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Butterfly braids are braids with a soft, fluffy, slightly undone texture. Instead of a smooth, sleek braid, small loops of hair are pulled out along the length as you braid, so the finished style looks airy and full, a little like butterfly locs in braid form.
They are usually done as feed-in braids or cornrows with extension hair, and you can wear just two large braids or a full head of them. Here’s how to create the look, what you need and how to keep it looking fresh. For more ideas, see our gallery of butterfly braid hairstyles.
What You Need
- Braiding hair: pre-stretched braiding hair for the base, and some people add a wavy or curly hair for softer loops.
- Rat-tail comb for clean parts.
- Clips or hair ties to hold sections.
- Braiding gel or edge control for a neat base.
- Mousse to set the style and tame frizz.
- Scissors to tidy the ends.
How to Do Butterfly Braids
Step 1: Prep Your Hair
Start with clean, conditioned and detangled hair. Stretching your hair with a blow-dryer on low heat or by banding makes parting and braiding easier. Apply a leave-in conditioner so your hair stays moisturized under the braids.
Step 2: Plan and Part Your Sections
Decide how many braids you want. Two braids, one on each side, is the simplest version. For a full head, part neat rows from front to back. Use gel along each part to keep it sharp, and clip the rest of your hair away.
Step 3: Start a Feed-In Braid
Begin each braid with your natural hair close to the hairline, then gradually add small pieces of extension hair as you work back, just like a regular feed-in braid. Starting small and adding hair slowly keeps tension off your edges.
Step 4: Create the Butterfly Loops
This is what gives the style its name. As you add a new piece of extension hair, leave a small section of it slightly loose so it forms a loop or bend that sits outside the braid. Repeat every few crossovers, alternating sides, so the texture looks even from root to tip. Keep the loops small for a subtle look, or make them bigger for a more dramatic, fluffy finish.
Step 5: Finish the Ends
Once the braid reaches the nape, continue braiding down the length of the hair, adding loops as you go if you want the texture all the way through. Leave the ends loose and slightly wavy, or braid them to the tip and trim any stray pieces.
Step 6: Fluff and Set
Gently pull and separate the loops with your fingers so they look soft and natural rather than stiff. Apply mousse over the braids, tie them down with a scarf for 20 to 30 minutes, and smooth your edges.
How Long Do Butterfly Braids Take?
Two large butterfly braids can usually be done in an hour or two, depending on your speed and hair length. A full head of smaller braids takes much longer, often several hours.
How to Care for Butterfly Braids
- Sleep with a satin scarf or bonnet to protect the loops from frizz.
- Moisturize your scalp with a light oil or leave-in spray every few days.
- Refresh with mousse when the texture starts to look frizzy.
- Don’t leave them in too long: feed-in styles and cornrows usually look best for a couple of weeks, and longer installs should come out before your roots start to mat.
Final Thoughts
Butterfly braids are a fun way to give classic feed-in braids more texture and movement. Start with two braids to practice the loop technique, then build up to a full head. If you like this soft, textured look, you might also enjoy stitch braids or goddess braids.
