Butterfly haircuts are having a moment, and it’s easy to see why. The soft layers add light volume and frame the face beautifully. Long hair feels lighter with this cut. Fine hair looks fuller. Even thick or curly hair sits better once the layers go in. And you don’t need super long hair to try it; this cut works on many lengths.
Below you’ll find ideas for long, medium, short, straight, wavy, curly, coily, thick, and fine hair. There are also bang options like curtain bangs, wispy bangs, bottleneck bangs, and side-swept bangs, plus a no bangs version for anyone who wants to skip the fringe.
Some of these cuts bring back big ’90s volume. Others keep things soft and easy to manage. A few are picked to match certain face shapes or hair colors too.
Take a look through the list, save the ones you like, and bring them to your next salon visit.
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Long Butterfly Haircut with Face Framing Layers
Create volume by adding layers, but never cut to shorten the hair. Create shorter layers near the cheekbones and chin to add softness to the whole face.
Ideal hairstyle for long hair that is straight or wavy. Style the front layers outward using a round brush when blow-drying.
Extra Long Butterfly Haircut
Once a certain point has been reached, the hair becomes heavy and flat in its resting state. The styling technique known as layering provides a result wherein the ends are full, but the mid-lengths move.
Good pick for hair well past the shoulders. Ask for soft, blended layers rather than sharp ones.
Medium Length Butterfly Haircut
Medium hair loses its shape quickly when it’s cut all one length. Layers through the mid-section and a lift at the crown keep it looking full instead of flat.
Looks good whether the hair is straight or has a wavy texture. Raise the upper sections using a brush when you are drying the hair.
Butterfly Cut with Length at the Shoulders
When done with length near the shoulders, the style remains light. The small layers near the crown will raise the hair, but the ends remain untouched.
Suits fine or medium hair well. A light curl at the tips brings the layering out nicely.
Short Butterfly Cut
When short, the cut adds height at the top and a softer line closer to the chin, a less dramatic version of the butterfly cut.
Good for fine, straight, or wavy hair. But remember, a short top layer will need a bit of maintenance each day. Use a small round brush at the crown.
Messy Butterfly Haircut
This cut isn’t about being neat or perfect. It’s made to look easy and relaxed, like you just woke up and it fell into place on its own. The layers are cut so pieces sit a little unevenly on purpose. That’s what gives it the loose, laid-back feel.
Good if you like a style that doesn’t need much work.
Butterfly Haircut for Thick Hair
The ends are usually where thick hair carries the most weight, and deep, well blended layers are what take that bulk down.
If it’s feeling heavy, ask your stylist for long layers through the centre and softer pieces near the cheeks and tell them to leave the ends thick, not blunt. Just don’t overdo the short layers; pile in too many and thick hair can end up looking wider instead of lighter.
Butterfly Cut for Thin and Fine Hair
With thin hair, where the layers go really matters. Layers near the top give shape. Thicker layers at the ends make hair look fuller.
This works best on hair between the shoulders and chin. Keep the bottom edge soft but not cut too thin.
Sleek Butterfly Haircut for Straight Hair
There is nothing that can be hidden from straight hair, and the haircut must be made carefully. Smoothening the layers near the face ensures neatness, while the back part, which is a bit longer, gives the shape a perfect finish.
Works well for naturally straight hair that lacks body. Finish it off with a soft inward curl at the ends.
Butterfly Wavy Haircut
Waves make the layers stand out even more. Short layers add height on top, and the long waves bring movement to the rest.
Loose waves, not tight curls. Apply some mousse to wet hair before blow drying it.
Shaggy Butterfly Cut with Burgundy Highlights
Ideal for long to medium length, curly or wavy hair. Style with soft, loose waves to enhance the layered butterfly shape. One thing about burgundy hair color: it fades really quickly, so you should always use color safe shampoo and conditioner.
Looking for more rich, red-toned shades like this? Check out our full guide to trending hair colors.
Curly Butterfly Haircut
When the hair is layered to create a round style, the curls don’t extend horizontally and stay in place. The shorter curls around the head create the height while the length under keeps the volume.
Suits medium to long curly hair. Work in some curl cream and let it dry on its own; skip the brush.
Butterfly Haircut for Coily Hair
Coily hair fills out nicely once the layers are cut to follow its own coil pattern; the crown holds its lift while the coils below round out into a soft shape.
Best for tight coils. Air dry it, or diffuse it, before any cutting happens; that’s the only way your stylist can really see where each coil lands and shape around it accurately.
Butterfly Cut Without Bangs
If a fringe isn’t for you, the front pieces can still frame the face without hiding the forehead.
Good for an open-front look. Part down the middle and let the longest pieces fall along the cheekbones. A bonus: without bangs, you’ll need fewer trims.
Butterfly Cut with Crown Layers
Flat lying hair almost always needs a lift right at the crown, and that’s what shorter layers are for; the longer pieces underneath keep the rest of the shape from looking uneven.
Suits straight, wavy, or slightly thick hair. Dry the crown section upward first using a round brush, then let the rest fall into place on its own.
Butterfly Haircut with Feathered Ends
Feathered ends make the layers look soft and light, with tips that flick out and away from the face.
Best on medium-to-long straight hair. Use the round brush only at the very end of each stroke to get that natural flick.
Large Butterfly Haircut (’90s Style)
Big layers with flipped-out ends give this cut an old-school look, with lots of lift and movement.
Good for medium to thick hair. Roll the top with big rollers and use a round brush on the ends.
Low Maintenance Butterfly Haircut
Long, soft layers grow out more evenly than short, sharp ones, which means fewer salon visits.
Good for anyone who likes the butterfly shape but doesn’t want to keep up with it often. Let your natural texture show, add a touch of oil to the tips, and only style the front when needed.
Butterfly Haircut for Frizzy Hair
Frizzy hair needs layers that work with it, not against it. If the layers are too thin, the frizz shows up even more. Longer layers add a bit of weight, which helps keep flyaways down.
Best if your hair puffs up in humid weather. Put on a leave-in conditioner or anti-frizz serum while your hair is still damp. Once it’s dry, try not to brush it; that’s usually what brings the frizz back.
Butterfly Haircut for Square or Heart Shaped Faces
Softer layering near the cheeks and jaw eases out the sharper angles on these face shapes, and rounded-off ends keep it from ever looking too severe.
Fits square or heart-shaped faces particularly well. A loose side part paired with soft waves works nicely, with the shortest layer landing just under the cheekbone.
Balayage Butterfly Haircut
Balayage adds depth, which makes each layer stand out more. Lighter color near the face and at the tips shows off the movement without any hard color lines.
Good for anyone who wants their color to show off the cut. Ask your colorist to follow the layer lines when placing the balayage. Usually the roots stay dark and fade into soft, light streaks through the rest.
For more color placement ideas beyond balayage, check out our full guide to trending hair colors.
Final Thoughts
Almost any hair type can pull off a butterfly cut once the layers are placed right. It brings movement to long hair, fullness to fine hair, and an easier shape to thick or curly hair.
The best pick for you depends on your length, texture, face shape, and how much time you want to spend styling. Bring a few photos from this list to your stylist and point out what you like: the bangs, the crown volume, or the feathered ends.
Save your favorite butterfly haircut ideas so you have them ready before your next salon visit.
