Hair
Mar 31, 2023

I'm Calling It—This Haircut Trend Is Set to Dominate 2023

by Eleanor Vousden

Photo:

Larry King

Who What Wear UK Managing Editor, Poppy Nash, booked in for the butterfly cut.

The butterfly haircut currently has TikTok, Instagram and just about everyone (including me) in a chokehold right now. But what exactly is the butterfly haircut? Its main features are a mix of short and long rounded layers, which give shape, volume and maximum body, with a symmetrical effect that resembles a butterfly. Think tumbling layers with plenty of movement. And the data backs it up. A report from Beauty Pie says that butterfly haircuts rose 12,432% in the lead up to 2023, and #butterflyhaircut has 498 million views and counting on TikTok. So, this is one haircut trend we can expect to take 2023 by storm.

While I would never be brave enough to try cutting it at home myself, there are several tutorials doing the rounds on how to cut the butterfly haircut at home, which sees people tying their hair into two ponytails—one at the front, and the other at the back of the head—before taking the scissors and snipping straight across into each of the ponytails. That being said, I'd recommend heading to your hairdresser for this hairstyle to ensure it's a butterfly and not a butterflop.

Photo:

@haileesteinfeld

Just look at how pretty these flicked-out layers look when cut at the cheekbone.

Photo:

@maria_bernad

The butterfly haircut also looks great with a fringe

Photo:

@jennychohair

For extra movement, choppy layers add texture to your lengths.

Photo:

@anaasmood

The butterfly haircut is a perfect match for tighter curls, as the face framing ayers add shape and definition to let curls sing.

Photo:

@angeegarcia

The butterfly haircut + wispy fringe = a match made in heaven.

Photo:

@hungvanngo

Emily Ratajowski's haircut has subtle butterfly layers towards her ends. And can we talk about this fringe?

Photo:

@kellyrowland

The sweeping layers of the butterfly haircut almost have a contouring effect, making it super-flattering.

Photo:

@chrisappleton1

If you still like to tie your hair up, the longer layers of the butterfly haircut are still long enough to tie back into a ponytail or bun. But we love how J.Lo has left her fringe and a few tendrils loose.

Photo:

@ellabalinska

Shorter curls around the face give curly hair so much movement and shape.

Photo:

@maryphillips

If you have finer hair, then some tactically placed butterfly layers will give your hair a dose of volume.

Photo:

@sabinasocol

Proof that the butterfly haircut also works on mid-length hair.

Photo:

@sydney_sweeney

The butterfly haircut also looks chic swept into a side parting.

Photo:

@jeannine.roxas

A claw clip and butterfly layers look so chic when tied up.

Beauty Pie

Super Healthy Hair Detox Wash Shampoo

£9

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Price shown is member price.

To ensure optimum volume and bounce, use a clarifying shampoo at least once a week to rid hair of build-up that can leave lengths limp.

Balmain

Ceramic Round Brush 33mm

£44

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Blowdrying with a round brush will enhance the sweeping layers of the butterfly cut.

Babyliss

Thermo-Ceramic Rollers

£50

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If you find velcro rollers or drying your hair with a round brush doesn't deliver long-lasting hold, try these heated rollers, which will keep the hair's bounce and shape in all day long.