Three Easy Heart Hairstyles for Valentine's Day

Heart-shaped hairstyles are created by sectioning hair, twisting or weaving it into loops, and securing the ends together to form a heart at the back or crown of your head. The three most popular versions are the Twisted Heart, the Reverse Topsy Tail Heart, and the Woven Heart, each offering a different level of drama and difficulty.

Valentine's Day calls for something a little extra. Whether you're going out for dinner, hosting brunch with friends, or just want to make a regular Tuesday feel special, a heart in your hair is such a fun touch.

Hey, I'm Jennifer, one of the stylists at The Warehouse Salon in DeLand. I've been showing clients these styles for years, and they're always surprised at how simple they actually are.

A client from Deltona came in before her anniversary dinner wanting something romantic but not over-the-top. She'd never done anything beyond a basic ponytail at home. I taught her the Reverse Topsy Tail Heart and she practiced it once in the salon to build confidence. She texted me that evening with a photo from the restaurant: "My husband asked who did my hair. When I told him I did it myself, he didn't believe me. Best Valentine's Day hair ever." That's why I love teaching these styles.

These work on most hair lengths and textures. Curled hair holds the shape better, but straight hair works too. Let me walk you through all three so you can pick the one that fits your vibe.

Prep Your Hair First for Best Results

Before you start any of these styles, a little prep work goes a long way. Curled hair gives you more texture to work with, which makes the heart shape pop and helps the style hold longer.

Use a curling iron with a barrel around 1 to 1.25 inches. BaBylissPRO or Hot Tools both make excellent 1.25-inch barrels that heat evenly. Curl all sections away from your face. This creates movement that adds volume to your finished heart shape.

After curling, hit your hair with a flexible hold hairspray like Kenra Volume Spray 25. You want something that adds shine without making your hair crunchy or stiff. The goal is touchable texture that still holds its shape.

If your hair is on the thinner side, this is a great time to add clip-in extensions. Just a few pieces clipped in below your ears adds the fullness that makes half-up heart styles really stand out.

Hairstyle One: The Twisted Heart

This one creates the biggest, most voluminous heart. It's my personal favorite because it looks impressive but only takes about five minutes once you get the hang of it.

How to do it:

1. Gather hair from above your temples and split it into two equal sections, left and right.
2. Secure each section with a small clear elastic (Goody Ouchless elastics work well). Here's a trick: place a hair clip under the section before you tie the elastic. This prevents tangles and makes the elastic easier to work with.
3. Take the left ponytail and twist it tightly counterclockwise two or three times.
4. Bring the twisted section up the right side of its elastic, over the top, and direct it back toward the middle of your head. This forms the left half of your heart.
5. Pull gently on small pieces along the outside of the twist to add volume. Focus on the top curve and sides to create that tapered heart shape.
6. Repeat on the right side, but twist clockwise instead.
7. Before joining the ends together, slide bobby pins into the top of each twist toward the middle. This holds the heart shape in place.
8. Secure both twisted ends together with another small elastic.
9. Wrap a small piece of hair around the elastic to hide it, and pin it in place.

The key to this style is the pulling. Don't be afraid to tug on those twists to make the heart bigger and more defined.

Hairstyle Two: The Reverse Topsy Tail Heart

This style is simpler and more subtle than the twisted version. It's perfect if you want something pretty but not too attention-grabbing.

How to do it:

1. Gather hair from above your temples into a single ponytail at the back of your head. Secure with a small clear elastic.
2. Pinch and pull small pieces around the crown to add texture.
3. Create a hole just above the elastic with your index finger and thumb. Flip the ponytail under and pull it up through the hole. This is your reverse topsy tail.
4. Divide the ponytail into two equal sections.
5. Bring both sections together and secure them with another elastic below the topsy tail flip. Where you place this elastic determines your heart size: higher placement equals a smaller heart, lower placement equals a larger heart.
6. Pinch and pull the outside edges of the heart shape up and out to add volume. Work from the outside toward the middle.
7. Hide the elastic by wrapping a small piece of hair around it and securing with a bobby pin.

This style looks especially cute on second-day hair when you have some natural texture to work with.

Hairstyle Three: The Woven Heart

This creates a very subtle, elegant heart that sits beautifully at the back of the head. It's slightly more intricate than the others but worth the extra minute.

How to do it:

1. Section hair on both sides by tracing a line from the back of your part to the back of your ear. Clip these side sections out of the way temporarily.
2. Take the top half of the left section and the top half of the right section. Bring them to the back and join them with a small elastic. This is your foundation.
3. Take the remaining bottom half of the left section. Bring it to the back, underneath the foundation ponytail. Then bring it up and pull the ends down through the hole you just created.
4. Repeat the same weaving motion on the right side: under, up, and through.
5. Secure all the ends together, including the foundation ponytail, with one elastic.
6. Pinch and pull small pieces at the top of the heart to make the shape stand out. Start with small pulls because you can't put the hair back once you've loosened it.

This style works beautifully for weddings, showers, or any event where you want something romantic but understated.

Tips That Work for All Three Styles

A few things apply no matter which heart style you choose:

• Use clear elastics. Goody Ouchless clear elastics are less visible if any part of them shows through.
• Keep bobby pins handy. You'll need them to secure the heart shape and hide elastics. Match the color to your hair (brown pins for brunettes, blonde pins for blondes).
• Pull in small sections. When you're adding volume to the heart shape, less is more at first. You can always pull more, but you can't put it back.
• Practice once before the big day. These styles are easy, but your first attempt always takes longer. Run through it the day before so you're confident on Valentine's Day.

We often style clients' hair for special occasions and then walk them through how to recreate simpler versions at home. A good cut with the right layers makes all these styles easier to execute on your own.

Your Heart Hairstyle Questions Answered

Do these heart hairstyles work on short hair?

The twisted heart and woven heart need at least shoulder-length hair to work properly. The reverse topsy tail can work on slightly shorter lengths (chin to shoulder) as long as you have enough hair to gather into a ponytail. If your hair is above your shoulders, clip-in extensions (2 to 4 pieces) can add the length you need. Focus extensions at the sides and back where you'll be pulling hair for the heart.

How long do heart hairstyles last?

With proper prep , these styles last all day and into the evening, typically 8 to 12 hours. The key is curling your hair first and using a flexible hold spray. In Florida humidity, a light additional mist of hairspray before heading out helps, but avoid anything that makes your hair stiff. The twisted heart holds longest, followed by woven, then reverse topsy tail.

Can I do these styles on straight hair?

Yes, though curled hair holds the shape better and makes the heart more defined. If you're working with straight hair, use a texturizing spray before you start and be extra generous with the pinching and pulling to create volume. The woven heart works particularly well on straight hair because the weaving technique creates its own texture.

Which heart hairstyle is easiest for beginners?

The reverse topsy tail heart is the simplest. It only requires one ponytail, one flip, and one additional elastic. If you've ever done a topsy tail before, you already know the basic technique. Time commitment: about 3 to 5 minutes once you've practiced. The twisted heart is second-easiest. The woven heart requires the most dexterity but is still achievable with one practice run.

How do I make heart styles last through dancing or activity?

Set with extra hairspray immediately after forming the heart shape, focusing on the curves and any pinned sections. Use more bobby pins than you think you need (6 to 8 total for twisted hearts, 4 to 6 for others) to secure the shape. If you're dancing or very active, choose the twisted heart over the reverse topsy tail, as the twists hold tighter. Touch up by gently pulling and re-pinning any loose sections.

Book Your Special Occasion Styling

These heart hairstyles are fun to try at home, but sometimes you just want to sit in a chair and let someone else create something beautiful for you. If you're celebrating Valentine's Day, an anniversary, or any occasion that calls for something special, we'd love to style you.

Book an appointment at The Warehouse Salon, 1782 S Woodland Blvd, DeLand. Call (386) 873-6188 or schedule an appointment online. We'll create something perfect for your plans.