18 Short Hairstyles That Are Perfect for Heart-Shaped Faces

What Defines a Heart-Shaped Face?

Before we dive into the styles, let’s quickly confirm your face shape. A heart-shaped face, often considered the most romantic of the shapes, has a few distinct features. You likely have a wider forehead that is the broadest part of your face. Your cheekbones are high and prominent, and your face elegantly narrows down to a pointed, sometimes delicate, chin. Think of celebrities like Reese Witherspoon, Kourtney Kardashian, or Kerry Washington—they are classic examples of this beautiful bone structure.

The ultimate goal with any hairstyle for a heart-shaped face is to create visual balance. This means we want to minimize the width of the forehead and add volume or width around the jaw and chin area. The right short cut can do this magically, drawing attention to your eyes and cheekbones while creating a harmonious silhouette.

The Effortless Pixie Cut

The pixie cut is a bold and beautiful choice that can be tailored exquisitely for heart-shaped faces. The secret is in the styling—aim for volume at the sides and crown while keeping the sides soft and textured.

Why it works: A textured pixie with piece-y, side-swept bangs does wonders. The bangs break up the width of the forehead, while the volume on top balances the narrow chin, creating a stunning, eye-catching look that is both chic and easy to manage.

The Choppy Layered Pixie

If you want to add an edgy twist to the classic pixie, the choppy layered version is for you. This cut is all about creating movement and dimension with layers of varying lengths.

Why it works: The multiple layers and textured ends create a softness around the face, distracting from a wider forehead and drawing the eye downwards. It’s a dynamic, modern cut that screams confidence.

The Asymmetrical Bob

An asymmetrical bob, where one side is noticeably longer than the other, is a dramatic and artistic choice. It typically falls anywhere from the chin to the shoulders, but the short version is particularly striking.

Why it works: The diagonal line created by the asymmetry pulls the eye across the face, effectively breaking the heart shape’s triangular form. It adds interest and volume around the jawline, which is exactly what we’re aiming for.

The Blunt Chin-Length Bob

Sometimes, simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. A blunt, chin-length bob with clean, sharp ends is a timeless classic that works wonders for heart-shaped faces.

Why it works: This bob creates a strong horizontal line right at the jaw, which visually widens the narrowest part of your face—the chin. This immediate balance makes your forehead appear less wide in comparison. For an extra touch, ask your stylist for a slightly angled undercut where the back is a little shorter.

The Textured Lob with Wispy Bangs

The long bob, or “lob,” is a perennial favorite, and when cut with texture and paired with wispy bangs, it becomes a perfect match for a heart-shaped face.

Why it works: The length, which typically grazes the collarbone, provides weight around the upper chest and shoulders, balancing the wider forehead. The wispy bangs soften the hairline, and the overall texture prevents the style from looking too heavy.

The Shag with Curtain Bangs

Welcome back the 70s with a modern shag! This cut is defined by its multiple layers, choppy ends, and, most importantly, its signature curtain bangs.

Why it works: This is arguably one of the best styles for heart-shaped faces. The curtain bangs, which part in the middle and frame the eyes, masterfully diminish the width of the forehead. The shaggy layers throughout the body of the hair add volume and texture around the jawline, creating a perfectly balanced, rock-and-roll vibe.

The Side-Parted Bob

Never underestimate the power of a deep side part. A simple bob becomes instantly more flattering when the hair is swept to one side.

Why it works: A deep side part creates an off-center focus, which automatically makes a wide forehead appear narrower. It also adds volume on one side of the head, which helps to counterbalance the face’s natural triangle shape.

The Wavy Bob with Face-Framing Layers

Embrace your natural texture or add some loose waves to a bob that features strategic, face-framing layers. These layers are cut to fall around your cheeks and jaw.

Why it works: The waves add softness and volume, while the face-framing layers act like a spotlight on your cheekbones and help to fill in the area around your chin. It’s a romantic, effortless style that feels both polished and casual.

The Pixie-Bob (The “Pob”)

Can’t decide between a pixie and a bob? Meet the “pob.” It’s a short bob that has the length and structure of a bob but the texture and playfulness of a pixie.

Why it works: This hybrid cut offers the jawline-widening benefit of a bob with the volume and ease of a pixie. It’s a versatile, modern cut that allows for a lot of styling experimentation.

The Classic French Bob

Chic, timeless, and impossibly cool, the French bob sits at jaw-level and is often paired with full, straight-across bangs.

Why it works: While blunt bangs can be tricky, on a heart-shaped face they work by shortening the appearance of a long forehead. The strong line of the bangs and the bob’s jaw-level length create a beautiful, balanced rectangle shape within the face.

The Tousled Pixie with Long Side Bangs

This is the “I woke up like this” version of the pixie. It’s messy, textured, and styled to look effortlessly cool, complemented by longer bangs that can be swept to the side.

Why it works: The tousled volume on top adds height, which lengthens the face and counteracts its width. The long side bangs are the hero here, seamlessly blending into the rest of the cut while softening the forehead and cheekbones.

The A-Line Bob

The A-Line bob is a geometric masterpiece, shorter in the back and gradually becoming longer towards the front, forming an “A” shape.

Why it works: This cut is a masterclass in balance. The longer front pieces draw attention to the center of the face and create weight around the chin, which is exactly where a heart-shaped face needs it most.

The Soft Undercut Pixie

For the truly bold, an undercut pixie offers a dramatic contrast. The sides and back are shaved or closely clipped, while the top is left longer and textured.

Why it works: While it may seem counterintuitive, this style focuses all the volume and attention on the top of the head. This added height creates a longer, more oval appearance, which balances the heart shape. It’s a powerful, fashion-forward statement.

The Curly Bob with Layers

If you have natural curls, a layered bob is your best friend. The layers are crucial for preventing a triangular “pyramid” shape.

Why it works: Well-placed layers remove bulk from the crown and allow the curls to spring up beautifully around the jawline, creating the width needed to balance a narrow chin. It celebrates your natural texture while perfectly framing your face.

The Wispy Pixie with Feathered Layers

This ethereal take on the pixie is all about softness. The hair is cut into light, feathered layers that create a wispy, airy effect around the face.

Why it works: The feathered layers create a soft, diffused frame that doesn’t add hard lines or weight. It gently obscures the hairline and temples, softening the forehead and bringing a delicate, feminine touch to the face.

The Stacked Bob

A stacked bob is cut with significantly shorter layers in the back that “stack” up, creating a rounded, lifted effect at the crown, while the front remains longer.

Why it works: The volume at the back of the crown adds height, which helps to elongate the face. The longer front pieces again work to frame the chin and jaw, making it a win-win for the heart shape.

The Slicked-Back Pixie

For a red-carpet-ready, glamorous look, the slicked-back pixie is unbeatable. Using a strong-hold gel or pomade, the hair is smoothed back from the face.

Why it works: This style confidently puts your entire face on display, highlighting your fantastic bone structure, sharp cheekbones, and delicate chin. It’s a look that oozes confidence and is perfect for showing off your features.

The Bob with Bottleneck Bangs

Bottleneck bangs are a trendy variation where the bangs are shorter in the center and longer on the sides, creating a curved, “bottleneck” shape.

Why it works: This style of bang is perfect for heart-shaped faces. The shorter center covers the widest part of the forehead, while the longer sides seamlessly blend into the rest of the hair, creating a flawless, curved frame that guides the eye down the face.

Styling Tips and Final Thoughts

Now that you’re armed with a portfolio of gorgeous options, remember that styling is the final touch. Always prioritize volume at the crown or jawline rather than at the temples. Use a volumizing mousse or root-lifting spray to achieve this. When in doubt, side-swept bangs are your most reliable tool for minimizing forehead width.

The most important thing is to choose a cut that makes you feel confident and beautiful. Your heart-shaped face is a canvas waiting for the perfect frame. Take these ideas to your stylist, communicate your desired balance, and get ready to turn heads with a short hairstyle that was made just for you.