Wide forehead, tapered chin
Heart face shape
The width is at the top, the point is at the bottom.
A heart face has a forehead that is as wide as, or wider than, the cheekbones, and a jaw that narrows to a defined chin. The hairline often has a widow's peak. The overall impression is wider at the top than at the bottom.
Styling usually aims to add a little width at the jaw and keep the forehead from dominating. That does not mean hiding the forehead. It means giving the lower half of the face something to balance it.
At a glance
The width is at the top, the point is at the bottom.
- Length to cheekbone width
- About 1.3 to 1.5
- Forehead to cheekbone
- About 1.0 or slightly above
- Jaw to cheekbone
- About 0.7 to 0.88
- Jawline at the chin
- A narrow angle at a defined chin
Recognize it
What makes a heart face
- The forehead is the widest part of the face.
- The cheekbones are narrower than the forehead.
- The jaw tapers clearly toward a pointed or defined chin.
- A widow's peak or a wide hairline is common.
How the measurement works
The heart rule fires when the forehead is at least as wide as the cheekbones and the jaw is at most about 88 percent of the cheekbone width. That combination is what separates a heart from an oval: an oval has a narrower forehead and a fuller jaw.
Hair that balances the base
Chin-length cuts, soft waves that end at the jaw, and side-swept bangs all add weight where the face is narrowest. A center part with long, flat layers can make the forehead look wider and the chin sharper. If you want to wear long hair, ask for layers that start at the jaw rather than at the cheekbone.
Frames with a lower line
Bottom-heavy frames, aviators and round shapes with a deeper lens add visual weight below the eye line. Frames that flare upward at the outer corner repeat the forehead width, which is usually the opposite of what a heart face needs. Keep the top bar thin and the lower rim visible.
Styling
Pages for a heart face
- Haircuts for womenLengths, layers and bangs chosen for the proportions of each shape.
- Haircuts for menFades, crops and longer cuts, with the volume placed where it balances the face.
- GlassesFrame shapes that contrast with the face, plus the widths that fit.
- EyebrowsArch height, thickness and tail length for each set of proportions.
- BeardsWhere to add or remove weight along the jaw, cheek line and chin.
Questions
Heart face questions
What is the difference between a heart and a diamond face?
A heart is widest at the forehead; a diamond is widest at the cheekbones. Both taper to a narrower jaw, but the widest point sits higher on a heart and in the middle on a diamond.
Do heart faces suit short hair?
Yes, especially a chin-length bob or a textured pixie with volume at the jaw. Very short crops with tight sides can make the forehead look wider, so keep a little softness at the temples.
Which glasses suit a heart face?
Aviators, round frames, rimless frames and anything with a visible lower rim. Avoid frames that sweep upward at the corners or are much wider than the cheekbones.
Should a heart face have bangs?
Soft side bangs or curtain bangs work well because they break the width of the forehead without adding a heavy horizontal line. Blunt bangs can work too, but keep them light.
Which beard shape suits a heart face?
A beard that is fuller at the sides of the jaw and shorter at the chin adds width where the face needs it. A long, pointed goatee does the opposite.