When you’re in your 40s, the goal shifts—you’re not chasing trends, you’re choosing styles that fit your life, your face shape, and how your hair behaves week to week. The butterfly haircut checks all those boxes, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. If your hair’s thinning around the crown or you’ve got finer texture, ask for longer disconnected layers instead of uniform ones—this gives movement without sacrificing fullness. And if you’re working with natural wave or curl, shaping those wings to open up around the cheekbones makes a big difference in how lifted everything looks.
Face-framing is key here, especially if your jawline is softening—don’t skip the fringe or the internal layering around the mid-face. These 25 cuts are not just pretty, they’re practical and smart for your everyday routine. Grab your favorite and see how the right version of the butterfly cut can change the way your hair moves—and feels.
#1 Face Framing Butterfly Haircut
Long, swoopy layers paired with subtle face-framing pieces make this butterfly haircut a flattering option for women with medium to thick hair. The length maintains versatility, while the internal layers keep weight off the face, giving a gentle lift to the cheeks and jawline. Ideal for women in their 40s with oval or heart-shaped faces who want movement without losing length. The soft chocolate brown color adds warmth without overpowering.
#2 Butterfly Haircut With Curtain Bangs
Bold curtain bangs meet shaggy, face-framing layers in this edgier take on the butterfly cut. Perfect for women over 40 who want a youthful, undone look without going short. The choppy texture works well with naturally wavy or fine to medium density hair, adding volume and shape around the crown. Best for heart or diamond face shapes. The inky black color enhances the layers’ depth and drama—just know it’ll need dry shampoo on off days.
#3 Shoulder Length Butterfly Haircut
A soft, mid-length butterfly cut that skims the shoulders offers a great low-maintenance option for women in their 40s with finer hair. The rounded layers add fullness through the crown without thinning the ends too much. This honey-blonde tone brightens the face and pairs beautifully with lighter skin tones. Works well on oval or long face shapes but might fall flat without a blowout or root lift on finer textures.
#4 Butterfly Haircut With Balayage
Soft caramel balayage adds brightness and contrast to this full-bodied butterfly cut. Layers are placed to maximize movement without disrupting the length—perfect for women with dense, straight or slightly wavy hair. The style flatters oval and square faces and feels more modern than a traditional layered cut. Balayage keeps color maintenance lower, though root touch-ups may still be needed depending on your base.
#5 Butterfly Haircut With Soft Curls
This butterfly cut comes alive with voluminous, vintage-inspired curls and face-framing lift. Auburn ribbons woven into dark hair add stunning dimension and shine. Best for women in their 40s with naturally curly or heat-styled dense hair who want bounce without heaviness. The side-swept styling opens up the face beautifully but does require a curling iron and set spray for hold. A glamorous option for special occasions or bold everyday looks.
#6 Butterfly Haircut With Tousled Texture
With choppy layers and a soft, tousled finish, this butterfly cut has a casual edge that’s great for women in their 40s who want something easy but stylish. The curtain bangs frame the eyes and blend into mid-length layers that give movement without losing thickness. The muted chestnut brown keeps it soft and natural-looking. Ideal for medium-density, wavy hair types that can hold shape without much styling.
#7 Butterfly Haircut For Natural Gray Blending
This soft butterfly haircut enhances natural gray blending with beautifully sculpted layers that frame the face and lift the crown. The silvery streaks add natural contrast that makes the feathered layers pop, especially around the jawline and ends. Best for medium to thick hair with a bit of wave or body. A side part helps create extra lift, flattering longer or oval face shapes. Minimal upkeep makes it perfect for low-fuss gray transitioners.
#8 Shoulder Grazing Butterfly Haircut
Hitting right at the collarbone, this butterfly cut features mid-length layering that gives lift and definition, especially on thicker hair types. The flipped ends provide bounce without sacrificing fullness, making it a solid choice for round or heart-shaped faces. This cut gives body where you want it without overwhelming the neck or shoulders. It’s especially flattering on women in their 40s who want something chic but not too long.
#9 Butterfly Haircut With Caramel Highlights
Subtle caramel highlights bring warmth and shine to this classic butterfly cut. Layers are blended seamlessly, adding volume through the mid-lengths without disrupting the long base. Perfect for fine to medium hair and women who want low-maintenance polish. It flatters oval and heart-shaped faces and pairs well with minimal makeup or a natural look. The highlights brighten the face but will need upkeep to stay fresh.
#10 Butterfly Haircut For Straight Hair
A sleek, softly layered butterfly cut designed for straight hair with medium density. The wispy bangs soften the forehead while longer layers lift the sides—great for elongating rounder face shapes. This version offers a gentle transition between layers, avoiding harsh stacking. The natural tone keeps things simple and flattering. Easy to style with a flat iron or round brush, though it might fall flat without a volumizer at the roots.
#11 Layered Butterfly Haircut With Highlights
Caramel-toned highlights accentuate the movement in this layered butterfly cut, which works well on thick hair needing a shape boost. The bouncy, full-body layers begin around the cheekbones and cascade down with tons of texture. Ideal for square or oval face shapes and those wanting to keep length without the heaviness. The multi-tonal color helps prevent the cut from looking flat—but it does require some styling to bring it to life.
#12 Butterfly Haircut With Choppy Layers
Bold choppy layers and curtain bangs give this butterfly cut a fresh, edgy feel. The lived-in finish works great on straight to wavy hair with medium density. It helps add lift at the crown and brings volume through the sides—especially helpful for narrow or elongated face shapes. The deep charcoal tone adds richness without being too dark. This one’s a bit more high-maintenance when it comes to styling, but the texture payoff is worth it.
#13 Butterfly Haircut With Middle Part
With long, flowing layers and a clean middle part, this butterfly cut brings a youthful softness to straight or slightly wavy hair. Ideal for fine to medium density hair, especially if you’re aiming for a lifted look without harsh angles. The blonde color brightens the face and helps camouflage new grays. Low on daily upkeep but will need regular blowouts to keep the shape polished. Great for longer face shapes or high foreheads.
#14 Textured Butterfly Haircut For Thick Hair
Perfect for thick, coarse hair, this textured butterfly cut features dramatically flipped layers that give tons of lift and shape. The dark, natural tone enhances the dimension, especially around the crown and face. This style suits oval and longer face shapes and offers built-in volume without needing much styling product. The downside? If you don’t layer enough, thick hair can get too bulky at the ends—this cut fixes that beautifully.
#15 Butterfly Haircut For Fine Hair Volume Boost
Flipped-out layers and a volumized crown make this butterfly cut a game changer for women with fine hair. The strategic layering creates the illusion of density and movement while keeping the ends light and bouncy. The icy blonde tone adds brightness but may need toning to avoid brassiness. This cut works best for women in their 40s who want volume without sacrificing softness. Great for round or diamond face shapes.
#16 Voluminous Butterfly Haircut
Big, bouncy layers bring the drama in this voluminous butterfly cut. A deep side part adds lift at the roots and enhances the fullness through the crown—perfect for women in their 40s with thick or coarse hair who don’t mind a bit of styling. The soft layering around the face draws attention upward, ideal for elongating round or square face shapes. The cool brunette tone helps define all that texture beautifully.
#17 Butterfly Haircut With Beach Waves
Tousled and effortless, this butterfly haircut is made for women who love natural movement. Soft shaggy layers add body and shape through the crown, while beachy waves create an airy, casual texture. This look works best on medium to thick wavy hair and flatters oval or rectangular faces. It does require some product to hold the shape, but the payoff is a youthful, sun-kissed finish that’s anything but fussy.
#18 Butterfly Haircut With Side Swept Bangs
This medium-length butterfly cut features soft, side-swept bangs that frame the eyes beautifully and blend into layered ends. It’s a flattering option for women in their 40s with finer or shoulder-length hair looking to add movement without going too short. The natural brown base adds warmth while keeping the look understated. Great for softening angular jawlines or high foreheads, though some styling is needed to keep the bangs in place.
#19 Long Layered Butterfly Haircut
Extra-long lengths paired with internal layering define this classic butterfly style. The smooth, seamless flow keeps weight balanced and movement fluid—perfect for women in their 40s with thick, straight hair who want length without bulk. The center part keeps it symmetrical, while the near-black color makes it sleek and polished. The downside? It takes commitment to keep this much hair healthy and shiny, but it’s stunning when maintained.
#20 Butterfly Haircut With Wispy Bangs
Delicate wispy bangs blend seamlessly into the fluttery layers of this reddish-brown butterfly cut. The flipped-out ends give it a retro charm while still feeling fresh. Ideal for women in their 40s looking to soften forehead lines without going full fringe. Works especially well for medium-density hair and oval or long faces. The warm tone brings out skin glow, but regular trims are key to keeping the bangs in check.
#21 Medium Butterfly Haircut With Feathered Ends
Soft, feathered ends define this medium-length butterfly cut, giving it a polished but approachable finish. The length is perfect for glasses-wearers since the face layers don’t compete with frames. The subtle layering at the cheekbones opens the face and elongates the neck—especially flattering for rounder faces. Best on straight to slightly wavy hair with medium density. Maintenance is minimal, but a round brush is your best friend here.
#22 Butterfly Haircut With Soft Waves
Subtle layering and soft beachy waves give this butterfly cut a natural, sun-kissed finish. Great for women in their 40s who want texture without the drama of high-volume styling. The blend of warm brunette and blonde tones adds dimension while softening fine lines. Works well on medium to thick hair and oval to square face shapes. The style’s flexibility is its biggest strength—air dry or curl for different finishes.
#23 Layered Butterfly Haircut With Side Part
Rich auburn tones and voluminous layering bring this butterfly cut to life. The exaggerated front swoop from the deep side part adds height and drama—especially flattering on fuller cheeks or rounder face shapes. Best suited for women in their 40s with thick, coarse hair that can hold structured layering. One caution—daily styling is needed to maintain the lift and flow. The vibrancy of the color makes this one stand out.
#24 Fluttercut Elegance
A graceful blend of length and lift, this fluttercut-style butterfly haircut features cascading layers that float softly away from the face. The honey-blonde color lightens the overall look without going too bright, and the volume at the crown elongates the profile. It’s ideal for thick hair that needs shape and movement. Oval and heart-shaped faces benefit most, though finer hair may need extra product to hold the lift at the roots.
#25 Feathique Haircut
This Feathique cut is a feathered take on the butterfly style, with rounded, softly layered ends that create elegant fullness without bulk. The warm caramel tones are woven throughout the mid-lengths and ends for subtle glow and movement. Ideal for women over 40 with medium to thick straight or wavy hair who want a polished, salon-fresh finish that’s easy to refresh between trims. A side part gives added lift at the temples and crown.
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