Think back a few months and all we could talk about was the how dominant the bob was.
The lopped-off chop has been big news lately and it’s still super-popular, but more and more, longer hair styles are joining the desired-again list.
One evolution everyone is talking about? The popularity of the ‘butterfly cut’.
What is the butterfly cut?
Previously styled as a bob, the ‘butterfly cut’ is a haircut that falls between a shag and long layers.
It has two distinct sections – face-framing layers that fall to cheek or chin length (the butterfly’s top wings), then longer pieces that have lots of movement around the shoulders or below (the bottom wings).
If you’re thinking the butterfly cut sounds suspiciously like the ‘Rachel’ cut of the 90s, you wouldn’t be too far wrong.
That’s because texture has been the word on hairstylist’s lips for the year or two, cutting in edgy shags and sweeping ‘bottleneck’ bangs and fringes to give hair body and movement. The wolf cut and then the hush cut also gave other similar layered options for those with long hair.
The butterfly cut and its shorter bob version works with similar principals. However it’s a 2024-take with a pinch of 90s and 70s elements, styled with plenty of luscious volume and and rounded, flicked out va-va-voom waves.
How to style the butterfly cut
Butterfly-cut icons right now? Think Suki Waterhouse and Sabrina Carpenter. Vice President Kamala Harris even has a version of the look.
To style, a round blow-dry brush is prefect for drying and styling in one go, encouraging lots of movement in those layers.
The Dyson Airwrap is also a popular tool to style the look, given its round barrel attatchments can be changed to style hair away from the face on both sides.
When it comes to the bob version, according to stylists at London hair salon Top One, the’ butterfly bob’ is just a more flexible, laid-back version of your standard bob. It plays with layers and lengths with a lot less structure, allowing the hair to frame the face more naturally.
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Will it suit me?
Top One stylists gave the following tips if you’re considering adopting the look:
- If your hair is longer, cutting in layers and a flicked-out, curtain-like fringe will modernise your hair’s shape. Opt for a middle-part and a sweeping fringe that skim your cheekbones in the signature ‘butterfly’ shape. Let the rest fall soft, smooth flicked out waves blowdried with a round-barrel brush.
- If your face is on the round or square side, opt for a wavy, middle part that will bring attention to the centre of your face, creating the illusion of a longer shape. Using wave spray to style will give the cut more movement with this face shape. Ouai’s Wave Spray, used by the likes of the Kardashians, Gigi Hadid and Gwen Stefani, creates gorgeous separation and flexible hold.
- For an oval face shape, allow the layers to flow and sweep away from the face. Opt for chin or just below chin length, for an off centre diamond-like effect. While this length can often appear too voluminous if not styled correctly, the addition of feathered layers that work with the hair’s natural texture will achieve a look that is face-framing and flattering.
- If you have a heart shaped face, chin length curls can help soften the face and add some movement, creating fullness around the jawline, bringing balance and symmetry to the heart-shaped face.
- As for different types of hair texture, make sure to go to a professional with experience in this style that can incorporate texturising techniques into their chops. Hot tools, volumizing sprays and mousse may be needed in order to maintain the style for finer, thinner hair. With thick and coarse hair, the ‘butterfly wing’ effect can be more challenging, but certainly not off limits. The key is to keep the layers long enough to allow room for shrinkage, and cutting according to your face shape.
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