Looking for a cute hairstyle that feels a little bit magical but is still totally doable at home? This heart hairstyle for girls is a sweet, eye-catching look that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day, school events, parties, or any day you want to add something fun to their hair.
It uses simple sections and elastics to create a heart shape on top, paired with neat side details, and works on straight, wavy, and curly hair. If you want a style that looks impressive without needing advanced braiding skills, this heart hair style is a great one to try.
It even works as a great heart hair style for toddlers because you don’t need long hair to achieve this style.
This heart hairstyle is one of those looks that feels extra special without being complicated or fussy. It looks impressive when it’s finished, but it’s actually a simple style you can do at home with a few elastics and a couple of minutes of patience.
Whether you’re getting ready for Valentine’s Day, a school celebration, a birthday, or just want a cute way to switch things up, this heart hair style is a fun choice for girls of all ages.
It works on straight, wavy, and curly hair, and you can dress it up or keep it playful depending on the elastics and finishing touches you use.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the steps to create the heart shape, share tips for keeping it neat and comfortable, and help you adjust the style for different hair types so it actually lasts through the day.
How to make one of the easiest heart hair styles for girls Valentines Hair
The easiest way to get this technique is to watch the video and see it in action but we’ve also written down the step by step for you in case you want to refer back.
What you need for a simple heart hair style
- A comb – rat tail comb helps to make neat partings.
- Small clear or colorful elastics
- 2 thicker elastics for the pigtails
- 1 to 2 hair clips to hold sections while you work.
- Spray bottle for water to damp the hair is also super useful. For my daughter it’s essential!
Okay… so let’s make this easy heart hair style for girls! Watch the video first, you may want to watch a few times just to get everything down, it also helps to pause as needed.
and we’ve broken it down into step by step written instructions below for those who prefer that format.
Step by step heart hairstyle
How to make a heart hair style for Valentines
A cute heart hairstyle for girls that looks impressive but is easy to do at home using simple elastics. Perfect for school, Valentine’s Day, parties, or adding a fun twist to everyday hair.
Instructions
- Brush and prep
Brush the hair smooth. If the hair is slippery, a tiny bit of water spray or detangler helps keep sections neat. - Make a small top ponytail
Section a small rectangle of hair at the crown (top center of the head). Tie it into a small ponytail with a small elastic. - Add a second elastic on the same ponytail
About 2 to 3 inches above the first elastic, add a second small elastic on the ponytail (so you have a “bubble” section between the two elastics). - Fold the ponytail to form a loop
Take the ponytail and bend it forward and down, bringing the ends toward the base. This is what we used to call a topsy tail. But don't pull it all the way through, add another elastic to secure it as a loop which sits on top of the head in a 3d fashion
- Turn the loop into a heart
Push that loop out Into two equal loops (left and right) to make the heart shape. Wrap a small elastic around the middle where the two loops meet to pinch them together and create the heart dip at the top. Gently tug each loop to round it out and make the heart look even.
- Part the rest of the hair down the middle
Use the comb to make a clean middle part from crown to nape. - Start the side “elastic ladder” on one side
On the right side, near the top (just below the crown), take a small section along the part line and tie it with a small elastic. This first little ponytail should sit above the ear area. - Add the next section and tie again
Pick up a new small section just below the first one and combine it with the tail from the first ponytail. Tie with another small elastic a little lower. Keep working down the side like this, adding hair and tying again, to make the stacked elastic look. - Repeat on the other side
Do the same elastic ladder on the left side so it matches. - Make the two low pigtails
Gather all the remaining hair on each side into low pigtails (near the nape, behind the ears) and secure with thicker elastics. The ends from each elastic ladder should blend into the pigtails. - Final tidy
Smooth flyaways, straighten the part, and gently pull the heart loops to perfect the shape. If the heart droops, add a bobby pin under the center to support it.
Once you’ve tried this heart hairstyle a couple of times, it becomes much quicker and easier to do. Don’t worry if it isn’t perfect on the first go, the shape can be gently adjusted by loosening or tightening the elastics until the heart looks just right.
This style works on most hair types and lengths, and small tweaks can make a big difference to how neat and comfortable it feels.
Curly hair tips for the heart hairstyle
Here are some curly-hair–specific tips to make this heart hairstyle easier, neater, and more comfortable for girls with curls, like my daughter N.
Start on damp or well-prepped hair
This style works best on slightly damp curls or hair that has been refreshed with a curl spray or leave-in conditioner. Dry, fluffy curls can make the heart uneven and harder to shape.
Use curl-friendly products
A small amount of leave-in conditioner or curl cream helps with slip and keeps the heart loops smooth without brushing out the curl pattern too much. Avoid heavy gels on the heart section, as they can make it stiff.
Finger detangle, then comb only where needed
Finger detangle first, especially around the crown. Use a wide-tooth comb or rat-tail comb only for parting and smoothing the small ponytail sections so you don’t create frizz.
Go gentle with elastics
Choose soft, snag-free elastics and don’t pull them too tight. Curly hair springs back, so tighter isn’t better. Secure just enough to hold without flattening the curls.
Make the heart slightly bigger
Curly hair shrinks when it dries, so make the heart loops a little larger than you would on straight hair. Once dry, the shape will settle into a perfect heart instead of looking too small.
Pin for support if needed
If the heart droops or twists, slide a bobby pin under the center of the heart, anchoring it into the top ponytail base. Hide the pin under curls for an invisible fix.
Adjust the elastic ladder for curls
Use slightly wider spacing between elastics on the side sections. This prevents the curls from puffing out awkwardly and keeps the ladder looking intentional rather than tight.
Finish with a light hold
A light curl-friendly spray or a tiny bit of gel smoothed over flyaways (with your hands, not a brush) helps the style last through school or a party without crunch.
This heart hairstyle is a fun way to add something a little extra to everyday hair without needing loads of time or complicated techniques. Once you’ve tried it once, it quickly becomes one of those styles you can recreate for special occasions, school days, or whenever you want to make hair feel more exciting. With a few elastics and a bit of practice, you can easily adjust the look for different hair types and lengths, making it a go-to style that both kids and parents love.
Variations of Heart Hair Styles
You can also create a slightly different version of this heart hairstyle using the same basic method.
You can also make the loops of the heart with braided hair. Instead of making one heart at the top you could do two hearts, or you can make a heart half way through a braid.. there are a lot of ways you can adapt this simple heart hair method.
In this variation, the hair is pulled into a low ponytail and braided, with a heart shape formed partway down the braid instead of at the crown. It’s made by looping and shaping a section of the braid into a heart and securing it with small elastics, then letting the rest of the hair fall neatly below.
This is another version I did on my daughter, and it’s a lovely option if you want something that sits lower on the head and feels practical for school while still looking really cute and special.
More Hairstyle Inspiration
If you’re looking for more cute and easy hairstyle ideas for girls, we have plenty of simple styles to try next. From quick school hairstyles to fun looks for parties and celebrations, you’ll find lots of inspiration to keep hair routines fresh and stress-free.
- DIY Crazy Hair Day Rainbow Hairstyle
- 8 Festive Girls Christmas Hair Style Ideas with Tutorials
- Easy Reindeer Bun Christmas Hair Style for Girls
- 3 Super Easy and Fun Halloween Crazy Hair Day Ideas
If you found this heart hairstyle helpful, we’d love it if you could share this blog post with friends, family, or other parents who might enjoy trying it too. Sharing really helps others discover new hairstyle ideas and supports us in creating more fun, easy tutorials like this. Thank you for spreading the love.
