The Big Reason Why You Should Get A Butterfly Cut If You Have Long Hair

Tapping into '70s inspiration, the butterfly haircut is quickly becoming one of the top trending styles this year. It combines the shag hairstyle, which grew in popularity in 2021, with the vintage throwback of the Rachel '90s hairstyle. If the hair trends you've been seeing lately have anything to say, it's that layered cuts are totally in right now. Specifically, the butterfly haircut aims to achieve multiple looks in one by providing a "short" haircut without sacrificing length. Additionally, it is the perfect haircut to try for a luscious, voluminous mane.

With 40.4 million views under the hashtag for #butterflyhair on TikTok, it's safe to say this style is all the rage. According to the consumer trends website Spate, there was a 1000% increase in the search for a butterfly haircut online the past year. Embrace this hairstyle for yourself for a naturally bouncy and very flowy style that is perfect for a daily look.

Although this haircut can technically be done on any length, it is more suitable for those with long hair who are looking to keep the length and add more volume at the same time. This style of layers is done very strategically to achieve the illusion of short hair on the sides while keeping it long in the middle, mimicking the shape of a butterfly. Because of its '70s inspiration and its layers, it is often compared to the Farrah Fawcett hairstyle. "The short layers on top are blended through to longer layers on the bottom, and the shorter layers fall at or below the chin and the longer layers fall just past the shoulders," hairstylist Jenna Spino tells Glamour. Because of how the layers blend together, they create a harmonizing effect of volume, texture, and movement all in one.

Writer Amy Sedghi detailed her experience with getting the butterfly haircut for Refinery29 and says that it's the perfect style when you're looking to keep the length but are in need of a hairstyle refresher. Sedghi's hairstylist, Kostas Flouris, explained to her that a natural wave or curl makes the haircut sit better. "The butterfly haircut works much better when the hair is past the shoulder," Flouris tells the outlet. "A bit of a wave makes it look much nicer and you can actually see where the layering sits." Additionally, Flouris says that the haircut works to remove weight to create a soft flowing look; therefore, it might not work with thin hair types.

The concept of this haircut has been so well thought out that it offers styling versatility while also being a low-maintenance cut. In fact, hairstylist Kostas Flouris tells Refinery29 that the trick to a longer-lasting butterfly haircut is in the layers. "The shorter we go with them, the longer the haircut will last," Kostas explains. By going higher with the layers, it will create a natural bounce over time, lasting about 10 to 12 weeks before needing to trim it again. However, it doesn't always have to be restricted to short layers. You will find a variety of options for the butterfly haircut that includes the cut with layers that are long, face-framing, butterfly ends, side swept, and choppy, among many other ways to make it work for you (via Your Classy Look).

"The butterfly cut can be worn blown out and swept away from the face, or, when pushed forward, create wispy, soft face-framing layers," hairstylist Serina Battaglini tells Glamour. Curl your layers using a flat iron for a wave or a curling iron for something more accentuated or curved. You can also use the hairdryer for a similar effect, choosing whether you want the layers to go inward or outward. For the days when you don't want to put in that effort or use heat every day, which is the most common route for people with this haircut, you can use products like styling gel with an air-dry for a natural, texturized look (via Your Classy Look).