Getting a haircut can be exciting or nerve-wracking (or perhaps even a little of both?). What’s more, the thought of chopping off your tresses before anxiously waiting for them to grow back in — which can take years! — can feel overwhelming for some folks (yours truly, included!)
However, one haircut I’m genuinely excited about — as is the rest of the Internet —is the butterfly haircut. The latest and greatest hair trend has taken TikTok and Instagram by storm, and it’s easy to see why. This style practically screams effortlessly cool, and, best of all, it’s easy to achieve.
Keep scrolling for more insight on this Insta-famous haircut: We tapped some of our favorite hairstylists, who are spilling the tea on everything you need to know.
What is the Butterfly Cut?
While the butterfly cut continues to take over your social media feed, it’s actually not new. In fact, Los Angeles-based hairstylist Genevieve Garner tells The Tease that the cut has been around since the ‘90s: As they say, what’s old is new again.
Additionally, according to Devin Toth, a stylist at Salon SCK in New York City, “A butterfly haircut is a long layered haircut that has some shorter, angled layers in the front.” He continues, telling The Tease, “The layers seamlessly flow from shorter in the front to longer in the back.” Put simply, this ‘90s-inspired cut is designed to “give the hair as much volume and movement as possible,” thanks to an abundance of layers, explains Nunzio Saviano, stylist & owner of Nunzio Saviano Salon in New York City.
Who is the Butterfly Cut Best For?
Since the look features lots of layers, the butterfly cut works best on longer, thicker hair, explains Saviano. Think of it this way: “The longer the hair, the more of an effect you can create because there’s more room to spread out and distribute a shorter-to-longer angle with your layers,” says Toth. However, that’s not to say you can’t rock the butterfly cut with thinner strands. “The great thing about the butterfly cut is that almost everyone can have their own version of it,” adds Garner.
So, if your hair is on the thinner side, don’t fret. Per Toth, “As long as the angle is cut properly in the front, the hair should easily flow away from the face.” Plus, says Garner, you can always “amp up the volume with your favorite texture spray!”
How to Ask Your Stylist for the Cut
Ready to take the plunge and try the butterfly haircut for yourself? Simply ask your stylist for a basic long layered haircut angled around the face. More specifically, Saviano recommends keeping the starting length around the face “an inch or so below the chin and add[ing] layers all over, around the crown and sides.” Meanwhile, if you want to play up the volume even more, Garner suggests asking for shorter layers.
How to Style the Butterfly Haircut
To keep your haircut looking just as incredible as it did when you first stepped out of the salon, reach for your handy blow-dry brush, which, per Garner, will “be your bestie.” Afterward, go in with some texturizing spray, et voila.
No blow-dry brush? No problem. Saviano recommends using a round brush followed by Velcro rollers to add body, volume, and movement — “especially around the face.” Meanwhile, Toth suggests using a large curling iron to style the hair “up and away” instead of “down and towards” the face.
