Butterfly Haircut: Various Types of Butterfly Haircut For Every Face Shape
The butterfly haircut has taken the hair world by storm, becoming one of the most requested styles in salons worldwide. This flattering, versatile hairstyle combines cascading layers with face-framing cuts to create a stunning silhouette that works beautifully across different hair types and face shapes.
If you’re considering this trending cut, you’re in the right place. Let’s explore everything you need to know about the butterfly haircut, from its various types to finding the perfect version for your unique features.
What is a Butterfly Haircut?
The butterfly haircut is a layered hairstyle that features shorter layers around the face and longer layers throughout the rest of the hair. The name comes from the way the layers fan out when styled, resembling butterfly wings in motion.
This modern cut blends the best elements of 90s hairstyles with contemporary styling techniques. The feathered layers create movement and dimension while maintaining length, making it an ideal choice for anyone wanting a fresh look without sacrificing their locks.
What makes this cut special is its ability to add volume at the crown while keeping the ends soft and wispy. Professional stylists use texturizing techniques like point cutting and feathering to achieve that effortlessly tousled look.
Different Types of Butterfly Haircut
Classic Butterfly Haircut
The classic butterfly haircut features dramatic face-framing layers that start at the cheekbones and gradually blend into longer lengths. This version creates maximum movement and works exceptionally well for those with medium to long hair.
The layered hairstyle maintains substantial length at the back while the shorter front pieces add that signature butterfly effect. It’s perfect if you want a noticeable transformation.
Subtle Butterfly Layers
For those preferring a more understated approach, subtle butterfly layers offer a softer variation. The layers are less pronounced but still provide face-framing benefits and added texture.
This low-maintenance haircut is ideal for first-timers or anyone who wants the butterfly effect without committing to dramatic layers. The styling is air dry friendly, making it perfect for busy lifestyles.
Shaggy Butterfly Haircut
The shaggy butterfly haircut combines choppy layers with the traditional butterfly structure. This textured haircut delivers an edgier, more rock-and-roll vibe while maintaining the flattering face-framing elements.
Hairstylists achieve this look through razor cutting techniques that create wispy, irregular layers. It’s particularly stunning on wavy hair and thick hair types.
Modern Butterfly Cut with Curtain Bangs
Adding curtain bangs to a butterfly haircut creates a trendy, youthful appearance. The bangs blend seamlessly with the face-framing layers, enhancing the overall butterfly effect.
This combination softens angular features and draws attention to your eyes. The curtain bangs require minimal styling with just a round brush and quick blow dry technique.
Blunt Butterfly Cut
The blunt butterfly cut maintains stronger, more defined lines at the ends while incorporating the signature layering up top. This version works beautifully on straight hair and creates a polished, sophisticated look.
Hair texture appears thicker with this variation since the ends aren’t heavily textured. It’s excellent for fine hair that needs the illusion of density.
Butterfly Haircut for Different Face Shapes
Choosing the right butterfly haircut variation for your face shape ensures the most flattering results. Let’s break down the best approaches for each facial structure.
Butterfly Haircut for Oval Face
Lucky you! An oval face is the most versatile face shape, and virtually any butterfly haircut variation will work beautifully. Your balanced facial proportions mean you can experiment freely.
For oval faces, the classic butterfly haircut with layers starting at chin level looks stunning. You can also pull off dramatic butterfly cuts with shorter face-framing layers that start higher up. The key is working with your hairstylist to determine what complements your personal style.
Butterfly Haircut for Round Face
A butterfly haircut works wonders for a round face by creating the illusion of length and adding definition. The face-framing layers help elongate the face and accentuate cheekbones.
Ask your salon professional for layers that start below the chin rather than at cheek level. This placement creates vertical lines that flatter face shape by drawing the eye downward. Avoid adding too much volume at the sides, which can add width.
Pair your butterfly haircut with side-swept curtain bangs to further enhance the face-slimming effect. The cascading layers should be concentrated at the front with softer layering at the sides.
Butterfly Haircut for Square Face
For a square face, the butterfly haircut helps soften the jawline and angular features. The key is using feathered layers to create curves and movement that balance out strong jaw definition.
Request layers that start at or slightly above the jawline. These face-framing pieces will soften your features beautifully. Incorporate wispy layers throughout to add a romantic, feminine touch that contrasts with angular bone structure.
The shaggy butterfly haircut works particularly well for square faces, as the textured, irregular layers create that desired softening effect around the jaw.
Butterfly Haircut for Heart-Shaped Face
A heart-shaped face features a wider forehead and narrower chin. The butterfly haircut creates perfect balance by adding volume and width at the jawline through strategic layering.
Focus on layers that start at chin length or below to add fullness where needed. Avoid very short layers at the temples, which can emphasize forehead width. Instead, let the layers gradually build from mid-length down.
Curtain bangs are your best friend with this face shape, as they minimize forehead appearance while the butterfly layers add balance below.
Butterfly Haircut for Diamond Face
Diamond faces have beautiful, prominent cheekbones with a narrower forehead and chin. The butterfly haircut enhances this structure by framing those gorgeous cheekbones.
Layers starting at cheekbone level will accentuate your best features while adding width at the forehead and chin. This creates overall facial balance and highlights your natural bone structure.
A medium-length butterfly cut works exceptionally well for diamond faces, with texturizing techniques that keep the style soft and feminine.
Butterfly Haircut for Oblong Face vs
Oblong faces benefit from a butterfly haircut that adds width rather than length. The goal is creating horizontal volume that shortens the appearance of a long face.
Request layers that add fullness at the sides, particularly around cheek and temple areas. Avoid extremely long lengths that elongate further. A shoulder-length butterfly cut often hits the sweet spot.
Consider adding curtain bangs or side-swept bangs to break up vertical length. The voluminous appearance created by the layered structure helps create better facial proportions.
Butterfly Haircut for Different Hair Types
Butterfly Haircut for Straight Hair
Straight hair showcases the butterfly haircut’s structure beautifully. The layered shape is clearly defined, creating clean lines and obvious movement.
Use a round brush while blow drying to add body and curl to the ends. Heat styling with a flat iron can also create those perfect face-framing waves. Hair serum helps maintain shine and prevents frizz on straight textures.
Butterfly Haircut for Wavy Hair
Wavy hair is arguably the ideal texture for a butterfly haircut. The natural hair texture enhances the voluminous haircut effect without extensive styling.
Your waves will naturally follow the layered structure, creating that coveted effortless style. Simply scrunch in texturizing spray on damp hair and air dry for gorgeous results. This is the definition of an easy to style cut.
Butterfly Haircut for Curly Hair
Yes, curly hair can absolutely rock a butterfly haircut! The key is working with a stylist experienced in cutting curls. The layers should follow your natural curl pattern.
Curly hair tends to spring up when dry, so your stylist will cut longer than they would on straight hair. The butterfly effect on curls creates beautiful bounce and prevents that triangular shape many curly-haired folks struggle with.
Use curl-defining products and avoid over-layering, which can create unwanted frizz. The butterfly haircut helps distribute hair weight evenly, giving your curls better shape.
Butterfly Haircut for Fine Hair
Fine hair gets a major boost from the butterfly haircut. The layered structure creates the illusion of thickness while removing weight that can drag hair down.
Ask for feathering and texturizing that adds volume without making hair look thin at the ends. The blunt butterfly cut variation works particularly well for fine hair, maintaining density at the bottom.
Use hair mousse at the roots before blow drying to maximize volume. The face-framing layers will make your hair appear fuller and more dynamic.
Butterfly Haircut for Thick Hair
Thick hair can feel heavy and bulky, but the butterfly haircut provides the perfect solution. The cascading layers remove excess weight while maintaining your hair’s natural fullness.
Your hairstylist will use thinning techniques to reduce bulk without sacrificing the butterfly shape. This creates movement that’s often difficult to achieve with dense hair.
The shaggy butterfly haircut is particularly flattering on thick hair, as the choppy layers showcase your hair’s natural texture beautifully.
How to Style Your Butterfly Haircut
Daily Styling Routine
Styling your butterfly haircut doesn’t require hours at the mirror. Start with clean, towel-dried hair and apply a volumizing mousse or texturizing spray.
Use a blow dryer with a round brush, focusing on the face-framing layers first. Direct these pieces away from your face to enhance the butterfly effect. The rest can be blow-dried with your fingers for natural movement.
For minimal effort days, the butterfly haircut is incredibly air dry friendly. Simply apply styling products to damp hair and let it dry naturally. The layers will fall into place beautifully.
Creating Extra Volume
If you want maximum voluminous appearance, flip your head upside down while blow drying. This heat styling technique lifts the roots and creates dramatic body.
Once dry, use a large-barrel curling iron or flat iron to add soft waves through the mid-lengths and ends. Focus on curling away from the face at the front for that signature face-framing effect.
Finish with a light texturizing spray for hold without stiffness. Gently tousle with your fingers for that effortlessly styled look.
Products That Work Best
The right styling products make all the difference. For fine hair, lightweight mousse adds volume without weighing hair down. Thick hair benefits from smoothing serums that tame frizz while maintaining the layered shape.
Texturizing spray is your universal friend for the butterfly haircut, regardless of hair type. It enhances natural hair texture and gives that coveted lived-in appearance.
Heat protectant is non-negotiable if you regularly use hot tools. Protect your feathered layers from damage to keep them looking healthy and bouncy.
Maintaining Your Butterfly Haircut
Trim Schedule
To keep your butterfly haircut looking fresh, schedule trims every 6-8 weeks. Regular maintenance prevents split ends and maintains the layered structure.
The face-framing pieces grow out quickly and lose their shape, so don’t skip those haircut appointments. A professional stylist can refresh your layers without removing significant length.
Between salon visits, protect your hair with quality products and minimize heat damage for healthy hair that holds its style better.
At-Home Care Tips
Invest in a good shampoo and conditioner suited to your hair texture. Proper hydration keeps layers looking soft and prevents that dry, damaged hair appearance.
Deep conditioning treatments once weekly maintain hair health, especially if you regularly heat style. The butterfly haircut looks best on shiny, well-maintained hair.
When sleeping, consider a silk pillowcase to reduce friction and maintain your style overnight. This small change makes morning styling much easier.
Butterfly Haircut vs Other Trending Cuts
Many people ask about the butterfly haircut vs wolf cut comparison. While both feature layers, the wolf cut has more dramatic, shaggy layers throughout, while the butterfly haircut focuses on face-framing pieces with softer overall layering.
The butterfly haircut is generally more polished and easier to maintain than a wolf cut. It’s also more versatile for professional settings while still being trendy and youthful.
Compared to traditional shag haircuts, the butterfly haircut maintains more length and has a more specific layering pattern concentrated around the face.
Is the Butterfly Haircut Right for You?
This versatile hairstyle works for most people, but it’s particularly ideal if you want to add movement without losing length. The butterfly haircut flatters various face shapes when customized properly.
Consider this cut if you’re looking for a hair transformation that’s noticeable but not extreme. It’s perfect for growing out a shorter style or refreshing long hair that feels heavy and flat.
Book a hair consultation with an experienced hairstylist who can assess your hair density, natural hair texture, and facial features. They’ll create a customized butterfly haircut that brings out your best features.
Final Thoughts
The butterfly haircut continues to dominate hair trends for good reason. Its ability to flatter different face shapes, work with various hair types, and provide that perfect balance of structure and movement makes it universally appealing.
Whether you choose dramatic layers or subtle butterfly layers, this cut offers the hair transformation many of us crave. The face-framing effect enhances your natural beauty while the cascading layers create enviable volume and bounce.
Ready to spread your wings with this stunning style? Find a skilled salon professional, bring inspiration photos to your haircut appointment, and get ready to fall in love with your new look. The butterfly haircut might just be the confidence boost and fresh start you’ve been searching for!
