Are you thinking about getting a butterfly cut on your long hair? You probably want some face-framing volume, but you’re hesitant about cutting your long hair. The great thing about butterfly cuts is that they can be done without losing a lot of your hair. For example, last month, I had a client with beautiful thick hair down to her waist. She showed me a picture of a butterfly cut she found on the internet. The problem with the picture was that it was a butterfly cut done on someone with a fraction of her density. We, unfortunately, had to have a serious conversation about what the shape would really look like on her compared to the photo. Most clients fail to think about how much hair density the person in the photo has. For thicker hair like my client’s, a lot more aggressive slide cutting is needed to get those layers. With finer hair, on the other hand, it is best to use more subdued layering so that the ends do not get wispier than they already are by day three.
I think the shortest layers in this haircut style should sit at the cheekbone or right below. Any higher than that, and the look can get choppy as the hair grows and who wants to be back in the stylist’s chair sooner than expected? I have noticed many butterfly cuts and a lot of them have had the stylist go too short at the top which isn’t a style that lasts. Given your length, I have created many potential options for you to embrace this cut to suit your hair and not just for it to be a picture.
#1: Long Feathered Layers with a Soft Center Part That Actually Moves
You can see all the layers in this cut doing what they’re meant to do – float around the cheekbones and then drop to a longer length without any choppiness or gaps. Micro-layering around the face means the stylist was intentional with vertical point cutting and didn’t just do a few pieces and call it a day, and that’s what creates the lightness around the face. With reasonably dense straight hair like this, achieving that natural flip is possible with a round brush and some patience, but if your hair is finer, you’ll need to use a root-lift mousse before you dry it, or else it will just lay flat.
#2: Center-Parted Black Butterfly with Those Rolled Flip Ends
This style seems really great! The hair thickness and darkness really makes the layers pop. The ends turn up and it almost looks like the hair is flipping itself. That’s true, especially if the internal graduation is done correctly. The chin-length framing pieces really help a lot too. They sculpt around the jaw and give the whole cut a great shape without losing length in the back. The only warning I would give is about black hair. It’s true that this color shows regrowth very obviously, so you’ll have to do touch-ups a lot or learn to live with roots. The flipped shape is great too but to get that you’ll want a round-brush blowout.
#3: Buoyant Curtain Layers with That Perfect Outward Kick
Many will believe that a lot of time went into this cut because it looks so stylish. It seems like a lot of work went into the styling, but knowing how to use a round brush is the secret. Internal graduation also works wonders. The layers start around the cheekbones which allows the ends to flip outward, and that bouncy factor shows someone put in the effort to cut out the interior weight instead of just layering the outside. I also love the single process brown color with soft lowlights. It gives the hair dimension without being overt and saying, “I just got my hair done!” it looks like great hair that moves beautifully.
#4: That Vivid Purple Melt with the Micro Blunt Fringe
I want to tell you the truth about this commitment because vivid purple with black ombre is one of those color combinations that looks incredible for about 3 weeks and then starts crying for color correction or gloss appointments. However, when it’s freshly done, the darker ends with the purple make the butterfly layers pop, in a way that just doesn’t happen for a natural brunette. The micro blunt fringe is also a huge part of why this cut is more high fashion, it directs attention straight to the face and then the graduated face framing works with the fringe instead of against it. Lightening the hair to a level 9 before putting the violet on is a must, and the fringe is going to need a trim every 3-4 weeks, so this is more for the people who enjoy sitting in my chair.
#5: Sleek Long Layers with a Polished Curtain Part
When done correctly, simplicity can become an art form, and that is exactly what this style is. The use of subtle layers creates a natural illusion and gives hair movement as the micro-framing layers flip under the collarbone. The hairstyle’s smoothness along with the clean cut gives off a polished vibes as though no effort was put into it, but a smoothing product, as well as some effort with a round brush, is definitely involved. I would proceed with caution with this cut on finer hair because it may look flat and lifeless without the density needed to hold that weight line.
#6: Feathered Wings with That Blown-Out S-Curve
To me, this is the butterfly cut. It’s got the S-curve with a flip at the end, creating that winged look a lot of people try to get but miss. The thing is, this shape is mostly due to styling. The cut gives you long graduated layers and a soft curtain frame, but you’re going to have to do a round-brush blowout or use a 1-inch iron to get those curves. On thick, naturally wavy hair, it looks stunning, but if I’m being honest, if your hair is fine or super straight, this definitely isn’t going to be worth the daily upkeep.
#7: Chocolate Butterfly with That Little Curtain Micro-Fringe
I appreciate the micro-fringe detail. It’s just enough to soften the forehead but also keeps the whole cut looking finished without the commitment to full bangs. Chocolate is a warm and forgiving colour so it wears well in the time between appointments. It isn’t as fussy as cooler browns in terms of showing variations in porosity. The interior slide cutting lifts the crown and winged ends and with medium to thick hair with natural body the cut will style itself with just a bit of heat and a clear gloss to keep everything looking even.
#8: Cappuccino Curtain Layers That Flip Just Right
I have a habit of going back to hair cuts such as this one for a reason. The internal layers are doing so much for the client. It’s creating crown lifts and feather flips without any product or effort. The curtain bangs are also graded and merged into the longer layers so there isn’t a super visible line where the bangs sit and where the layers start – from the face to the ends it’s all just seamless movement. The micro balayage keeps the look warm without it being super highlighted, and the root shadow means you won’t be rushing to the salon for a touch up every six weeks. I don’t suggest doing this kind of technique for super fine hair, or hair with really tight coils because that flip really needs a medium to thick density to help hold the shape.
#9: Ash-Chocolate Layers with That Shell-Like Inward Roll
I like how the ends come together like a shell. This shows me the stylist probably incorporated under-direction in the cut and also likely used a big round brush to pull everything slightly forward during the blowout. This detail may seem small, but it really changes the look of the cut. Instead of just looking like long layered hair, the cut looks polished and intentional. The ash-chocolate color is beautiful in person. However, I think she can look a bit flat in some lighting. Because of that, I would typically suggest a subtle root-smudge. That would bring some more depth closer to the scalp. This cut is going to require some good thickness to pull off. If you have a higher density of hair you’re going to love it. If you are on the thinner side, that inward roll can look a bit limp.
#10: Chestnut Curtain-Frame with That Rounded Blowout Finish
I’ve suggested this chestnut tone many times because it brightens your face while not being too warm/brassy. It just sits in such a flattering middle ground. The butterfly layers here have more interior point cutting than I’ve seen in a while, and that’s why the S-shaped flips are softer and not chunky, and there’s a subtle root smudge glaze that ties everything together. I will say, the hidden nape graduation that shapes this cut certainly needs thick hair to work. If your hair is fine, the bottom section will fall straight and you will just lose that rounded silhouette.
#11: Deep Black Cascade with a Rounded Curtain Fringe
The length is quite dramatic from the bust. In this density, jet-black hair could look very heavy and one-dimensional, but the long interior graduation saves the look by providing movement that can be seen even in a dark color. The rounded curtain fringe frames the face so nicely without blocking it, and those soft s-waves look like they were done with a large barrel so the waves aren’t stiff and they have that relaxed, lived-in look. I would be cautious though, single-process black hair shows regrowth like nothing else, and if you skip the under-layer texturizing on hair this thick, you end up with a silhouette that is just too much and feels excessive. This cut is not ideal for fine or limp hair, it needs a natural volume to help carry it.
#12: Sculpted Butterfly Layers with a Clean Curtain Frame
This cut is fascinating because it’s taking more of a conservative approach to layering. The S-flip begins at the collarbone, which means it holds on to a lot of solid weight in the mid-lengths, which definitely cleans up the line for when it’s down. The curtain framing is soft enough to work for a slightly off center part, and with medium density like this, the internal gradation really helps with movement while the ends remain full. To hold those flips, you will need to do a round brush blowout or use a smooth iron, and I’d be honest to say that this cut reads a bit differently on very curly textures – it’s really designed for straighter hair that you’re adding shape to.
#13: Lustrous Brunette Layers with a Crescent-Shaped Face Frame
My favorite part of this cut is how the stylist included crescent face-framing. Instead of cutting straight face-framing pieces, crescent face-framing uses a curved technique, which makes the cut more flattering to the face and softens the frame, which is especially beneficial for thick hair. The vertical slicing through the mid-lengths ensures that the hair seems light and airy, despite its high density. Also, the root melt, balanced with a gloss glaze, gives the hair that lovely melted look without the stripe effect of traditional highlights. The only downside is the styling. If you want this look, it will take effort; with thick hair this length, and curved blowout ends, it will take a round brush about 20 minutes to achieve this look. If not, you’ll get a very different result, so this cut is probably not for you if you like to wash-and-go.
#14: Feathered Butterfly Wings with a Natural Center Cowlick Lift
It’s always pleasant when a client’s natural growth pattern adds to the look; and whoever has this hair has a gentle center cowlick that gives roots natural lift precisely where it is ideal for a butterfly cut. The curtain face framing elegantly opens the face and the point cut ends give that feathered appearance so each piece moves independently instead of one heavy sheet. On medium to high density straight to wavy hair this is going to be really easy to maintain with a round brush and some warm air, although if your hair tends to be thick mid lengths you may want some interior slide cutting done to lighten things up between appointments.
#15: Deep Espresso Layers with a Rounded Curtain Fringe
I enjoy working with deep espresso because even though it is totally processed, there is an incredible warmth that feels very natural. For thick hair with a soft natural wave like this, it really helps to emphasize the hair’s dimensionality since lighter colors will wash it out. The rounded curtain fringe works well here as it softens the forehead while not being fussy, and the long interior graduation with low elevation point-cutting is what gives that winged blowout shape. To be honest, this cut does need a lot of round brush blowout to really achieve and showcase it’s shape, and with fine or tightly coiled hair, the layering will not stack the same, so this is really a thick hair cut all the way.
#16: Glossy Butterfly Layers with a Wispy Center Fringe
I appreciate the shine in this hair. It looks like a shine treatment was recently done, and the gloss really elevates the haircut to an expensive level. The wispy bangs Fringe, is just beginning to become an actual bangs, which I think is a super clever idea. If you’re on the fence about getting a fringe, it will grow out nicely. The slide cutting and interior graduation create a stacked flip, and with good control it can get quite a lot of volume at the crown. That kind of framing is particularly flattering on oval and heart face shapes. I wouldn’t try to recreate this on hair that is really fine though, because the layers need enough hair in order to work properly.
#17: Full-Length Butterfly with a Sculpted Cheekbone Frame
This haircut starts framing the face at the cheekbones, which, in my opinion, is the best place to keep the shortest length because it highlights the structure and avoids the outdated curtain bangs look from 2020. The natural wave in this hair is doing most of the work for the graduated layers. You really can’t create the kind of movement that a flat iron gives and the slide cutting in the interior removes weight without leaving any visible lines or holes in the cut. I noticed there is a single light strand at the centre part. This may be an intentional face-framing highlight and it is an area that would benefit from the attention of a colorist, but either way it creates a little contrast that actually works. The length is considerable. On fine hair, this much weight can pull everything flat, so you would need the density to support it.
#18: Deep Brunette Butterfly with Soft Rounded Ends
This style appears incredibly simple, as you could be under the impression that you just blow dry it and go. To be completely honest, you could do that with thick straight-to-wavy hair after probably about ten minutes with a round brush. The rounded ends provide a retro-type softness, and the center part helps balance everything out. Those longer blended layers provide movement without the ends looking thin, which is what tends to happen with butterfly cuts. If your hair is fine, you do need internal texturizing. Otherwise, the rounded ends will just hang straight, and you’ll lose the whole effect.
#19: Espresso Layers with a Side-Swept Rounded Fringe
This haircut’s side-swept bangs offer a different vibe. It makes the style feel a bit more adventurous compared to a style with a middle part, and also gives a nice asymmetrical feature to the shape of the face, highlighting the eyes even more. Hair the bangs flow into is extremely thick, and you can see some inner cascades through the layers, that kind of volume is achieved with a lot of deep internal slide cutting that most people don’t even know happen. The styling time on hair this dense is real; this is not a quick blow dry situation. The single deep espresso tone is rich and beautiful, but it could use some babylights to add dimension instead of looking too flat.
#20: Rich Brunette Curtain Layers with Soft Rounded Ends
This cut has a lot of impressive details, with the way the curtain pieces blend with the longer lengths so seamlessly that there is no transition visible. From the face frames to the ends, it looks like one continuous shape. The perimeter slide cutting is spot on textbook, especially with the ends feathered, and the gloss toner is working magic to give everything that soft shiny look with a nice reflection. This cut along with a medium-high density of hair that has a soft wave creates an instant body and that beautiful rounded flip which looks so polished and of course it’s not stiff at all. It’s also important to note that fine haired clients are probably going to need some micro layering and likely a root smudge to achieve anywhere near this level of volume so that is something to consider if your ponytail is a little on the thinner side.
#21: Voluminous Chocolate Butterfly with a Warm Mocha Blowout
This look is eye-catching for how different it is because of the shadow roots and warm mocha lowlights that add depth to the look. This means the volume looks fuller and not flat. The slide cutting from the long layers helps keep the ends flowing to add movement to the style while balancing the weight of the poofed out hair. Get ready to spend time on those big barrel blowouts to keep the ends flipped. Also for color, you will be booking glossing services. The reason is because warm tones fade quicker than you would expect. Frequent washing will contribute to this and so will warm tones’ fade rate.
#22: Deep Black Feathered Layers with a Rounded Face Frame
Thank you for the black and blue overcoat. I think that the colour scheme will open up some dimension and show some light in different ways on each layer. I do think that the overcoat will require more conditioning due to the intensity and will split ends / highlight them more. The ends that are texturized will help break up the dark and if the coat is as thick as it looks in this picture, then thinning will be very important to manage the shape. The rounded chin-to-jaw frames maximize fullness so this will be especially flattering on oval faces and the fullness is great to add balance to the face. Overall, this is an amazing and great choice!
#23: Long Feathered Butterfly with a Center Curtain Frame
The haircut is so stunning that when you see the interior it looks as if the layers are effortlessly cascading down to a feathered effect. The root shadow with micro balayage creates a warm middle dimension and this is the kind of color work I want for my clients because the color only gets better as it grows out instead of worse. The soft center curtain frame is so softly done that it looks like she is just enhancing the face without it being obvious. The crown lift is from both internal layering and the good density she has, but I must say, on very fine hair or very round face shapes, this version could be disappointing for you.
#24: Caramel Balayage Butterfly with Rounded Blowout Flips
The root-smudge to babylight balayage on this cut is the best type of color work to make butterfly layers sing because it gives you depth at the roots and brightness at the ends where the flips catch the most light. The vertical slicing opens up right at the cheekbones, and those rounded blowout flips at the bottom have a real polish to them that tells me someone spent time with a good brush and dryer with a concentrator nozzle, not just rough-dried and hoped for the best. This will look good on medium-thick hair that is straight to wavy, but if you have finer hair then you’ll likely need some internal texturizing to prevent the layers from looking stringy instead of soft.
#25: Deep Chocolate Butterfly with That Inner Halo Detail
This haircut has some unique features because of the shorter inner layer pieces that create a halo effect. These shorter pieces provide a beautiful lift at the crown that is visible even when the hair is styled down. Many hairstylists choose to omit this technique because it’s time-consuming and clients won’t see that detail when they look in the mirror, but that’s what makes haircuts age well, and in turn allows the haircut to look good well after the first styling. The deep chocolate color is also exceptionally rich and even throughout. The S-shaped blowout and curtain bangs face framing also brings everything together in a lovely, refined, yet effortless way. The honest truth is that this is not going to air-dry into shape though, so don’t expect it to be a wash and go situation. If you don’t plan to use a round brush to dry this style, then this haircut may not be the right one for you.
#26: Long Layered Butterfly with Soft Natural Texture
The slight feathering at the ends of the cut gives it an effortless feel, almost as if the hair just falls into place, when there is in fact decorative layering below. With this amount of natural shine and thickness/straightness in the hair, the layers will be very pronounced, and the movement created just by turning your head is the reason people get butterfly cuts in the first place. This version of the cut is especially nice for narrower face shapes as the layers cut more outwards toward the cheekbones. This is a look that is better a few days after a blowout as the layers will have settled into their natural positions.
#27: Modern Butterfly with Quiet, Blended Layers
This is the butterfly cut I would suggest for those who want movement without the fuss. The layers are so subtle, that you perceive them as a soft motion instead of defined pieces. Darker roots with light highlights add depth and dimension, preventing fine straight hair from looking too flat. The added layers ensure that you won’t be battling flatness every morning. However, I do believe that very fine hair at this length may require a root volumizing spray at the staging to keep it from falling flat by the afternoon. The cut is low maintenance enough that it won’t require much styling.
#28 Radiant Copper Butterfly with a Warm Face Frame
The description suggests a warm brown for the inside and bright, sparkly copper on the outside. This will look gorgeous with the “butterfly layers.” The moving hair will shift color and look nice as well. The face framing layers will soften the look of the jaw, and that is exactly what they are meant to do. The layers add fine hair volume that wouldn’t be there with blunt ends. It will be a high maintenance color, though. Copper will be the highest commitment color short of going platinum. You will need to come back a lot more often than you want for a gloss, plus you’d have to use a color depositing conditioner. If you are willing to put in the effort, the results will definitely show.
#29: Modern Butterfly with Sleek, Luscious Movement
It’s a pity to cover up beautifully smooth and healthy hair with a lot of distracting layering, especially when they do such minimal layering at the ends. However, when the hair sways, there’s movement that adds a romantic touch to the haircut without being over the top. Minimal layering like this suits medium to thick hair best as the natural volume and density of the hair does all the work for you. If your hair has natural waves, you should leave them, or, if you prefer, use a smoothing serum and blow-dry it to keep it nice and sleek. This haircut looks best when the hair is smooth and the movement comes from the layers.
#30: Elegant Chestnut Butterfly Layers with Cascading Warmth
I appreciate how the warm light captured the chestnut color, giving the whole cut a glow. For hair that’s a medium to thick density, with a natural wave, the layers will fall beautifully without any need for styling. Longer butterfly layers tend to wear better through the week. This is because they hold shape better than shorter layers, so they keep their cut for longer. This is awesome movement created by the combination of good layering and a good density. Especially for oval and heart face shapes, the framing around the cheekbones is super flattering. The length also allows enough weight at the bottom so the cut avoids that floating-apart look that some butterfly cuts get.
#31: Glossy Butterfly Layers with an Elegant Curl
The defined curls elevate this from an ordinary butterfly layered cut to something you can wear to a wedding or an event. It’s important to know that butterfly layers tend to work better with curls than with straight blunt cuts. The graduated lengths work to create wrap around support for the pieces. The layers also tend to frame the face well for most face shapes and that’s why I continue to recommend it. Additionally, I am sure the shine is attributed to both amazing health of her hair as well as great shine spray. Just to clarify, if you want to achieve defined bouncy curls like this and you have straight or wavy hair, you will need to complete a hot tools styling session, so this is an event look, not an everyday look.
#32: Butterfly Layers with Playful Pink Through the Ends
I have to be honest, I usually don’t love fashion colors with butterfly cuts because there’s a chance the color will overshadow the style. With that said, this pink is really nicely placed throughout the mid-lengths and ends, so it enhances the layered movement rather than detracts from it. The layers are really intentionally graduating towards the front, and the medium-to-thick density gives lots of body to those pieces so they can move independently, and that’s when you really see that pink catching the light at different angles. The thing with pink though, and I say this with love, is that it fades quickly and it fades unevenly, so you’re either touching it up regularly, or you’re forced to appreciate the softer peachy version it becomes after a few weeks of washing.
#33: Long Butterfly with Light Feathered Ends
I really enjoy how light and airy the ends of the hair look. Each piece moves separately when the hair swings, which adds a soft feeling that I personally really enjoy on hair with a lower density. Many butterfly cuts are designed for thicker hair, but this version shows that with gentle layering and an under-control graduation, this shape can be taken on by finer hair as well. It just looks different, more ethereal, and less voluminous. The length of the hair is a nice balance point just below the shoulders, it’s long enough to feel dramatic, but not so long that the layers get weighed down, and stop doing their job.
#34: Elegant Long Butterfly with Smooth, Flowing Layers
The shine on this hair shows how well it has been taken care of; however, with butterfly cuts, healthy hair is more important than most people realize. The layers create so many surfaces that the healthier the hair, the more it the contrast to how good the cut looks if the hair is damaged. The medium to thick density allows the layers to add movement and volume without any effort. The soft face-framing layers soften the overall look in a flattering and non distracting way. I tell most of my clients with longer butterfly cuts that the investment is in upkeep, the ends need to be trimmed regularly and the layers need to be kept up, because once you start to notice splits and breakage in the top layers, the cut really loses its shape and looks quite neglected.
#35: Softly Layered Butterfly with a Gentle Frame
In this case, the layers begin quietly at the shoulders. This is slightly lower than how high I would usually start a butterfly cut, but for fine to medium texture hair, it actually maintains the thickness through the upper half and only brings movement where it is most needed. The contrast is subtle, but the final touch of the gentle face framing is enough to soften a face a touch without making it look smaller. I would say regular styling does help to achieve the soft waves and volume, so a round brush or large barrel waver would be required, but the end result is a cut that looks polished even on second-day hair when everything else has relaxed the most.
#36: Softly Layered Butterfly with Natural Flow
***The Length Is Doing The Heavy Lifting Here*** The technique with the graduated layers creating flow instead of flat lifeless hair is incredible. The highlights keep your eyes moving through the hair, and that is how a butterfly cut should be done, full of movement and life. They are creating the illusion of thickness on fine to medium density hair without weighing anything down. This cut definitely needs some styling to look its best; a good heat protectant and some time with a dryer and brush is required. However, it’s the sort of styling that becomes second nature quickly once you find your rhythm with it.
#37: Voluminous Butterfly Layers with Depth and Dimension
The various colors in these layers create effects that just one color cannot achieve. For medium to thick hair, layer movement really shows all the tones in the hair, which a flat ironed style wouldn’t achieve. I think a moisturizing styling cream would define the waves and keep the layers bouncy and separated all day. The cut is versatile enough to be worn straight or wavy, and I appreciate that because not every day is a round-brush day. The layers do need to be reshaped regularly to keep them looking intentional instead of just grown-out.
#38: Effortless Long Butterfly Layers with Soft Tonal Blending
I appreciate the blending of soft hues and the lack of harsh lines and placements for colors. There is a sun kissed effect with soft changes in color that give depth without much more added styling. Long butterfly layers are more elegant than bulky for fine to medium density hair and create lovely movement, which is more of a felt thing when the hair is in motion rather than something that is seen when looking in the mirror, and that is a lovely quality that thicker hair clients oftentimes miss out on. This cut does suit a range of face shapes as the soft layering is enough to build the shape of the cut, but for really thick hair, it may warrant going for more bold layering so you can achieve that light and airy look.
#39: Voluminous Long Butterfly with Soft Layered Waves
When thick hair has butterfly layers, it creates a lot of natural volume so you won’t need any styling products. All you need is a good cut and some round brushing, and it’ll do its thing. This is the type of result I always aim to achieve on my clients because it shows that the cut is really working for you instead of you having to work for the cut. The soft waves and face framing layers create a rounder shape that helps to soften wider and rounder face shapes, and the layers help keep things light so the thickness doesn’t become too overwhelming. Once you start using heat regularly to style your hair, I’d recommend a deep conditioning treatment every few weeks because long, thick layered hair tends to dry out at the ends surprisingly quickly.
#40: Chic Layered Butterfly with a Tapered Finish
I love how modern the cut looks with the tapering layers at the ends. It is different than a regular butterfly haircut, and the shine of the hair with the tapers are very elegant. I also like how the cut is focused just below the collarbone, so the top of the hair can keep its weight and not get too heavy. I know the tapered layers can get a bit rough and lose their shape after a little while, so plan on getting trims every 6 to 8 weeks to keep it looking good.
#41: Softly Layered Butterfly with Gentle Bangs and Dimension
These bangs are very soft and will frame the face instead of sitting on the forehead which is a better option than a full fringe for most people; it gives the softening effect without the daily bang styling commitment. The smooth polished look of the entire cut is due to the medium density and smooth texture of her hair, and the new layers provide movement without making the hair too thin or wispy. If you’re planning to lighten the ends for some dimension, I’d suggest that your stylist blends it gradually because with this much movement in the cut, any harsh color line will be more noticeable than on a blunt cut.
#42: Long Butterfly Layers with Warm Caramel Depth
These butterfly layers utilize caramel highlights woven into a darker base for extra warmth and depth. Caramel and dark color movements combined create dimension and life to layered cuts. When medium to thick hair is waved gently, the hair falls beautifully. The waves frame the face well, and the layers fall nicely without getting tangled, which indicates good spacing of the graduation layers and proper texturing of the inner layers. Medium styling time is to be expected. The blow drier and styling brush are going to take some time in order to create the desired soft waves. The hairstyle does not fall apart easily, and you can survive a day without washing your hair. It will still look good.
#43: Long Butterfly Layers with Flowing Volume and Rich Depth
The butterfly cut shows off what thick straight hair does best with dynamic layering. It offers movement so each layered flip and fall can happen at a different pace. The face-framing pieces really opened up the face and with hair this thick the layers are a must to avoid a heavy blanket of hair look, which is what dense hair does when cut to one length. A rich deep color would only add more dimension where the layers overlap and create shadows. I’d suggest a glaze or gloss every few appointments to keep that depth looking intentional.
#44: Soft Long Butterfly Layers with Textured Movement
The natural texture that is shining through is beautiful, and you can see the hair’s movement, the butterfly layers are only enhancing that, which is always ideal when a cut works with what you have instead of against it. For medium to thick hair, the longer layers add dimension and create volume without losing length, and the face framing layers are soft enough that she doesn’t overwhelm smaller features. I think subtle highlights throughout the layers would really enhance movement because it would add tonal contrast and give the eye something to follow as the hair moves.
#45: Glossy Long Butterfly Layers with Flowing Waves
The layers and thickness of the hair help create a structured balance with the intentional design of the cut, and this is really what good butterfly cutting achieves. The soft and gentle waves at the ends create the illusion of thick and straight hair that has just been blown out. The round brush technique naturally catches the layered ends and gives them a flip that adds to the organic and slightly imperfect curves. To maintain this look, I’d recommend a trim every so often to keep the split ends from the layers from losing the softness of the style. With hair this shiny, any damage will be highly noticeable.
#46: Layered Butterfly with Flattering Cheekbone-Level Framing
This hair cut really flatters the face because it hits at the cheekbone level, and the layers seem to be cut on purpose because they help with the bone structure a lot, but they don’t go overboard and do something really dramatic. A good shine serum was likely worked through the mid-lengths and ends, and the shine is really good, which means the hair is healthy. With medium to thick hair, the slight layering does just enough to ensure the hair looks alive, but it doesn’t lose any of its density. For the right hair type, this is honestly a very low maintenance cut. If you have the right texture and density, you can do a wash, dry, and go with it without a lot of effort.
#47: Soft Butterfly Layers with a Warm, Natural Face Frame
The smooth hair ends and layers create movement and depth to the style. It gives the hair added body and a bouncy feel. The shine and warmth of the hair helps and the layers are so subtle that it may appear to be a well done, simple cut. The warm tones will work with many skin tones, so feel free to use this as a reference photo for your stylist. For my clients with fine hair, I do recommend that this specific version might need a little extra help with volume. This can be done with a root volumizing powder, or backcombing at the crown. For medium to thick hair, that will be the end result with little to no effort.
#48: Glossy Long Butterfly with Soft Face-Frame Waves
The shine in the hair helps highlight the layering effect even more. That is why I explain to clients that without the silky and shiny look of conditioned hair, butterfly cuts won’t have the same effect. The haircut must have a good surface to work on. The thick, silky texture here is amazing for holding the layers. The framing helps relieve some of the tension that makes your face look angular in a flattering way without it being too obvious. This will require some styling. If you do a rough air dry, your hair will look completely different, and probably worse. If you plan on blow drying your hair anyway, this cut will just add to the work.
#49: Long Butterfly Layers with Warm Light-Brown Softness
The butterfly layers look really good with the medium density hair. The light brown color is super pretty and healthy looking, and the color paired with the layers creates an amazing summer vibe. The layers make the hair look nice and effortless with a soft wave and a touch of styling. It’s great to see a haircut like this, because the shape that it gives the hair does all the work, taking the styling right out of the picture. I can tell some work was put into the styling, but the hair looks good even if it was just blow dried.
#50: Rich Auburn Butterfly with Soft Face-Framing Bangs
Butterfly layers look amazing in auburn. Light reddish hues appear different with each turn of the head, adding depth and movement to the color gradation in a way a dull brown cannot achieve. The bangs will also be soft and blend in with the longer layers. If you have a good amount of thick hair, the trained layering will create a lot of added natural waves also. This is a style that will need regular upkeep to maintain the shape. The layers will grow out, the color will fade to copper without a color treatment, and a color safe wash will do the trick to fade it even more. The warm tone combined with the butterfly shape is very complimentary for oval and heart-shaped faces. With that level of upkeep, it’s clear you’ll be getting your money’s worth.
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