The Best Haircuts For Heart-Shaped Faces
Whether you love or dislike your heart-shaped face, there's no getting away from the fact that this face shape is distinct, unique, and pairs better with some types of cuts more than others. Also, no matter how you feel about having this face shape, the good news is that you're in good company, as celebrities like Scarlet Johansen, Taylor Swift, and Kerry Washington all have heart-shaped faces.
If you've already researched your face shape, you might've looked into hairstyles you should try if you have a larger forehead. You might also be aware of some of the other key characteristics that define a heart-shaped face, like a widow's peak, narrower jaw, pointed chin, and broader cheek and brow area. While some might find this specific shape hard to style, the reality is that all face shapes have great attributes, as well as some that need more strategic cuts and styling to balance out.
With a heart-shaped face, it's important to ensure that you're highlighting the right areas so that you can bring harmony to your face and draw attention to your best features. According to Tashina, a Bumble and Bumble stylist who spoke with InStyle, it's best to "Avoid cutting face-framing layers and bangs to the widest point on the face." Bangs and side parts are also great for creating balance. Whether you're rocking seriously long locks or are the owner of a pixie cut, there are so many ways to bring balance and definition to your beautiful heart-shaped face.
Soft fringey bangs
Bangs are a great style choice for those with heart-shaped faces. Not only do they soften a prominent forehead, but they also bring an element of youthful movement to your haircut, no matter the length. This is especially true if you opt for whispier, well-blended, and fringey bangs, like those in the trending eyelash bangs haircut. While these bangs can be paired with nearly any cut, haircuts that hit right at the jawline or right at the cheekbone might emphasize the wrong parts of the face and create a sense of imbalance.
Layered shoulder-length hair
A layered shoulder-length haircut can be a timeless and simple way to showcase your best features. This cut can be incredibly versatile, whether your hair is stick straight or full of natural waves or curls. Also, you have options when it comes to your layers. Both short and long layers can look amazing and add meaningful movement without being over the top, and it's a cut that will look chic whether you feel like styling it or not. Parting your hair on the side, or at least off-center can help this haircut look even more flattering.
Side-swept bixie
In between a pixie and a bob, a trendy bixie cut is a feminine and flattering short hairstyle for those with heart-shaped faces. This can be a great cut to get if you're planning to go short but aren't quite ready to go pixie-short just yet. It's also a great transitional cut for those with shorter hair who are in the process of growing it out. Sweeping your hair to the side is key for making sure this look works for a heart-shaped face, as it draws attention away from a narrower jaw or pointed chin.
Voluminous side-swept bob
Bobs can be a lot of fun for all face types. That said, if you have a heart-shaped face, you might want to keep a couple of things in mind. A blunt bob that hits right at your jawline might accentuate your jaw too much and make you look unbalanced. To avoid this, opt for a slightly longer bob, preferably with layers that can help create volume and movement. Just as with other cuts for heart-shaped faces, parting your hair on the side or adding some bangs will only make this look even better suited to you.
Short, side-parted natural hair
There are lots of great options for styling your tight, natural curls to accentuate the best parts of your heart-shaped face. That said, you still need to be mindful of your hairline. Make sure to not put too much focus on your forehead or widow's peak, as this could draw more attention to the larger parts of your face and lead to an unbalanced look. Including a defined side part can remedy this, and also add an element of trendy nostalgia.
An edgy undercut
An undercut is an edgy and fun way to create a ton of extra movement for those with heart-shaped faces, as long as you're strategic about the cut and styling. It's a great cut to pair with bangs or a side-swept part, and can really allow your true style to shine. Paying attention to the length of this cut is key, though, and you'll want to make sure that it hits either between your jaw and cheekbones or below the jaw.
Shoulder-length flared-out waves
When working with waves, how you style them makes all the difference. With a shoulder-length cut, styling your waves in an outward direction can create an ultra-trendy flared-out look. Not only does it give retro '70s vibes, but it can also be super flattering for a heart-shaped face. This look adds volume that will fill out space around the smaller or narrower portions of your face, and it can introduce a lot of dimension, too. Some voluminous '70s-inspired curtain bangs can make a great pairing or some simple side-swept bangs can work well, too.
Side-parted curly lob with long layers
If you have curly hair, a side-parted lob with long layers is a great way to go. Longer layers tend to bring less volume than short ones, which is better for those with curls since they already have plenty of volume to work with. Lobs are ultra-trendy and versatile, and with longer layers, they're easy to style, too. Going for a deep side part can make this cut even more tailored to your heart-shaped face.
Long, loose waves with curtain bangs
Loose, long beachy waves with curtain bangs are another great cut for those who are into a retro vibe and still want something flattering for their heart-shaped face. Bangs will help soften your forehead, and gentle waves can bring subtle movement to this cut. While many may opt for a center part with their curtain bangs, an off-center part will create more harmony for those with a heart-shaped face. Additionally, thicker bangs with more volume may be better suited to this face shape than thinner ones.
Simple wavy lob
A simple shoulder-length lob haircut is the perfect in-between length — and can be a cute and easy choice for those with any texture of hair. For those with naturally voluminous hair, this all-one-length cut can make a lot of sense. Not only is it easy to style, but it can also highlight your best features without you having to put in a ton of effort. For those without bangs, making sure you go for a side part, or even a deep side part can bring the balance you need while still being low-maintenance.
Blunt lob with texture
If you're interested in a lob with a little more style, a blunt lob with some texture added can be a chic and on-trend way to flatter your face shape. While you may want to avoid a blunt bob that hits at the jaw, a blunt lob that hits closer to the shoulder can be super appealing and also bring a sharp edge to your overall look. You can always opt for straight hair, but if you're looking for a little more oomph, adding some texture to your locks can really kick it up a notch.
Sleek side-part with soft layers
If you have super long hair, adding some layers to your cut can make a big difference in highlighting the best parts of your heart-shaped face. While long layers can look good in a subtle way, some shorter layers can add more dimension, playfulness, and softness to your style, which can help prevent you from looking weighed down. With this look, a side part is a must, unless you're opting for bangs which will also work well with layered, long hair.
Piecey pixie
Pixies are truly iconic and can be a great style for heart-shaped faces. It looked amazing on Audrey Hepburn when she won an Oscar in 1954 and Halle Berry further illustrates the timelessness of this look with the super memorable (and gorgeous) pixie she rocked when she won her Oscar in 2002. Whether you're looking for timeless elegance or need inspo for a punk pixie cut, a piecey, choppy, textured one is the way to go. Another bonus — with more texture in your haircut you'll have less work to do when styling it.
Pixie with volume
No matter your hair type, adding volume to your pixie can be a great way to change it up and play with new looks while still flattering your face shape. How much or how little volume you add is all up to you, and can be easy to do if you have tight, natural curls, or already have a side-swept pixie that's got a little more length on top for you to work with.
Curly side-parted pixie
If you have natural curls or thick waves, a super side-swept pixie can be a charming way to mix things up while still looking chic. While some may feel that curls are a little harder to style, especially with short hair, they don't have to be. By leaving your pixie a little longer on top and sweeping your hair to the side you can get a lot of mileage out of your natural volume while elevating your pixie beyond basic, too.