This is what I think about the butterfly cut.
I remember a few years ago I worked for a client who had thick, waist long hair. She told me it just felt like hair. Like a curtain. No personality. No movement. Just there. After giving her a butterfly cut, she ended up crying because she had no idea hair like hers could look good without going short. That’s what a lot of people don’t realize about this cut until they see it on themselves. They think it’s just the layers, but in reality, it’s about the movement. The short pieces near the face and crown give the hair an upswing. With all the long pieces still there, you don’t lose the drama. The whole look is definitely designed, but effortless at the same time.
It’s also really cool to see how the cut works differently on all hair types. On thick hair, it removes bulk at the perfect spots. With medium hair, it creates actual fullness. On wavy and curly hair, it lets the curls show instead of being weighed down. I really like all the directions we can take with this and I made a few of my favorite variations to show you.
#1: Lush Layers That Actually Move
This butterfly hairstyle suits mid-length hair. The volume with the mid-length layers will have you wanting to do a slow-mo hair flip. If you have thick hair, this cut will give you effortless styling. All you need to do is a round-brush blowout, and you’re good to go. You can add some loose waves if you like, too. Regardless of what you do to this forgiving shape, it will fall beautifully.
#2 That Perfect Lived-In Layer Situation
I really love the color here. The darker roots and lighter ends blend seamlessly and create a built-in dimension that even more enhances the layers. The amount of hair here is beautiful, and the waves are just enough to keep things fun. What I would say about this style is that the layers are doing a dual purpose, providing shape and that effortless movement as if you didn’t do anything. You will want to keep a smoothing serum on hand for this one, because in humidity, soft layers like this can get a little crazy.
#3 Purple Butterfly That Actually Works
I know I’ve brought this up before, but the butterfly cuts with these fashion colors are seriously so good. Just look at how rich the purple is! I love how the light bounces off the different layers and makes the cut shiny at every angle. The bangs are super wispy and the same goes for the framing around the face, which is just how it should be. I will say though, a color this bold will definitely require a bit of maintenance, but honestly if you’re going with a statement color, then this is the cut to do it with because it really shows off all the tones so well.
#4 Silver Ombre on Long Layers
Style, color, and cut really do seem to complement each other here. The silver ombre gives a modern, almost editorial, touch, while the butterfly layers keep it from being too harsh or costume-y. The only thing to consider is the thickness of the hair. Silver straight hair looks best in this particular texture, as silver hair is all about the light reflective properties. Be warned: if you want to put silver tones over previously colored hair, be prepared for a ton of maintenance. High quality purple shampoo and deep conditioner will be essential — you can’t skip either product.
#5 Wavy Texture with Sun-Kissed Dimension
This type of butterfly cut makes it look like you’ve been to a lovely holiday destination and your hair just does this naturally. It doesn’t, but that’s the beauty of having your layers cut just above wavy hair. The highlights are done in a way to ensure that even when the hair is spread out, the light hits the waves and adds dimension that a single-process color just won’t do. The density here is medium which is actually perfect for this look because there’s a lot of room for everything to shift around. A little sea salt spray scrunched in while damp and you’re good to go.
#6 Fine Hair Getting the Volume It Deserves
If you have fine hair, and people tell you that you can’t get layers, this is what I tell people. Of course you can, but it does require some consideration, and whoever did this put that consideration in! The layers are soft, so they don’t make the ends look thin, but they do create enough separation to make it look like much more hair than there is. The subtle highlights are great because they add some dimension and visual texture to the hair where it might fall a little flat. This is a great, clean example of a butterfly cut that doesn’t require a lot of hair to pull off!
#7 Red That Demands a Second Look
This is a great example of what long layered hair in a rich red color looks like. The color gives off the warmest glow, and the soft romantic waves give a vintage look to the style. The layering around the face is done so well, and the color does not compete with it. The soft framing to the face, and really opens everything up. If you have been considering going red, this is the energy. This look will be easiest to achieve with medium to thick hair.
#8 Clean and Sleek with Just Enough Layer
With layers, some cuts will shout, while others will whisper. This is a cut that whispers. It’s smooth and straight, and the layers are cut to keep them hidden enough that they don’t self disclose until enough movement is created. It’s professional enough for a work meeting, and sleek enough for dinner afterward. With this amount of hair, the density is perfect, and the layers create more dimension instead of looking heavy or one-dimensional. If you want the polished look and are trying to avoid an overdone appearance, this is the cut for you.
#9 Soft Waves and Gentle Face Framing
I like how the layers just kind of show themselves, there’s nothing harsh about them but they change the entire form of the hair. It’s so healthy and full with the gentlest wave, but, you won’t have to do full curls. The framing pieces are longer, softer and blend into the hair instead of just sitting there like obvious pieces. If your hair is on the finer side, this is a great reference to show your stylist as it demonstrates how to achieve movement while still keeping all of that length you’ve been growing out.
#10 Subtle Highlights and That Effortless Thing
This is the butterfly cut for people who want a more laid-back approach. The highlights are so natural that they could definitely be sun-kissed, and the face-framing layers are the exact type that garner comments asking if you look amazing without really being able to put their finger on what has changed. When this length of straight, fine hair is my hair looks a little lifeless, but the layering and highlights add the perfect amount of contrast so it is never bland. It’s really uncomplicated, and that’s most likely why it’s so good.
#11 Glossy Layers with Serious Shine
Hair that’s healthy and looked after is effortless to tell. I can instantly tell how well someone maintains their hair by how shiny it is. Shiny hair looks healthy and vibrant, while damaged hair looks dull and lifeless. It’s hard to accomplish an effortless layered cut and wash with damaged hair. Your hair is luxurious and healthy. If you’ve got medium to thick hair and keep up with your deep conditioning, this is the butterfly cut you will achieve. To elevate this look even more, a subtle balayage would look gorgeous.
#12 Soft Bangs That Actually Behave
Bangs and butterfly cuts are a combination that I have been recommending a lot, and this is a great example of why. The bangs are soft and wispy so they blend into the face framing layers and give a cohesive look top to bottom. The layering throughout the rest of the hair is light enough to keep the movement but not enough to make fine hair look sparse at the ends. Bangs are a huge commitment considering you will have to get them trimmed every three to four weeks to keep them out of your eyes. But the payoff is a look that instantly reads younger and fresher.
#13 Warm Caramel and Effortless Waves
I love how caramel highlights bring warmth and dimension. They elevate the simplest wave patterns and make them look great. The highlights that frame the face are so pretty and really help draw attention to the center of the face. If you have medium to thick hair this is a great, easy-to-wear version of the butterfly cut because the layers are there, but not in a screaming way. All you need is a lightweight mousse worked through damp hair before you diffuse or air dry.
#14 Textured Layers on Natural Waves
If your hair is already somewhat wavy, a butterfly cut is going to feel like the haircut of your dreams. The cut works with your natural waves and texture to enhance everything you have going on instead of the waves taking away from the look. All of the layers fall below the shoulders, lending to a long and romantic style. Also, those shorter layers that fall around your face help to create a nice softness that is just the right amount. One thing to keep in mind is that if your hair is wavy and has a lot of layers, it can look a bit shapeless as it grows out. If that happens, just keep up with your trims!
#15 Face-Framing Bangs Meet Full Layers
The butterfly hairstyle is awesome! The bangs have a nice softness to them. The layers fall into place like magic. The hair here is dense which makes it look full and lush. It holds the style without any effort. The cut is perfect because the proportions are so balanced. Everything just flows.
#16 Red Curls with All the Personality
This will be a blast! With this haircut, your defined curls will create a gorgeous cascading effect that no straight hair can achieve. The curl definition will add lots of life and bounce, and the warm red is so vibrant and alive. When styling your hair, remember to get quality curling cream and a diffuser attachment for your blow dryer, those will be the difference between a good and bad look. From all the way across the room, the warm and cool tones of the color will create so much depth and contrast.
#17 Effortless Layers That Just Work
I think this is the perfect example of what most people want when they request a butterfly cut. It is no way a dramatic cut, but it is a sophisticated look. The layers are just pronounced enough to give the hair movement, but not so layered that you’d feel the need to style it every day. This will work best with medium to thick hair, and the framing layers around the face also look nice. If you want to keep it conservative and are unsure about going very layered, this is your option, and you can always go shorter afterward.
#18 Copper Curls and Warm Energy
I just love the defined curls and that copper color! Texture and color play off of each other here; the color reflects light onto each individual curl, which is such a cool effect. **The look is best for medium to thick hair, as the curls need to be dense enough to hold their shape without looking straggly.** If you have naturally curly or wavy hair and want a butterfly cut, this is the perfect example of how the two can work together beautifully!
#19 Lavender Dream on Long Curls
Lavender is one of those colors that can go wrong very quickly, but it can also be really pretty. The light purple shades compliment the natural curl pattern beautifully, while the butterfly layers help contrast the color so you can see it shift and move. The volume is stunning and looks fantastic here, and it doesn’t even look poofy! This is all because the hairs were perfectly layered based on their density. Hair is high maintenance, and lavender is among the highest. It fades fast, shifts tones, and requires color safe shampoo and cool water washes.
#20 Textured Highlights That Add Depth Everywhere
The highlights on this are fantastic, they’ve been placed where the layers have the most movement so they make for a really nice light and shadow effect throughout the whole cut. It’s a really nice effect, the type of cut that makes your skin look warmer and your eyes look brighter and nobody would know why. The texture is soft and movable, and the layers have enough form that you won’t lose the shape as the day goes on. If your hair tends to go flat by the afternoon, then just tell your stylist to keep the internal layers shorter than you think you want and it will hold the volume longer.
#21 Burgundy Layers with That Glossy Finish
This deep burgundy color is also extremely rich and allows every layer to be visible whenever there is a color this saturated the cut must be designed to show it off and the butterfly cut does that perfectly as the layers give multiple surfaces for the light to hit at different angles. The waves are soft and the face-framing waves hit at the cheekbones most flattering. To keep burgundy this good without looking muddy color depositing conditioner will be your best friend between salon visits. This shine is a good indicator that there is a good treatment routine and that’s half the battle.
#22 Delicate Curtain Bangs and Soft Movement
I like this butterfly style because it is more low-key. The subtle layers, the curtain bangs that blend perfectly with the face-framing pieces, and the overall design gives off a nice delicate vibe. So pretty and elegant without being too forced. If your hair is finer, and you’re worried about the layers making your hair look thin, I’d suggest this one because you won’t have too much under-layering. It is just right, and softly sculpted. The movement comes from the layer placement, not a lot of texture. It means it will look just as good straight after a blow-out as it will if you just air-dry it.
#23 Soft Texture and Easy Bangs
The bangs on this are done especially well; they sit correctly and blend with the rest of the cut in the seamless way that makes it look like they’ve always been there. The ends have the most concentrated layers, leaving it sleek at the top but giving the signature butterfly bounce at the bottom. For long, straight hair that has felt like it’s lacking some personality, this type of cut gives some character without doing a complete overhaul. They really just need a root volumizing spray to sit up before a blow dry and it’s effortless.
#24 Caramel Glow on Airy Layers
Those highlights are that lit from within effect. It’s what good highlights do. I like how the layers are really light and they have great lift from the clever placement. I can tell that this cut will not need a lot of styling as it will shape do all the work for you. If you have fine to medium hair and are looking to do some highlights, I recommend this warm caramel shade as it is flattering on everyone. Also, it’s one of the easiest highlight techniques to upkeep as the grow-out is very forgiving.
#25 Polished Layers with Subtle Dimension
The butterfly cut is ideal for people who appreciate the shape and movement of the style but want something a little more low-key. The layers and highlights are very subtle so everything looks neat. This polished look is best shown when the hair is straight, so the individual sections are clear. This is a more grown-up version of the butterfly cut and steers clear of the drama, while still keeping all the advantages of the style.
#26 Soft Waves and Easy Layering
I enjoy the realistic nature of this hairstyle. It looks like something you could do yourself on a Tuesday morning. You won’t spend 20 minutes on this look with 4 different styling products. The layers fall right below the shoulders. They can give you that natural, effortless wave like a slighter hairstyle. If you have a natural wave, this cut will work beautifully with a texturizing spray, as it will enhance your waves instead of create texture from nothing. This style is also versatile. If you wear it wavy one day and straight the next, either way it will look intentional.
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