The butterfly haircut has become a popular and trendy choice, known for its unique and flattering look. It can add volume, movement, and a touch of elegance to your hair. Doing it yourself at home can be a fun and rewarding experience. In this article, we will guide you through the process of achieving a beautiful butterfly haircut.
Tools You Will Need
Sharp Hair – cutting Shears
Quality Matters: Invest in a good pair of sharp hair – cutting shears. These are not the same as regular household scissors.
Hair – cutting shears have a precise cutting edge that allows for clean cuts without causing split ends or fraying the hair.
Dull scissors can damage the hair shaft and result in an uneven haircut.
Comfort and Control: Look for shears that are comfortable to hold. They should fit well in your hand, allowing you to have better control during the cutting process. This is especially important when creating the detailed layers and angles of the butterfly haircut.
Comb
Detangling and Sectioning: A wide – toothed comb is essential for detangling your hair before you start cutting. It can gently work through knots without pulling or breaking the hair. During the haircut, the comb is used for sectioning the hair.This helps you to cut each part evenly and maintain the symmetry of the style.
Choosing the Right Comb: Select a comb made from smooth materials. Avoid those with rough edges that could snag the hair. A sturdy plastic or hard rubber comb is usually a good choice.
Hair Clips
Holding Sections in Place: You will need several hair clips to hold the different sections of your hair as you work. This keeps the hair organized and out of the way while you focus on cutting one section at a time. Small alligator clips or sectioning clips are ideal for this purpose.
Preventing Confusion: By using clips, you can clearly see which parts of the hair you have already cut and which ones still need attention. This helps to avoid accidentally cutting too much or missing a section.
Preparing Your Hair
Clean and Dry Hair
Washing: Start by washing your hair with a suitable shampoo and conditioner. This removes any dirt, oil, or product buildup. Make sure to rinse thoroughly. However, it’s crucial that your hair is completely dry before you begin the haircut.
Wet hair can be misleading in terms of length and texture, and cutting it wet may result in an unexpected outcome.
Drying Technique: Use a towel to gently blot your hair to remove excess water. Avoid rubbing vigorously as this can cause frizz. You can let your hair air – dry naturally or use a blow – dryer on a low – heat setting. If you use a blow – dryer, direct the air flow in the direction of the hair growth to smooth the cuticle.
Detangling
Starting from the Ends: Use the wide – toothed comb to start detangling from the ends of your hair. Work your way up slowly, holding the section of hair close to the roots to minimize pulling. If you encounter a stubborn knot, be patient and gently work it out with the comb. You can also use a small amount of detangling spray if needed.
Thorough Detangling: Make sure your entire head of hair is completely tangle – free. This will make the cutting process much smoother and ensure that you can cut evenly throughout the hair.
Sectioning the Hair
Divide into Main Sections
Top and Sides: Begin by creating a part down the middle of your head from the front to the back. Then, make another part horizontally across the middle of your head. This will divide your hair into four main sections – two on top and two on the sides. Use hair clips to secure each section.
Back Section: If your hair is long, you may also want to create a separate section for the hair at the back of your head. This helps in keeping the hair organized and makes it easier to work on different parts of the haircut.
Creating the Butterfly Cut
The Front Layers
Starting with the Bangs (if applicable): If you have bangs or want to create them as part of the butterfly cut, start by determining the desired length. Hold the hair between your fingers and cut at an angle. For a softer look, make a more gradual angle cut. The bangs can be cut straight across or with a slight curve, depending on your preference.
Front Section Layers: Take a small section of hair from the front top section. Hold it vertically between your fingers. Cut into the hair at an angle, starting from a shorter length near the face and gradually increasing the length as you move towards the back. This will create the first layer of the butterfly cut. Repeat this process for other small sections in the front top area, making sure to blend the layers smoothly.
The Side Layers
Working on One Side First: Take a section of hair from the side. Hold it at an angle and cut in a similar way as you did for the front layers. The length of the side layers should gradually increase as you move towards the back of the head. Pay attention to the symmetry with the other side. You can use the mirror to check and make adjustments as you go.
Blending the Sides: After cutting the initial layers on one side, continue to work on adjacent sections, gradually blending the layers. Make sure there are no harsh lines between the different sections. Once you are satisfied with one side, repeat the process on the other side.
The Back Layers
Lower Layers: For the hair at the back of your head, start by cutting the lower layers. Take a section of hair and cut it at an angle, with the shortest part closer to the nape of the neck. As you move up the head, increase the length of the cut. This will create volume and movement in the back of the hair.
Upper Back Layers: Work on the upper back sections, creating layers that blend with the lower layers and the sides. The key is to maintain a smooth transition between all the layers to achieve the characteristic butterfly shape. You can use the comb to check the length and smoothness of the layers as you cut.
Finishing Touches
Checking for Evenness
Overall Inspection: Once you have cut all the layers, let your hair down and use the comb to gently go through it. Check for any uneven lengths or areas where the layers don’t blend well. Walk around and look at your hair from different angles in the mirror.
Making Adjustments: If you find any uneven parts, you can make small, careful cuts to even them out. It’s better to make small adjustments rather than cutting a large amount at once, as it’s easier to correct small mistakes.
Styling and Final Check
Styling Options: You can style your new butterfly cut in various ways. You can use a round brush and a blow – dryer to add more volume to the layers. A light – hold hairspray can help to set the style. You can also let your hair air – dry for a more natural look.
Final Inspection: After styling, take a final look at your hair. Check if the shape and layers are as you desired. Make sure the haircut flatters your face shape and overall appearance. If there are any final touches needed, now is the time to make them.
Conclusion
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