A heart shaped face is wider at the forehead and cheekbones and narrows to a slim, often pointed chin. It is a striking shape with high cheekbones and a delicate jaw. The best hairstyles for heart shaped faces balance a wider forehead and add fullness at the jaw. Here is how to recognize the shape and which cuts work best.
What is a heart shaped face?
You may have a heart face shape if:
- your forehead is the widest part of your face, or forehead and cheekbones are similar,
- your face tapers noticeably toward a narrow chin,
- your chin is narrow or slightly pointed,
- you may have a widow's peak (a V-shaped hairline), though not everyone does.
A heart shape is very close to an "inverted triangle." If your cheekbones are clearly wider than your forehead, you may be diamond. Check with the free face shape detector or read the face shapes guide.
Haircut rules for heart shaped faces
- Add width at the jaw and chin with layers, waves or a cut that ends around the chin.
- Reduce forehead width with side-swept or curtain bangs.
- Avoid lots of volume at the crown and temples, which makes the top half look even wider.
- Side parts help break up a wide forehead.
Best hairstyles for heart shaped faces (women)
Short
- Chin-length bob: adds width exactly where the face is narrowest.
- Long pixie with side-swept bangs.
- Wavy bob with volume at the ends.
Medium
- Lob with waves starting at the jaw.
- Shoulder-length cut with flipped-out ends.
- Shag with curtain bangs.
Long
- Long layers that start at the chin and add fullness below.
- Side part with loose curls at the bottom.
- Long hair with curtain bangs.
Bangs
Side-swept, curtain and wispy bangs are ideal. They soften the forehead and draw attention to the eyes and cheekbones.
Best haircuts for heart shaped faces (men)
- Medium-length textured hair with some fullness at the sides.
- Side part with moderate length on top.
- Fringe or curtains to reduce forehead width.
- Longer, swept styles that add width lower down.
- Avoid very high, voluminous tops with skin-tight sides, which exaggerate the top-heavy shape.
A full beard or a beard that adds bulk at the chin balances a narrow jaw. See beard styles by face shape.
Styles to avoid
- Lots of height and volume on top.
- Short, slicked-back styles that expose the whole forehead (if you want balance).
- Very short pixies with no fringe.
- Cuts that are full at the top and flat at the bottom.
Glasses for heart shaped faces
Frames that are wider at the bottom or bottom-heavy, round and oval frames, and light rimless or thin metal frames balance a heart shaped face. Avoid heavy, top-heavy brow-line frames. More in glasses for your face shape.
Makeup tips
- Contour lightly at the temples and sides of the forehead.
- Add blush slightly lower on the cheeks to bring width to the lower face.
- A soft, rounded brow balances a wider forehead. See eyebrow shapes for your face.
Try it on
Compare a chin-length bob, curtain bangs and long layers on your own face with the hairstyle try-on.
FAQ
How do I know if I have a heart shaped face?
Your forehead (or forehead and cheekbones) is the widest part of your face, and your face narrows to a small or pointed chin.
What hairstyle suits a heart shaped face?
Chin-length bobs, lobs with waves at the jaw, long layers starting at the chin, and side-swept or curtain bangs.
Are bangs good for a heart shaped face?
Yes. Side-swept, curtain and wispy bangs reduce the width of the forehead and balance the face.
What should heart shaped faces avoid?
Lots of volume on top, styles that expose the entire forehead, and cuts that are full at the crown but flat at the bottom.
Is a heart shaped face the same as an inverted triangle?
They are very similar. Both are wider at the top and narrower at the chin; some systems use the terms interchangeably.
