E! Illustration/ManeTrends come and go, but personal style is forever! And nothing is more personal than something like the shape of your face.
Of course, everyone is unique but there are a few different face shapes that you may fall into, and it’s time to learn all about the most romantic one of all: the heart-shaped face.
Eric Marshall Wright, owner of Eric Marshall Salon in Nashville chatted with us all about heart-shaped faces (also known as an inverted triangle/reverse triangle) and how to style your hair at home with a few of his favorite product recommendations.
- Expert-approved hot tool: Mane It’s Giving Body Medium Hot Thermal Round Brush
- Texturizing spray for adding volume: Davines This is a Dry Texturizing Finishing Spray
- Editor-loved accessory: Emi Jay Big Effing Clip
“To accentuate this face shape, you just repeat the actual face shape in your haircut because width is at the forehead,” he explained. Heart-shaped faces are especially stunning with bangs, thanks to the balance and softness they bring to the face, so if you’ve been waiting for your sign to finally make the chop… consider this it!
Exclusively for E!, Eric shared the styling products and tools he always reaches for in the salon, how to style a heart-shaped face at home and what mistakes to avoid, ahead.
How to Identify a Heart-Shaped Face
If your forehead is wide, tapering down to defined cheekbones and a smaller chin you probably have a heart-shaped face! A huge benefit of the romantic shape is that it is a natural contour because of the unique structure.
Plus, you’re in good company along with celebs like Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson and Naomi Campbell.
How to Style a Heart-Shaped Face at Home
Eric’s top tip is to remember where “the width is and where it’s more narrow,” for optimal styling results.
He explains, “A heart-shaped face is narrow at the chin, so it literally looks like a heart if you draw one. You’re going to want to add width to that heart-shaped chin at the bottom.”
Half-Up Half-Down
“If you’re pulling your hair half up, which I do recommend, clip it back and keep the length down around your chin or your shoulders to help keep that width,” says Eric. “I love the clips to pull your hair back.”
Davines Liquid Spell Reinforcing Bodifying Fluid
This liquid formula transforms into a soft mousse, bringing volume and body to thin hair.
RPZL Mini Acetate Hair Clip
This mini acetate hair clip by RPZL is ideal for bringing up just a bit of hair., especially for short hair styles.
Teleties Large Flat Round Hair Clip
If you prefer a flat clip or have more hair, this one by Teleties is for you.
Mason Pearson Pocket Nylon Hair Brush
Thick, coarse hair is no match for this nylon bristle brush. It’s also ideal for wet hair!
Loose Waves
Waves are dominating red carpets right now, and there’s a right way to do it with a heart-shaped face, says Eric.
“I would also suggest waves, but starting from the chin down, not all the way up to the root. Again, you want to be mindful of keeping the root flat. You could do flat waves, or you could just do loose curls at the bottom,” he explains.
“You want to avoid the severity of your hair pulled back just because of the width at your forehead. I would keep emphasis on where do you want the eye to be drawn to. Because the chin is pointed and the forehead is wider horizontally, where are you wanting to add softness to. If the top of the face is wide, offset by creating width to areas other than forehead and anything that you want to close off.”
Mane It’s Giving Body Medium Hot Thermal Round Brush
This hot round brush delivers smooth waves, root volume and perfectly styled bangs.
Davines This Is A Perfecting Hairspray
Hold your waves in place with this ultra-fine mist hairspray that resists stiffness, leaving your hair with natural movement.
Emi Jay Big Effing Clip
Emi Jay’s hair clips come in so many different colors and patterns, and the Big Effing option keeps thick and long hair totally secure.
Bangs
Eric says a “side-swept bang” or “straight-across bang with texture” can bring balance to a heart-shaped face.
“I always style bangs first anytime someone has an appointment at the salon with bangs, so make sure you keep that in mind. I always use a flat brush to get the bangs smooth, and then go back in with either your round brush,” he shared.
Davines MELU Anti-Breakage Hair Shield for Long Hair
Protect your bangs with this anti-breakage heat protector, made for all hair types. It strengthens and shields hair from heat, giving your locks shine and hydration.
Mane This Totally Blows! Ionic Compact Hair Dryer
You’ll be blown away by this compact hair dryer that is small but mighty. Made with ionic technology, it reduces frizz and drying time.
What mistakes should heart-shaped faces avoid?
While it’s less of a mistake and more of a personal choice: for chin-length or shoulder-length hair, Eric says having less volume at the roots will exaggerate your face shape. For longer hair, adding “face-framing bangs” can bring balance and create “soft movement.”
Davines This is a Dry Texturizing Finishing Spray
Here’s the ideal finishing touch for any look: a dry texturizing spray that delivers a piecey yet defined look.
Looking for more? These pumpkin spice beauty finds are basically fall in a bottle.
