At a glance
- Face shape
- Heart
- Length to width
- about 1.3
- Widest point
- the forehead and temples
- Aim for
- Fullness at chin level and a fringe, little volume at the crown
- Avoid
- Volume at the crown and temples
- Top picks
- Messy fringe, French crop, Curtain fringe
| Style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Messy fringe | Good | It covers part of the forehead, which shortens the visible face. |
| French crop | Good | It covers part of the forehead, which shortens the visible face. |
| Curtain fringe | Good | It covers part of the forehead, which shortens the visible face. |
| Textured crop | Good | It covers part of the forehead, which shortens the visible face. Watch one thing: it adds height on top, and this face is already long. |
| Buzz cut | Neutral | It changes little about the outline either way. |
| Slick back | Neutral | It changes little about the outline either way. |
| Taper fade | Neutral | It changes little about the outline either way. |
| Crew cut | With a tweak | It adds height on top, and this face is already long. |
| Side part | With a tweak | It adds height on top, and this face is already long. |
| Undercut | With a tweak | It adds height on top, and this face is already long. |
| Skin fade | With a tweak | It adds height on top, and this face is already long. |
| Curly top fade | With a tweak | It adds height on top, and this face is already long. On the plus side it adds soft, broken-up lines that take the edge off a strong jaw. |
| Man bun | With a tweak | It adds height on top, and this face is already long. |
| Afro | With a tweak | It adds volume at the top, where this face is already widest. On the plus side it adds soft, broken-up lines that take the edge off a strong jaw. |
| Quiff | With a tweak | It adds height on top, and this face is already long. On the plus side it adds soft, broken-up lines that take the edge off a strong jaw. |
| Pompadour | With a tweak | It adds height on top, and this face is already long. |
Balance the wider forehead and narrower chin
A heart face has a length-to-width ratio of about 1.3. The forehead and temples form its widest point, while the outline tapers toward the narrowest point, the chin.
Fullness at chin level adds width where the lower face lacks it. A fringe narrows the visible forehead. For a heart-shaped face, both choices help balance the outline without adding more volume above it.
Why the top picks work
Messy fringe, French crop and curtain fringe all earn a Good fit because they cover part of the forehead. That coverage shortens the visible face.
- Messy fringe: ask for the fringe to fall forward without lifting the crown.
- French crop: ask for forehead coverage and a low top. The French crop guide for a heart face explains the fit.
- Curtain fringe: ask for the fringe to frame part of the forehead without puffing out at the temples.
Where textured crops and neutral styles fit
A textured crop is another Good option for haircuts for a heart face. It covers the forehead, but watch its height: this face is already long.
Buzz cut, slick back and taper fade are Neutral. They change little about the outline either way. Choose them knowing they offer less help with the balance described here.
Keep these styles low at the top
Crew cut, side part, undercut and skin fade all fit With a tweak. Each adds height on top, which lengthens an already long face. Ask your barber to reduce that height.
Curly top fade, quiff, pompadour and man bun carry the same height caution. Curly top fade and quiff also add soft, broken-up lines that can soften a strong jaw. Keep that softness without building a tall crown.
Afro also fits With a tweak because it adds top volume where the face is already widest. Its broken-up lines can soften a strong jaw, too. For hairstyles for men with a heart face, keep that upper width in check.
Use the reference photo to explain the shape
The common mistake is choosing someone with a different face outline, then asking your barber to copy the cut length for length. Show the photo, but explain where you want coverage and fullness.
Use the hairstyle guides to compare those details before choosing a reference. A style name alone doesn't explain the balance you're after.
Check your closest face-shape match
The free face-shape finder reads your length-to-width and jaw-to-cheekbone ratios from one selfie, on your device. It names the closest prototype.
Lighting and expression can blur the jaw reading, so the result is a closest match, not a verdict. Use it as a starting point for your barber conversation.
Questions people ask
- Is a buzz cut good for a heart face?
- It's Neutral: it changes little about the outline either way. It doesn't provide the forehead coverage of a fringe.
- Can I wear a quiff with a heart face?
- Yes, with less height on top. Its broken-up lines can soften a strong jaw, but a tall crown lengthens the visible face.
- Should I add volume at the temples?
- Avoid it if your aim is balance. The forehead and temples are already the widest part of a heart face.
Written from the measurements and ingredient facts on this site, then checked for the usual mistakes. Not medical advice.