25 Beautiful Butterfly Haircut Ideas For Women

The butterfly haircut has quickly become one of the most sought-after styles, offering the perfect blend of short hair versatility with long hair glamour.

This layered cut creates a wing-like effect that frames your face beautifully. You’ll enjoy the volume and movement of shorter layers while maintaining your length.

The butterfly cut works across various hair textures and face shapes, making it universally flattering.

Ready to transform your locks with this trending style? Explore these 25 butterfly haircut variations that will give you the perfect balance of bounce and flow.

1: Classic Mid-Length Butterfly

The original butterfly cut features face-framing layers starting at chin level with longer strands cascading down your back.

Ask your stylist for short, wispy pieces around your face that gradually blend into longer lengths.

Style with a round brush while blow-drying to encourage the shorter layers to flip outward.

This creates the distinctive “wing” effect that gives the butterfly cut its name.

Perfect for first-timers, this versatile cut works well on straight, wavy, and curly hair textures.

2: Curly Butterfly

Embrace your natural texture with a butterfly cut specifically designed for curls. Request shorter layers around your face with longer curls maintained in the back.

Apply curl-enhancing cream to damp hair and either air-dry or diffuse to maintain your curl pattern.

The varied lengths create beautiful dimension that showcases your natural texture.

This curly interpretation adds incredible volume while removing weight that often weighs curls down.

3: Butterfly Bob

Experience the best of both worlds with this chin-length variation that maintains the butterfly’s signature layering.

Ask for shorter pieces around your face with the back hitting right at or slightly below your chin.

Style with a flat iron, curling the ends inward for a sleek look, or add beachy waves for more texture.

The layered approach prevents the bob from looking too blunt or heavy.

This shorter take offers all the movement of a traditional butterfly cut in a more low-maintenance length.

4: Long Butterfly with Curtain Bangs

Combine two trending styles by adding curtain bangs to a longer butterfly cut.

Request face-framing layers that blend seamlessly into your bangs, creating a continuous flow.

Blow dry your bangs away from your face using a round brush for that perfect face-framing swoop.

The combination creates a 70s-inspired look that’s both nostalgic and modern.

This romantic style particularly flatters oval and heart-shaped faces while adding softness around your features.

5: Blonde Balayage Butterfly

Enhance your butterfly cut with dimensional blonde balayage that accentuates the layers.

Ask your colorist for hand-painted highlights concentrated on your face-framing pieces and ends.

The lighter pieces make your layers more visible, especially when you style with loose waves.

The color dimension creates a sun-kissed effect that makes your hair appear thicker.

This color-and-cut combination offers beautiful contrast that showcases the butterfly’s signature movement.

6: Butterfly Shag

Embrace retro vibes with this Rockstar-worthy interpretation featuring more dramatic layers throughout.

Request a traditional shag with the butterfly’s signature face-framing pieces kept slightly longer.

Apply texturizing spray and scrunch while drying for maximum volume and piece-y definition.

This edgier version maintains the butterfly’s movement while adding gritty texture.

Perfect for those who want a more lived-in, effortless look that still offers versatility.

7: Butterfly Pixie

Try this dramatic short version that maintains longer pieces at the nape. Ask for very short layers on top with significantly longer strands at the back of your neck.

Style the top with texturizing paste for piece-y definition that contrasts with the longer back section.

This bold interpretation offers the butterfly’s distinctive shape in a much shorter package.

Ideal for those ready to make a statement while still maintaining some length to play with.

8: Face-Framing Butterfly

Focus the butterfly effect around your face with this variation that keeps most of your length intact.

Request chin-length pieces around your face that gradually blend into your longer hair.

Style the front sections with a round brush or curling iron to accentuate the face-framing layers.

The concentrated layering draws attention to your features while maintaining your overall length.

Perfect for those hesitant to lose length but wanting to try the butterfly effect.

9: Butterfly with Money Piece

Highlight your butterfly cut with contrasting face-framing color. Ask your stylist for the signature layered cut paired with lighter streaks just around your face.

Style with beachy waves to showcase both the cut and color dimension. The lighter pieces draw attention to the butterfly’s characteristic face-framing shape.

This color technique enhances your features while adding visual interest to the layered cut.

10: 90s-Inspired Butterfly

Channel Rachel Green vibes with this nostalgic take on the butterfly cut. Request more defined, chunkier layers that flip outward around your face.

Blow dry with a round brush, turning the ends outward for that distinctive 90s flip. This retro interpretation brings back the decade’s signature bounce with a modern twist.

Perfect for those who appreciate vintage aesthetics while enjoying contemporary styling versatility.

11: Textured Butterfly for Fine Hair

Add volume to fine hair with this texture-focused variation. Ask for point cutting throughout your layers to create piece-y ends that add dimension.

Apply volumizing mousse before blow-drying upside down to maximize fullness at the roots.

The varied layers create the illusion of thicker hair by adding movement and volume.

This specialized approach works wonders for fine hair that typically falls flat without proper layering.

12: Butterfly Lob

Experience the butterfly effect in a shoulder-grazing length. Request the signature face-framing layers with the longest pieces hitting just at or slightly below your shoulders.

Style with loose waves created by wrapping sections around a curling wand. This mid-length version offers maximum versatility with minimum maintenance.

Perfect for those who want a more professional look while still enjoying the butterfly’s movement and shape.

13: Butterfly with Wispy Bangs

Soften your butterfly cut with delicate, wispy bangs across your forehead. Ask for lightweight, see-through fringe that blends into your face-framing layers.

Style your bangs with a small round brush, directing them slightly to the side for a feathery effect.

The bangs add another dimension of softness to the already feminine cut.

This combination works beautifully on oval and long face shapes, adding balance and drawing attention to your eyes.

14: Butterfly with Invisible Layers

Try this subtle variation that creates movement without obvious layer lines. Request long, seamless layers cut at a slight angle to create hidden dimension.

Apply lightweight styling cream and blow dry with a paddle brush for sleek movement.

This refined approach gives you the butterfly effect with a more polished finish.

Perfect for professional environments where you want sophisticated movement without obvious layering.

15: Butterfly Wolf Cut

Combine two trending styles with this edgy, mullet-inspired butterfly variation.

Ask for shorter, choppier layers on top that gradually transition to longer pieces at the back.

Apply texturizing spray and rough-dry your hair for maximum volume and piece-y texture.

This bold interpretation adds punk rock energy to the typically soft butterfly cut.

Ideal for those who want an alternative look that still offers the butterfly’s signature movement.

16: Butterfly with Blunt Ends

Create interesting contrast by pairing interior butterfly layers with a blunt bottom edge. Style the layers with volume while keeping the ends sleek and straight.

Request the characteristic face-framing pieces while keeping the overall length cut in a straight line.

The juxtaposition of soft internal layers with precise ends creates a modern, editorial look.

This architectural approach works particularly well on straight hair where the contrast between layered and blunt sections is most visible.

17: Butterfly for Thick Hair

Manage voluminous locks with this weight-removing variation. Ask your stylist for internal layers throughout that remove bulk while maintaining your length.

Apply smoothing cream before blow-drying to control frizz while enhancing movement.

The strategic layering removes weight from thick hair without sacrificing the butterfly’s signature shape.

This specialized approach makes styling thick hair much more manageable while adding beautiful movement.

18: Wavy Butterfly

Enhance natural waves with this texture-celebrating butterfly cut. Request layers strategically placed to enhance your natural wave pattern.

Apply curl cream to damp hair and scrunch while drying to define your natural texture.

The varied lengths support your waves’ natural formation rather than fighting against them.

This wash-and-wear approach works with your natural texture for effortless, everyday styling.

19: Butterfly with Side Sweep

Create dramatic asymmetry with this side-parted variation. This asymmetrical approach adds intrigue to the standard butterfly silhouette.

Ask for slightly longer face-framing pieces on one side that can be swept dramatically across your forehead.

Blow dry with a round brush, directing the front section across your face for a glamorous sweep.

Perfect for those wanting to add drama to their style without losing the butterfly’s characteristic movement.

20: Butterfly with Feathered Layers

Channel 70s icon Farrah Fawcett with this retro-inspired butterfly variation. Request feathered layers throughout that create soft, wispy ends.

Use a round brush while blow-drying, flipping sections away from your face for maximum feathering.

This nostalgic approach adds incredible volume and movement throughout.

The feathered technique creates the ultimate in soft, touchable texture that moves beautifully with minimal styling.

21: Two-Tiered Butterfly

Create dramatic distinction between your shorter and longer pieces. Ask for two clearly defined layer sections—one at chin length and one at your full length.

Style the shorter tier with more volume while keeping the longer tier sleeker. This creates the illusion of two different haircuts in one for maximum impact.

This bold interpretation makes a statement while still offering the versatility to wear your hair up or down.

22: Butterfly Undercut

Add edge to your butterfly cut with a hidden undercut beneath your longer layers.

Request a traditional butterfly cut with a section at the nape or behind one ear shaved short.

Style normally, knowing you can tuck your hair behind your ear or put it up to reveal your undercut.

This secret detail adds edge without sacrificing the butterfly’s feminine silhouette.

Perfect for those wanting to experiment with edgier styles while maintaining professional versatility.

23: Butterfly with Micro-Bangs

Create stunning contrast with ultra-short bangs paired with longer face-framing layers.

Request a straight-across micro fringe that hits about an inch below your hairline. This architectural combination creates a high-fashion look that frames your eyes.

Style your layers with volume and movement to contrast with the geometric precision of your bangs.

This bold pairing works especially well for those with oval face shapes and strong features.

24: Gradient Butterfly

Experience beautiful transition with this ombré-effect layering technique. Ask for very short layers at the crown that gradually increase in length toward the bottom.

Style with a round brush while blow-drying, creating volume at the crown that cascades down.

This technical approach creates stunning dimension and movement throughout.

Perfect for those who want maximum volume at the crown while maintaining significant length.

25: One-Length Butterfly

Try this subtle interpretation that creates the butterfly effect through styling rather than cutting. Request minimal long layers with emphasis on texturizing the ends.

Use a flat iron to create bends and curves throughout, mimicking the butterfly’s signature movement.

This approach offers versatility to switch between sleek and textured styles.

Ideal for those hesitant to commit to significant layering but wanting to experiment with the butterfly effect.

Conclusion

The butterfly haircut offers endless possibilities to suit your personal style, hair texture, and maintenance preferences.

Whether dramatic or subtle, this versatile cut delivers the perfect balance of volume and length.