Butterfly Haircuts Are Trending—Here’s What You Need to Know

Whenever we’re tired of our current hairstyle, we turn to social media for inspiration. And lately, we’ve come across a goldmine of trending cuts and styles. Our favorite one, though, has to be the butterfly haircut. The look is dreamy and bouncy, giving off a ’70s meets ’90s supermodel energy. Ahead, we spoke with hairstylists about everything you need to know about the trending butterfly haircut.

What Is a Butterfly Haircut?

Onto the basics: What exactly is a butterfly haircut? According to experts, it has the essence of a shag and the length of a ’90s superstar layered cut, making it one of the most versatile cuts of the moment.

When it comes to layers, this cut mainly features face-framing layers that are shorter, leaving the length to the bottom pieces. Thanks to all the movement the layers lend to the cut, this style is heavy on bounce and ’90s vibes. Clariss Anya Rubenstein, celebrity stylist, agrees, saying, “I think we are seeing a resurgence of ’90s trends, and this was a major one.”

With celebrities from Sydney Sweeney to Matilda Djerf rocking the ‘do these days, it’s no wonder it’s gained so much popularity in recent months. Matt Swinney, global creative director for Rusk, is glad to see the trend pop off, telling us, “The focus has been on color for so long, but now having a beautiful haircut makes a statement like no other.” 

Who Should Consider a Butterfly Haircut?

There’s nothing we love more than a haircut that the masses can wear, and the butterfly haircut is just that. “This look grows out beautifully and is great for all hair lengths,” Rubenstein adds.

While the butterfly haircut works for all face shapes with minor adjustments (like layer placement), Swinney says some individuals may prefer the style more. “This haircut will be most flattering on oval and square-shaped faces because of how the layers frame and sculpt the face,” he explains.

Additionally, if you don’t like booking a trim every six weeks, you’re in luck with the butterfly haircut because maintenance is relatively easy. “The thing that’s great about these layers is that they require little maintenance and can go up to 12 weeks without a trim,” Swinney says.

How to Ask for a Butterfly Cut

If we’ve convinced you to book an appointment for a butterfly haircut, we consider it a job well done. But now you need to know exactly what to ask for. Communication is always key when changing up a hairstyle, so coming in with inspiration pictures will make the process easier. We suggest sourcing images of people who look similar to you—whether it’s the same hair type, length, or face shape. That way, you’ll better understand what the cut will look like on you. 

Rubenstein also advises that you have an open dialogue with your stylist about your style goals. “[Your stylist] can assess if the cut will work for your hair type,” she says. I would tell your stylist you want to keep the length, add shorter face-framing layers around the front, and graduate to longer layers in the back.”

How to Style a Butterfly Cut

Styling a butterfly cut might seem daunting initially, but getting salon-worthy hair is all too easy. You’ll first want to give yourself an at-home blowout to maximize volume and highlight the layers. Swinney recommends priming your hair with a volumizing mist and mousse before going in with a blow dryer and round brush or your favorite all-in-one tool—like the Dyson Airwrap or Shark FlexStyle. For extra bounce, you can set your hair in hot rollers.

For bouncy blowouts that last all day, Rubenstein recommends a lightweight styling aid to eliminate frizz without pulling the haircut down with product—it’s all about letting those airy, layered wings fly free.

As far as styling, TikTok and Instagram might be full of butterfly cuts styled into glossy, curled blowouts, but the layers lend themselves well to a wide range of styles. Swinney says classic blowouts and mid-height ponytails complement the cut, thanks to how alive and vibrant they make the layers look.

If you want to really embrace the ’90s aesthetic, Rubenstein loves the idea of incorporating a claw clip on the days you want your hair pulled back. “This cut is also super cute pulled half back with a claw clip,” she says. “It shows off the length and the layers and lets a little fall out around the face.”