Butterfly bangs hairstyles for women this winter are having a real moment, and honestly, it is easy to see why. They are soft, face-framing and flattering on almost everyone, and they give even the simplest winter outfit that little bit of polish that makes you look like you actually tried. If you have been staring at your reflection wondering whether a fringe would suit you, butterfly bangs are the gentlest way to find out, because they grow out beautifully and never lock you into one look.
Think of butterfly bangs as the friendly cousin of curtain bangs. They are longer at the sides, shorter toward the middle, and they part in the centre so the layers flutter open around your face like wings. In winter they are a gift: they sit happily under a beanie, they do not frizz the way a blunt fringe does in damp weather, and they look just as good swept to the side on a lazy Sunday as they do blown out for a night out. This guide walks you through what they are, how to wear them with long hair and bobs, how to style them with a round brush, and twenty-one looks you can actually ask your stylist for.
What Butterfly Bangs Actually Are
Butterfly bangs are a long, face-framing fringe that starts around the cheekbones and blends into the layers of the rest of your hair. The centre is the shortest point, usually grazing the eyebrows or the bridge of the nose, and the pieces get longer as they move out toward the sides, which is what creates that soft, winged shape. Unlike a blunt fringe, there is no hard line across your forehead, so the bangs blend rather than announce themselves.
The name comes from the way the two sides open outward, like butterfly wings, and the effect is wonderfully forgiving. Because the pieces are long, they can be tucked behind your ears, pinned back, or swept to one side on days when you cannot be bothered. They suit most face shapes because the length can be adjusted: shorter and wispier for a petite face, longer and heavier for a rounder one. They also work with almost every hair texture, from fine and straight to thick and wavy, which is rare for a fringe. Ask your stylist to cut them dry or nearly dry so you can see exactly where they fall, and bring a photo of the exact length you want, because bangs are one of those things where a centimetre makes all the difference.
Butterfly Bangs with Long Hair
Butterfly bangs and long hair are a match made in heaven, because the long layers of the bangs blend seamlessly into long lengths. The trick is to ask for layers that start at the cheekbones and continue down through the ends, so there is no obvious step where the bangs end and the rest of the hair begins. On long hair, butterfly bangs add movement and shape to lengths that can otherwise hang a little flat, and they give you a built-in face frame even when the rest of your hair is tied back.
In winter, long hair with butterfly bangs is wonderfully low maintenance. You can wear your hair down with the bangs blown out for a polished look, or pull it into a low ponytail and let the bangs do all the work around your face. The bangs also peek out nicely from under a scarf or a coat collar, so you never look like you have disappeared into your winter layers. If your hair is very thick, ask your stylist to thin the bangs slightly at the ends so they do not puff up in the cold, and if your hair is fine, keep the bangs a little fuller so they read as a deliberate style rather than a few stray strands.
Butterfly Bangs with Bobs
Butterfly bangs on a bob are pure French-girl energy. The shorter length means the bangs become a bigger part of the overall shape, so they need to be cut with a light hand, but when they are right, the combination is effortless and chic. The bangs soften the strong line of a bob, add a little romance, and stop the cut from looking too severe in winter, when everything else you are wearing is structured and heavy.
The best bob length for butterfly bangs is chin to collarbone, because that gives the bangs room to blend into the sides. On a chin-length bob, keep the bangs wispy and the ends tucked under, and on a longer bob, let the bangs grow a little past the cheekbones so they melt into the layers. A bob with butterfly bangs is also one of the easiest winter hairstyles to manage: a quick blow-dry with a round brush, a dab of smoothing cream, and you are done. If you are curious about shorter winter cuts in general, have a look at our guide to winter hairstyles for women with a bob for more ideas that pair beautifully with a fringe.
Styling Them with a Round Brush
The round brush is the single best tool for butterfly bangs, and the technique is much simpler than it looks. Start with damp hair and a little volumising mousse worked through the fringe, then take a medium round brush, about the width of two fingers, and roll the bangs forward and under while you blow-dry on a medium heat. The key is to dry the centre first, pulling it straight down and slightly forward, then sweep each side out and away from your face so the layers open like wings. A blast of cool air at the end sets the shape and adds shine.
If you are short on time, you do not need to blow-dry the whole head. Just dampen the bangs, give them a quick round-brush pass, and let the rest of your hair air-dry. A large velcro roller clipped into the bangs for five minutes while you do your makeup gives the same lift with even less effort, and a spritz of light-hold hairspray keeps everything in place without stiffness. In winter, a drop of smoothing serum on the ends stops static, which is the one thing that can make a fringe misbehave when you pull a woolly hat on and off all day.
Growing Them Out Gracefully
One of the best things about butterfly bangs is that growing them out is painless, because they are already long. There is no awkward in-between stage where a short fringe pokes into your eyes, and you never have to suffer through months of pinning and hiding. As the bangs grow, they simply become longer face-framing layers, and you can keep the shape fresh with a tiny trim every six to eight weeks, just taking the ends off so the layers stay blended.
If you decide you want to grow them right out, the transition is easy. Part your hair in the centre and let the bangs fall to the sides as curtain layers, or sweep them to one side with a deep side part for a completely different look. A little texture spray gives grown-out bangs grip so they do not slide flat against your face, and a couple of bobby pins hidden at the temples can hold them back on windy days. Honestly, most people who grow out their butterfly bangs end up missing them and booking another fringe trim within a few months, because a face without that soft frame can feel a little plain by comparison.
Who Should Skip Them
Butterfly bangs suit most people, but they are not for absolutely everyone, and it is better to know that before you sit in the chair. If your hairline has a very strong cowlick right at the front, long bangs can be a daily battle, because the cowlick will push the fringe into a stubborn parting no matter how much you blow-dry it. A good stylist can work around a mild cowlick by cutting the bangs a little longer and heavier, but a strong one is usually a sign to choose a side-swept style instead.
Very curly hair can also be tricky, though not impossible. Curls shrink as they dry, so bangs cut to the eyebrows can spring up to the middle of your forehead, and the shape changes from day to day depending on the weather. If your curls are tight, ask for bangs cut much longer than you think you need, and be ready to style them most mornings. And if you genuinely hate styling your hair at all, be honest with yourself: butterfly bangs need about three minutes of attention a day, and if even that feels like too much, a longer layered cut without a fringe will make you happier.
Butterfly Bangs Looks 1–4
1. Classic Butterfly Bangs. The original and still the best: centre-parted, cheekbone length, blown out with a round brush so the sides flick away from the face. How to get it: ask for the shortest point at the eyebrows, blending into layers that reach the cheekbones. Face note: flatters oval and heart-shaped faces beautifully. Occasion: everyday, work, and everything in between.
2. Soft Feathered Butterfly Bangs. Feathered ends keep the fringe light and airy, with almost no hard edge at all. How to get it: ask your stylist to point-cut the ends so they taper into soft wisps rather than a straight line. Face note: lovely on fine hair, because the feathering stops the bangs from looking sparse. Occasion: office days and smart-casual lunches.
3. Long Butterfly Bangs with Layers. The bangs start at the cheekbones and melt into long, flowing layers that reach the collarbone and beyond. How to get it: ask for layers that begin at the cheekbones and continue evenly down through the lengths. Face note: lengthens a round face and softens a strong jawline. Occasion: date nights and winter parties.
4. Butterfly Bangs with a Blunt Edge. A slightly heavier centre with a softer, feathered edge gives you the drama of a blunt fringe without the commitment. How to get it: ask for the centre cut straighter and a touch heavier, with the sides still tapered. Face note: suits thick hair and square faces, because the weight balances a strong jaw. Occasion: a statement look for nights out.
Butterfly Bangs Looks 5–8
5. Wispy Butterfly Bangs. Barely-there wisps that soften the forehead without ever looking like a full fringe. How to get it: ask for a light, feathered cut with the shortest pieces just skimming the eyebrows. Face note: perfect for fine hair and for anyone nervous about their first fringe, because the wisps are so light they are almost invisible. Occasion: everyday wear and low-key weekends.
6. Butterfly Bangs with Curtain Layers. The curtain-bang cousin of the butterfly cut, with longer pieces that sweep back from the face like a pair of curtains. How to get it: ask for the centre pieces at nose length and the sides blending into long layers past the chin. Face note: flatters long faces by adding width at the cheekbones. Occasion: brunch, shopping and casual days out.
7. Voluminous Butterfly Bangs. Big, bouncy bangs with real lift at the roots, blown out with a large round brush for maximum drama. How to get it: blow-dry the bangs upward and back with a large round brush, then set with a velcro roller while you finish your makeup. Face note: brilliant for flat, fine hair that needs a lift, because the volume starts right at the face. Occasion: parties, festive dinners and nights out.
8. Butterfly Bangs with a Side Sweep. The same soft layers, swept to one side with a deep side part for an elegant, asymmetrical finish. How to get it: part your hair deeply to one side, blow-dry the bangs across the forehead, and pin the shorter side back if you like. Face note: softens a round face and adds instant glamour to a square jaw. Occasion: work events and formal evenings.
Butterfly Bangs Looks 9–12
9. Butterfly Bangs on a Bob. A chin-length bob with soft, winged bangs that make the whole cut look fresh and modern. How to get it: ask for a bob that ends at the chin with bangs that start at the eyebrows and blend into the sides. Face note: gorgeous on petite faces, because the shorter length keeps the proportions balanced. Occasion: chic everyday style and city days.
10. Butterfly Bangs on a Lob. The long bob, or lob, gives butterfly bangs room to breathe, with layers that flow past the collarbone. How to get it: ask for a lob that hits the collarbone, with bangs that taper from the eyebrows down into the sides. Face note: suits almost every face shape, which is why the lob is the most requested cut of the year. Occasion: the most versatile look in this list, from the office to a wedding guest outfit.
11. Butterfly Bangs with Curls. Soft, bouncy curls through the lengths with gentle bangs that curl just enough to frame the face. How to get it: curl the bangs away from the face with a large-barrel tong, then brush through for soft waves. Face note: beautiful on naturally wavy hair, because the bangs pick up the same movement as the rest. Occasion: romantic evenings and winter weddings.
12. Butterfly Bangs with a Middle Part. Perfectly symmetrical, centre-parted bangs that open evenly on both sides for a polished, balanced look. How to get it: part your hair dead centre, blow-dry each side away from the face, and keep the centre pieces short and neat. Face note: best on oval and heart-shaped faces, where the symmetry is most flattering. Occasion: polished days when you want to look put-together.
Butterfly Bangs Looks 13–16
13. Butterfly Bangs with Highlights. A few face-framing highlights woven through the bangs brighten the whole face and make the layers pop. How to get it: ask for two or three fine highlights just around the face, a shade or two lighter than your base colour. Face note: gorgeous on brunettes and dark blondes, because the lighter pieces catch the light right where it matters. Occasion: a winter glow-up and holiday photos.
14. Butterfly Bangs with a Low Ponytail. The easiest polished style in this list: a low ponytail with the bangs left loose to frame the face. How to get it: gather your hair into a low ponytail at the nape, then pull a few strands loose around the face and let the bangs fall naturally. Face note: flatters every face shape, because the bangs soften the pulled-back look. Occasion: work, the gym and busy mornings.
15. Butterfly Bangs with a Messy Bun. A relaxed topknot or low bun with soft pieces falling around the face is the ultimate off-duty look. How to get it: twist your hair into a loose bun and pull out a few face-framing strands, leaving the bangs to do their thing. Face note: suits everyone, and it is especially kind on days when your hair is not freshly washed. Occasion: lazy Sundays, coffee runs and cosy days in.
16. Butterfly Bangs with a Half-Up Style. The top half of your hair pulled back and the rest left down, with the bangs framing everything beautifully. How to get it: take the top section of your hair, secure it with a clip or a small elastic, and let the bangs fall on either side of your face. Face note: lovely on long hair, because it shows off the length while keeping the hair out of your eyes. Occasion: parties, family gatherings and festive lunches.
Butterfly Bangs Looks 17–21
17. Butterfly Bangs for a Night Out. A full, glossy blowout with the bangs swept open and the ends flicked out for maximum glamour. How to get it: blow-dry with a large round brush, add a little shine spray, and finish with a light-hold hairspray. Face note: suits all face shapes, because the volume and movement are universally flattering. Occasion: nights out, festive parties and New Year celebrations.
18. Butterfly Bangs with a Beanie. The winter-proof look: a cosy beanie worn just behind the bangs so the fringe stays visible and the rest stays warm. How to get it: put the beanie on so it sits behind the hairline, then gently pull the bangs forward and let them fall naturally. Face note: suits everyone, and the beanie adds a cute, casual touch. Occasion: cold days, winter walks and Christmas markets.
19. Butterfly Bangs with a Scarf. A chunky scarf wrapped high around the neck with the bangs peeking out above it is pure winter romance. How to get it: wrap your scarf loosely, let the bangs fall over your forehead, and tuck the sides behind your ears if you like. Face note: flatters round faces, because the vertical lines of the scarf and the bangs lengthen the face. Occasion: outdoor winter days and snowy strolls.
20. Butterfly Bangs with a Hat. A wide-brim hat or a felt fedora with butterfly bangs underneath is effortlessly stylish and very practical in winter drizzle. How to get it: place the hat so it sits just behind the hairline, then arrange the bangs so they frame your face beneath the brim. Face note: suits oval and heart-shaped faces, where the hat brim and the bangs balance each other. Occasion: errands, winter weddings and stylish days out.
21. Grown-Out Butterfly Bangs. The final look is not a cut at all, but the soft, grown-out stage where the bangs have become long, face-framing layers. How to get it: let your bangs grow for a couple of months, trimming only the very ends to keep them blended. Face note: suits everyone, because the longer layers are the most forgiving shape of all. Occasion: the perfect transition look when you are ready for a change, or when you simply want to enjoy the grow-out.
How to Ask Your Stylist for Butterfly Bangs
Asking for butterfly bangs is easy once you know the right words. Tell your stylist you want long, face-framing bangs that part in the centre, with the shortest point at the eyebrows and the sides blending into your layers at the cheekbones. Bring two or three photos of the exact length you want, including one of a grown-out version, so your stylist can see the range you are happy with. Ask them to cut the bangs dry or nearly dry, because wet hair shrinks as it dries and bangs cut too short when wet are the number one regret. Finally, ask for a quick lesson in blow-drying them before you leave the chair, so you can recreate the look at home without guessing.
Styling Butterfly Bangs for Cold Weather
Winter is actually one of the best seasons for butterfly bangs, because the cold air keeps them smooth and the layers sit neatly under hats and scarves. The main enemy is static, which comes from dry indoor heating and woolly hats. A pea-sized amount of smoothing serum on the ends before you go out tames flyaways, and a quick spritz of leave-in conditioner on the bangs in the morning keeps them soft all day. When you take a hat off, flip your head upside down and give the bangs a quick shake to restore the volume, then smooth them back into place with your fingers. Avoid overloading the fringe with hairspray in winter, because product plus cold air can make bangs look stiff, and a light touch always looks fresher.
Keeping Your Butterfly Bangs Fresh Between Trims
Butterfly bangs are forgiving between trims, but a little care keeps them looking intentional rather than accidental. Book a fringe trim every six to eight weeks, which many salons offer for free or for a small fee, and in between, use a dry shampoo at the roots on day two or three to stop the bangs going limp. Wash just the fringe in the sink on mornings when the rest of your hair is fine, which takes two minutes and makes the whole style look freshly done. If you are also thinking about a colour change to go with your new fringe, our guide to winter hair color ideas for women with hazel eyes is a lovely place to start, because the right shade makes the bangs frame your eyes even more beautifully.
Common Butterfly Bangs Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistake is cutting the bangs too short on day one, so always ask your stylist to cut them a little longer than you think you want, because you can always take more off but you cannot put it back. The second mistake is over-styling: butterfly bangs should look soft and a little undone, so go easy on the straighteners and the heavy products. The third is ignoring your parting. Butterfly bangs are designed to part in the centre, so if you always part on the side, the shape will fight you. Finally, do not trim them yourself with kitchen scissors. It is tempting, but one snip too far and you are growing them out for months. Leave the trimming to a professional, or at the very least use proper hairdressing scissors and cut a millimetre at a time.
Salon vs At-Home: What Is Worth Paying For
The cut itself is worth paying for, because the shape of butterfly bangs depends on precise layering and blending that is very hard to do on your own head. A good salon cut, with a fringe trim included in the price, will last eight weeks and look better every single day. What you can happily do at home is the styling: the round-brush blow-dry, the velcro rollers, the texture spray and the daily upkeep are all easy once you have seen them done once. Save your money for the cut and the occasional professional trim, and spend your time at home learning the three-minute blow-dry that makes the bangs look salon-fresh every morning.
Love these butterfly bangs? Save this pin to Pinterest so you can show your stylist exactly which look you want. And if you would like to write your own perfect pin caption, try our free Pinterest Caption & Pin Generator to create a caption that gets your pin noticed.
Butterfly bangs are one of those rare hairstyles that suit almost everyone, grow out gracefully and make every winter outfit look a little more polished. Whether you go for the classic centre-parted version, a wispy feathered fringe or a voluminous blowout, the key is to choose a length that flatters your face and a style you will actually enjoy maintaining. Save your favourite look from this list, show it to your stylist, and enjoy the soft, face-framing flutter all winter long. Follow Nova Fashion on Pinterest for more hair ideas, seasonal inspiration and styles worth saving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the questions we hear most often about butterfly bangs, answered honestly.
Do butterfly bangs suit a round face?
Yes, they are one of the best fringe choices for a round face. Ask for the bangs a little longer, with the shortest point at the nose rather than the eyebrows, and keep the sides sweeping out past the cheekbones, because the extra length and the side sweep create vertical lines that lengthen the face beautifully.
How long do butterfly bangs take to grow out?
Because butterfly bangs are already long, they blend into face-framing layers within about two to three months, and there is no awkward stage where they poke into your eyes. If you want them gone completely, expect around four to six months for them to reach chin length, depending on how fast your hair grows.
Can I style butterfly bangs without a round brush?
Absolutely. A large velcro roller clipped into the damp bangs for five minutes gives the same lift, and you can also blow-dry the bangs forward with your fingers and then sweep them to the sides. A flat iron used with a slight flick at the ends works too, but keep the heat low and always use a heat protectant first.