The butterfly haircut with fringe is a layered style that balances softness, movement and effortless volume. Designed to frame the face while maintaining length, it's the ultimate blend of shape and flow.
Soft, cascading layers create lift through the crown and movement through the lengths, while the fringe draws attention to the eyes with a relaxed yet confident finish. The result feels light, modern and naturally full of life.
More than a trend, the butterfly haircut with fringe is a contemporary take on layered hair, delivering bounce, dimension and versatility without sacrificing length. When styled, the layers don't just move, they soar.
What is a Butterfly Haircut with FRINGE?
The butterfly haircut with fringe is a modern layered haircut inspired by the voluminous styles of the 1970s and 1990s. It combines lift, movement, and soft face-framing while maintaining overall length. It blends shorter layers through the crown with longer layers underneath, creating the airy, wing-like effect that gives the style its name. It serves all the drama of a short haircut, but without the post-salon panic.
When paired with fringe – from soft curtain bangs to something fuller – the shorter feathered layers feel more defined, helping frame the face and highlight the cut’s signature lift.
SHOP THE LOOK
GHD VOLUME FOREVER - VOLUMIZING BLOW DRY CREAM
GHD DUET BLOWDRY HAIR DRYER BRUSH IN BLACK
GHD THE COMB OUT - DETANGLING COMB
GHD PERFECT ENDING - FINAL FIX HAIR SPRAY 75ML
STEP-BY-STEPS
PREP & HEAT PROTECTION
ROUGH-DRY THE HAIR
BLOW DRY IN SECTIONS
SHAPE THE FACE-FRAMING LAYERS
COMB OUT THE CURLS
SET THE FINISH
FINAL LOOK
SHOP THE LOOK
GHD BODYGUARD - HEAT PROTECT SPRAY FOR ALL HAIR TYPES
NEW GHD SPEED IONIC HAIR DRYER IN BLACK
GHD CHRONOS PROFESSIONAL HAIR STRAIGHTENER (26MM PLATE) BLACK
GHD PERFECT ENDING - FINAL FIX HAIR SPRAY 400ML
STEP-BY-STEPS
PREP BANGS WITH HEAT PROTECTION
BLOW DRY WITH A ROUND BRUSH
REFINE THE FLICK
SET AND SHAPE
FINAL LOOK
How to Blow Dry Layered Hair for Volume
A good, layered haircut already does a lot of the work, but the way it's blow-dried is what really brings it to life. Just a few tweaks – from the products used to the way the brush moves through the hair – can make a huge difference to how the layers fall.
Build a base for volume
Layers look their best when the hair has a little support from the start. A volumising blow-dry cream, ghd Volume Forever, worked through damp hair helps create that base. It adds body without weighing the hair down.
Lift the roots while drying
Volume usually starts at the roots. ghd Pick Me Up can be applied directly at the scalp for targeted lift. Even this small step can help layered hair look fuller.
Shape the layers with a round brush
Once the hair is mostly dry, a round brush helps bring out the layers. Medium sections can be wrapped loosely around the brush while the hairdryer is directed down the length of the hair. As the brush turns, the layers start to curve and separate, creating that soft, bouncy finish associated with voluminous blow-dries.
Change the direction for natural movement
Professional blow dries rarely style section in the same direction. Alternating how each section is styled, with some turned slightly away from the face and others towards it, helps break up the shape so the layers fall more naturally.
Allow the hair to cool before brushing through
Letting the hair cool before combing or brushing helps the style hold. That’s why salon blow-dries tend to last longer, with layers keeping their lift and bounce.
When layered hair is styled this way, the different lengths move more freely, creating the airy, voluminous finish that makes styles like the butterfly haircut look so light and full of life.
Q: What is the difference between a butterfly haircut and layered hair?
A butterfly haircut is technically a layered style, but the layers are placed in a very specific way. Shorter layers sit around the crown and face to create lift and volume, while longer lengths remain underneath. The result is a style that looks full and bouncy without losing overall length.
Q: Is a butterfly haircut with bangs still in style?
Yes. The butterfly haircut has made a strong comeback in recent years as voluminous, layered styles are trending once again. The look blends the feathered glamour of the 70s with the bouncy blow-dries popular in the 90s. This makes the style feel both nostalgic and modern.
Q: Does a butterfly haircut with bangs make hair look thicker?
Yes, when styled correctly. A butterfly haircut with bangs can create the appearance of thicker hair by adding lift at the crown and movement through the lengths. This layered structure helps create a softer, more voluminous shape. However, layering removes weight from the hair, which can reduce the appearance of density. This is why the right styling techniques are key to maximising volume and shape.
Q: How long does hair need to be for a butterfly haircut?
Most butterfly haircuts work best on hair that falls around the collarbone or longer. The extra length gives the layers space to create that signature contrast between shorter, airy pieces at the top and longer lengths underneath.
Q: What is the difference between a butterfly haircut and a wolf cut?
Although both styles have layers, the finish is quite different. The butterfly haircut focuses on soft volume and movement, while a wolf cut tends to be choppier, with more dramatic layering and a slightly edgier shape.