The art of haircutting seems to know no limits. Hair artists worldwide have evolved the standard bob in endless ways: from French and Italian variations to the midi-bob and lob (long bob).

A new bob on the horizon finds the ever-evolving cut transform into its best shape yet: the butterfly bob. Sported by the likes of Zendaya, Jenna Ortega and countless influencers on Instagram, it is soft and elegant and comes stamped with can-suit-anyone approval.

Unsurprisingly, this easy-breezy low-maintenance style has become a rising ask in salons, alongside the hush cut, and has already gained over 400,000 views over on TikTok. To find out more about the rising trend, we turned to the experts to tell us everything you need to know. 

“The bob hasn’t gone anywhere,” Phil Smith, at Smith England, tells Stylist. “In fact, it is as popular as ever.” So much so that it seems to reincarnate itself in a different shape every season. Autumn’s interpretation? The butterfly bob.

“As its name suggests, the butterfly bob is beautifully soft and feminine,” says Smith. Daniel Argenio, at 65 Walton Street, agrees: “The aspect that defines a butterfly bob is the soft layers that fall around the face.” 

”Just like butterfly wings,” confirms Smith.

And how is it different? “Unlike the standard bob, which best suits a straight, sharp finish, this cut works well when styled with gentle movement and lightly tousled,” explains Smith. 

The process is simple. “Ask your hairdresser for soft layers through the back to remove weight and add volume,” says Fergal Doyle at Fergal Doyle Hair.

The experts all agree that the front layers are crucial to achieving this look; Doyle says that you should opt for face-framing layers that are nose-to-tip length at their shortest. “Think very grown-out fringe,” he adds. Smith explains that these layers work to add a bouncy flow to create a pretty and feminine take on the classic cut. 

Thanks to its adaptability, Argenio recognises the cut as an excellent option for almost any face shape or hair type. Smith adds: “The butterfly bob is ultra-versatile, and it can be cut to suit anyone. The trick is to judge where the front layers should fall so that they frame the face, enhancing the features and bone structure.”

So, how can it be modified to suit your face shape? Doyle notes how it works especially well for those with longer, oval-shaped faces. Argenio adds that allowing the layers to sit just higher than the draw line will “create balance and symmetry”.

Those with rounder faces can benefit, too, says Argenio: “If someone has a rounder face, I’d cut the layers longer to elongate the structure and create a flattering shape.”

As for hair texture, Doyle says that it has been especially popular among his clients with medium to thick wavy hair, while Smith notes that “there are no rules about whether this works best with straight or curly hair”.

The butterfly bob plays on our natural beauty aesthetics that find perfection in an undone, untamed finish. Smith explains that for styling, the butterfly bob “suits a loose, unstructured finish to maximise the texture your stylist has created.” He contrasts this with the classic sharp and geometric shapes of the 1960s.

To achieve a full butterfly effect, those opting for low-maintenance beauty solutions will be pleased to hear that the aim is to avoid structure and allow the layers to fall naturally.

Here are the products that the experts recommend using:

Images: Getty; courtesy of brands