Most recently, someone who got in my chair requesting a butterfly cut showed me a picture of what was clearly a blowout with extensions and said, \”I want this but low maintenance.\” I respect the audacity, because I suppose that is what every woman over thirty wants; hair that looks like it took an hour, but took twelve minutes and a prayer. The butterfly cut is a hair trend I don’t mind co-signing. It really is such an effortless look, and it is what this cut is all about. The trend involves layers that do all the work for you. The top layers are cut much shorter which creates lift and movement around your face and the longer layers that are cut keep everything looking intentional.
This trend has so much structure and so much movement, which we love to see. We’ll keep this cut and I’ll show you why. I love it because it is so versatile. I love it because with the hair this fine you can read through it, and with the hair this thick, the cut is for three people. The cut is very versatile for completely different hair. The butterfly cut is forgiving for different hair types. The butterfly cut is hugely dependent on where your stylist places your inner layers so make sure your stylist knows what they are doing.
When inner layers are placed incorrectly, it can have a very different effect resulting in you potentially having a 2004 Rachel Green cut instead of a modern lived in effect. Here are 25 butterfly cuts that you should definitely show your stylist. I have opinions on every single one of them.
#1: The Kind of Layers That Make You Look Like You Didn’t Even Try
When working with clients who want layers without looking like they have layers, I opt for this particular cut as the movement looks very natural. Finished with subtle highlights woven through the layers, the styles give the hair a simple, golden and sun-kissed glow that complements your skin. This cut is particularly best for fine hair as it gives the appearance of more hair without actually needing a thicker head of hair. A lightweight volumizing mousse will do the trick, and once you scrunch it while it’s damp, you’re all set!
#2 Long and Polished Without Being Boring About It
Check out this butterfly cut by a density handler on someone with real thickness! Those layers are sitting so beautifully because they were cut to fall with gravity rather than against it, and the highlights are so well placed they look like reflections in the hair. If I had the length I’d live in this cut, but for those of you that do, and you’re committing to trims every eight weeks or those layers start blending into each other and you lose the whole effect.
#3 Warm Balayage That Actually Looks Like It Belongs On Your Head
I’m not a fan of balayage that make the ends look like they’re dipped in bleach, so this one makes me happy. The warmth in these tones goes beautifully with the cut, and the layers have enough texture to keep it interesting without stepping into the ‘I just got my hair done at a festival’ territory. This mid-length is such a great option for those who want to feel like they have long hair, but without the hassle of having long hair. Plus, the movement created by those interior layers means that you can just air dry your hair and still look like you put in a ton of effort!
#4 Copper That’s Worth the Commitment
To be honest, I am a copper evangelist and I am more than happy to sell this color to anyone who’s skin tone can handle it, because when it’s good, IT’S GOOD. This particular copper is warm enough to read vibrant without looking costume-y. Those curtain bangs and face-framing layers are truly one of my favorite things a butterfly cut can achieve. Here’s where I level with you though, copper fades faster than any of the other fashion-adjacent colors. So, color depositing shampoo is a must, and you are gonna have to use it.
#5 Bangs That Won’t Ruin Your Life
My success rate for persuading women to get bangs is far greater than the number who actually get them, so when I say these bangs are good, trust me. They are soft enough that if we’re three weeks past a trim, and they’re hitting your eyelashes in a weird way, it’s all good. Just sweep them aside and no one will notice. The rich brown here has depth to it that makes the whole cut feel expensive, and thank God the layers aren’t overdone. Sometimes the best thing a stylist can do is not do much, and whoever did this understands that. The bangs are the stars and everything else is just there to support them.
#6 Textured and Real in the Best Way
These are giving mom moments and I love it! She looks super nice and presentable for school pick ups. And about the bangs. They look soft and not too wispy like they are just going to disappear. The layers look like someone actually did use some texturizing spray. I like this style the most on medium to thick hair because then enough weight is removed from the layering that it can move so well without going flat on day 2. If you have a round face those face framing layers will look so good on you!
#7 Sleek Layers That Let the Cut Speak for Itself
Bangs, highlights, and other textures are sometimes not necessary. All that is really needed is a good haircut paired with great hair and the confidence to pull off a simple style. That is the point. These layers give just the right amount of movement to steer clear of a mono-length blunt look, while also being just enough that a blowout would give a super refined look. If your hair lies flat, a round brush blowout through those layers will add the necessary lift to make this cut pop.
#8 Shoulder-Length with a Fringe That Knows Its Place
I appreciate the confidence of women stating they wish to grow their hair out, only to stop at shoulder length because they like it there. Just admit it. This is your length. The fringe here is soft enough so as to not overwhelm your face, and the layering gives you dimension without risk of looking fine which is the risk I know with less hair. There’s an overall softness to this that seems effortless, but I want to be clear, “effortless” means you will want to put a lightweight serum on the ends so it doesn’t get fuzzy.
#9 Caramel Highlights Doing Exactly What They Should
These layers have stunning caramel highlights, and I wish more colorists learned to do this type of highlight placement. These highlights aren’t just placed on top of the hair; they are blended into the movement of the cut. This means that when the hair swings, the highlights catch the light in different spots. The bangs have just the right amount of weight for a face that wants a softness without fully going in for the fringe, and the layering gives it a wave to keep it from looking flat and one dimensional. I can honestly go three days without washing my hair with this cut, and it just keeps getting better.
#10 Understated and Absolutely Nailing It
A butterfly cut doesn’t have to have a ton of volume, and this is a great example of that. The layers are just working enough to give volume through the mid-lengths so that the whole thing looks healthy, without screaming “I HAVE LAYERS.” I would recommend this cut to someone about to get layers for the first time and is nervous about the commitment. It’s subtle enough that if you hate it, which you won’t, it grows out beautifully. This is especially great for finer hair because nothing is over-texturized or thinned out too aggressively.
#11 Wispy Bangs and Brunette Richness
Nothing epitomizes chic style quite like a deep brunette with wispy bangs, and this cut certainly embraces that. The soft mid-length layers keep the weight where you want it but still give you that butterfly shape up top. This style is ideal for a wash and go. You can just let it do its thing, especially if you scrape in a little leave-in condition while the hair is still damp. The bangs will be the only part that asks anything of you and even they’re low maintenance.
#12 Airy Layers with a Sunlit Finish
There is an ease about this hairstyle and an effortless glow as if you have just returned from a lovely getaway. The balayage is done cleverly close to the top layers, providing a light look without being overly striated. The face-framing layers work well, providing just enough focus to create some nice guiding effect. This is a great cut for oval or heart-shaped faces as it can appear like you have styled it to fit perfectly around our bone structure, which is the case, but, of course, it won’t look like you made that much effort.
#13 Feathered and Free Without the 70s Connotation
By “feathered,” I do not mean Farrah Fawcett. I mean the tips are cut so they taper and flow like real feathers rather than sitting blunt. The balayage here is quite clever and restrained, just enough to add some dimension so the layers have definition without competing against one another. This is an amazing cut for straight hair because it creates that “didn’t do anything” look, and the layering adds movement that just wasn’t there before. Those feathered ends will need trims every six to eight weeks to keep them to keep them from looking scraggly.
#14 Soft Layers That Let Fine Hair Shine
If you’ve been told to avoid cutting layers when you have fine hair, then you need to hear a different perspective on fine hair. The purpose of this haircut is for layers to be targeted at specific places, and not be choppy. The hair around the face creates an *illusion* of fullness, and the rest of the hair holds enough weight to not be see-through. This style is ideal for root lifting spray. Spray the crown and blow dry, and you will achieve excellent volume that will give the hair a new dimension.
#15 Highlighted Waves That Feel Effortless and Alive
Approximately 80% of the job is reliant on the hair’s natural wave and the cut just happens to complement it. The highlights around the face are brightening and don’t give that ‘I just got my hair done’ look which I know some people love but think is a bit obvious. This is low maintenance for people who already have texture to play with, as the layers highlight what is already there instead of trying to create something from scratch. If your hair does this naturally, then this is your cut, and congrats to you.
#16 Clean and Sophisticated with Room to Play
Your appraisal of the intricacy in this instance is warranted as it is also true that many of the other styles would require more effort to achieve an effect as impactful as this. The layers are soft and modern and the balayage is warm enough to provide dimension without being overpowering. The form is ideal for any sort of styling, particularly if you prefer to just let it air dry and do nothing on a Saturday or if you want to do a bit of styling. With fine to medium hair, the cut delivers on what most cuts promise. It provides volume to the hair without adding any bulk, which is a rare find with most cuts.
#17 Warm Highlights Woven Through Long Layers
Like I’ve said before, if you have some wave to your hair, and some density, I would absolutely say this is the most flattering combo of cut and color you could ask for. The way warm tones are woven on the layers creates movement even when the hair is just hanging there, and the face framing highlights are subtle enough to soften without being the focus. The layering around the face is what seals the deal on this. Yes the upkeep on the highlights is a thing and you knew that when you sat down.
#18 Playful Waves with Depth That Goes On Forever
A dark base with lightened ends is done with a softer touch, and this is perfect for that! The waves keep it polished and not too serious. The layers are soft enough to just complement the waves and not distract from that. If you have thinner hair and think this won’t work for you go get a 1.25 inch curling iron and loosely wrap random pieces away from your face. You’ll achieve this look in about ten minutes and wonder why you didn’t do it earlier.
#19 Bouncy Layers That Justify the Effort
With this look, there is some styling involved, but the end result is more than worth it. Layers starting just around the chin create an elegant border without shortening the length and the mid shaft volume is just *chef’s kiss*. If you have thick hair, this will definitely be your go-to style because the internal weight of the layers is just the right amount removed so that all the hair can move and bounce freely without being weighed down. The soft highlights add a touch of interest but aren’t anything distracting by themselves.
#20 Auburn Butterfly Layers That Deserve Appreciation
Let’s talk about the iris auburn color because I am absolutely obsessed! The warmth of this color paired with the soft face-framing layers really brings this entire look to life. And those face-framing layers with the soft natural curls are absolutely thriving within this cut structure. This is what happens when a true textured butterfly cut is created because the layers form beautiful cascading pieces that capture light and reflect it in so many different ways depending on how the curl falls. If you have curls or waves and have been apprehensive about a butterfly cut, let this be the picture you take to your next hair appointment!
#21 Shoulder-Length Waves With That Golden Glow
The length is great for a nice polished look with no effort (which is a compliment, trust me). With your highlights and waves, I can sense your warmth and personality, but the true art is in the layers. They add excellent movement and even on a day where your hair is flat, there’s still going to be some action. If your hair is not wavy naturally, just a few bends with an iron on alternating sections will give you the waves in no time.
#22 Root-to-End Dimension Without Trying Too Hard
I love hair color that starts with dark roots, then transitions to lighter color ends, because it looks very high end and along with that, it grows out beautifully so you do not need to be tied to a salon every six weeks. I also love that for this cut, the layers are just slightly waved, I feel like it makes the entire cut look more relaxed and more laid back. I think for fine to medium hair this looks really good because you get the most movement without it weighing you down too much. When you want more texture to your hair on those days, using a sea salt spray and doing a little scrunch will really accentuate the waves.
#23 Long Balayage Layers That Are Worth the Maintenance
I can honestly say I see long hair warm balayage being requested a lot, and more times than not, the execution is poor and looks like a highlight gone wrong. This is not that. The warm tones with the layers are perfect, and with every move, there is a slight reveal of a different shade. That is what balayage should accomplish, and most of the time, does not. If you want to keep this as bright as it is now, color maintenance is in your future. The best interval to come in is every 10 to 12 weeks. But because this color is not lining up too harsh with your roots, you have some leeway.
#24 Volume and Movement in Perfect Proportion
This is the cut for you if you want your hair to look like it’s always moving! The clever layering creates volume through mid-lengths without the ends looking thin. That means you get body and length! Most people think they have to choose between these two things. This is super flattering for medium to thick hair, as it funnles all that density instead of letting it sit like a curtain. All I ask is that some flexible hold hairspray keeps those waves in place without making them crunchy.
#25 Bouncy Layers and Soft Bangs That Just Work Together
I consider this the cut I would send someone home with if they were to sit down and say, “I want to look fun.” Because it really is fun hair. The bangs are soft and move. The layers have a bounce that thick hair does not get to enjoy without a serious thinning, and the whole thing has an energy to it that is youthful without trying to look twenty. The volume here comes from the layers working with the natural density of the hair instead of against it, and that is the difference between a good butterfly cut and one that looks just layers for the sake of layers.
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