Is a pixie cut good for a heart-shaped face?

Yes! Go for wispy, effortless layers to add balance and maintain height at the crown to shortening your face.

What kind of bangs look good with a heart-shaped face?

Long side bangs that have layers work well with heart-shaped faces and offers balance to narrower jawlines.

29 Most Flattering Hairstyles for Heart-Shaped Faces

Kerry Washington, Tessa Thompson, and Florence Pugh with Haircuts for Heart Shaped Faces — Getty Images / Byrdie

If deciding on your next haircut feels daunting, we're here to let you in on a few pointers. Consider things such as what you like on others, what makes you feel most comfortable, and how much time you have for upkeep. Still on the fence? A surefire way to narrow it down is by looking to the shape of your face for pointers. Understanding your natural proportions can help you determine what hair length and style will flatter you most. And if you have a heart-shaped face, you're in luck because we have plenty of inspiration for you.

“Heart-shaped faces tend to be wider through the cheeks and jaw, narrowing out through the chin,” explains Lauren Thompson, a hairstylist at Nunzio Saviano Salon in NYC. Famous celebrities with this face shape include Reese Witherspoon, Naomi Campbell, and Jennifer Anniston, for example. They all have wider foreheads with an outline that tapers down to a slightly pointed chin, forming the shape of a heart.

No matter your hair length, curl type, or texture, there are lots of different ways to style hair on someone with a heart-shaped face. We tapped four professional hairstylists to show us what types of looks are particularly flattering. From choppy pixie and feathered layers to flipped-out lobs and free-flowing natural curls, keep scrolling for more.

Meet the Expert

Lauren Thompson is a hairstylist at Nunzio Saviano Salon in New York City.
Xavier Velasquez is a hairstylist at Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon in Manhattan.
Jennifer Matos is a New York-base celebrity stylist at the Rita Hazan Salon.
Eric Sebbag is a Master Hair Stylist at Warren Tricomi in New York.

01 of 29

Close Crop With Baby Bangs

Close up of Ciara with a cropped pixie cut — Getty Images

Pixies can be tricky to pull off because the cut can make a square face look more square and a long face look even more oblong. But, for a heart-shaped face, like Ciara's, the rounded bangs hit just at the right spot and make her cheekbones the star of the show.

02 of 29

Short and Choppy Pixie

Close up of Rowan Blanchard with a textured pixie cut and a red lip — Getty Images

Xavier Velasquez, a stylist at Serge Normant at John Frieda Salon warns that the cool, easy-to-style ’do will require more salon visits in order to maintain its pristine shape, which we think is totally worth it. Using the right pixie styling products is also key.

03 of 29

Curly Pixie

Amandla Stenberg's blonde curls give her some volume, adding length to her heart-shaped face. Allowing some curls to graze her forehead rather than having all of her hair brushed brushed back gives this look an effortless feel.

04 of 29

Long and Side-Parted Pixie

Close up of Scarlett Johansson with a long pixie cut — Getty Images

If you’re looking for a drastic change or want to go shorter, a long pixie is the perfect option. As with any pixie, it'll show off your cheekbones, but Jennifer Matos, a celebrity stylist at the Rita Hazan Salon, says that the longer layers also provide “texture and softness, which together give hair movement for the ultimate versatility.”

05 of 29

Sculpted Pixie

Lupita N'Yongo natural hair pixie — Phillip Faraone / Getty Images

A pixie is the perfect cut for coily hair since it requires easy upkeep and minimal styling. Here, Lupita Nyong'o opts for a tapered cut in a style that favors volume and body up top. Keep hair hydrated and healthy with an oil like Charlotte Mensah's Manektti Hair Oil ($55).

06 of 29

Slicked-Back Bun

Close up of Florence Pugh with a slicked back bob in a pink gown — Getty Images

Although it's not the number one choice for heart-shaped faces (a cut that ends right at the jawline will close in on the face), a bob can work when styled correctly. The ends of Florence Pugh's bob are flipped out to create movement, plus her slicked back and tucked-behind-the-ears style opens up her face and allows her features to shine.

07 of 29

Waved Bixie

Close up of Halle Barry with a curly bob and some hair in front of her face — Getty Images

While Halle Berry technically has a bixie haircut here (a combination of a bob and pixie), we can't her over how her finger waves-turned curls add volume to the short cut and a deep side part give it volume.

08 of 29

Retro Glam

Close up Lily Collins with wavy bob and burgundy smoky eye — Getty Images

Retro waves and curls follow the shape of Lily Collins's face. We love how her rich brunette bob hugs her cheekbones. For loose waves like Collins's, try a big barrel curling iron followed by Oribe's Aprés Beach Wave and Shine Spray ($46).

09 of 29

Cropped and Stacked

Close up of Taraji P. Henson with a stacked, cropped cut — Getty Images

An asymmetrical bob with one side heavily stacked is an easy way to build volume and open up the face. Want to play with color? Eric Sebbag, Master Hair Stylist at Warren Tricomi, says that bold, solid colors work best when drawing attention to the face with color. "Blondes and redheads can do highlights, but I would prefer to see solid brown and deep black shades that make a strong statement," he says. Taraji P. Henson's deep amber hue helps to brighten her face, drawing attention to its shape.

10 of 29

Flared Bob

Close up of Miranda Kerr with a flared out bob hair cut — Getty Images

Although Miranda Kerr's short bob is cut to chin length, the way it is style with flared out waves gives movement to the cut, keeping it away from her jawline.

11 of 29

Curly Lob With Bangs

Close up of Tessa Thompson with curly lob and bangs — :Getty Images

This cut with the longer-than-a-bob length and bangs parted in the middle allows for all of Tessa Thompsons features to remain on display. Longer layers paired with her curlier texture makes for a nice stacking effect that doesn't feel too heavy.

12 of 29

Collarbone-Length with Layers

Close up of Nicole Richie with collarbone-length wavy hair — Getty Images

Matos recommends keeping the length on the longer side, hitting the collarbone because anything shorter can start to look too boxy. She says to ask your stylist to “keep the length in front and avoid very short layers." By styling long layers away from her face, Nicole Richie pulls off a casual finish that draws attention down and away from her forehead.

13 of 29

Wavy Lob with a Center Part

Close up of Kerry Washington with wavy lob — Getty Images

The long bob (aka lob) is a popular haircut that just so happens to be universally flattering, and it gets the green light from Matos. “The lob is a great haircut that works well for heart-shaped faces,” she says. It is also a perfect haircut to try when transitioning from a longer length. For more volume, style your lob with a side flip for an instant lift.

14 of 29

Flipped-Out Lob With a Center Part

Close up of Brittany Snow with shoulder-length flipped out hair — Getty Images

When styling a lob, part hair in the middle with the hair blown forward. This closes in some of the width while highlighting the jawline. For a '60s vibe, flip out ends like Brittany Snow.

15 of 29

Flipped-In Lob

heart-shaped face hairstyles — Mike Marsland/WireImage

Switch things up a bit by flipping your tips toward your jawline versus flipped out à la Zoë Saldaña. This look draws attention to the chin, hence balancing out the natural proportions of a heart-shaped face.

16 of 29

Wavy Lob With a Side Part

Close up of Cheryl Fernandez-Versini with side-parted shoulder length hair — Getty Images

Similar to Nicole Richie's look—only here, it's worn to one side—Cheryl Cole's medium-length 'do is simple and elegant. To get her glossy finish, try a shine-inducing product like the Davines Oi Oil ($51).

17 of 29

Long Layers and Beach Waves

Close up of Gwyneth Paltrow with long, wavy hair — Getty Images

If you're into a more casual-cool vibe, Gwyneth Paltrow's long beach waves are just that. A 1-inch flatiron—like Drybar's The Tress Press 1-Inch Straightening Iron ($169)—can help you achieve this effortless vibe. Grab a section of hair and iron by simply rolling your wrist, then finish with a beach spray.

18 of 29

Tight Topknot

Draw attention to the tops of your cheekbones by swooping your hair back into a slicked-back topknot. To replicate Gabrielle Union's look, make sure to equip yourself with an effective hair styling cream or hair gel.

19 of 29

Long Wavy Layers With a Side Part

Close up of Sarah Hyland's long wavy hair — Getty Images

“Long, wavy layers elongate and add fullness around the jawline,” says Velasquez, making it ideal for those with heart-shaped faces. To pull off Sarah Hyland's gorgeous curls, style with a 1.25-inch curling wand. Hot Tools' Professional 24K Gold 1-1/4" Extra Long Curling Iron ($60) will get the job done.

20 of 29

Loose Waves With Long Layers and a Center Part

Close up Gemma Chan with loose waves — Getty

If you want to add some movement to longer hair, this is the cut to get, says Matos. Taking off a little length to create layers and adding some loose waves is just enough to make hair feel fresh.

21 of 29

Natural Curls

Those with natural curls will relish in the fact that letting them fall loose to the shoulders gives heart-shaped faces the perfect balance, especially when the hair is parted down the middle. To get Tika Sumpter's curl definition and shine, make sure to use a moisturizing curl cream.

22 of 29

Wavy Layers With a Deep Side Part

Close up of Reese Witherspoon with long, layered wavy hair — Getty Images

We can’t talk about heart-shaped faces without mentioning Reese Witherspoon. Witherspoon’s signature long layers and side-swept bangs make for a timeless style that never misses.

23 of 29

Face-Framing Highlights and Long Layers

Close up of Eva Longoria with long wavy layered hair — Getty Images

Eva Longoria incorporates long layers into her medium-length cut to add body and movement. To brighten her complexion, all it takes are a few face-framing brunette highlights.

24 of 29

Long Feathered Layers

Bring back retro glam by asking your hairstylist to give you long, feathered layers that begin right below the cheekbone. When styled similarly to Keke Palmer (as pictured here), these layers not only add volume to any look but they also bring balance to a heart-shaped face.

25 of 29

Long and Textured Bangs

Up close of Naomi Campbell's long, wavy hair with bangs — Getty Images

If you’re looking to up the ante, go for bangs that look good with the length of your hair. Matos says side bangs that hit the cheekbone will complement long hair length, whereas, short fringe emphasizes the cheekbone with a short cut (or when hair is pulled back). Naomi Campbell's fringe is a nice compromise of some wispy fringe the blends in seamlessly with her long layers.

26 of 29

Blunt Bangs

According to Sebbag, it's all about the bangs. "Long or short hair, it doesn’t matter, bangs look amazing on those with heart-shaped faces," he says. If it's any face shape that can likely pull off a blunt fringe, it’s a heart-shaped one.

Byrdie Tip

Bangs can be ideal if you have a larger forehead, too. Thompson recommends styling a set of blunt bangs with texture-laden beach waves for balance.

27 of 29

Long and Wispy Bangs

Close up of Katie Holmes with long straight hair and wispy bangs — Getty Images

Katie Holmes's lash-grazing fringe draws attention to her eyes and cheekbones. Long, wispy, bangs can be a great option for heart-shaped faces since they work to downplay the width of the forehead.

28 of 29

Curtain Bangs

Curtain bangs are all the rage. Not only are they stylish and low maintenance, but they draw attention away from the widest part of a heart-shaped face (read: forehead) and toward your jaw to create facial balance. Rather than go for a single-length cut, which will only add boxiness around the face, says Velasquez, pair with long layers à la Emily Ratajkowski instead.

29 of 29

Side-Swept Bangs

Olga Kurylenko complements her heart-shaped face with long, layered waves and a side-swept bang. Layers should begin at the chin to open up the face and a deep side part is the way to go.

FAQ

Is a pixie cut good for a heart-shaped face?

Yes! Go for wispy, effortless layers to add balance and maintain height at the crown to shortening your face.
What kind of bangs look good with a heart-shaped face?

Long side bangs that have layers work well with heart-shaped faces and offers balance to narrower jawlines.

29 Most Feature-Flattering Hairstyles for Heart-Shaped Faces