As trends both in fashion and beauty turn to the ‘90s as a source of inspiration, nothing stands stronger than the butterfly haircut. Popularised by the TV show F.R.I.E.N.D.S, the cut was dubbed ‘The Rachel’ after Jennifer Aniston’s character appeared on screen. Going viral without the internet’s influence, now 30-something years later, the style still stays prominent.
The nostalgia began back in the early 2020s. By 2024, having a bouncy ‘90s era blowout was all the rage, just in time for Victoria’s Secret to come back on the runway with their signature bombshell hair. Spoiler alert: that didn’t happen, but the show sparked even more desire for bombshell blowouts, leading the butterfly haircut to become 2025’s it-hairstyle.
Designed to mimic a butterfly’s upper and lower wings, it’s easy to see why the hairstyle got so popular. It expertly frames the face but allows for volume, movement, and edginess to seep through with its layers and angles. It’s a cut that brings the best of both worlds by having the benefits of a face-shaping bob without sacrificing the length, leaving the door open for other hairstyles.
With that being said, 2026 is seeing a new variation on the trendy cut. From long and sharp, we’re seeing a softer, shorter variation appear. Popularised by singers Sabrina Carpenter and Suki Waterhouse, their butterfly cuts either stop by or go briefly past the shoulders, creating a sort of butterfly bob. And with the Gulf heat already here, taking off some length might just be the best way to keep cool. So here’s our roundup of salons to get the trendy cut.
Boho Salon
With branches in Arjan, Dubai, and Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, Boho Salon is exactly what it says in the name. Rooted in bohemian principles, they stand for cruelty-free and eco-friendly values in their beauty services.
Chalk | Alserkal Avenue
Working with a range of textures, Chalk is perfect for when you want to grab a cut and a matcha nearby right after!
Lunatic Fringe | Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort
With a dedicated team of experts, Lunatic Fringe is known for its precision cuts, so expect to find perfectly layered butterfly cuts here.
Pastels Salon | Umm Suqeim 2
With over two decades under their belt as Dubai’s most trusted salon, you cannot go wrong with a trip to Pastels Salon. Their expert cutting is detailed and personalised to suit every facial feature, which is a skill especially needed for a butterfly cut.
Rossano Ferretti | Park Hyatt Dubai
For those looking to make their layers more subtle rather than lived in, Italian-based Rossano Ferretti is the address to go. Famed for their ‘Invisible Haircut’, they can make layers look seamlessly blended into one another.
The Nest Salon
With branches across Jumeirah and Sobha Hartland, The Nest Salon brings a holistic approach to hair, so you can expect your scalp to be taken care of while they do their cuts. The salon also works with wavy and curly hair, delivering precise cuts no matter the texture.
The Curl Therapy | JVC
For those looking for an exclusive curly hair salon, The Curl Therapy has been one of Dubai’s oldest. Their curl specialists custom-cut each to frame the face, which is exactly what we need from a butterfly cut.
Twice Salon | Boulevard Heights
With a wide, expansive area made cosy with minimalist aesthetics, you can sip on their crafted drinks while the stylists take over.
