3. Long Butterfly Layers with Face-Framing Curls
If you are not ready to lose length, this is your butterfly. Keeping the overall length long while adding butterfly-style face-framing layers gives you the best of both worlds: dramatic length with movement around the face. The shorter front pieces keep long curls from looking heavy or one-dimensional, and they photograph beautifully.
This version is especially gorgeous on thick, dense curls that need internal weight removed. Ask your stylist to keep the back length untouched and concentrate the layering from the ears forward, with the shortest pieces starting at the jawline.
What You’ll Need
- Deep conditioner or hair mask
- Leave-in conditioner
- Curl cream
- Stronger-hold gel for the canopy
- Hooded dryer or diffuser
- Satin bonnet for overnight
How to Make
- Deep-condition first — long curls need the moisture to keep ends defined.
- Apply leave-in and curl cream in sections, using the praying-hands method on the long lengths.
- Finger-coil the face-framing pieces individually for extra definition near the face.
- Scrunch gel into the canopy where frizz strikes first.
- Diffuse upside down for root volume, then flip and arrange the front pieces.
- Pineapple overnight in a satin bonnet to protect the length.