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The ideal summer haircut should be light, airy, and tailored to you—hence the enduring popularity of the butterfly cut. Different from the super-short butterfly bob (beloved by A-listers like Selena Gomez, Gigi Hadid, and Jenna Ortega), the classic butterfly cut allows those with longer hair to get in on the fun. Even Beyoncé is in on the fun.
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“The butterfly cut is a meticulously shaped haircut,” says Jake Wanstall, hairstylist at Larry King. “Focusing on framing the face, short layers are cut in at the front, and they get longer towards the back.” The haircut also features a “shattered baseline”, which is achieved with a razor for added texture.
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Pleasingly low-maintenance, a butterfly cut doesn’t actually require all that much styling, hence its appeal during the social whirl of the summer months. Whether you have plans to laze around in a city park, break a sweat on a hike, or intend to take up surfing, this hairstyle will stay intact. All you need to maintain the look is a simple blow dry and some hydrating product to keep it all looking bouncy and shiny. To elevate the look for a night out, Wanstall suggests “taking a wand to give structure to certain pieces and layers. A quality styling cream, such as Larry King’s A Social Life For Your Hair, would help to hold this look.” This method works well for all hair types.
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“The aim is for the cut to appear relaxed, undone and effortless—so it’s a great option for those who are short on time or want to focus on the health of their hair,” says Wanstall. “It’s certainly become an ‘It-girl’ style,” he adds.
Wanstall cites “those with angular and slim and sharp cheekbones” as particularly good candidates for a butterfly cut, although variations of the style can be tailored to suit different face shapes. “For example, if you work on strategically placing short layers to contour the face at the jawline,” he explains.
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Perfect for the summertime, keep your butterfly haircut in check with regular trims to the fringe and touch-ups to the layered shaping at the front. “If you allow it to grow out too much, it will make the hair look heavy, and in some cases, even lose its texture,” Wanstall concludes.