Got a heart shaped face? The best haircuts and hairstyles for heart shaped faces add a little softness at the forehead and a little fullness near the chin. Think long layers, side bangs, and bobs that land right at the jaw.
Picking a haircut can feel like guesswork. Every stylist says something different, and you just want to know what will actually look good on you.
This list has 25 real styles that work for a heart shaped face. We’ll keep it simple, so you know exactly what to ask for next time you sit in the chair.
What Is a Heart Shaped Face?
A heart shaped face has a wider forehead, nice cheekbones, and a chin that comes to a small point. It’s shaped a bit like an upside-down triangle, but soft, not sharp.
Here’s an easy way to check. Pull your hair back and look in the mirror. If your forehead is the widest part of your face and your chin is narrow, you have a heart shaped face.
Good haircuts for this face shape do two things. They soften the forehead a little, and they add some fullness near the chin and jaw. That’s it. Keep this simple idea in mind and the rest gets easy.
What Stylists Say
Most hairstylists will tell you a heart shaped face is easy to work with. So many styles look good on it.
The main tip they give is this: don’t pile on volume at the very top of your head. That just makes your forehead look wider. Instead, add fullness lower down, near your cheeks and jaw.
A side part usually looks better than a middle part too. A middle part can make the forehead stand out more than you want.
Every stylist will also look at your hair type before they cut it. Face shape matters, but so does your hair texture and how much time you want to spend styling it each morning.
Best Haircuts and Hairstyles for Heart Shaped Faces
Here are 25 styles that work well on heart shaped faces. Each one comes with a quick reason why it works, so you know what to say to your stylist.
1. Long Layers
Long layers are a safe, easy pick for a heart shaped face. The layers start around your cheekbones and add movement right where you want it.
This softens a wide forehead and adds a bit of fullness lower down. It also grows out nicely, so you’re not stuck with an awkward stage.
One tip: don’t let your stylist start the layers too high, near the crown. Ask for layers that begin at your cheekbones or below.
2. Side-Swept Bangs
Side bangs sit across your forehead at an angle instead of straight across. This covers part of a wide forehead without hiding your whole face.
They work on short hair, long hair, almost anything. And they soften your whole look right away.
Just make sure the bangs are cut on an angle, not straight across. Straight bangs can look a bit harsh on this face shape.
3. Pixie Cut
Yes, a pixie cut can look great on a heart shaped face. The trick is to leave some length around your temples and cheeks.
This adds a soft touch near your jaw, which balances out the wider forehead above it.
Worried it’ll show too much forehead? Ask for longer pieces at the front instead of a short, blunt fringe.
4. Shoulder Length Bob
A bob that hits right at your shoulders, or just at your jaw, is a great pick. It adds width in exactly the spot your face needs it.
You can wear it straight and sleek, or add a slight bend at the ends for a softer look.
If your hair is thin, ask for light layers so it doesn’t look flat. If it’s thick, this cut can look great with barely any styling.
5. Layered Pixie Bob
This is a mix of a pixie and a bob, landing between your chin and jaw with soft layers throughout. It adds texture and a little fullness right where your face needs it.
It’s a great low-effort cut for short hair lovers.
Ask your stylist to keep things flatter on top and add the layers lower down. That keeps the balance right.
6. Curly Lob
A curly long bob adds bounce and fullness right at jaw level. Those curls give you width exactly where a heart shaped face wants it.
This works great if your hair curls naturally, but you can also curl straight hair to get the look.
To avoid a puffy triangle shape, ask for layers cut just for curls. A good curly-hair stylist knows how to shape the ends so curls fall the right way.
7. Wispy Bangs
Wispy bangs are light and feathery. They skim your forehead instead of covering it up completely.
This gives you a softer hairline without a heavy, thick fringe. They look great paired with layers or a bob.
Just don’t cut them too thin. Ask for enough hair left in so they still have some body and movement.
8. Slicked Back Look
Pulling your hair straight back might seem like a bold move for a heart shaped face, but it can actually look amazing. It puts your cheekbones and eyebrows front and center.
Great for a night out or a sharp office look.
To keep balance, leave a couple of loose pieces near your temples. That softens things just enough.
Read: 40 Low-Maintenance Haircuts & Hairstyles for Women Over 70
9. Beach Waves
Loose beach waves add soft texture through the length of your hair. This brings movement and a bit of width to the lower half of your face.
It works at almost any length past your chin.
Start your waves around your cheekbones instead of your roots. That keeps the fullness low, where you want it.
10. Voluminous Ponytail
A ponytail with some volume on top and a couple of loose pieces near your face can look really polished. Keep the crown smooth and add fullness lower, near your ears and jaw.
Great for busy mornings or the gym.
Don’t pull every single strand back tight. Leave a few soft pieces near your temples to frame your face.
11. Tousled Bob
A tousled bob has a relaxed, messy-but-cute finish instead of a sleek one. That slight mess adds fullness near your jaw, right where this face shape benefits most.
Works great with wavy or slightly curly hair.
Use a texture spray and scrunch your hair while it dries. Skip the flat iron here, since it can flatten out all that nice volume.
More Great Ideas
Want more options? Here are some elegant and bold styles that still work with your face shape.
12. Half-Up, Half-Down
This style lifts the top section of your hair while leaving the rest down for volume near your jaw and shoulders. It’s a nice middle ground that doesn’t fully show off your forehead.
Works for a regular day or a dressed-up event.
Pull a few loose pieces out near your face before you tie it up. This softens your hairline nicely.
13. Asymmetrical Cut
An asymmetrical cut, where one side is longer than the other, pulls the eye across your face instead of straight up and down. This softens a wide forehead in a subtle way.
A fun pick if you want something different from a plain bob.
Keep the longer side near your jaw or below it. That keeps the balance working in your favor.
14. Soft Waves
Soft, loose waves are gentler than full beach waves. They add movement from your cheekbones down, which is exactly the balance a heart shaped face needs.
Great for work, weekends, or anywhere in between.
Use a large curling iron and curl away from your face. Skip tight, small curls, since they can look busy instead of soft.
15. Classic Ponytail
A smooth ponytail still works here, just don’t pull it too tight. Keep a little softness near your hairline and some height at the crown.
Quick, easy, and great for every day.
Leave two small pieces of hair out near your temples. This one small trick makes a big difference.
16. Deep Side Part
Moving your part further to one side shifts the weight of your hair away from the center. That instantly makes your forehead look a bit narrower.
Works with almost any cut, short or long.
Pair a deep side part with a bit of wave or texture. A flat, straight style with a deep part can sometimes look off balance instead of soft.
17. Sleek Long Bob
A straight, sleek long bob that hits around your collarbone adds gentle width near your jaw while still looking polished. The straight finish keeps things sharp without extra height on top.
Great for anyone who wants a low-effort, professional look.
Use a light shine serum instead of a heavy volumizer. Too much lift at the roots can throw off the balance this cut gives you.
18. Textured Shag
A shaggy cut with choppy layers adds movement all over, including near your jaw and chin. This helps balance your face while giving off a cool, relaxed vibe.
Works especially well on thicker hair with a bit of natural wave.
Ask your stylist to add the heaviest texture lower in the cut. Keep the top a little smoother so your forehead doesn’t look wider.
19. Angled Bob
An angled bob is longer in front and shorter in back. It draws the eye down toward your chin, which is exactly the balance a heart shaped face wants.
Sharp, modern, and works on straight or wavy hair.
Ask for a subtle angle if you want something more everyday, or go bold if you like a dramatic look.
Read: 25 Best Baby and Toddler Girl Hairstyles for Every Occasion
20. Modern Mullet
A mullet with shorter layers on top and longer pieces near your neck can actually work well here. The extra length near your jaw and shoulders balances a wider forehead.
A bold pick for anyone who wants something different.
Keep the top layers soft, not spiky. Too much height up top works against the balance you’re going for.
21. Blunt Bangs
Straight-across bangs aren’t always the first pick for this face shape, since they can make your forehead look wider. But cut a little longer and softened at the ends, they can still look great.
Best for people with thicker hair who want a bold look.
Ask for a few layers within the bangs and keep them a touch longer than eyebrow length. This softens the whole look.
22. Face-Framing Highlights
Lighter color placed around your face pulls attention toward your cheekbones and chin instead of your forehead. It’s a subtle trick that changes nothing about the cut itself.
Works on almost any length or hair type.
Ask your colorist to place the lightest pieces starting at cheekbone level, not at the roots. That keeps the focus low, where you want it.
23. High Bun
A high bun pulls hair up and away from your face, similar to the slicked back look, but with more volume on top. Soften the front with a side part or a couple of loose strands.
Great for workouts, hot days, or a fast, put-together look.
Don’t pull it so tight that it stretches your forehead skin. A little slack goes a long way.
24. Boho Braids
Loose, messy braids with pieces pulled apart add soft texture and width through your hair, including near your jaw. This relaxed look softens a heart shaped face in a natural way.
Perfect for festivals, outdoor days, or a casual weekend.
Gently loosen the braid with your fingers after you finish it. A tight, neat braid looks flat and won’t give you the same soft effect.
25. Tapered Afro
A tapered afro is shorter at the sides and back, with more fullness through the middle and top. When the roundest part sits near your cheekbones and jaw, it flatters a heart shaped face beautifully.
This style celebrates your natural texture and works for many curl types.
Talk to a stylist who knows natural hair well. Ask them to shape the taper so the fullest part lines up near your jaw.
Bottom Line
A heart shaped face works with so many haircuts, from long layers and soft waves to bold pixies and mullets. The main goal stays the same every time: soften the forehead a bit, and add some fullness near the jaw and chin.
Bring a few of these ideas to your next salon visit. Talk them through with your stylist. They can tweak the length, layers, and texture to fit your hair and your daily routine.
The best haircut is the one that makes you feel like you. Use this list to get started, then pick what feels right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What haircut is best for a heart shaped face? Long layers and shoulder length bobs are two of the best picks. They add width near the jaw and soften a wider forehead, giving you a nice, balanced look.
Should heart shaped faces get bangs? Yes. Side-swept or wispy bangs work great. They soften your forehead without hiding your whole face. Straight, blunt bangs usually don’t work as well.
Do pixie cuts suit heart shaped faces? They can, as long as you keep some length around your temples and cheeks. This adds softness near your jaw instead of showing off your whole forehead.
Is a middle part good for a heart shaped face? Not usually. A middle part can make your forehead look wider. A side part, especially a deep one, tends to look better on this face shape.
What should heart shaped faces avoid? Try to avoid a lot of volume right at the top of your head, like very short, spiky cuts. That extra height up top works against the balance you want.
