What is the Butterfly Haircut? All About The Layered Look That Will Give Your Hair Wings

Looking for a stylish, low-maintenance haircut that adds instant volume and movement? Meet the butterfly haircut - a 90’s-inspired layered look that’s made a stunning comeback. If you’ve been paying attention to the latest trends or are a regular follower of #hairtok, chances are you’ve come across the butterfly haircut. But what is it, and most importantly: should you get it? It’s time your questions were answered. In this blog, Laura Elliott, Head of Education at Neäl & Wølf shares everything you need to know about the cut.

1. So, what is a butterfly haircut?

The butterfly haircut takes inspiration from 90's glam and is layers galore! The name comes from celebrity hairstylist Sunnie Brook who has an endless list of glamorous clients, including Jenna Ortega and Elisabeth Moss.

The name is inspired by the wisps of layered hair, which fan out like fluttering butterfly wings. The butterfly cut creates volume and dimension while removing damage and split ends. It has been linked to the ‘Rachel’ cut, which Jennifer Aniston sported again at the 2024 Golden Globes. Learn more: Jennifer Aniston’s Iconic ‘Rachel Green’ Haircut

If you like to rock shorter face-framing layers and curtain bangs, the butterfly cut is for you. The butterfly cut is characterised by lots of layers and often a curtain fringe. The layers are a combination of long and short cuts; the shorter layers stay around the face, whereas longer strands stay at the back of the hair. This layered look is great for anyone who wants to create the illusion of fuller, healthier hair without sacrificing length.

2. How to do the butterfly haircut - salon vs DIY

The style can be achieved by chopping layers of hair both long and short, which can be a complicated process and difficult to get right. When creating this look, we’d always recommend visiting a salon and seeking a stylist’s professional advice. This shouldn’t be tried at home unless by a professional stylist.

Book in at your local salon today: Neäl & Wølf Salon Finder

3. Will a butterfly haircut suit my face shape?

The chances are, yes! This look is so versatile your face shape doesn’t matter, whether it’s square, heart-shaped, round, oval, diamond, or triangle; your stylists will add slight variations to the butterfly haircut to compliment your face structure. The butterfly cut also suits different hair types, adding volume and body to thin hair, and making thick locks more buoyant.

Hailey Steinfeld/Instagram

4. Butterfly cut vs wolf cut : which is better and what's the difference?

The butterfly cut and the wolf cut are similar, but one is more dramatic than the other. The wolf cut merges shag and mullet cuts to create a bold, rebellious look. In contrast, the butterfly cut is light and glamorous.

The butterfly haircut is similar to the popular wolf cut in that they both use long and short layers. The difference is that the wolf cut is styled in a heavy and blunt fashion, whereas the butterfly cut has much more flow and movement. The wolf cut also has more of a 70’s vibe, whereas the butterfly cut is very 90’s.

Which haircut is better depends on which part of your personality you’d like to portray. If you’re looking for a fierce, untamed look, the wolf cut is for you. The butterfly cut is much lighter and more whimsical. 

 Find out more about the wolf cut: What is a Wolf Cut? The Trend to Go Wild For 

5. What is the difference between layers and the butterfly cut?

The butterfly cut uses layers, so the two style aspects work together in harmony. There is however some difference between traditional layers and the butterfly cut. Traditional layers are styled so that they shape inwards towards the face, to frame your features. However, the butterfly cut has layers directing and fanning away from the face.

6. Is the butterfly cut high maintenance?

The butterfly cut is very easy to look after, using as much or as little styling as you please. We’d recommend having regular trips to the salon for maintenance, as well as following a hair care routine to get the best out of your look. Read on to find out our key tips for styling.

7. How do you style a butterfly cut at home?

Lean into the feathery characteristics of the butterfly cut to create a show-stopping look. Below, we’ve compiled our top tips for perfectly styling the look from the comfort of your home.

Step 1: Washing

The butterfly cut will naturally add volume to the hair, but it can’t harm to give your hair an extra boost! We’d recommend choosing a shampoo and conditioner that add body and bounce to the hair, like our AMPLIFY range. This adds volume and lift to your hair, making it the perfect foundation for your hair care routine. Find out more: AMPLIFY Shampoo and Conditioner

Step 2: Drying and finishing

When it comes to styling the butterfly cut, you can either let your hair air dry or blow dry it out (a big 90’s blow out will make this cut look incredible!). Our HERØ Ionic Hairdryer is the perfect hair care companion, with a diffuser attachment for setting curly or wavy locks, as well as two different sized nozzle attachments for all hair types. Try a spray before drying, such as our Uplift Volumising Mist. Spritz on to damp hair and then lift the hair up while blow drying, and finish with a texturising spray. For all day hold, complete the look with Control Flexible Styling Hairspray.

Step 3: Look after locks between washes

Your butterfly haircut can lose its wispy characteristics on days two and three after hair washing. Keep hair looking and feeling great by using dry shampoo like our TEXTURE Dry Texture & Finishing Spray. As well as cleaning your locks, this also works as a back comb in a bottle to give locks a lift.

8. Butterfly haircut ideas for all hair types and lenghts

There is a common misconception that butterfly cuts are only suitable for people with long hair. However, one of the main benefits of the butterfly haircut is that it can actually look great for a variety of hair types, lengths and styles.

Butterfly haircut for long hair

With long hair, length is often the focus of the style. However, the butterfly cut adds another dimension - volume. By using shorter cuts to add height to tresses, the top of the hair can become as important as the bottom.

Butterfly haircut for short hair

Butterfly cuts can work on short hair too! The classic version of this look keeps length at the back resulting in a super chic faux butterfly bob. Open to learning about other short haircuts? Read our blog: The French Bob

Butterfly haircut for straight hair

The butterfly bob can add personality and bounce to straight hair, with wispy bangs injecting a shot of volume. Here are some more hairstyles you may consider if using hair straighteners: 5 Hairstyles You Can Do With Straightening Irons

Curly hair butterfly haircut

Curly hair has a natural lift which the butterfly haircut can propel further. This look highlights the depth within the hair, creating layers of gorgeous ringlets. We have a range of products tailored to curly hair which nourish your locks and prevent frizz. Learn more: Curly Hair Products

Wavy butterfly cut

Wavy hair works well with the butterfly cut as it emphasises the wisps created by the style. This look causes hair to flow freely, emphasising your natural look.

Butterfly haircut with curtain bangs

Curtain bangs are the icing on top of a butterfly haircut. They encourage the flow of your locks and frame the face further, working with the shorter layers at the front of the hair.

Blonde butterfly cut

Although this style looks iconic with assorted colours, the butterfly cut can emphasise the different tones of blonde hair. Looking to explore other hair colours? Check out our blog: What Hair Colour Suits Me

9. How to ask for a butterfly haircut in the salon

Walking into the salon with a vision is one thing - but knowing how to clearly explain it to your stylist ensures you leave with the look you love. The butterfly haircut is all about seamless layers, soft movement, and effortless elegance, so it’s worth being specific when requesting it. 

It always helps to bring a few reference photos to your salon. Look for examples that reflect your hair type - curly, straight, fine, or thick - and show both the front and back of the style. This will give your stylist a clearer idea of what you're hoping to achieve.

To tailor the cut to your hair type and face shape, consider these key talking points:

• “I’d like long, blended layers that keep my length but add movement and volume.”

• “Can we create shorter face-framing layers and curtain bangs that blend into the rest of my hair?”

• “I’m aiming for a soft, 90s-inspired look with bounce and shape - nothing too choppy or blunt.”

• “Can we keep the longer pieces at the back but add shorter layers around my face for lift?”

10. Finally, the butterfly haircut pros and cons

Like every haircut, the butterfly cut has its advantages and considerations. Below, we’ve outlined the key pros and cons to help you decide whether this effortlessly voluminous style is right for you.

Pros

H4: 1. Instantly adds volume and movement
Thanks to its layered structure, the butterfly cut creates natural lift and bounce - perfect for giving fine or flat hair a fuller appearance. It’s a clever way to achieve that coveted “just stepped out of the salon” body.

2. Keeps length while refreshing style

One of the standout features of the butterfly cut is that it allows you to keep the overall length of your hair, while incorporating shorter face-framing layers. This makes it ideal for anyone who loves long hair but craves a fresh, dynamic shape.

3. Soft, romantic look

The fluttery layers and curtain bangs create a soft, feminine silhouette that flatters a wide range of face shapes. It’s a luxurious alternative to blunt or choppy styles, offering a more refined finish.

4. Works with most hair types

Whether your hair is straight, wavy, or curly, the butterfly cut can be adapted by your stylist to suit your natural texture. The versatility of this look is part of its appeal - it’s equally suited to sleek styles or tousled volume.

5. Low to medium maintenance

While it benefits from regular trims to maintain the shape, the butterfly cut is relatively easy to style. With the right products you can enhance the airy layers with minimal effort.

Cons

H4: 1. Requires skilled layering
The signature shape of the butterfly cut depends on precise layering techniques. It’s not a DIY-friendly style and should always be cut by a professional to avoid uneven sections or loss of movement.

2. Needs regular trims

To keep the cut looking polished and maintain the definition between the shorter and longer layers, salon visits every 6–8 weeks are recommended. Skipping trims can lead to a less structured appearance.

3. Can fall flat without styling

While the cut is designed to create volume, it still needs some styling support - particularly for straight or fine hair. Without volumising products or the occasional blow-dry, the layers can lose lift throughout the day.

4. Less impactful on very thick hair

For those with extremely thick or heavy hair, the layering may require extra thinning or texturising to create the desired lightness. Otherwise, the butterfly effect may be less noticeable.

5. May not suit super short hair

While the cut can be adapted for shorter lengths, it’s most impactful on medium to long hair. Very short styles might not allow enough contrast between the layers to achieve the signature butterfly shape.

Whether you’re ready to book your next salon visit or simply exploring styles that work for your hair type, the butterfly haircut is a beautiful blend of elegance and trend. Pair it with the right styling products and your hair will float effortlessly - just like the wings it’s named after. Are you ready to try the butterfly haircut? Compliment your look with a brilliant hair care routine. Shop the Neäl & Wølf volumising styling range today: Volumising Hair Products