10 Short Butterfly Haircuts to Inspire Your Next Chop

As the weather warms and you begin to shed winter layers, it’s fitting to want to lighten up your hair look too. If you’re not quite ready for a pixie cut or a shaggy mullet, there’s one trending hairstyle that offers a middle ground. Enter: the short butterfly haircut. 

“A butterfly haircut incorporates long and short layers which mirror each other on both sides of the face,” says Darrius Peace, a hairstylist and natural hair expert. “The shorter layers frame the face in the front while longer layers—cascade on the sides, giving the hair a wing-like flow.” 

Though the butterfly cut is most often associated with long hair, (Sabrina Carpenter and Matilda Djerf are common references) it works just as well on short hair—stars like Camilla Cabello and Jenna Ortega are proof. Plus, it’s suitable for most face shapes, hair types, and is relatively easy to maintain, making it ideal for everyday wear. 

Ahead, hairstylists break down everything you need to know about the short butterfly haircut, including what to ask for at the salon and how to style it at home. 

What to Ask for

Unless you’re a professional hairstylist, you may not know exactly what to ask for at the salon to receive a short butterfly haircut. 

“Tell your stylist you would like a balance of shorter layers that frame the face with bangs in the front, graduating to longer layers and going down the side of the face,” says Peace. If you don’t feel like your hairstylist is fully understanding the style you’re looking to achieve, then it’s always a safe bet to show some pictures. 

“Many people will interpret this cut in different ways so I suggest presenting the stylist with a lineup of three styles (pictures) that capture the essence of what you’re looking to achieve,” says Nick Arrojo, hair stylist at Arrojo Salon in New York City.

Next time you’re scrolling through Instagram and you see a celebrity, influencer, or random person with a haircut you’re interested in, whether it’s the butterfly haircut or something different, be sure to bookmark it so you can have it handy for your future appointment. 

How to Style 

Once you have a short butterfly haircut, there are numerous ways you can go about styling it. “The key to the butterfly haircut is lots of body and movement,” says Temur Hamilton, premier hair colorist, stylist, and owner of TEMUR in New York City. “On wet hair, apply a mousse to create some hold and texture. Then, blow dry (if the hair is straight) or diffuse (if the hair is wavy or curly), creating lift at the roots.”

When blowdrying your hair, Hanna Oh, celebrity hairstylist and owner of 821 West Salon, recommends using a smaller round brush all going under. “When you’re done with the blow dry the hair will flip in different directions and show off all the layers around your face,” she tells InStyle. “If your hair has a hard time holding a style, during the blowdry popping in Velcro rollers will also help hold the style and accentuate the butterfly haircut throughout the day.”

How to Maintain a Butterfly Haircut

Similar to many haircuts, a short butterfly haircut requires maintenance and routine visits to the salon. “For best results, plan to get a haircut every season (every 3 months or so) to maintain the shape and keep the ends healthy,” says Amanda Ozard, hair stylist and creator of The Unwind Brush. Oh adds that these visits to the salon should include a bang trim as that will keep the connection of the front layers maintaining the butterfly effect of the haircut. 

At the end of the day, you need to have a haircut that not only makes you feel your best but  also is easy to maintain with your lifestyle. A short butterfly haircut is suitable for nearly every face shape and hair texture. Next time you head to the salon, if you’re looking for a change, then opt for a short butterfly haircut and see how your confidence soars.