The butterfly haircut has gone viral for good reason—it’s stylish, flattering, and surprisingly low-maintenance. With soft, fluttery layers and tons of volume, this haircut gives you the best of both worlds: face-framing movement and long lengths that still feel light and airy. Whether you’re rocking fine, straight strands or have coarse, curly locks, the butterfly haircut can be tailored to fit your hair type and goals. Below, we break down everything you need to know, including a rundown on what butterfly layers are and how to style the cool-girl cut at home.
A butterfly haircut is a layered style that blends short face-framing pieces with longer layers throughout the rest of the hair. This layering technique creates a weightless, feathery effect that adds movement and volume, especially at the crown and around the face. Think of it like having two haircuts in one: the shorter butterfly layers frame your face and create soft volume, while the longer layers provide movement while keeping your length intact.
There are many different types of layered haircuts, and the butterfly cut is just one of them. A traditional layered haircut may involve even, subtle layers throughout the hair. A butterfly haircut, on the other hand, has more dramatic, disconnected layering with shorter pieces around the face that mimic long curtain bangs or fringe. The result is a more dynamic, bouncy shape with a distinct winged-out effect.
The wolf cut and the butterfly cut are both layered haircuts, but they couldn’t be more different. The wolf cut is edgy and shaggy, often paired with a heavy fringe and tons of choppy layers. It's great for creating volume and has a distinct rock-and-roll vibe. The butterfly hairstyle, meanwhile, is soft, polished, and subtle. It has body and bounce, but feels more fluid than an intentionally-disheveled wolf cut or shag.
Absolutely. One of the reasons the butterfly layers haircut has become so popular is its adaptability. No matter your hair type or texture, this style can be customized to enhance your natural features and elevate your everyday look. Keep reading to learn how to tailor the cut for your hair type, texture, and length.
As mentioned, the butterfly cut can work for nearly any hair type, from straight to curly. If your pin-straight strands tend to fall flat, a textured butterfly cut can help add much-needed lift and dimension. Those with waves and curls, meanwhile, will appreciate how the layered cut removes bulk and helps accentuate their natural texture. If you have curly hair, we suggest asking your stylist to cut your hair while it’s dry to account for shrinkage.
The butterfly hairstyle is ideal for those with thick hair, as the layers help to remove bulk that can make your hair look heavy or fall flat. If your hair is extremely thick, your stylist can also debulk your mane with hidden layers, which remove weight without visually affecting your hair’s length or shape. A butterfly haircut for thin hair requires a slightly different approach. Instead of all-over layering, ask your stylist to pair face-framing curtain bangs with a blunt cut to fake the appearance of thicker hair.
The butterfly haircut, with its combination of short and long layers, typically looks best on hair that is shoulder-length or longer. That said, if you want to adjust the style to a shorter length, it’s totally possible—just consider adding face-framing layers or bangs to your chin-length hairstyle to keep things light and bouncy.
In addition to your hair type, length, and texture, your face shape can help determine the most flattering variation of a butterfly haircut for you. If you have rounder features, consider asking your stylist to start the layers around your cheekbone—this will help to draw the eye upward and visually elongate your features. For those with more angular faces (think heart-shaped or diamond-shaped), longer, softer layers that begin around chin length are ideal. And if you have a long face, consider pairing your cut with curtain bangs or side-swept fringe to help balance out your features.
Most stylists will know what a butterfly cut refers to, but mentioning you want that signature “winged” effect that flutters like butterfly wings can be helpful. You can also use terms like "soft curtain fringe" and "internal layering" to clarify the look. Finally, don’t forget to bring inspiration photos—as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.
If you need a little inspo before you head to the salon, here are some stylish takes on the trend to consider:
For this style, hair hits above the shoulders. It's ideal if you’re looking for a low-maintenance yet lively look. The shorter layers bring bounce and body, and they can also help remove excess weight from thick hair, making it easier to style. For maximum volume, use a round brush and the L'Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BOOST IT Volume Inject Mousse while blow-drying to lift the roots and enhance the airy, feathered effect.
Perfect for collarbone to armpit-length hair, this variation offers an effortless, breezy look ideal for anyone wanting a touch of polish with minimal effort. The cut creates movement while keeping your styling routine easy and flexible. One underrated benefit of this length is that it's long enough to experiment with updos and clips, yet short enough to air-dry quickly and still maintain its shape.
Add romantic flair with airy bangs that blend into your top layers. These will soften the overall shape of the haircut and create a flattering frame that draws attention to the eyes and cheekbones. This cut looks stunning when blow-dried outward or curled softly away from the face. It’s especially great for balancing wider foreheads or adding movement to straight styles.
Whether you have naturally curly hair or love creating curls with hot tools, this style can beautifully enhance your texture. For natural curls, the face-framing layers prevent bulk and encourage well-defined clumps, giving your curls a more sculpted shape with less frizz. This variation is especially helpful for curly hair that tends to fall flat or feel heavy at the ends.
If you’re styling curls from straight or wavy hair, use a 1-inch curling iron and alternate the direction of each curl for a more natural, lived-in look. Focus on curling the longer layers, while flipping the shorter ones away from the face to maintain that butterfly effect. Finish by misting your mane with the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray to help keep your curls from falling flat throughout the day.
The butterfly cut truly shines on long hair, as the fluid layers help to remove bulk while giving your mane bounce and movement. Plus, with long layers cut throughout your lengths, washing, detangling, and styling may take less time than with a blunt cut. Consider that a win-win.
A butterfly haircut can be styled in a few different ways. Some require heat, especially if you’re looking for sweeping layers and lots of volume, but there are also heatless options. Below, we’re breaking down three different ways to style a butterfly layered haircut.
Start your styling routine in the shower with the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Shampoo and the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Conditioner. This system, featuring hyaluronic acid, helps replump dry, dehydrated strands, creating noticeable bounce and volume. The butterfly haircut is all about body and movement, so this wash day duo is just right for the job.
After showering, squeeze your hair to remove excess moisture, then scrunch the L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle BOOST IT Volume Inject Mousse throughout your mane (no need for a separate heat protectant—this pick helps shield your strands from heat). Then, blow-dry using a round brush to create lift at the crown and volume through the mid-lengths. As you dry, direct the shorter layers away from the face and flick the ends outward to enhance the signature butterfly shape. For best results, flip your head upside down for the last few seconds of drying to add even more lift.
If you don’t feel like washing your hair before styling it, that’s okay—you can also style your butterfly cut with a curling iron. Start by priming your strands with a heat protectant (we love the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Repair Hair Oil-in-Serum, which can be used on damp or dry hair). Then, use a medium-barrel curling iron to curl the longer layers, wrapping each section away from the face and holding for about 8–10 seconds. Focus on starting the curl a few inches down from the root to keep volume at the crown. For the shorter face-framing layers, hold the curling iron vertically and give them a gentle flick outward to achieve the signature butterfly effect. After curling, let the hair cool completely, then run your fingers through to break up the curls and create a soft, cascading finish that perfectly frames the face. If your hair has trouble holding a curl, lightly mist your mane with the L’Oréal Paris Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray for long-lasting hold without any crunching or flaking.
Those with curly hair can rely on heat-free styling to give their butterfly cut body, shape, and definition. Start by lathering up with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Moisture Shampoo to remove excess oil and debris. Then, condition your mid-lengths and ends with the coordinating L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Moisture Conditioner to help keep your hair feeling soft and hydrated.
Post-shower, squeeze excess moisture from your hair and work a curl-defining cream or leave-in conditioner throughout your mane to help add definition and fight frizz. We’re fans of the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Leave-In Conditioner, which helps lock in moisture for bouncy, defined waves and curls. For curl definition, scrunch your hair upward from the ends before letting your hair air-dry. If you get impatient, you can also blow-dry with a diffuser. Either way, the butterfly hairstyle’s layered structure helps individual curls and waves fall into place more cleanly, creating a naturally voluminous and sculpted finish without the need for excessive styling.
Even the most effortless-looking styles need a bit of upkeep to keep their shape and movement. Here’s how to make your butterfly layers haircut look fresh, full, and healthy every day.
To keep your butterfly layers looking fresh (and to keep split ends at bay), aim for a trim every six to eight weeks. This helps maintain the shape of your cut and prevents your layers from growing out unevenly.
The butterfly haircut is meant to look bouncy and windswept, and for that, volume is key. To help ensure your hair doesn’t fall flat, consider swapping out your go-to shampoo and conditioner for a volumizing duo, like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Volume Sulfate-Free Shampoo and L’Oréal Paris EverPure Volume Sulfate-Free Conditioner. The duo provides an instant root lift with long-lasting body and fullness.
Skip heavy styling aids—these can weigh down your hair and make your bouncy cut look flat. Instead, prioritize using lightweight products that add volume without unnecessary weight, and reach for a clarifying shampoo once a week to help remove any excess oil or buildup. The L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Clarifying Shampoo with Antioxidants is a great pick, and it’s safe on color, so you don’t have to worry about it affecting your salon or DIY hue.
Next Up: 25 Easy Hairstyles for Low-Maintenance Days
Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris
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