10 Timeless Butterfly Cut Hair to Add Volume and Texture
If you want to update your hair, you don't have to look long on Tiktok or Instagram to see that this year belongs to the butterfly cut hair, combining the coarse hair of the 70s with the "Rachel" hairstyle of the 90s, a viral style that embodies in one chic look hair trend at its best.
Enough metaphors; everything you really need to know about this hairstyle is below, from how it looks to how to style it and if it's right for you. Will the butterfly hairstyle be part of your fall ensemble photos? Let's find out.
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What Is A Butterfly Cut Hair?
Created by Brook, the butterfly cut hair is a very layered, feathery hairstyle with the longest layers falling just below the shoulders. Shorter layers are cut around the top of the head to create the illusion of shorter hair.
The butterfly haircut evolved from the famous coarse haircut of the 1970s. Some people also compare the cut to the "Rachel" of Jennifer Aniston's "Friends" fame, the butterfly haircut may be far less drastic because it doesn't have to cut all your hair to chin length or shorter.
Check out the 10 Favorite TikTok-Approved Butterfly Hairstyles
For those with long hair, the long hair butterfly cut features soft, cascading layers that add movement and volume, while the short hair butterfly cut offers a chic alternative, with shorter layers that frame the face and provide a modern, playful vibe.
The Original Butterfly Cut Wavy Hair
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Fashion influencer and entrepreneur Matilda Djerf has become the unofficial spokesperson of the butterfly cut hair. Here, she pins her bouncy layers back with a butterfly clip. This style gives life to flat and amorphous hair and is actually less difficult to maintain than you might think.
Butterfly Cut With Curtain Bangs
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For straight hair, adding a set of wispy bangs can add further movement to a butterfly cut. Hairstylist Ester Vasquez shows us how it's done.
Butterfly Cut Long Hair with Flowy Layers
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Not to be cliché, but Jennifer Lopez's flowing, face-framing layers are hair goals. The placement of the layers is ideal for creating updos and styles that fake a shorter length.
Butterfly Cut With Bangs
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Feathered layers mimic butterfly wings, while wispy bangs soften your look. Perfect for adding movement to fine hair, this cut balances volume and lightness. Ideal for oval or heart-shaped faces, it’s a breezy upgrade that flutters with every step.
Butterfly Cut Curly Hair
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Bouncy, bold, and full of life! This curly iteration amps up texture with cascading layers that enhance natural coils. A playful yet low-maintenance choice for curls craving definition and dynamism.
Butterfly Hair Cut Updo
Pamela Anderson's signature updo is a prime example of how to pin up a butterfly cut hair.
Butterfly Cut Straight Hair
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Sleek meets statement. Glass-like strands get depth with staggered layers that create subtle, airy dimension. The tapered ends add swing without sacrificing sharpness—ideal for a modern, polished vibe.
Butterfly Cut Medium Hair
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The Goldilocks of cuts—not too long, not too short. Shoulder-skimming layers add body while maintaining manageability. Versatile enough to wave, curl, or keep straight, it’s a transitional style that works for day-to-night glam.
Butterfly Cut Short Hair
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The butterfly hairstyle works better when the hair is above the shoulders, and it's perfect for those with naturally curly or coily hair. A little wave makes it look better, and you can actually see where the layering is taking place.
Butterfly Cut Wavy Hair
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Beachy waves just leveled up! Effortless texture meets structured layers, creating a windswept look that’s equal parts carefree and intentional. The blend of shorter and longer layers ensures waves stay defined, not frizzy—perfect for sun-kissed, lived-in vibes.
What Makes the Butterfly Haircut So Popular?
If you open your TikTok app and start swiping videos, you're bound to see a shot or two belonging to the butterfly hairstyle. The long butterfly cut is becoming very popular for the summer of 2025.
"What makes it special is its versatility - it's like a butterfly," says Sexy Hair ambassador and celebrity hairstylist Clayton Hawkins. "When you wear your hair up, you get a lot of layers of hair in your face. It looks very straight, voluminous, and super bouncy."
The styling choices were all 90s-inspired, like Jennifer Aniston's signature layers and Pamela Anderson's tousled bun. Given that many of this year's beauty trends are rooted in nostalgia, it's only a matter of time before this look will make a comeback with the advent of money highlights and hair gems.
Who Is the Butterfly Cut Hairstyle Best For?
The butterfly cut hair can be adapted to almost any hair texture and is a style that almost anyone can try. The cut works on almost any medium to thick, wavy, curly, or straight hair. But the butterfly is better suited to certain hairstyles. This is a must-have cut for people with straight to wavy hair, and for those who want to let their thicker hair grow.
Because this look has so many layers, those with thinner or finer textured hair may not be able to get the full butterfly effect with this cut. Of course, volumizers can also come in handy if you want to experiment with this style. As far as face shapes are concerned, any layered look adds definition to a more rounded face shape. The butterfly hair cut is no exception; it softens facial features and eliminates the fullness of the cheeks.
How Do You Style a Butterfly Hair Cut?
I’ve been following Brad Mondo’s Butterfly Cut tutorial, and I love how effortlessly this style combines face-framing layers with longer, flowing lengths. Below is my take on his step-by-step guide—complete with a few “I did this” moments to make it feel more like we’re styling together.
1. Preparation:
✨ Start with clean, damp hair.
✨ Apply a heat protectant to shield your hair from heat damage.
✨ Use a volumizing mousse or styling cream to add body and hold.
2. Master the Blow-Dry
Divide and conquer. I clip my hair into four sections—this keeps things tidy and ensures every layer gets my full attention.
Round-brush technique. Starting at the nape, I wrap each section around my medium barrel brush and direct the dryer upward at the roots for maximum volume. When I hit those shorter, face-framing pieces, I make sure to blow them away from my cheeks—that flutter is the heart of the “butterfly” effect.
3. Define the Layers
Tool touch-up. If a layer needs extra shape, I grab a 1-inch curling iron and give it a gentle bend—just enough to accentuate the movement without looking too polished.
Lock it in. I finish with a light mist of flexible-hold hairspray so everything stays buoyant and touchable!
Butterfly Hair Cuts Are All the Rage
The "butterfly haircut" has racked up 4.6 billion views on TikTok, which has also sparked IRL Butterfly fever. In the past year alone, searches for butterfly cuts have increased by nearly 1000%. The butterfly cut hairstyle is flying into people's minds.
Hailee Steinfeld, Sydney Sweeney, Jennifer Lopez, and a host of celebrities and social media sensations have this bouncy, layered haircut that has so much movement when styled, The butterfly haircut has your hair all fluttering like butterfly wings as your hair undergoes a swing.
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