The beauty industry is known for giving unique names to trendy haircuts, and the latest one making waves is the butterfly haircut. Coined by stylist Sunnie Brook, this retro style is a combination of the iconic Farrah Fawcett cut from the 1970s and the long layered styles popular in the late 1990s. The butterfly haircut has gained popularity on TikTok, with over 135 million views under the hashtag #butterflyhaircuttutorial.
Celebrities like Matilda Djerf, Sabrina Carpenter, and Kaia Gerber have helped popularize this layered look. Even Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, has fallen in love with the style and now sports a gradient haircut brushed into a 1970s style with distinct waves.
Eduardo Sánchez, director of Maison Eduardo Sánchez, explains that the butterfly haircut is a rejuvenating and softening cut with two lengths. The star of this cut is the butterfly bangs, which are combed back and separated from the face. The wavy style adds movement and fluidity to the hair. The front pieces resemble a bob cut, but with more length.
After several seasons focused on color, the trend is shifting towards healthy hair with movement. Juan Diego Teo, a hairstylist, explains that the butterfly haircut is all about creating an outlined and clear look for the face. Unlike typical layered cuts that frame the face, the layers in this cut go back and away from the face, resembling the shape of butterfly wings.
To achieve the butterfly cut, uneven layers play a key role. Raquel Saiz from Salón Blue explains that this style allows for two cuts in one, preserving the length of long hair while incorporating the freshness and style of a bob. This sleek and easy-to-maintain style adds volume at the roots and movement throughout the hair.
While the trend is gaining traction in longer haircuts, it can also work on medium-length hair. Juanjo Gabriel, a stylist from Bigudí, suggests creating many layers around the face to achieve a feathery feel. By eliminating weight, volume and movement are created to achieve the butterfly effect.
Although it is possible to attempt this cut at home using the ponytail method, it is always recommended to seek the help of professionals who can tailor the cut to the face shape and hair type.
The butterfly cut looks good on straight, thick, or wavy hair, according to Juan Diego Teo. However, it may not work well on very fine hair as it can lead to a loss of density. Hairdresser David Lorente suggests that long bangs look great on straight, thick hair as they add texture and movement. Wavy hair naturally opens out to the sides, making it a suitable choice for this style. Fine, frizzy, or very curly hair may be better suited for other types of cuts.
In terms of face shape, the butterfly cut highlights the cheekbones and is particularly flattering for fine facial features. María José Llata, director of Llata Carrera, suggests that this style works well for women with inverted triangular faces as it helps hide a wide forehead. It is also recommended for long, square faces. However, Eduardo Sánchez advises against this style for long faces with prominent noses.
Styling the butterfly cut at home can be a challenge, especially for the bangs. Juanjo Gabriel recommends using a wide, cylindrical brush to dry the hair while straightening it at the top and creating waves at the ends. Kate Middleton’s waves can be achieved by pre-drying the hair and using a curling iron.
Experts agree that any hair color can work well with this style. Adding highlights or balayage reflections can enhance the waves and provide dimension and contrast. Popular shades this fall include “illuminated chestnuts” or “flash lights,” which add light tones to a chestnut base in a natural and subtle way. These tones can bring light to the areas closest to the face, highlighting the cheekbones and eyes.
Overall, the butterfly haircut offers a versatile and trendy option for those looking to refresh their look with a touch of retro flair. Whether you have long or medium-length hair, straight or wavy, this cut can be customized to suit your needs and preferences.