The butterfly cut—characterized by face-framing layers that “wing out” like butterfly wings—isn’t just for long locks.
This versatile technique brings movement, texture, and flattering dimension to shorter styles, creating the illusion of fullness and face-enhancing framing.
Ready to transform your short hair with this trendy cut?
These 25 butterfly-inspired short hairstyles offer plenty of options for every face shape and hair texture.
Discover how butterfly layering can elevate your short style from pixies to bobs to new heights.
1: Classic Short Butterfly Bob
This foundational style features a chin-length bob with butterfly layers concentrated around the face.
The strategic layering creates movement and dimension while maintaining the clean bob silhouette.
Ask your stylist for a chin-length cut with face-framing layers that start at the cheekbones and blend into the rest of the hair. This versatile style works with straight or wavy textures.
Style by blowing out the face-framing pieces away from your face to emphasize the butterfly “wing” effect.
2: Pixie Butterfly Cut
This ultra-short interpretation incorporates butterfly-inspired layering into a classic pixie cut.
The face-framing pieces create softness around your features while the back maintains the pixie’s signature shortness.
Request longer pieces around your face that can be styled outward like butterfly wings with a shorter, textured back.
This bold approach works beautifully with fine to medium hair textures.
Use a small round brush when blow-drying to encourage the face-framing pieces to flip outward for the butterfly effect.
3: Curly Butterfly Bob
This texture-celebrating style incorporates butterfly layering specifically designed to enhance natural curls.
The strategic cutting technique creates shape and definition while maintaining your curl pattern.
Ask for a curly bob with face-framing layers cut to enhance your natural curl formation.
This specialized approach requires a stylist experienced with curly hair textures.
Define your curls with curl-specific products to showcase the butterfly shape created by the strategic layering.
4: Asymmetrical Butterfly Lob
This modern interpretation features a longer bob (lob) with an asymmetrical cut enhanced by butterfly layering.
The uneven length creates dynamic movement while the butterfly layers frame your face beautifully.
Request an asymmetrical lob with shorter layers on one side that wing outward around your face.
This contemporary approach adds edge to the feminine butterfly technique.
Style with a flat iron, curling the ends outward to emphasize the butterfly wing effect of the face-framing layers.
5: French Bob with Butterfly Fringe
This Parisian-inspired style combines a jaw-length French bob with butterfly-layered bangs that blend into face-framing pieces.
The structured bob with softening butterfly elements creates the perfect balance.
Ask for a classic French bob with bangs incorporating butterfly layering at the edges to blend with the face-framing sections.
This sophisticated approach offers the structure of a bob with movement around the face.
Style with a round brush to create subtle curves in the butterfly-layered sections that soften the bob’s clean lines.
6: Shaggy Butterfly Cut
This textured style incorporates butterfly layering throughout a shaggy, heavily layered short cut.
The combination creates maximum movement and piece-y texture with a rock-inspired edge.
Request intensive layering throughout with emphasized face-framing butterfly pieces.
