What Makes a Heart-Shaped Face Special?
A heart-shaped face is wider at the forehead and cheekbones. It tapers down to a narrow jaw and a pointed chin. Some people also have a widow's peak at the hairline.
Think of celebrities like Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, or Taylor Swift. They all share this face shape. Their foreheads are broad, their cheekbones sit high, and their chins come to a soft point.
This shape is one of the most versatile when it comes to hairstyles. The goal is simple: balance the wider top half with the narrower bottom. The right cut adds fullness near the jaw and softens the forehead.
Not sure about your face shape? Our guide on how to find your face shape can help you figure it out.
Which Bangs Work Best for Heart-Shaped Faces?
Bangs are the single best tool for this face shape. They cover part of the forehead and shift the focus to your eyes and cheekbones.
| Bang Style | Best For | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Side-swept | Most hair types | Breaks up forehead width softly |
| Curtain | Low maintenance looks | Frames face on both sides |
| Wispy | Fine or thin hair | Light coverage without heaviness |
| Blunt (avoid) | Not recommended | Creates a hard line, widens forehead |
Side-swept bangs are the easiest choice. They angle across the forehead and break up its width without hiding it completely. This is the look Taylor Swift has worn for years, and it works on both straight and wavy hair.
Curtain bangs split in the middle and frame the face on both sides. They soften the forehead while keeping things light and low maintenance. If you like to tuck your hair behind your ears, curtain bangs still look good.
Wispy bangs are a lighter option. They cover the forehead without looking heavy or blunt. This works well if your hair is fine or thin.
One thing to skip: heavy, blunt bangs cut straight across. They can make a wide forehead look even wider by creating a hard horizontal line.
What Are the Best Haircuts for a Heart Face Shape?
The best cuts add volume or width around the jaw to balance the forehead. Here are the ones that work well.
The lob (long bob). A lob that hits just past the shoulders is one of the most flattering cuts for this face shape. Add face-framing layers and you get a look that draws attention to the jawline instead of the forehead.
Layered cuts. Long layers that start below the chin create movement and fullness where it counts. Avoid layers that start at the cheekbones, since they add width where you already have it.
Choppy bobs. A textured bob with some choppy ends adds interest around the jaw. Pair it with side-swept bangs for a polished look that balances the face.
Pixie cuts. A short pixie highlights your cheekbones and eyes. Keep some length or texture on top to avoid making the chin look too pointed. A tousled pixie with a bit of fringe is a safe bet.
Long waves. If you prefer longer hair, loose waves below the shoulders work great. A deep side part adds some interest without pulling focus to the forehead.
If you have a rounder face instead, the best cuts look quite different. Check out our round face hairstyles guide for those.
How Should You Style Your Hair if You Have a Heart-Shaped Face?
The cut matters, but styling makes a big difference too.
Most of the work happens at the bottom of your hair. When blow-drying, use a round brush to flip the ends outward. This adds width near the jaw and balances the forehead. You can also wrap the bottom few inches around a curling iron for loose bends that sit right at the jawline.
On the other hand, you want to keep the top fairly flat. Lots of volume on the crown just makes the forehead look bigger. If you curl your hair, start from the mid-lengths down and leave the roots alone.
Your part matters more than you might think. A center part on a heart-shaped face tends to look top-heavy because it splits the forehead into two wide halves. A deep side part breaks that up and creates a more balanced look. Try switching sides every few weeks to avoid a permanent crease.
If your hair is naturally wavy or curly, you already have a head start. Just let the texture do its thing below the chin. Loose curls near the jawline are one of the most flattering looks for this shape. For straight hair, a flat iron with a slight bend at the ends keeps things sleek without looking too severe.
What Hairstyles Should You Avoid?
Not every trend works for every face shape. Here are some styles that can throw a heart face off balance.
| Style to Avoid | Why It Doesn't Work |
|---|---|
| Slicked-back ponytails | Exposes the full forehead width |
| Blunt chin-length bobs | Closes in on the narrowest part of the face |
| Volume at the cheekbones | Makes the top half look even wider |
| Short pixies with no fringe | Chin looks overly pointy |
| Center parts with top volume | Highlights forehead width |
Slicked-back ponytails. Pulling all the hair away from the face puts the wide forehead on full display. If you love ponytails, leave a few pieces loose around the face.
Chin-length bobs without layers. A blunt bob that ends right at the chin closes in on the narrowest part of the face. This makes the jaw look even smaller compared to the forehead.
Lots of volume at the cheekbones. Big, poufy styles that add width at ear level just make the top half of the face look wider. Save the volume for below the jaw.
Short pixies with no fringe. Without some hair on the forehead, a very short cut can make the chin look overly pointy. Adding even a small amount of fringe fixes this.
Center parts with volume on top. This combo highlights the forehead width. If you like a middle part, keep the hair flat on top and add movement lower down.
Can You Wear an Updo with a Heart-Shaped Face?
Updos can look great on a heart-shaped face. The key is keeping the volume low and leaving some hair around your face.
A low bun or chignon at the nape of the neck is the safest bet. It pulls attention downward, away from the forehead. Reese Witherspoon often wears this style on the red carpet. She keeps the bun loose and textured, not slicked tight, so it looks soft rather than severe.
For everyday wear, a messy low bun works just as well. Pull out a few pieces around the temples and let them hang loose. Those strands break up the forehead width and frame your face in a way that feels natural. If the loose pieces are long enough, give them a quick curl with an iron so they don't just hang flat.
Half-up styles are another option worth trying. Pull the top section back while leaving the rest down around your shoulders. This gives you the polished feel of an updo while keeping some volume and movement near the jawline.
For weddings or formal events, a low side bun with soft waves around the face is hard to beat. Pin it just behind one ear and let a few curled pieces fall on the opposite side. It feels elegant without working against your natural shape.
The one updo to skip is a high, tight topknot. It adds height right where you don't need it and pulls the hairline back. That makes the forehead the center of attention, which is the opposite of what works for this face shape.
How Does Hair Texture Change What Works?
Your hair texture plays a role in which cuts look best on you.
| Hair Texture | Best Cuts | Styling Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Fine, straight | Sleek lob, layered cuts | Use texturizing spray for body |
| Thick, wavy | Long layers | Let waves add natural fullness |
| Curly | Layered cuts | Keep curls defined below the chin |
| Thin | Choppy layers, textured bob | Volumize at roots, focus on lower half |
Fine, straight hair looks great in a sleek lob or a layered cut with subtle movement. Avoid blunt cuts that lie too flat, since they don't add any fullness near the jaw. A texturizing spray can help create some body.
Thick, wavy hair is a natural fit for heart-shaped faces. The waves already add width at the bottom. A long layered cut lets the waves fall where they do the most good.
Curly hair gives you built-in volume. Focus on keeping curls defined below the chin and controlled on top. A layered cut helps curls fall in a shape that flatters rather than overwhelms.
Thin hair benefits from choppy layers or a textured bob. These cuts create the illusion of fullness. Volumizing products at the roots can help, but keep the volume focused on the lower half.
The rules change quite a bit for other face shapes. If you're curious, we have guides for oval faces and rectangle faces too. And if you're curious why heart faces are so popular, see our article on which face shape is most attractive.
