heart face · face shape
Hairstyles to Avoid With aHeart-Shaped Face
Which hairstyles to avoid with a heart-shaped face, why they can look unbalanced, and simple changes that keep the look you like without the problem.
Hairover Team
If you have a heart-shaped face, the hairstyles most worth avoiding are those that add width at the top and leave nothing near the jaw: high crown volume, tight slicked-back styles, very short crops with no softness around the face, and heavy blunt bangs. None of them are forbidden. They just tend to exaggerate a wider forehead and narrower chin. Most can be fixed with a small change, so we list a fix for each.
For the positive version of this list, read our hairstyles for heart-shaped faces. And remember that face shape is a starting point, not a rule.
Why these styles can feel off
A heart-shaped face is usually widest at the forehead and cheekbones and narrows to a smaller chin. A cut that puts all its volume at the top makes that contrast stronger. A cut with some fullness around the jaw evens it out. That is the whole principle behind this list.
1. Lots of height at the crown
Big teased crowns, tall pompadours, and very high ponytails all draw the eye upward and add width to an already broad top half.
The fix: keep volume at the crown moderate and let some come through the mid-lengths. If you love a high ponytail, pull out soft pieces at the temples and wear it a bit lower.
2. Tight, slicked-back styles
Pulling all your hair straight back shows the full width of the forehead with nothing softening it. It can also put strain on your hairline. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that continually pulling hair tightly back can lead to permanent hair loss, so this is worth keeping occasional for that reason too.
The fix: use a low bun with a soft side part and loosen the front.
3. Heavy, blunt, straight-across bangs
A dense panel of bangs creates a hard horizontal line across the widest area of your face, and it can make your chin look even smaller by comparison.
The fix: choose curtain bangs or a wispy fringe. Our full vs. wispy bangs comparison explains the difference in weight.
4. Very short crops with no softness
A tight cut with close sides exposes the entire outline. On a heart-shaped face, that can spotlight a narrow chin, especially if there’s no length around the temples.
The fix: keep it short but ask for a soft side-swept fringe and a little length around the ears. A pixie with a longer top usually works better than a very close crop.
5. Chin-skimming cuts that curve inward
A bob with ends that curl in at the chin can make the point of the chin the focus. It is often the curve and not the length that causes the problem.
The fix: let the ends fall straight or flick out slightly, or move the length down to the collarbone. A layered lob is usually a safe choice.
6. Flat length with no layers
Long, flat, one-length hair can sit close to the jaw and leave nothing to balance the top half. It gets worse if the hair is fine.
The fix: add face-framing layers that start around the jaw. See layered haircuts for long hair for how to ask.
7. Severe center parts on very straight hair
A strict center part on flat hair can create a V-shape that echoes the pointed chin. It isn’t a bad look, but it does emphasize the heart outline, which you may or may not want.
The fix: shift the part slightly to the side, or add a bit of wave. Our center part vs. side part guide explains the trade-offs.
A note for men
Men with heart-shaped faces can run into the same issue with tall quiffs and tight skin fades. Our hairstyles for men with heart-shaped faces covers cuts that keep some weight on the sides.
What usually works instead
- Fullness from the cheekbones to the collarbone
- Soft curtain or side-swept bangs
- Long layers that start around the jaw
- Chin-to-collarbone lengths, with ends falling straight or out
- A side part rather than a strict center one
Not sure your face is heart-shaped?
Many people who assume their face is heart-shaped actually have a diamond or oval outline, and the advice changes with it. Use our free face shape detector for a quick read from a photo.
See it on your own face
Lists can only tell you what tends to happen. Your hair density, part, and features all change the result. Upload a photo to Hairover, read your face and hair analysis, and compare a style you’re unsure of with an alternative in Style Studio.
FAQ
What hairstyles should you avoid with a heart-shaped face?
The usual ones are styles with a lot of height at the crown, tight slicked-back looks, very short cuts with a narrow jawline area, and blunt heavy bangs. All of them can add width up top or leave the chin looking narrow.
Should a heart-shaped face have bangs?
Yes, often. Soft curtain or side-swept bangs usually work well. It is the heavy, straight-across versions that can feel too dense over a wide forehead.
What length is best for a heart-shaped face?
Lengths from the chin to the collarbone tend to work well because they place fullness near the jaw, where the face is narrower.
Can I still wear a style that is on the avoid list?
Yes. These are about balance and are not rules. Small adjustments such as a softer part or face-framing pieces can make most styles work.
