered cuts tend to blend gradually and uniformly throughout the hair. In contrast, the butterfly haircut focuses on creating a specific shape with two distinct sections of layers. This style effectively offers a two-in-one look: the shorter layers mimic a short hairstyle, creating bouncy layers that frame the face and add significant volume and lift. Meanwhile, the longer layers flow gracefully underneath, maintaining the overall length of the hair.
What’s the Difference Between a Wolf Cut and a Butterfly Cut?
Like the butterfly cut, the wolf cut also includes layers and dimensions, with both styles being a popular choice for fashion-forward individuals.
Although there can be different variations of the butterfly cut, the style of the cut tends to lean more towards a more polished, refined and elegant look rather than messy and undone. In contrast to the softer nature of the butterfly cut the wolf cut is a bolder and edgier choice.
The wolf cut embodies a rebellious and wild look, often associated with the punk era. It blends elements of a shag and a mullet, featuring an unstructured style with choppy layers and wispy ends. A defining characteristic of the wolf cut is its layered texture, which creates depth and movement. This technique allows the hair to flow naturally, enhancing the ‘untamed’ allure and carefree spirit of the style.
Key Considerations for a Butterfly Haircut
The butterfly cut is versatile and suits most hair types, textures, and lengths.
Straight Hair
While the butterfly cut is often linked to fuller, thicker hair, it can also be effective on straight hair and add volume. The secret lies in using shorter, thinned-out layers, especially around the face. To enhance the definition of these layers, it’s best to apply a lightweight styling product.
Wavy Hair
The butterfly cut is a great choice for wavy hair, with its focus on enhancing and defining waves. As mentioned, incorporating the layers reduces the weight and bulk as well as removes split ends and damaged hair. As a result, the hair feels lighter, healthier and bouncier!
Medium/long hair
The butterfly cut works particularly well for medium to long hair as the layers can be layered extensively and are more pronounced. A longer length allows for more eye-catching and effective results, with layers that frame the face beautifully and add movement and dimension to the hair. For shorter hair, it’s a bit trickier as the butterfly cut requires more length to support the layering effect, which defines the look.
Maintenance
Maintaining the butterfly cut is relatively easy, regular trims every 6-8 weeks are important to keep the layers looking fresh and prevent split ends. For added definition when styling, try using Goldwell’s Powerwip Ultra Strengthening Mousse to add a boost of body and lift, this will keep the waves defined as well as the layers looking soft.
Styling Preferences
As mentioned, one of the benefits of the butterfly cut is its versatility. The length and density of the layers can be customised based on factors such as hair texture or face shape.
You can also adapt it to suit individual preferences, for example, you can easily style a fringe to blend in with the shorter layers, they encourage the flow of your locks and frame the face further, working with the shorter layers at the front of the hair.
The layers are also customisable, when selecting layers, consider factors such as texture. For example, finer hair types can opt for feathered ends, so the hair appears fuller and more dimensional. Additionally, those with finer hair can choose shorter face-framing layers to add extra volume and movement.
Professional Consultation
Consulting with a Rush stylist at one of our salons can help to determine the best customisable options, such as length and cut, considering factors such as face shape and lifestyle.
How Should I Ask My Stylist for a Butterfly Haircut?
When asking my stylist for a butterfly cut, there are some details to keep in mind to ensure you get the look you want.
It is always a good idea to bring any photographs or screenshots of the butterfly cut, highlighting the parts of this style you like the most, such as length, style or texture. A visual reference helps your stylist to better understand your vision and provides a clear direction.
It is also important to communicate your hair type and lifestyle, for example, how much time you are willing to spend styling your hair each day, your stylist can offer advice on how to style and maintain the look at home and recommend products to use.
Butterfly Haircut Inspiration
Layered style with big waves
The Butterfly Cut with a layered style and waves is a glamorous version of the style! Seen on celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, it focuses on larger layers that flow beautifully, creating a bouncy and voluminous effect.
A curling wand with a larger barrel is ideal for styling, for added volume, add Velcro rollers after curling each section, starting at the end of the hair and then rolling upwards and away from the face.
This version of the style works best on medium to long hair that tends to be thicker, curlier and with more texture.
Butterfly Cut with a fringe
The butterfly cut with a fringe combines the layered structure of the style with a face-framing fringe. Kate Middleton has been spotted sporting this style, and it works perfectly with the butterfly cut as it can be styled to encourage the flow and frame the face further, working with the shorter layers at the front of the hair.
To style, use a large round brush when blow drying, ensuring that you lift at the roots and use a volumising mousse, such as Goldwell’s Power Whip Ultra Strengthening Mousse – this is key for enhancing the extra layers.
This style works best on medium to long hairstyles, and best compliments wavy and slightly more textured hair types. However, this could still work on shorter, straighter hair types with the correct technique.
Sleek Butterfly Cut
The butterfly cut can be tailored for a sleek, polished style that is ideal for straighter hair. Seen on celebrities such as Jennifer Anniston, this version focuses on clean defined layers.
This version is great for straighter hair with its focus on a sleek and smooth finish. The layers are carefully blended to maintain a sleek, soft and flowing appearance, creating a dimensional style that frames that face beautifully.
When going for a sleek and defined approach, to get the best results style, use a flat iron as this will smooth and define the layers. Also, apply a smoothing serum to add shine and reduce any frizz for a sleek and polished look.
Butterfly Haircut for shorter hair
Although typically associated with long hair, it can also be adapted beautifully for shorter lengths that fall between chin-length and shoulder-length.
For shorter versions of the butterfly cut, as seen on celebrities such as Zendeya, it is all about voluminous layers up top that transition into longer, feathered layers to create the soft fluttery effect.
To style, use a large round brush when blow drying, ensuring that you lift at the roots and use a volumising mousse, such as Goldwell’s Power Whip Ultra Strengthening Mousse. Use a curling wand to style, turning outwards for the flicks at the end. The Butterfly cut can add a modern and fresh feel to your look.
Maintaining a Butterfly Haircut
Maintaining a butterfly cut isn’t difficult, however, it does require a bit of TLC to keep the layers looking fresh and healthy. As mentioned, regular trims every 6-8 weeks are important to prevent split ends and maintain the shape and silhouette.
Layer-friendly products, such as lightweight volumising mousses or texturising sprays, are great to use when styling at home, as they can help enhance the cut’s movement and definition. Additionally, using a hair dryer with a round brush will also help to emphasise the layers. Incorporating a leave-in conditioner or heat protectant is also key to keeping your hair smooth and minimising damage, especially when using hot tools to style.
Styling Techniques for a Butterfly Haircut
Styling a butterfly cut offers lots of options with plenty of ways to enhance its effect. For added volume blow dry at the crown using a round, lifting right at the root when drying and then finishing with a cool shot to set.
There is also the option to go for a sleek and smooth approach, using a flat iron is a great technique to smooth and define the layers. Start by sectioning the hair and gently running the flat iron down each layer, curling inwards before reaching the tips, then apply a smoothing serum to protect and nourish the hair. With this approach, the focus is on the ends and ensuring the layers are smooth and sleek to emphasise the structure. Finish with a shine spray for a glossy and sleek look.
If you find it easier to use a curling wand to create waves, then this is also a great option and guarantees lots of volume! A curling wand with a larger barrel is ideal, and curl away from your space when styling. For added volume, add Velcro rollers after curling each section, starting at the end of the hair and then rolling upwards and away from the face. Once you’ve finished curling and taken out the rollers (after letting it set for a sufficient amount of time), finish with a texturizing spray to break up the curls to create a tousled look.
It’s important to consider hair types and which products will achieve the best results, as tailoring product choices will make all the difference when it comes to styling. For fine hair, volumising products, such as mousse, are great as this will add life and body, making the layers appear fuller and more defined. For thicker hair, a lightweight cream works well to provide control and help the layers lay smoothly while still allowing movement. For curly hair, using a diffuser when blow-drying will work wonders in enhancing texture and defining.
Your Rush stylist will be happy to recommend the right products to ensure you have the right tools to style your butterfly cut at home.
You can elevate your butterfly cut and take it to the next level by incorporating accessories such as decorative pins, clips and scarfs to highlight the layers and add a touch of personal flair.
Conclusion
The enduring popularity of the butterfly cut lies largely in its versatility. The layered nature of the style is ultra-flattering and suits a wide variety of face shapes and hair types. The cut is extremely adaptable and offers endless options to customise and add your personal touch.
Book Your Butterfly Cut Hair Appointment at Rush
Ready to refresh your look? Book your appointment at RUSH today and let our expert stylists create the perfect bespoke Butterfly Cut.
FAQ's
What is the butterfly cut haircut?
The butterfly haircut is a layered style that resembles the wings of a butterfly. Its shape is typically round, which adds significant volume to the hairstyle.
What is the difference between a butterfly haircut and layers?
The butterfly haircut is characterised by its distinct layering, which sets it apart from a traditional layered haircut. One of the main differences is that typical layered cuts tend to blend gradually and uniformly throughout the hair.
What face shape is a butterfly haircut for?
The butterfly haircut suits most face shapes and can be adapted to complement. Longer layers flatter round faces, soft framing suits square face shapes, jawline layers balance heart shapes, and oval face shapes can wear any variations.
Can a butterfly haircut work on short hair?
For shorter hair, it’s a bit trickier as the butterfly cut requires more length to support the layering effect, which defines the look.
Is the butterfly haircut high maintenance?
Maintaining the butterfly cut is relatively easy, regular trims every 6-8 weeks are important to keep the layers looking fresh and prevent split ends.
Which is better, wolf cut, or butterfly cut?
The wolf cut is edgy, bold and textured, while the butterfly cut is softer and more versatile. Your choice depends on personal style and hair
