When I heard the butterfly cut name at first I thought it was just another made-up way to describe a cut in a video or on Pinterest that just doesn’t translate to the real world. I was wrong, and I’m glad for it. The butterfly cut works due to the interior layering. The client gets a volume explosion around the crown and mid-lengths without losing any length. It also gives that casual layered look to your ends, which is the holy grail for every person who has sat in my chair and said ‘I want it to look different but don’t take anything off.’ The butterfly cut does that.
I truly mean it when I say this cut looks different on everyone, and I have hundreds of these under my belt. The way those shorter interior layers kick out is really determined by your hair texture and density as well as your natural movement. Because of this, no two cuts will ever be the same and I find that super creative. I had a client last year who, no lie, had the flattest hair ever. It was so lifeless and so sad. Then I cut in the layers and she walked out looking like a different person. Her husband didn’t even recognize her in the parking lot! That’s what motivates my creativity with this cut and the styles I’m going to show you below are going to demonstrate exactly what I mean.
#1: That Long Layered Butterfly That Makes Everything Easier
This is what I would classify as an entry level butterfly cut, and is the type I recommend to clients who don’t want to go too extreme but still want to attempt a change to their hair after leaving the salon. The layers are long enough to fall and catch the light and move, and most importantly, the face framing pieces do their job without yelling “I HAVE LAYERS” as other cuts tend to. If your straight hair just hangs there looking bored, this is going to completely change that. With a round brush and some blow drying, all the layers will be very defined, but honestly air drying will be just fine with this cut too.
#2: The Long Soft Butterfly That Fakes Thicker Hair
What I appreciate about this style for fine hair is the way it creates the illusion of greater density. The layers fall almost like a butterfly’s wings. It offers an amazing volume and fullness that other shampoos and extensions just can’t achieve. The face framing layers are also really soft and not too chunky which is super important because a lot of layering like that can really date a style. You could definitely do it in less than 10 minutes and look super polished which is the goal!
#3: Brunette Balayage Butterfly with All That Movement
The balayage has been done immaculately, showcasing every individual layer. The warm brown tones illuminate at every single level, creating that depth that single-process color simply cannot achieve. This is a phenomenal example of the magic that happens when a great color is paired with an even better cut. When I converse with clients, I’m straightforward that if you are going to spend that much on a balayage, you absolutely need to get a cut that shows it off. This is the cut that really does the work. The waves are just the right amount of relaxed, and if you possess the gift of naturally wavy hair, you will understand how low maintenance this will be.
#4: Warm-Toned Butterfly with Those Perfect Face Pieces
The cut really pulls this look together. The use of colour is also nice, but the framing layers are perfect. They graze the cheekbones and jawline so they are a good length. A lot of butterfly cuts I see get this too short so it looks like two haircuts at once, but this one got it right. I also really like it without the polishing. If you want a sleek finish, you can achieve that easily with a smoothing serum.
#5: The Soft Butterfly for When You Want Volume Without Trying
This is what I call the butterfly cut and is the style I give to clients who claim to have exactly seven minutes for their hair each morning, not one single second more. The layers are soft enough that they don’t look too chunky if you want to skip to the hot tools, but they are going to be those structured layers that with just a bit of light mousse and some scrunching will achieve that effortless look that everyone is always trying to get. The length is also in that sweet spot, not so long that it weighs the layers down, but not so short that you lose the butterfly effect. It is just a really great balanced cut and I wish I saw more cuts done this well.
#6: Long Butterfly with Full Bangs That Actually Works
Butterfly cuts paired with full bangs is a daring choice. But when it works = it works! The bangs definitely add a new dimension to the cut and show off the detailing of the layers more. With this, the bangs frame the face, and the feathery layers will blend will with the bangs, so it will all look like a flowing shape. But just an FYI, if you get annoyed by hair in your face, or you live in a humid area, full bangs are a lifestyle commitment. But if you are ready for that, this combo will give a softness that is hard to get otherwise.
#7 Big Volume Butterfly with the Curtain Bangs Everyone Wants
I totally understand that some haircuts can be really triangle-y, especially when you have super thick hair. This is the cut I would give you. Ends don’t flip out like that by themselves. That’s because of layering that’s done just right so that the hair releases outwards, rather than just falling straight down. The curtain bangs will be soft and blend in with the rest of the face framing cut and it’ll look great if you have fuller cheeks or a more rounded jaw. You will definitely need a round brush and some heat for this amount of bounce, but it will give you the kind of volume that looks intentional and polished rather than the I just rolled out of bed, and this looks terrible kind of vibe.
#8 Warm-Toned Butterfly with Highlights That Actually Look Natural
The details in the highlights and how they are placed are what sells the whole thing for me. Every time the hair moves, there’s a warm flash, a shadow, and then a warmth again. It gives the hair almost a 3D quality that flat color wouldn’t give. The butterfly cut is one of the most basic shapes, and this is a very classic butterfly cut. It doesn’t need to be something wild because the color is pulling its weight. If you tend to look washed out in cooler tones, this whole warm palette situation would probably be incredible on you.
#9 The Below-the-Shoulders Butterfly That Keeps It Simple
I adore the easy-going butterfly style cut and this one captures that vibe perfectly, where it’s obviously been done but just looks effortless. The length sits just above the shoulders which gives versatility as you can put it up, leave it down, curl or straighten it and it will still look like an intentional hairstyle. The highlights offer enough contrast to keep it interesting without overpowering the cut. This length is perfect for finer hair as you won’t have to deal with the weight that is pulling everything down.
#10 Gentle Waved Butterfly That Looks Like You Didn’t Try
Wearing a nice outfit and coming in jeans and a white tee is very similar to this hairstyle and gives off an attention stealing vibe. The waves seem to hover just above showing the layers which provide a lot of good texture. There is that, “I woke up like this,” look and it is really difficult to create that effect if it’s on purpose. The best haircuts are designed to work WITH your hair and if you have slight natural waves this will definitely shine through. The highlights are just bright enough to keep everything looking fresh and she still looks very natural.
#11 Curly Butterfly Bob with That Perfect Fringe
It makes me sad to see the butterfly cut hairstyle being done by so few people with shorter curlier hair. LOOK AT THIS! With chin-length layers, the curls can bounce freely instead of being weighed down, and that soft fringe is charmingly retro-modern. If your curls are wild and not subdued then don’t worry because with layers you will be able to direct your curls instead of creating some chaotic tangle. I’ll be truthful, a good curl cream is an absolute must and you will have to put in the work with the cut for this style to look great but this cut is the thing that will do the most work.
#12 That Effortless Wavy Butterfly for Natural Texture
For each of my clients with medium to thick hair, I would like to do something like this. I want the layers to be cut at the right places to remove excess bulk so the hair doesn’t look thin and allows the natural wave pattern to show instead of hiding it under too much hair. I have seen women shocked by how their hair moves after they shake their head because they have never had a cut like this before. The highlight shift and the layers give enough movement so you could walk out the door without using any hot tools and still feel great.
#13 Clean Layered Butterfly with Seamless Blending
While there are many layers in this haircut, they are not obvious, but still achieve the intended effect of the butterfly cut. There are no clear differences in the flow of the shorter interior layers compared to the longer exterior layers, which takes real skill. This is the kind of haircut that gets the comment “Your hair looks great!” without the person being able to elaborate why, which is a great compliment to the stylist. It looks great whether you wear it wavy or straight. To maintain this great look, expect to come in for trims every 8 weeks.
#14 That Copper Butterfly That’s Begging For Attention
This copper is stunning! Depending on the light it can look like a deep auburn, or bright copper which is amazing. When the color is combined with butterfly layering, it looks so rich and textured. The cut is chin length which gives it that modern and edgy feel. The layers are all cut at different lengths which will help to add some texture, otherwise the color may end up reading a little too heavy, and one-dimensional. If you’ve been thinking about getting a copper color, this is the one you need to take to your colorist! Just remember that reds tend to fade, so a color-depositing shampoo will be key to keeping it fresh.
#15 Wavy Butterfly with Highlights That Catch Everything
This hairstyle uses highlights to emphasize the waves which is very smart. The way weaves are highlighted and reflect light on every curl adds so much dimension to the style. The face framing layers that sit right on the cheekbones add a really nice softness, particularly on heart shapes where you want to balance a narrower chin. If you have frizzier hair, make sure to use a smoothing product because the waves need to be defined and controlled.
#16 Warm Copper Butterfly with Texture for Days
I’m not even mad about the copper situation because this one is different. The waves are more intentional & structured, plus the layering creates gorgeous, cascading shapes through the mids which makes the whole thing almost sculptural. What I love about a butterfly cut with a warm tone like this is the layers create natural shadow & light within the hair, so even a solid colour will look multidimensional. This cut is going to let your natural texture do the talking and you will hardly need to use a styling tool. This cut will do the most if you have natural curl & wave.
#17 Curly Chestnut Butterfly with Serious Depth
My recommended hairstyle will always be curls with chestnut brown. I love how the color’s depth and the curls’ structure complement each other. The butterfly layers on thick curly hair work perfectly, removing bulk in the right spots so the curls can actually bounce up instead of being weighed down. If you’ve had a curly haircut where your curls were flat in the first two days, it was due to poorly done layers. This is how it has to be. Hydration is a must, so you’ll want to deep condition your curls at least once a week.
#18 Beachy Butterfly That Lives at the Shore
Some beachy waves can remind you of a day at the beach, while others can give off the impression that a person spent hours in the bathroom. This cut gives off the beach vibe. The shape and texture of the cut give off an effortlessly soft touch while the layers break the waves, stopping them from clumping together. All together, the cut gives off a laid back Californian vibe, perfect for the sunny SoCal and even if you happen to be a tad more landlocked in Ohio. For this look to be at its best, the sweet spot is around the shoulders as the waves need some space to develop and also not long enough for the hair to be weighed down. Gentle hair takes the guesswork out of it. It may look like there are no layers from the outside, and then people will look away.
#19 Layered Butterfly with Bangs and Zero Fuss
The bangs are soft enough to not overpower the rest of the look, and rather provide an accent to tie the whole look together. With a butterfly cut, I prefer the bangs to be blended so seamlessly that you can’t tell where the bangs end and where the face framing starts, and that is exactly what we have here. The remaining layers fall in to some waves you could achieve by just twisting sections of your hair while it air dries (no heat, no effort). This is a “I just rolled out of bed” hairstyle but you look really put together. And honestly what more could you want from a hairstyle?
#20 Textured Medium Butterfly with Highlights That Whisper
I refer to these as *whisper highlights* since they are so soft and subtle, you may even question if they exist, but once you see them in movement, they catch the light and create a beautiful effect! On a butterfly cut like this with lots of texture, soft highlights are the best option as the cut has so much dimension, and chunky colour would just contrast. The waves look loose and effortless, the layers perfectly blended, and the whole style is polished without looking like you put in a ton of effort. I recommend this for those of you who are busy and want a haircut that works just as hard as you do!
#21 Soft Medium Butterfly That Whispers Volume
This haircut is one of those where the philosophy of ‘ less is more’ makes perfect sense. The layers, highlights, and texture is more smooth than crunchy, but the overall look is healthy and full while maintaining a polished look. If the hair is finer, this kind of layering gives the illusion of more hair without sacrificing any of the length that’s been kept. The face framing is soft, and the shape is very polished. It really makes you think about all the times you’ve tried to do something more complicated.
#22 Copper Butterfly with Waves That Just Glow
I don’t mean to offend you, but I don’t think this is a bad hair color. I really enjoy the brightness and the layering of the hairstyle. The warm face frame waves are soft and help the hair from looking too costume-y. If you have copper hair and are worried it will be overpowering, look at this. This hairstyle is perfect for medium to fine hair as it gives a lot of volume and body to your hair. Just be ready to touch up the color because no one wants to be in a brassy situation.
#23 That Red Curly Bob Butterfly Situation
The inner butterfly layering is what gives it the beautiful shape and movement. I wanted to make this point because not every butterfly cut needs to be long and flowing. The curls here are sitting right above the shoulders and the layers allow them to bounce in a really playful way that adds so much more personality to the look. The red is warm, vibrant, and is super right for this cut because a flat color would have made it look completely different and so much less interesting. If you’ve got a round face and have been told to stay away from shorter cuts, ignore that advice because this is proof they were wrong.
#24 Textured Butterfly with Soft Bangs and a Whole Mood
The confidence this cut exudes stems from the subtle bangs and layered texture. It has a distinct unforced quality and looks well put together overall. There is a pleasing balance in the waves that allows them to look soft and professional but just edgy enough. The layering here is especially considered for those with finer hair that tends to lack body. This cut helps you steer clear of the scraggly ends that often come with fine hair and are the unfortunate trade off with this kind of layering.
#25 Shoulder-Length Butterfly with Waves and a Light Balayage
Do you want to brighten your hair but don’t want to commit to highlights? This light balayage butterfly cut is for you! The cut is a great place to start, and the waves help give an effortless look at the color-ends, while the layers create contrast from the color so it looks perfectly lived in, and paired with the length it offers nice versatility to wear it up or change your style easily. The layered butter cut also creates the appearance of thickness in the hair, great for anyone with fine hair. Styling it only takes 15 minutes with a 1.25 inch curling iron to create the waves, and it looks amazing!
#26 Layered Butterfly with Face-Framing That Does the Work
I love that this butterfly cut has a face framing layer that really sets it apart and the other layers just support it without drawing as much attention. It looks so effortless and gives the illusion of texture and waves when in reality it really is. If you have fine hair, I would definitely recommend this cut because it so well layered. You’d want to be on top of trims to avoid the face framing layers being stringy, but other than that, it’s low maintenance and high reward.
#27 Sun-Kissed Butterfly with That Balayage Glow
This balayage looks awesome! It has that natural look of being lighter at the ends and around the face, which is what good balayage is supposed to do. Lots of times that is missed. The butterfly layers allow the color gradient to shine through at every level of the cut, so you get the dimension that a blunt cut would completely flatten. The texture is smooth and gone are the days where medium density hair like this gets weighed down by layers that make it fall like a curtain. It is a fantastic combination of cut and color!
#28. Voluminous Butterfly with Soft Movement That Speaks for Itself
This haircut takes advantage of the model’s hair’s natural waves, instead of trying to make it do something that it wouldn’t do, like override the natural waves. It’s blended layers give a healthy and bouncy look to the fullness through the crown and mid-lengths. If you have a natural wave pattern and have been fighting the good fight with your flat iron, you have a reason to get a haircut like this one, because the hair is literally trying to look nice (and you’re telling it to do the opposite). The cut will do the work and a treatment will add some shine and gloss.
#29 Wispy Bangs Butterfly That Floats
The wispy bangs add a certain lightness to the entire look which is quite ethereal. Not a word I would typically use for hair but in this case it applies perfectly. The soft gentle layers and the delicate waves with bangs that are sheer enough to show a little bit of forehead really makes the look light even with all that hair. I would recommend this haircut to anyone who has been doing long layers for ages and wants something that looks really different without going dramatically shorter. It is a subtle change with a huge impact and the bangs are the type that grow out really gracefully if you change your mind about them.
#30 Modern Curly Butterfly That Knows Exactly What It’s Doing
The way the curls in this haircut are just defined enough to appear intentional, yet not so defined to appear stiff, is honestly the hardest part about dealing with curly hair and layered cuts. The shoulder grazing length is keeping the weight just right so that the curls don’t get too stretchy at the top and too wild at the bottom. That is literally the number one complaint I hear from curly clients who have the wrong cut. The butterfly layering will be great for volume control, and will give you a very nice flattering shape from all the different angles. If you have medium to thick curly hair, and your current cut gives you a mushroom look from the side, PLEASE take this picture to your stylist.
#31 Layered Butterfly with Highlights That Know Their Place
These highlights are placed perfectly where the layers flip and fall. This means every time the hair moves, you get a reflective pop, adding dimension to the entire cut. For softer face shapes, the layering in the front is quite nice as it adds a rounding effect, and the medium length keeps everything in proportion. I’ve done this exact style on first-time highlight clients and they all walked out smiling. It adds enough color to notice, but not enough to feel like a big change.
#32 Mid-Length Wavy Butterfly That Just Works
This haircut embodies just that. It works. The cuts may do all the talking, but those soft natural waves are something else. The mid-length is flexible enough that you can do pretty much anything with it. The added light layers prevent the waves from weighing down too much. And the face framing adds just enough to look styled even when it’s not. If you were to use some texturizing spray, scrunch, and go, you’d have a quick, effortless style. That’s what we’re all looking for, isn’t it?
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