There must be something in the air because searches for shorter chops are soaring and one that's climbing the trends is the butterfly bob haircut. The hashtag already has over half a million hits on TikTok, while current Google discover data found that interest in the trend is peaking, suggesting the cut is set to take off (which honestly makes sense, since: butterfly).
It follows on the wings of the butterfly cut which has been steadily building a devoted fanbase over the past few years thanks to its pretty, defined layers. The OG chop calls on tiered layers that look shorter and voluminous at the top, with longer lengths tumbling from the bottom to mimic the wings of a butterfly.
As for the butterfly bob haircut? It follows the same premise, but hitches up the length for a breezier summer rendition.
What is the butterfly bob?
The butterfly bob is essentially a two-tiered bob with defined layers around lash or cheek level and a base length between the jaw and shoulders. If you prefer a cut that's not overly styled, the butterfly bob may be for you since unlike a classic bob, the butterfly bob isn't cut straight and blunt. Instead, the soft, floaty layers work best with swooshy movement and a relaxed and natural texture. It takes elements of other animal cuts that have come before it, like the mussiness of a wolf cut, with the overall length of a bob and the rounded layers of a curve cut. Put simply, it's a shorter butterfly cut. It benefits from some face-framing action, by tapping up a short fringe or rounded curtain bangs, that (bonus) help to add oomph.
Does the butterfly bob work on everyone?
If you're thinking about switching to a short hairstyle or want to spice up your existing bob, the butterfly bob offers up a pretty alternative. The key is to tailor it to your face shape and hair type. It works well on fine hair as the stepped layers offer the volume that can often elude fine-haired girls. For thick hair, ask your stylist to remove some of the weight to allow for that floaty, fluttery feeling. As for length, it should fall around the chin, and you can mix up the styling with a centre-parting or side-parting.
How to style the butterfly bob?
The cut should hold it's own and work alongside your natural texture but if you want to really maximise the shape, a hot brush is your best friend since it will add extra gravity. Work some volumising mousse into the hair beforehand. Then blow-dry for volume using the round brush.
Here's some of our favourite ways to wear the butterfly bob…
