A heart-shaped face is widest at the forehead and narrows to a small, often pointed chin. Many heart faces also have a widow’s peak. The look is delicate and romantic, and a few smart style choices keep the top and bottom of the face in balance.
What Is a Heart Face Shape?
Think of the classic heart symbol, flipped so the point is at the bottom. A heart-shaped face has a broad forehead, cheekbones that are slightly narrower or similar, and a jaw that tapers in a clear V toward a narrow chin.
Some people call it an "inverted triangle" face. A widow’s peak, where the hairline dips into a point at the center, is common but not required. The cheekbones are often high and well defined, which gives heart faces a lifted, elegant look.
The heart shape is closest to the diamond face shape. The key difference is the forehead. On a heart face the forehead is wide, while on a diamond face the forehead is narrow and the cheekbones stand out on their own.
Key Traits of a Heart Face
Look for most of these signs together. One trait on its own is not enough to decide your face shape.
- Wide forehead. The forehead or temples are the broadest part of the face.
- Narrow chin. The chin is small, and many heart faces have a pointed tip.
- Tapering jawline. The jaw narrows in a clear V shape from the cheeks down.
- High cheekbones. Cheekbones are often prominent and sit high on the face.
- Possible widow’s peak. A V-shaped point in the hairline is common, though not essential.
How to Tell If You Have a Heart Face
You can check your face shape at home with a soft measuring tape and a mirror. It takes about five minutes.
Pull your hair back fully
You need to see your hairline and temples clearly.
Measure your forehead
Measure across the widest part of your forehead, usually just above the brows to the temples.
Measure your jaw
Measure from one jaw corner to the other, just below the ears.
Compare the two
If your forehead is clearly wider than your jaw, often by 15% or more, you likely have a heart face.
Check the chin
A narrow or pointed chin confirms it. A broad chin points to a different shape.
Heart vs Diamond Face Shape
These two shapes are easy to mix up. Here is the quickest way to tell them apart.
Heart
A heart face is widest at the forehead and tapers to a narrow chin.
Diamond
A diamond face is widest at the cheekbones, with both the forehead and chin narrow.
If your forehead feels narrow and your cheekbones stick out most, read the diamond face shape guide.
Best Hairstyles for a Heart Face
The right haircut works with your outline, not against it. These styles are reliable starting points to discuss with your stylist or barber.
For women
- Chin-length or lob with volume at the ends Fullness at the jaw fills out the narrow lower half of the face.
- Side-swept or curtain bangs Bangs reduce the width of the forehead and soften a widow’s peak.
- Long waves from the cheeks down Waves that start at cheek level add width where the face narrows.
- Deep side part An off-center part breaks up a wide forehead.
- Soft, low updos A low bun with face-framing strands balances the top and bottom.
For men
- Medium-length textured cut Some length at the sides balances a wide forehead.
- Side-swept fringe A fringe that covers part of the forehead reduces width up top.
- Messy, tousled top Texture without too much height keeps proportions balanced.
- Longer hair tucked behind the ears Hair at jaw level adds width to the lower face.
Hairstyles to avoid with a heart face
- Slicked-back styles that fully expose a wide forehead.
- Lots of volume on top or at the crown, which makes the forehead look even wider.
- Very short pixie cuts with no fringe, which draw attention to the narrow chin.
Best Glasses for a Heart Face
A simple rule guides most eyeglass frame choices: pick frames that contrast with your face shape, and make sure they are about as wide as the widest part of your face.
- Bottom-heavy frames Frames with more weight or color along the lower rim add width near the cheeks.
- Oval and round frames Soft curves balance a pointed chin.
- Rimless or light-colored frames Subtle frames keep attention away from the forehead.
- Aviators Wider at the bottom, they mirror and balance a heart-shaped outline.
Frames to avoid
- Heavy browline frames or bold tops, which widen the forehead.
- Very upswept cat-eye frames, which add width at the top.
Beard Styles for a Heart Face
Facial hair can reshape the lower half of your face in a way no haircut can. Use it to add width, length or definition where you want it.
- Full or medium beard A fuller beard adds width and weight to a narrow jaw and chin.
- Chin strap or chinstrap beard A defined line along the jaw creates structure below.
- Short boxed beard Even growth on the cheeks and chin broadens the lower face.
- Pointed goatees, which make a narrow chin look sharper.
Makeup and Contouring Tips
Contouring adds shadow to areas you want to recede, and highlighting brings areas forward. For a heart face, focus on these steps:
- Contour lightly at the temples and the sides of the forehead to reduce width.
- Highlight the chin to bring it forward and balance the forehead.
- Apply blush just below the cheekbones and blend it outward toward the ears.
- Choose softly rounded brows. Very high arches add width at the top.
Earrings, Hats and Necklines
- Teardrop and chandelier earrings add width near the jaw.
- Hats with medium brims sit well. Skip very wide brims that widen the top.
- Wide necklines, like boat necks, balance a broader forehead.
Best Tops and Necklines for a Heart Face Shape
Your neckline sits right below your chin, so it changes how your face looks more than most people expect. A heart face is wide at the forehead and narrow at the chin. The best tops add a little width or softness near the lower face to balance that.
- Scoop necks. The rounded curve softens a pointed chin and adds width below it.
- Sweetheart necklines. The gentle curves echo and balance the shape of your face.
- Boat necks. A wide, horizontal neckline adds width at the shoulders and balances a broad forehead.
- Cowl necks. Soft draping fills the space below a narrow chin.
- Off-the-shoulder tops. They create a wide line low on the body, which offsets width at the top of the face.
Deep, narrow V-necks can repeat the point of your chin and make the lower face look sharper. If you love V-necks, pick a wider, shallower V. High, tight crew necks are fine, but they do less to balance your proportions.
Celebrities With a Heart Face Shape
Well-known faces often described as heart-shaped include Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Ryan Gosling and Taylor Swift.
Heart Face Shape FAQs
What does a heart-shaped face look like?
It is widest at the forehead, with high cheekbones and a jaw that tapers down to a small, often pointed chin. Many people with this shape also have a widow’s peak.
What haircut suits a heart-shaped face?
Cuts with volume at chin level, like a lob, plus side-swept or curtain bangs work best. They narrow the forehead and add width where the face is slim.
Are bangs good for heart-shaped faces?
Yes. Side-swept, curtain and wispy bangs are some of the best options because they soften a wide forehead and widow’s peak.
What glasses are best for a heart face shape?
Frames that are wider at the bottom, like aviators, plus round, oval and rimless styles. Avoid frames with heavy tops.
Is heart the same as inverted triangle?
Yes, the two terms describe the same shape: wide at the top and narrow at the chin. Our site uses "heart" because it is the most common name.
What tops suit a heart face shape?
Scoop necks, sweetheart necklines, boat necks and cowl necks. They add softness and width below a narrow chin. Deep, narrow V-necks can make the chin look sharper.
Final Thoughts
A heart face is graceful and expressive, with high cheekbones that catch the light. To balance it, add width near the jaw with chin-length volume, waves or a fuller beard, and keep the forehead soft with bangs or a side part. Bottom-heavy and rounded frames finish the look.
Not sure whether you are heart or diamond? Our AI face shape detector compares your forehead, cheekbone and jaw widths in seconds.
