The butterfly haircut has gone from a social media favourite to one of the most requested salon cuts of 2026. It pairs short, face-framing layers with longer lengths underneath, so the hair looks full and bouncy without losing length.
It sits between a ’90s blowout and a modern shag, but it is softer than a wolf cut and much easier to grow out. The shorter top layers act like “wings” around the face, which is where the name comes from.
Below are the butterfly cuts worth saving for your next appointment, from short and choppy to long and glossy, with notes on hair type and styling for each one.
What Is Butterfly Hairstyle?
A butterfly cut is a layered haircut where the crown and face-framing pieces are cut short, usually around the cheekbones or chin, while the back stays long. Ask your stylist for “short layers around the face that blend into long layers at the back” so the two sections connect smoothly instead of looking like two separate cuts.
The cut shows best with a round-brush blowout or large hot rollers. Use bigger rollers on thick hair and smaller ones on fine or curly hair, and let each section cool before you brush it out so the bend holds for longer.
Always mist on a heat protectant before using hot tools. A light setting lotion or volume mousse at the roots gives the top layers extra lift, and a dry texture spray on the ends keeps the movement soft rather than stiff.
1. Razored Butterfly Cut With Dramatic Lower Layers
A razored finish gives this version its feathery, lived-in edges. Instead of a few heavy steps, the lower layers are cut long and dramatic, so the hair swings when you move. It suits medium to thick hair that tends to look bulky at the ends.
Save2. Spicy Butterfly Cut With Cascading Layers
Here the layers cascade from the cheekbones all the way to the tips, with no hard line between the short and long sections. It is a good choice if you want plenty of movement but still want to tie your hair back easily.
Save3. Smoky Brown Butterfly Cut With Bold Layering
Thick hair benefits most from this smoky brown version. Lots of short layers remove weight around the crown, and a cool brown shade keeps the whole look polished. Blow-dry the layers away from the face for a full, rounded shape.
Save4. Off-Centered Butterfly Long Cut
A deep side part changes the whole shape of a butterfly cut. With a beige bronde shade and an off-centre part, the front layers fall across one side of the face, which softens a strong jaw and adds instant volume on top.
Save5. Dusty Blonde Shoulder-Length Butterfly Cut
Shoulder-length hair can still get the butterfly effect. This dusty blonde cut keeps the layers short at the front and lets the ends flip slightly, so it looks bouncy and fresh with very little styling.
Save6. Delicate Butterfly Cut For Ashy Brown Straight Hair
Fine, straight hair in an ashy brown shade gets extra body from soft, delicate layers. Keep the layers long enough to hide the ends and finish with a lightweight volumising spray so the hair does not fall flat by midday.
Save7. Medium Butterfly Cut In Copper Brown With Accent
Copper brown hair with face-framing layers makes the most of a warm colour. The medium length is easy to manage, and pairing it with wispy curtain bangs softens the front even more.
Save8. Glossy Crown, Messy Ends Hairstyle
This buttery blonde look keeps the crown sleek and glossy while the ends are left piecey and a little undone. It is a smart mix if you like a polished finish on top but do not want to curl every strand.
Save9. Delicate Butterfly Cut For Thin Hair With Blonde Highlights
Thin hair can look fuller with a butterfly cut, as long as the layers stay soft. Here, light layering at the front adds shape without removing too much weight, and a few blonde highlights make the hair appear thicker.
Save10. Layered Side Graduation In Butterfly Haircut
Long brown hair with layering focused at the sides and ends gives a graduated, textured outline. It works well on straight hair that needs shape but where you still want to keep most of the length.
Save11. Butterfly Cut Hairstyle For Oval Face In Medium Length
Shorter feathered layers on top frame an oval face perfectly. Because oval faces suit most shapes, you can go bolder with the layering here and style the front pieces outwards for a classic blowout look.
Save12. Short Hair Butterfly Cut
The short butterfly cut brings the same idea to chin or jaw-length hair. Choppy layers around the crown create volume, so it is a great option if your hair is fine and tends to fall flat when it is longer.
Save13. Bubbly Butterfly Haircut
This playful version adds lots of texture around the face for a bubbly, bouncy shape. Big rollers or a hot brush give the layers their round finish, and a flexible-hold hairspray keeps the curl from dropping.
Save14. Sophisticated Layered Butterfly Cut In Brunette
Brunettes get a sleek, grown-up take on the trend with skilfully blended layers. The shine of a rich brown shade shows off the movement of the cut, especially when the ends are smoothed under with a round brush.
Save15. Vibrant Copper Butterfly Hairstyle
A vivid copper colour brings warmth and brightness to the layers and makes every curl stand out. Use a colour-safe shampoo and a weekly gloss to keep copper from fading too quickly between salon visits.
Save17. Butterfly Cut with Wispy Layers in Medium Length
Wispy layers on medium-length hair give a light, airy result. This is a gentle way to try the butterfly cut if you are nervous about short layers, as the face-framing pieces start lower down.
Save18. High-Contrast Bangs In Butterfly Layers
High-contrast bangs make this butterfly cut bolder. A brighter shade on the fringe and front layers draws attention to the eyes, while the darker lengths keep the overall look grounded.
Save19. Ashy Brunette Ombre With Layers
An ashy brunette ombré blends from darker roots into lighter ends, so regrowth is barely noticeable. The layers help the colour melt naturally, which makes this a low-maintenance option for busy schedules.
Save20. Honey Blonde Balayage With Butterfly Cut
Honey blonde balayage and a butterfly cut were made for each other, because the layers show off every ribbon of colour. If your base is darker, see our blonde balayage ideas for dark hair for more shade inspiration.
Save21. Butterfly Cut with Soft Layers
Soft layers keep this version easy to wear every day. The cut grows out gracefully, and you can switch between a sleek straight finish and a bouncy blowout without needing a trim.
Save22. Bouncy Black Butterfly Haircut
Black hair looks striking with bouncy butterfly layers that catch the light. A smoothing cream on damp hair and a round-brush blow-dry give the shape plenty of shine and lift.
Save23. Choppy Butterfly Layers
Choppy layers give the butterfly cut an edgier, more undone feel. It is perfect if you like texture and movement, and it air-dries well with a little sea salt spray scrunched through the lengths.
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