Hairstyle comparison
Compare the Curtain Fringe and Butterfly Layers by length, shape, finish, maintenance, salon wording, and how each changes your overall outline.
Published 13 August 2026
The short version
The Curtain Fringe is defined by a centre opening with cheekbone-skimming, face-framing pieces, while the Butterfly Layers uses short face-framing layers floating above a much longer base.
Both are rated medium for maintenance in this guide, so the stronger distinction is soft and face-framing versus voluminous and cascading.
| Feature | Curtain Fringe | Butterfly Layers |
|---|---|---|
| Signature | a centre opening with cheekbone-skimming, face-framing pieces | short face-framing layers floating above a much longer base |
| Length | medium | long |
| Shape | soft and face-framing | voluminous and cascading |
| Finish | airy | airy |
| Maintenance | medium | medium |
Curtain Fringe
You prefer a soft and face-framing outline with a airy finish and the defining feature of a centre opening with cheekbone-skimming, face-framing pieces.
Salon wording: Ask for a centre-parted fringe that opens around the eyes and blends gradually into face-framing layers.
Butterfly Layers
You prefer a voluminous and cascading outline with a airy finish and the defining feature of short face-framing layers floating above a much longer base.
Salon wording: Ask to keep the long baseline while adding sweeping face-framing and upper layers that create movement without thinning the ends excessively.
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