4 Trendy DIY Butterfly Haircut Tutorials for a Fresh Look

Okay, let’s talk about hair for a minute. You know that feeling when you’re staring at yourself in the mirror, and your hair just feels… blah? It’s not dirty. It’s not a disaster. It’s just boring. You want something fresh, something with movement, something that says, “I woke up like this, but better.”

But a salon appointment? That’s money and time and small talk you might not be ready for. Enter the butterfly haircut. You’ve probably seen it all over social media. It’s that gorgeous, layered cut that frames your face like butterfly wings—all volume, softness, and effortless vibes. It works on almost everyone, and here’s the kicker: you can totally do it yourself.

I was terrified the first time I tried it. Scissors near my head? Seemed like a recipe for disaster. But I watched approximately 47 tutorials, took a deep breath, and went for it. And guess what? It worked. Now I’m here to share the love. 😛

Ever wondered if you could pull off a trendy haircut without the salon price tag? Grab some sharp scissors and let’s get cutting. Here are four trendy DIY butterfly haircut tutorials for a fresh new look.

Before You Start: The Golden Rules

Before we jump into the tutorials, let’s lay down some ground rules. Hair grows back, but let’s try to avoid any major meltdowns, okay?

1. Start with dry hair. Wet hair stretches, so if you cut it wet, it’ll bounce up shorter than you expect when it dries. Cut it dry for more control.
2. Use sharp haircutting scissors. Please, for the love of your ends, do not use kitchen shears. Dull scissors cause split ends and fraying. Invest in a cheap pair of hair scissors from Amazon or a beauty supply store.
3. Cut less than you think you need. You can always take more off. You cannot glue it back on. Start conservative.
4. Section your hair. Working with messy, loose hair is a recipe for uneven chaos. Clips are your friends.

What Even Is a Butterfly Haircut?

For the uninitiated, the butterfly haircut is a modern take on the classic “Rachel” layers from the 90s, but softer. It creates short, face-framing layers on top that “fly away” from your face, while the bottom layers stay longer. It gives you massive volume and movement, especially if you have long hair.

The magic is in the separation. The top layers are cut shorter to create that winged effect around your cheekbones and jawline. It’s incredibly flattering and adds instant personality to otherwise flat hair.

Tutorial 1: The Classic Butterfly Cut

This is the method you see all over TikTok. It relies on creating a high ponytail to guide your cuts. It’s great for beginners because the ponytail keeps everything contained.

What You Need

• Sharp haircutting scissors.
• A fine-tooth comb.
• Two good hair ties (the kind that won’t snag).
• Spray bottle with water (for slight dampness, if needed).

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Part and Prep: Start with dry, brushed hair. Part it down the middle, like you’re about to create two pigtails.
2. Create the High Ponytail: Flip your head upside down. Gather all your hair into a tight, high ponytail right at the front of your hairline, like a unicorn horn. Use a hair tie to secure it. This brings all your hair forward.
3. Add the Second Tie: Take another hair tie and slide it down the ponytail to about where your chin hits. This marks where your shortest layers will fall. This step is crucial. The distance from the base of the ponytail to this second tie determines your layer length.
4. Make the Cut: Hold the ponytail firmly. Take your scissors and cut straight across the ponytail, just below the second hair tie. Don’t cut above it!
5. Release and Reveal: Take the hair ties out and shake your hair out. Part it where you normally do. You’ll see instant, face-framing layers. Style as usual.

My take: This method is almost foolproof. I recommend cutting the ponytail just below the second tie, then assessing. If you want more dramatic layers, you can always go back and cut a tiny bit more from the ends of the ponytail. IMO, this is the safest starting point for any DIYer.

Tutorial 2: The “Unicorn” Cut for Long Hair

This is a slight variation of the classic, but it gives a slightly different result—often more blended layers. It’s perfect if you have really long hair and want to keep most of the length while adding serious volume on top.

What You Need

• Sharp scissors.
• Two hair ties.
• A comb.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. The Unicorn Pony: Just like before, flip your head upside down and gather all your hair into a tight ponytail at your forehead. This is the “unicorn horn” look.
2. Slide the Tie Down: Instead of adding a second tie, you’ll simply slide the existing ponytail tie down the length of your hair to your desired layer length. For long hair, I like to stop around chin or collar-bone level.
3. Point Cut the Ends: This is the key difference. Instead of cutting straight across, hold your scissors vertically and make small snips into the ends of the ponytail. This is called point cutting. It creates a softer, more blended edge rather than a blunt line.
4. Release and Check: Let your hair down. You’ll have softer, more diffused layers. If you see any harsh lines, you can point-cut into them gently to blend.

Why this works: The point-cutting technique prevents that “choppy” look that can happen with a blunt cut. It gives you that lived-in, effortless vibe that the butterfly cut is famous for.

Tutorial 3: The Short Hair Butterfly Cut

Can you do a butterfly cut on shorter hair? Absolutely! It just requires a slightly different approach. You’re not going for long, flowing layers. You’re aiming for volume and that winged effect around your face. Think shoulder-length or collarbone-grazing hair.

What You Need

• Sharp scissors.
• Sectioning clips.
• A spray bottle.
• A hand mirror (to see the back).

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Start with Damp Hair: For shorter cuts, a little dampness helps control the hair. Don’t soak it, just spritz it.
2. Section, Section, Section: Part your hair down the middle from front to back. Then, create a horizontal part from ear to ear across the back of your head, separating the bottom section from the top. Clip the top section out of the way.
3. Cut the Bottom Layer: This bottom layer will be your base length. Comb it straight down. Hold the ends between your fingers and trim just a tiny bit to freshen it up. Use point cutting for a soft edge.
4. Create the Top Layers: Release the top section. This is where the butterfly magic happens. Take a small vertical section from the front, near your part. Pull it forward, away from your face, at a 90-degree angle. Cut into the ends, angling your scissors so the front pieces are slightly shorter than the back.
5. Work Your Way Back: Continue taking small vertical sections from the top, using the first cut piece as your guide. You’re creating graduated layers that get longer as you move toward the back of your head.
6. Blend and Check: Let all your hair down. Use your point-cutting technique to blend any harsh lines where the top and bottom sections meet. Check the back with your hand mirror.

Pro-tip: This method requires a bit more confidence, but it gives you maximum control. Go slow. You can always take more hair from the top section if you want more dramatic layers.

Tutorial 4: The Curly/Textured Hair Butterfly Cut

Curly girls, this one’s for you. Cutting curls is a whole different ballgame because shrinkage is real. But the butterfly cut can look amazing on curly hair, adding shape and bounce without sacrificing length.

What You Need

• Sharp scissors.
• Sectioning clips.
• A spray bottle with water and a leave-in conditioner mix.
• A curl-defining cream or gel (for styling after).

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cut on Dry, Styled Hair: This is the golden rule for curls. You need to see your curl pattern. Wash and style your hair as you normally would, with all your usual products. Let it dry completely.
2. Work in Sections: Part your hair down the middle. Then, create sections based on your curl pattern. You want to work with defined clumps, not individual strands.
3. Identify Your Shortest Layer: The butterfly cut on curls is all about the face-framing pieces. Take a small section of curls at the front of your face. Gently stretch a curl to see its true length. Decide how short you want your shortest face-framing layer to be. For curls, I recommend going a little longer than you think, because shrinkage will pull them up.
4. Cut One Curl at a Time: Hold a stretched curl between your fingers and make a small, vertical snip into the end. Do not cut straight across. Cutting into the curl helps it blend and prevents a blunt, heavy line.
5. Use the “Pineapple” Method: This is a curly girl hack. Flip your head upside down and gather all your curls into a very loose, high ponytail at your forehead (like the unicorn method, but gentler). Take a second hair tie and slide it down to about chin level. Point-cut the ends of the gathered curls. This creates internal layers and volume.
6. Release and Fluff: Let your hair down. Gently shake it out. You’ll see incredible volume and shape. The curls will bounce up and frame your face beautifully.

My experience: The first time I tried this on my wavy hair, I was shocked at the volume. It gave my waves life. FYI, always cut curly hair when it’s dry and styled the way you normally wear it.

Styling Your New Butterfly Cut

You’ve done the deed. You’ve made the cut. Now what? The butterfly cut really shines with the right styling.

• Blow-dry with a Round Brush: To really see those wings, use a round brush to blow-dry the top sections. Roll the brush away from your face to create that flipped, winged effect.
• Use Texture Spray: A little sea salt spray or texturizing spray adds grit and separation, making the layers pop.
• Soft Waves: Use a large-barrel curling wand to create loose waves. This enhances the movement and makes the layers blend seamlessly.
• Embrace the Air-Dry: Part of the beauty of this cut is that it looks great air-dried with a little product. It’s designed to be low-maintenance.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Let’s learn from my mistakes so you don’t have to make them.

• Cutting too much off the bat. Seriously. Start long. You can always go shorter next week.
• Using dull scissors. This causes split ends and a ragged look. Just don’t.
• Cutting hair that’s too wet. You will be shocked at how much it shrinks. Dry cutting gives you true length.
• Skipping sections. Trying to cut all your hair at once without sectioning leads to uneven, messy results. Take the time to clip it up.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it. Four ways to achieve that trendy, voluminous butterfly cut right in your own bathroom. No appointment necessary, no awkward small talk, just you and your scissors.

Is it a little scary? Sure. But the payoff is huge. You get a fresh, custom look that actually suits your hair type and face. And honestly, there’s something so empowering about taking your hair into your own hands.

Which tutorial are you going to try first? I’d bet the classic unicorn method is calling your name. Grab those scissors, take a deep breath, and give yourself the haircut you deserve. Happy cutting, friend! ✂️