At the end of the day, life is what you make it. However, if you’re hoping to work towards change, perhaps you need to break free from your laid-back regime and do your research before progressing on to the next level.
Hair trends in women’s fashion have changed rapidly over the past few years. While indie-themed hairdos flew and controlled the past decade, edgy hairdos seem to be controlling the narrative at the moment. After shag cuts and mullets, two options with an improbable amount of control over the fashion scene are wolf cuts and butterfly cuts, the main components of this write-up.
Despite being from two completely different backgrounds, a wolf cut and a butterfly cut are often seen as two sides of the same coin. Although the previous theory does seem logical once you look at them from afar, the narrative changes instantly once you examine each candidate thoroughly. If you don’t have enough time to do your own research, allow us to take the wheel and drive you through the differences and similarities between a wolf cut vs. a butterfly cut!
Table of Contents
Understanding A Wolf Cut: Description, Procedure, Benefits, and Drawbacks
Prior to going for a design, it’s always advised to know what you’re signing up for. While most hairstyles offer tons of benefits that are glorified, swept under the rug are disadvantages in the maintenance, creative process, and styling routine, which too needs attention sometimes.
A wolf cut comprises distressed layers that are often added with thinning shears to add some elevation around the roots, and some edginess to the silhouettes. Abiding by a structure, the look is believed to be a hybrid between a mullet and shag, otherwise known as a shullet.
The creative process of a wolf cut is relatively simple. By wrapping the hair into a ponytail, hairdressers often cut through the strands in an angular motion, to install an unruly texture to the ends. When the hair is too straight or coarse to form layers, thinning shears are often thrown into the mix.
The benefit-to-drawback ratio of a wolf cut is extremely favorable, especially for those seeking an easygoing hairdo. The vintage yet modern aura of a wolf cut isn’t just great to bring back 90s fashion, but also brings to the table a low-maintenance routine, which is ideal for minimalists. It is also great for fine hair for the elevation it adds, and perfect for chubby faces desiring a slimming effect.
Alongside being timeless until eternity, a wolf cut is known for carrying a glow that most can’t replicate. It isn’t just the perfect design for men, but also a revolutionary design for those into curtain bangs!
A wolf cut hardly ever fails to amp up the lives of its wearers, but often favors those with curly and wavy hair, putting it at a disadvantage in comparison to its counterpart. The choppy layers of a wolf cut can seem a bit too plain on straight hair, unless curled out or waved out using styling tools and products. While it is best to improvise and experiment with the layout in order to find success with a wolf cut, using a blow dryer may seem necessary to maintain the amount of lift it offers.
An Easygoing Introduction To Butterfly Cuts: A Look That Caters To Everyone
A butterfly cut, on the other hand, is as simple as it sounds when its purpose is considered. The narrative seems to be a bit different when the creative process is acknowledged, which will be addressed rather shortly.
Possessing soft and relaxed layers with feathery silhouettes and lightweight pieces, a butterfly cut is definitely the easier candidate to consider if you’re seeking some elegance over texture. The design isn’t associated with any previous trend in the fashion scene, regarded as the first of its kind.
Butterfly cuts can look like wolf cuts if you take into account their free-flowing shape and structure, but carry more body towards the rear as opposed to offering more elevation around the hairline, like wolf cuts. The hairdo is a specialist in sharpening facial features, and is quite open to catering to any kind of face shape and density.
The fact that they cater to any hair type is a big plus in anyone’s book. However, butterfly haircuts, like everything else in life, carry disadvantages that take away brownie points, giving wolf cuts more credibility.
While the drawbacks are minimal, butterfly haircuts are known for being more expensive. They also require two ponytails, falling behind the wolf cut, which requires one. The volume and lightweight structure are soothing, but not long-lasting.
On average, a butterfly cut requires bi-weekly cuts to maintain its butterfly-like silhouette on a daily basis, which can eventually take a toll on one’s bank account. For that reason alone, butterfly cuts are known to be more high-maintenance than their counterpart.
Nonetheless, butterfly haircuts remain prominent amongst the current trends in fashion, with a silhouette that mixes style with elegance. When pulled off correctly, a butterfly haircut can be worn anywhere, at any time. Since the only issue of the butterfly haircut is volume, using a hot air brush can be favorable to tackle that shortcoming.
Wolf Cut vs. Butterfly Cut: Working Past Their Differences And Digging Into Their Similarities
A wolf cut and butterfly cut are often confused for one another due to having tons of body all over their design. When assessed carefully, however, multiple differences tend to present themselves quite naturally.
Amongst the dissimilarities are mutual interests that allow a wolf cut to gravitate towards its counterpart, which also explains the whole ordeal of seeing them through the same lens. If you’re intrigued, be sure to view the following portion to learn about the differences and similarities between wolf cuts and butterfly cuts.
Visuals
On the outside, a wolf cut carries distressed pieces that are often dishevelled, but still seem to abide by a structure. The look maximizes texture using thinning shears, requiring enhancers for added detail.
A butterfly cut may carry the bounce and elevation, but comprises the silhouette of a butterfly on each side. The strands are also tapered more often than not, in hopes of giving the face more definition and making it easier for the wearer to handle.
Maintenance
The maintenance routine of wolf cuts is rather simple. In fact, if you’re aiming for that unruly feel, let your wolf cut grow in a free-form manner. The strands don’t need to look perfectly aligned, as long as the structure is followed.
Butterfly haircuts are often high maintenance in comparison, requiring bi-weekly trims to stay sound. The previous routine might not be a big deal if you’ve got plenty of rope around your budget, but can be a drawback for those with a moderate financial plan.
Creative Process
Another element that separates the mix between wolf cuts and butterfly cuts is their creative process, which can be more difficult to understand than meets the eye.
Butterfly cuts are often sectioned into two parts; one in the front, and the other at the back. The pieces are then layered using a pair of cutting shears in a slanted motion, mainly to create the silhouettes of the look.
Many often prefer wolf cuts when having a go at a transformation that is easy to obtain, as wolf cuts only require a ponytail. The pieces are then cut in a slanted motion to create distressed layers. To enhance the texture, thinning shears are often resorted to.
Selling point
Regardless of which one you choose to side with, know that a wolf cut and a butterfly cut are both elites in their craft.
A selling point of wolf cut is surely its easy going routine for maintenance, while its texture appears to be a close second. The strands receive tons of elevation to showcase, often generated naturally or artificially using pre-stylers. When push comes to shove, a wolf cut is definitely the easier style to look after.
A butterfly cut is generous to all hair types, giving it the edge over its counterpart. With a glamorous silhouette and an effortless glow, a butterfly haircut adds to the density using the body it contains at the back. While it does fall out of place without regular cuts, a butterfly cut should definitely be pursued for all the distinct features it adds to the face.
Required products
Since wolf cuts require elevation and texture, opting for products like sea salt spray and texturizing powder may be useful. In order to keep the silhouettes in check, refrain from using any styling product with grease or wax.
Butterfly cuts, on the other hand, don’t need much to stay in place. Anything that adds to the bounce without weighing the hair down, from volumizing cream to a hot air brush, should suffice.
Factors To Analyse When Picking Between A Butterfly Cut and Wolf Cut
At the end of the day, wearing one of the two looks should be quite easy. In fact, if you already meet some of the requirements, your new hairdo should be a trim away.
However, before making your pick, know that multiple factors need to be analysed. If unaware, find help in the segments we’ve dropped below!
Density of your hair
As stated earlier, butterfly cuts can serve anyone, mainly since they run low on texture. Wolf cuts, on the other hand, require a textured feel that might be missing from thinning or fine pieces of hair.
Before making your pick, take into account the fullness of your hair. If you have coarse hair, perhaps you can go for either one. If your hair doesn’t contain enough fullness, however, play it safe with a butterfly cut.
Face shape
The silhouettes and texture of a wolf cut almost always favors the underdogs. The tapered outline in addition to the dishevelled pieces can add more definition to round and oval faces, transforming them into oblong structures. When strategized, a wolf cut can also display the sharpness of one’s cheekbones.
A butterfly cut covers a huge chunk of one’s face with its layers, which seems ineffective for rounder cheeks. It pairs well with pre-existing shapes that are already on the leaner side, such as diamond-shaped faces and heart-shaped ones.
Your lifestyle
Making time for your hair is important, which is why you should always take your lifestyle into account.
Once you’re able to figure out the intensity of your schedule, pick an option that would blend seamlessly with your current situation.
Since all you need to do is blow dry the hair before ironing it out with a hot air brush, a butterfly cut can favor those with a tight routine. A wolf cut can require more attention and might need pre-styling and post-styling products to stay in place, taking up more time than its counterpart.
Maintenance
The reason that many people side with wolf cuts over their counterparts is due to its laid-back aura. In other words, if you have a wolf cut, you won’t need to do much in order to take care of it. In fact, as long as you use a blow dryer every now and then, your strands should look as edgy as they seem.
On the contrary, if you’re hoping to spend a little to save your hair, invest in a butterfly cut. With a minor blowout and a hot air brush, you can seal the look for days.
Final Takeaway: It’s A Win-win Scenario!
Regardless of which one you choose, it’s safe to say that the duo of a wolf cut and a butterfly cut will never fail to amaze you. While both may require different procedures to bring themselves to life as well as drastically different routines for maintenance, both hairdos can definitely change lives for the better.
A wolf cut focuses more on texture and elevation, while a butterfly cut focuses more on sophistication. To keep up with the distressed nature of wolf cuts, butterfly cuts offer a plump that even thin to fine hair can benefit from. The hairdo might be costly, however, which is when a wolf cut stands out.
Prior to making your pick, assess the density of your hair, the texture, and the schedule that you have. While having wavy and curly hair will enable you to find success with both options, opt for a butterfly cut if your hair is as straight as they come!