Everyone is obsessing over the butterfly layered haircut right now, and it’s not hard to understand why. This ultra-viral hairstyle has taken social media by storm over the past few years, and it’s certainly not going anywhere anytime soon.
The butterfly haircut brings back the shaggy cuts of the ’70s alongside the bombshell blowouts of the ’90s, but in a softer and more modern way. We’re talking voluminous, bouncy, airy, and effortlessly chic.
And a major reason why butterfly cuts have gone so viral? While they may look glam and high-effort, they’re actually surprisingly low-maintenance. It’s no wonder all the girlies are obsessed with this carefree hairstyle, and it may just become your next new obsession.
If you prefer to keep your hair length but still want to add some volume, body, and bounce, a butterfly cut may just be exactly what you’ve been looking for all this time.
Here’s everything you need to know about butterfly layered haircuts before you book your next appointment.
What is a butterfly layered haircut?
There are many different types of layered haircuts, and a butterfly cut is just one of them. Butterfly haircuts are particularly defined by the high contrast between short and long layers. Shorter layers are placed around the face and crown of the head, and blended with longer layers throughout the rest of the head.
While other layered haircuts may offer a more subtle look, butterfly haircuts involve heavier, more dramatic layers of varying lengths, which give your hair that fluttery, winged-out sort of look. This is where this viral haircut gets its name from: it resembles a butterfly’s wings. Very poetic, and also very stylish.
Butterfly cuts are not as dramatic as a wolf cut or shag cut, and instead offer a more soft, polished, and wearable style.
In essence, a butterfly haircut offers a blend of two main things:
- Shorter layers that frame and flatter your face
- Longer layers that allow you to preserve your hair length
The result is a bouncy, effortless, and feathery hairstyle that gives your hair plenty of movement and volume, thanks to all the different layers. The shorter layers on top also create natural lift and give a sort of rounded appearance, giving your hair that voluminous look, even without styling. Plus, the heavy amount of layers make your hair feel lighter and more airy.
And one of the best things about butterfly cuts? They look fabulous even when they’re not styled – hence why they’re known to be so effortless and low-maintenance. Perfect for the lazy gals who still want to look put together, without actually having to put in the effort of styling every single morning.
What length is best for a butterfly haircut?
One of the biggest misconceptions about butterfly haircuts is that you need to have long hair for it to work. However, it actually looks great on all lengths, whether you have short, medium, or long hair.
Yes, a butterfly cut can actually be done on shorter hair as well! A skilled stylist can adapt the butterfly cut technique to your shorter hair, giving you varying layers while still preserving the length. It gives an effortless bounce and body to short hair, without making it look boxy. Plus, it makes it lighter on your head, especially if you have thicker hair.
In general, medium to long hair lengths tend to shine most with the butterfly cut, because of all the bold and distinct layers the cut is known for. With longer hair lengths, you can better see the contrast between the shorter and longer layers.
No matter your hair length, you get the best of both worlds: shorter, face-framing layers that perfectly flatter your face, and longer layers that let you keep the overall length of your hair while still being light and airy.
Our stylists at PERFECT X HAIR tailor every butterfly haircut to suit your hair length, type, and texture and according to your hair goals. Whether your hair is short or long, every cut is completely customized to you.
Does a butterfly cut suit all hair types?
The great news about butterfly haircuts is that they actually suit a wide range of hair types, which is another reason why they’re so popular right now. Butterfly cuts look great on straight, wavy, and curly hair types.
If you’ve got wavy or curly hair, the natural movement of your hair pairs perfectly with the bold and dramatic layers of a butterfly cut. The defined layers appear more pronounced and dynamic thanks to your natural waves or curls.
For straight hair, the varying layers can add some variance and movement, making it appear less flat, as well as more bouncy and dimensional.
No matter what your hair type is, butterfly cuts can give you that effortless, dynamic, and airy movement you’re looking for.
Do you need thick hair for butterfly cuts?
Thicker hair typically works best for butterfly haircuts due to the heavy amount of layers involved with this style of cut. It’s also nice for thicker hair because it sheds off some weight, making you feel lighter while still keeping the length and fullness.
But what about a butterfly cut for thin hair? Yes, it can absolutely still work, but it must be approached more cautiously.
If you have thin hair, the dramatic layers of a butterfly cut can make your hair look even thinner if not done carefully.
A softer, less dramatic version of the butterfly cut can be done with less layers, preserving the fullness of the rest of your hair. And when done correctly, this adds shape, volume, and body to your hair, making it appear more full than it actually is.
The key is customization, which is why it’s so important to work with a highly-skilled stylist that can tailor a butterfly cut to suit your hair type and texture.
If you’re unsure of whether a butterfly haircut is suitable for your hair, book a consultation at PERFECT X HAIR.
What face shape suits a butterfly cut best?
Butterfly haircuts actually suit most face shapes very well, which is just another reason why they’re oh-so-popular.
The face-framing pieces can be customized in placement and length depending on your face shape. It can help to soften and frame your face if you have a strong jawline, or even elongate and make your face appear slimmer if you have a round face.
At PERFECT X HAIR, our expert stylists take into consideration your face shape and personal style, so your butterfly cut accentuates your features and natural beauty.
Are butterfly cuts high-maintenance?
Contrary to what you may think, you don’t need a salon blowout everyday to keep your butterfly cut looking fresh and fabulous.
The cascading layers of the butterfly cut naturally fall into place, so the haircut itself does all the heavy lifting. You get natural movement and volume, without having to do any styling. If you want minimum effort with maximum style, a butterfly cut is perfect.
You can definitely style it if you’re looking for that ’90s supermodel blowout look, but a butterfly cut looks just as fantastic when it’s air-dried.
And because the layers are so seamlessly blended and placed around the head, the cut grows out beautifully, without looking choppy. All you need is a quick refresh at the salon every 6 to 8 weeks to maintain the shape and structure.
Butterfly haircuts are breezy, feminine, and effortless, and a wonderful choice for if you’re into a more low-maintenance hairstyle. Styled or un-styled, a butterfly cut always looks perfectly romantic and effortless.
Who is the butterfly haircut for?
There are so many good reasons to get a butterfly haircut, and we’ve highlighted plenty of them.
If you’re wondering whether it’s right for you, here are the main benefits of getting one:
- It flatters your face shape
- It adds more volume
- You can maintain your hair length
- It removes excess weight
- You can spend less time styling
Plus, if you have fine or thin hair, a butterfly cut can make it appear fuller.
If you’re looking to change up your look but don’t want to commit to a drastic chop, a butterfly haircut might just be the right choice for you.
Get an effortless butterfly haircut at PERFECT X HAIR
Butterfly haircuts are such a versatile and flattering style, which is why they’re well-loved by so many. The combination of the shorter and longer layers creates beautiful dimension, lift, volume, and bounce, giving you that soft, polished, yet effortlessly-chic look.
It’s the perfect everyday hairstyle, and you don’t even have to do any heavy styling for it. The social media girlies were definitely onto something with this one.
Here at PERFECT X HAIR, our expert stylists tailor every butterfly haircut to suit your hair texture, flatter your face shape, and elevate your overall look. We’re passionate about creating beautiful results that leave our clients feeling fabulous and confident.
If you’re ready to take the leap, book an appointment at PERFECT X HAIR to achieve the butterfly haircut of your dreams.
