The Butterfly Cut with Federico Patelli

The Contemporary Butterfly cut is a modern, layered hairstyle inspired by the voluminous, feathered looks of the 1970s and 1990s, combining retro glamour with contemporary styling. Its name comes from the way the shorter layers contouring around the face and the crown, like butterfly wings when styled, creating movement and lift without sacrificing length.

The cut typically features two main layer sections: shorter layers for volume on top and longer layers underneath to maintain fullness and flow. The butterfly cut is especially suitable for people with medium to long hair who want a lighter, bouncier look, and it works well on straight, wavy, or softly curly textures. It’s particularly flattering for those with thicker hair, as it removes bulk while enhancing shape, though it can also add dimension to finer hair when styled properly. In this particular class we are working with longer layers to suit our client’s hair density and desire!

In this masterclass you will see how to section the hair for the shape and most important how to control each panel while cutting, understanding what variation you can create by using different distribution and elevation.

What you will learn:

• How to section hair following your client’s features

• How to create the butterfly effect on different hair lengths

• Body positioning is fundamental for creating a balanced haircut

• Controlling your elevation

• How to style a butterfly cut

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About Federico Patelli

Born in Italy into a family of hairdressers, Federico turned his passion into an international career. After training at the Aldo Coppola Academy ( Milan) and attending Salon International in London back in 2007, He moved to the UK in 2012 to join Toni&Guy, where he rose to become Artistic Director of the London Academy.

Winner of the Trend Image of The Year at the 2019 British Hairdressing Awards and other prestigious Awards, he now leads his educational projects “Patelli Education” His mission: to share technique, creativity, and passion, inspiring a new generation of professionals to embrace what he calls “the most beautiful job in the world.”

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