The curly butterfly cut is the layered haircut made for natural texture — soft, feathery layers that let curls bounce, flutter, and frame the face like butterfly wings. Searches for curly butterfly cut are up 464% on Pinterest, at the heart of the curly hair trend, where layered cuts that work with natural texture are replacing heavy, one-length styles. This evergreen guide shares 20 curly butterfly cut looks, one per heading, each with its own photo — from classic butterfly layers and bangs to long, short, coloured, and voluminous looks — so you can find the exact cut for your curl pattern, face shape, and occasion.
1. Classic Curly Butterfly Cut
2. Curly Butterfly Cut with Layers
A curly butterfly cut with layers adds even more movement to the classic shape — long, blended layers throughout that let each curl fall naturally. The layers make thick curly hair feel lighter and fine curly hair look fuller, and they add bounce that shows off the curl pattern from every angle. Ask your stylist for long layers that start at the chin and blend through the ends, and use a curl cream to define the layers. This version is perfect for anyone who loves their curls but wants more life in them.
3. Curly Butterfly Cut with Bangs
4. Curly Butterfly Cut with Curtain Bangs
A curly butterfly cut with curtain bangs is soft, face-framing, and effortlessly chic — a curly fringe parted in the middle that sweeps to either side like curtains. The curtain bangs blend seamlessly into the butterfly layers, creating a relaxed, lived-in finish that flatters almost every face shape. Ask your stylist for bangs that start at the cheekbone and blend into the layers, and style them with a diffuser for a soft, bouncy finish. This is one of the most searched versions of the butterfly cut.
5. Curly Butterfly Cut on Long Hair
6. Curly Butterfly Cut on Medium Hair
A curly butterfly cut on medium hair is the most versatile version — a collarbone to shoulder-length cut with soft butterfly layers through the curls. The medium length shows off the curl pattern beautifully without the upkeep of long hair, and it suits almost every face shape. Ask your stylist for layers through the mid-lengths and ends, with face-framing pieces to brighten the look. This version is perfect for anyone who loves a chic, manageable curly cut.
7. Curly Butterfly Cut on Short Hair
8. Curly Butterfly Cut with Highlights
A curly butterfly cut with highlights adds dimension to the layered cut — fine, face-framing highlights that catch the light and make the curls pop. Choose caramel or honey highlights on dark hair, or golden highlights on brown hair, and keep them subtle so the cut stays the hero. Highlights also make curly hair look thicker and more textured, which is ideal for fine curls. Ask for balayage-style placement so the colour grows out softly between appointments.
9. Curly Butterfly Cut with Balayage
10. Curly Butterfly Cut with Face-Framing Layers
A curly butterfly cut with face-framing layers is all about the front — shorter layers around the face that open up the features and add softness. The face-framing layers blend into the longer butterfly layers at the back, creating a seamless, flowing shape. Ask your stylist for layers that start at the cheekbone and graduate down to the ends, cut dry to account for shrinkage. This version is ideal for anyone who wants a butterfly cut that flatters the face from every angle.
11. Curly Butterfly Cut with Volume
12. Curly Butterfly Cut with Defined Curls
A curly butterfly cut with defined curls is all about curl definition — each curl separated, shiny, and perfectly formed through the butterfly layers. The key is a curl-defining cream or gel, applied to wet hair and scrunched, then diffused on low heat. Ask your stylist for layers that let each curl clump naturally, and avoid over-thinning which can cause frizz. This version is perfect for anyone who loves polished, defined curls.
13. Curly Butterfly Cut with Loose Curls
14. Curly Butterfly Cut with Tight Curls
A curly butterfly cut with tight curls celebrates the tightest curl patterns — springy, defined coils through the butterfly layers. The layers remove weight so tight curls spring up instead of dragging down, and they create a rounded, balanced shape. Ask your stylist to cut the curls dry, one curl at a time, so the shape accounts for shrinkage. This version is perfect for anyone with tight curls or coils who wants a bold, beautiful butterfly cut.
15. Curly Butterfly Cut for Round Face
