10 Open Butterfly Layer Hairstyles
Butterfly layers give you airy volume at the crown, soft face framing around the cheekbones, and long, floaty ends that move. This list focuses on open (down) styles you can wear every day, for photos, or a casual night out. Most ideas work on straight, wavy, and loose curly hair; coarser textures can keep the shape with light layering and diffused drying. Round and oval faces benefit from the face-framing lift; heart and long faces get balance from swoopy layers. Prep with a gentle shampoo, light conditioner on mid-lengths to ends, and a heat protectant if you’re using hot tools. A round brush, large barrel curler or wand, and duckbill clips make styling simple. Finish with a touchable hold spray or lightweight serum to keep movement.
Quick List
- Swoopy Face-Framing Butterfly
- Long Butterfly with Curtain Bangs
- Big Blowout Butterfly
- Beachy Butterfly Waves
- Sleek Glossy Butterfly
- Center-Part Tousled Butterfly
- Side-Flip Butterfly Layers
- Textured Choppy Butterfly
- Bright Money-Piece Butterfly
- Mid-Length Wavy Butterfly
Swoopy Face-Framing Butterfly
This open style shows off the hallmark of butterfly layers: cheekbone-grazing pieces that flick out softly, then melt into long, airy lengths. It gives instant lift at the crown and a gentle contour around the face without looking heavy. Wear it for work, brunch, or photos—any time you want movement that lasts. Keep the ends soft and the mid-lengths round so the “wings” pop. A light serum only on the tips keeps shine without flattening volume. Pro tip: let the front sections cool over a round brush to lock in that swoop.
How To Style
Blow-dry with a round brush, over-directing the front pieces away from the face. Clip to cool. Add a few large-barrel curls at the ends and brush out.
Best For
Oval, round; straight to wavy.
Tools & Products
Heat protectant, round brush, large curling iron/wand, duckbill clips, light serum.
Long Butterfly with Curtain Bangs
Curtain bangs pair perfectly with butterfly layers, blending the fringe into the face-framing wings for a soft, lifted look. The center opening elongates the face while the side sweep highlights eyes and cheekbones. This style is easy to wear down for daily life and can switch to soft glam fast with a brush-out. Keep the fringe airy—no heavy oils up front. Pro tip: dry the bangs first, split at the middle, and sweep each side back over a medium round brush to keep the curl under control.
How To Style
Rough-dry to 70%. Style curtain bangs first with a medium brush. Add bend through mid-lengths with a large barrel, then comb through.
Best For
Oval, heart; fine to medium straight or wavy.
Tools & Products
Heat protectant, medium and large round brushes, velcro rollers (optional), light hold spray.
Big Blowout Butterfly
If you love bouncy movement, this blowout turns butterfly layers into full, salon-like volume. The crown lifts, the wings float out, and the long ends have that glossy “swish.” It suits days when you want polish without feeling stiff. Work in sections and set each with rollers or clips while they cool. Brush out for that airy finish. Pro tip: flip your head upside down for the last cool blast to lock in lift without frizz.
How To Style
Apply volumizing mousse. Round-brush each section, rolling away from the face. Set with large rollers to cool, then brush out and mist.
Best For
Round, square; fine to medium, straight to wavy.
Tools & Products
Volumizing mousse, round brush, large rollers, blow-dryer with cool shot, flexible hairspray.
Beachy Butterfly Waves
This is the relaxed take—undone waves that still show the face-framing wings. The movement starts mid-shaft so ends don’t look too curled. It’s a quick everyday style that photographs well and tolerates humidity with a little texture spray. Keep the front wings polished and the rest imperfect for balance. Pro tip: alternate curl directions and leave the last inch straight for that effortless feel.
How To Style
Mist heat protectant. Wrap mid-lengths around a wand, alternating directions. Tap the ends to smooth, cool, then rake with fingers and add texture spray.
Best For
Oval, heart; wavy or straight that holds a bend.
Tools & Products
Heat protectant, curling wand, texture spray, wide-tooth comb.
Sleek Glossy Butterfly
Go smooth without losing the shape. This look keeps the butterfly cut visible by beveling the face pieces out and sealing the lengths sleek. Shine is the focus, so keep products light and concentrated on mid-lengths to ends. Ideal for dinner, events, or a neat office day. Pro tip: chase a flat iron behind a comb for a glassy finish, then flick the front wings out with a quick twist.
How To Style
Blow-dry smooth with a paddle brush. Pass a flat iron through small sections, twisting outward at the front wings. Finish with a tiny drop of serum.
Best For
Heart, long; straight to softly wavy.
Tools & Products
Heat protectant, paddle brush, flat iron, fine-tooth comb, light serum or shine spray.
Center-Part Tousled Butterfly
A clean middle part sets symmetrical framing, while tousled texture keeps it easy. The wings open the cheek area and bring attention to the eyes. This is a great everyday down style that grows out well and doesn’t require exact curls—just bend and body. Pro tip: use a dry texture paste on fingertips to pinch the face pieces so they keep their shape without getting crunchy.
How To Style
Create a center part. Add loose bends with a large iron. Shake out, then pinch the front wings with a touch of paste and finish with light spray.
Best For
Oval, round; fine to medium, straight or wavy.
Tools & Products
Large curling iron, dry texture spray, light paste, flexible hairspray.
Side-Flip Butterfly Layers
Side-Flip Butterfly Layers
Switch to a deep side part and you instantly get lift and drama. The butterfly wings sweep away from the face on the heavy side, giving a glam, photo-friendly look while staying open and wearable. This is perfect for nights out or when you want volume fast. Pro tip: set the heavy side over a large round brush and let it cool in that shape for a strong flip.
How To Style
Create a deep side part. Blow-dry over-directed on the heavy side with a round brush. Add a few big curls, brush through, and spray the flip to hold.
Best For
Square, round; straight to wavy.
Tools & Products
Heat protectant, round brush, large curling iron, clips, light hold spray.
Textured Choppy Butterfly
For thicker or wavy hair, a lightly choppy finish brings out the layers and removes bulk while keeping length. The wings still frame the face, but the ends look airy and modern. It’s low-maintenance and loves a salt or texture mist. Wear it day to day or dress it up with a partial bend. Pro tip: point-cut any heavy ends between trims (by a pro) to keep movement.
How To Style
Air-dry to damp with a curl cream. Diffuse on low, then add a few random wand bends. Mist salt spray and scrunch the ends for separation.
Best For
Oval, heart; medium to thick, wavy or loose curls.
Tools & Products
Curl cream, diffuser, curling wand, salt/texture spray.
Bright Money-Piece Butterfly
Face-brightening front pieces pair beautifully with butterfly layers, making the wings pop even more. Keep the color detail subtle or bold—either way, the framing reads clean and fresh. Styling stays simple: smooth roots, lifted crown, and soft bends through the ends. This shines in photos and adds dimension without heavy maintenance. Pro tip: roll the money-piece sections away from the face on medium rollers while you finish the rest, then brush out for a soft halo.
How To Style
Blow-dry roots smooth. Curl front pieces away from the face; add loose bends through lengths. Brush together and set with flexible spray.
Best For
Heart, oval; fine to medium, straight or wavy.
Tools & Products
Heat protectant, medium rollers, large curling iron, soft bristle brush, flexible hairspray.
Mid-Length Wavy Butterfly
You don’t need extra-long hair to enjoy butterfly layers. On mid-lengths, the face pieces still wing out while the ends stay breezy and light. This cut is practical for busy days and holds shape with minimal effort. A soft wave pattern makes the layers read clearly without tight curls. Pro tip: start each curl a couple of inches below the root so the top remains airy and the wave lives in the mid-lengths.
How To Style
Apply heat protectant. Wrap mid-lengths on a 1.25″ iron, leaving ends out. Comb through once, mist texture spray, and tap ends with a flat iron to bevel.
Best For
Round, oval; straight to wavy, medium density.
Tools & Products
Heat protectant, 1.25″ curling iron, flat iron, texture spray, wide-tooth comb.
Conclusion
Butterfly layers are a smart way to get lift and movement while keeping your length. Pick a parting that flatters your face and match the finish—sleek, blowout, or beachy—to your day. Keep heat low, let curls cool, and use flexible hold so the wings stay light. If you’re unsure where the face pieces should land, aim for cheekbones or just below. Ready to try one? Save two ideas and test both this week.
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FAQs
1) What are butterfly layers?
They’re long, cascading layers with shorter face-framing pieces that “wing” away from the face. The shape builds crown lift and soft movement without losing length.
2) Do butterfly layers work on fine hair?
Yes, if the layering is soft and not too heavy. Blow-dry with a round brush or Velcro rollers to create lift, then set with a light hold spray.
3) Are butterfly layers hard to maintain?
Not really. Plan a dusting every 8–10 weeks to keep the winged pieces neat, and use heat protection. Air dry or use low heat to reduce split ends.
4) Can curly hair wear butterfly layers?
Absolutely. Ask for curl-aware layering and keep the shortest face pieces around cheekbones. Diffuse on low and scrunch in a light cream or gel.
5) What parting works best?
Middle or soft off-center parts show the symmetry; a deep side part adds instant volume. Choose the part that flatters your face shape and cowlicks.
