35 Butterfly Layers Hairstyles That Look Short Up Front but Keep Your Length
Butterfly layers combine two cuts in one. Short, face-framing layers start around the cheekbones or chin, while longer layers flow underneath. When you blow-dry the front pieces up and away from your face, they create the lift and shape of a shorter cut, and the length behind them stays intact. Wear it down for movement, or pin the back up and the front layers will make it look like a shoulder-length style. That’s the “wings” effect that gives the cut its name.
We reviewed real photos from stylists and their clients, and kept only the ones where the short top layers and the long base are both clearly visible. Long hair with a few face-framing pieces doesn’t qualify as true butterfly layers, so those photos didn’t make the cut. For each style, we note the length, how dramatic the layering is, and which hair texture it suits best.
Styling is where butterfly layers either work or fall flat. Use a large round brush or velcro rollers on the front sections, and dry them away from your face. If your hair is fine, ask for fewer, softer layers so your ends don’t look thin. If your hair is curly, ask for a dry cut so each layer sits where your curl pattern naturally falls.
35 Butterfly Layers Hairstyles and the Hair Type Each One Suits
1. Long Butterfly Layers with Curved Ends
This long butterfly cut features dramatic, cascading layers that curve outward from crown to ends. The dark, glossy strands catch light beautifully, giving a full, bouncy shape that's perfect for anyone wanting serious volume and movement.
2. Medium Butterfly Layers, Side Profile
A softer take on butterfly layers at medium length, with clean face-framing pieces that curve gently around the cheeks. The subtle color depth adds dimension without overwhelming the cut's natural flow.
3. Burgundy Butterfly Layers with Bangs
Rich burgundy tones bring extra drama to this butterfly layered cut with soft fringe. The curved layers fan out beautifully, making this a striking pick for anyone wanting bold color paired with dynamic shape.
4. Long Butterfly Layers, Profile View
Warm brunette hair styled with well-defined butterfly layers, shown from a clean side profile. The curved face-framing pieces and cascading length create a polished, salon-fresh look.
5. Wavy Butterfly Layers with Curtain Bangs
Voluminous dark waves paired with soft curtain bangs and rounded butterfly layers throughout. The layered ends flip and curl naturally, giving the whole style extra bounce and texture.
6. Butterfly Layers on Wavy Dark Hair
Natural waves enhance the curve of these butterfly layers, creating soft movement from root to tip. A great example of how the cut adapts beautifully to textured hair.
7. Long Butterfly Layers with Full Bangs
Full, blunt bangs pair with long curved butterfly layers for a striking, face-framing finish. The layered ends flip outward for extra volume and a youthful, playful vibe.
8. Butterfly Layers with Bangs and Ombre
A dark-to-burgundy color melt highlights the shape of these butterfly layers, with soft bangs framing the face. The dramatic curve pattern makes this cut stand out in any lighting.
9. Balayage Butterfly Layers, Back View
Soft balayage highlights trace the curve of each layer in this long butterfly cut, seen from the back. The dimensional color makes the cascading layer pattern even more visible and eye-catching.
10. Long Burgundy Butterfly Layers
Deep burgundy hair cut into dramatic, voluminous butterfly layers that cascade down the back. The rich color and bold curve make this one of the most striking versions of the cut.
11. Butterfly Layers with Face-Framing Bangs
Long balayage hair styled with soft bangs and sweeping butterfly layers, shown in profile. The wing-like curve around the face is a signature feature of this trending cut.
12. Butterfly Layers with Curtain Bangs, Dark Hair
Deep brunette hair styled into soft curtain bangs and rounded butterfly layers. The gentle flip at the ends keeps the style looking effortless yet intentional.
13. Long Butterfly Layers with Bangs, Light Brown
Light brown hair cut with full bangs and long, curved butterfly layers throughout. The clean layer separation gives this style a soft, romantic movement.
14. Medium Butterfly Layers, Back View
Sleek black hair styled into medium-length butterfly layers, shown from the back. The rounded layer pattern adds shape and volume without sacrificing length.
15. Long Layers with Face-Framing Curve
Sleek black hair with side-swept bangs and long, curved layers that frame the face beautifully. The polished finish highlights just how dramatic the layer shape can look styled straight.
16. Wavy Butterfly Layers with Curtain Bangs
Textured black waves paired with soft curtain bangs and deeply curved butterfly layers. The tousled finish gives this cut a lived-in, effortlessly cool vibe.
17. Long Butterfly Layers with Caramel Highlights
Caramel highlights trace every curve of this long butterfly cut, shown from the back. The warm color makes the cascading layer pattern pop with extra dimension.
18. Butterfly Layers, Dark Blonde Back View
Dark blonde hair cut into long, well-defined butterfly layers, captured from behind. The soft waves highlight the rounded shape of each layer for a full, textured finish.
19. Medium Butterfly Layers with Curtain Bangs
Medium-length dark hair styled with soft curtain bangs and curved layers throughout. The face-framing pieces blend seamlessly for a natural, flattering look.
20. Long Copper Butterfly Layers
Warm copper hair cut into dramatic, cascading butterfly layers shown from the back. The rich color intensifies the curve of every layer for a bold, eye-catching finish.
21. Burgundy Butterfly Cut with Bangs
Deep plum-burgundy hair styled with soft bangs and voluminous curved layers. The rich tone makes the dramatic layer shape even more striking.
22. Butterfly Layers with Bangs, Balayage
Medium-length balayage hair with soft bangs and gently curved butterfly layers. The dimensional color highlights each layer's movement for a soft, sun-kissed finish.
23. Long Straight Butterfly Layers
Long brown hair with a subtle but clear cascading layer pattern, shown from the back. A great option for anyone who wants the butterfly shape with a smoother, straighter finish.
24. Butterfly Layers, Medium-Long Side View
Dark brown hair cut into curved, voluminous layers, captured from a flattering side profile. The layer pattern adds fullness while keeping the length intact.
25. Auburn Butterfly Layers with Bangs
Warm auburn hair styled with full bangs and dramatic, curved butterfly layers. The rich color and bold layer shape make this a standout look for anyone wanting extra volume.
26. Long Butterfly Layers with Subtle Highlights
Dark hair with soft, subtle highlights woven through long curved butterfly layers. The understated color keeps the focus on the cut's beautifully rounded shape.
27. Medium Butterfly Layers, Curled Ends
Medium-length dark brown hair styled with curled ends and clear layer separation. The soft curve at the tips gives this cut a polished, romantic finish.
28. Butterfly Layers with Curtain Bangs, Auburn
Warm auburn waves paired with soft curtain bangs and rounded butterfly layers. The color and texture work together to highlight every curve of the cut.
29. Long Voluminous Butterfly Layers
Dark brown hair cut into dramatic, full-volume butterfly layers with a beautifully rounded shape. The dense layering creates serious body from root to end.
30. Medium Butterfly Layers, Back View
Soft brunette hair styled into medium-length butterfly layers, shown from behind. The clean, rounded layer pattern gives this cut a neat, polished finish.
31. Butterfly Haircut with Side-Swept Bangs
Long dark hair styled with soft side-swept bangs and curved butterfly layers. The face-framing pieces blend naturally into the rest of the cascading layers.
32. Long Auburn Butterfly Layers, Back View
Warm auburn-chestnut hair cut into dramatic, cascading butterfly layers shown from the back. The rich tone highlights the curve of each individual layer beautifully.
33. Butterfly Layers with Highlights
Long brown hair with warm copper and blonde highlights woven through curved butterfly layers. The dimensional color makes this cut look even more textured and full.
34. Butterfly Layers with Bangs, Burgundy Highlights
Black hair with bold burgundy highlights, cut into full bangs and dramatic, curved butterfly layers. The color contrast makes the layer shape especially striking.
35. Long Ash Brown Butterfly Layers
Ash brown hair styled into dramatic, voluminous butterfly layers with a soft curl at the ends. The cool tone and full shape make this a standout, salon-perfect finish.