Are you searching for the most adorable calico heart hairstyles to make this Valentine’s Day extra special? You have discovered the perfect guide. These charming hairstyles combine the trendy calico sectioning technique with romantic heart shapes created using your natural hair and enhanced with beautiful heart-shaped pins and accessories. Whether you are styling your own hair, creating a look for your daughter, or preparing for a festive celebration, this comprehensive tutorial covers everything you need. Each of the 8 styles featured below includes detailed step-by-step instructions, recommended accessories, and tips for making your heart hairstyle last all day. From simple designs perfect for beginners to more intricate patterns that will impress everyone, these romantic styles work for all ages and hair types.
What Makes Calico Heart Hairstyles So Special
The calico technique involves creating distinct sections of hair that form patterns or shapes when styled strategically. When combined with heart designs, this method produces eye-catching hairstyles that celebrate love and creativity. The beauty of calico heart hairstyles lies in their versatility and visual impact.
These styles work exceptionally well for Valentine’s Day because they incorporate the holiday’s signature symbol directly into your hair. Adding heart-shaped pins and accessories elevates the look further, transforming simple hairstyles into stunning works of art.
The calico method allows you to play with colors if you have highlights or multi-toned hair. The sectioning naturally showcases different shades, creating a beautiful mosaic effect that photographs beautifully.
Essential Tools and Accessories You Need
Before beginning any calico heart hairstyle, gather these essential supplies for smooth execution:
Basic Tools:
Rat tail comb for precise sectioning creates clean lines essential for calico patterns. Small elastic bands in clear or matching colors secure sections without visibility. Bobby pins in various sizes anchor styles securely. A mirror setup allowing you to see the back of your head helps with placement accuracy.
Heart-Shaped Accessories:
Heart barrettes in various sizes serve as beautiful focal points. Heart-shaped bobby pins add subtle romantic touches throughout styles. Decorative heart clips in gold, silver, or rose gold complement different hair colors. Heart hair charms attach to braids for added whimsy.
Styling Products:
Light hold gel helps sections stay in place during creation. Finishing spray adds shine and controls flyaways. Edge control creates sleek, polished sections. Detangling spray makes sectioning easier on longer hair.
1. Simple Heart Parting Style
This beginner-friendly style creates a visible heart shape at the crown using strategic parting. The design works beautifully on all hair lengths and types.
How to Create This Look:
Start with detangled, slightly damp hair for easier sectioning. Using your rat tail comb, create a center part from your forehead back about two inches. From this point, angle your part diagonally down to the right, creating half of a heart shape. Return to the center point and angle another part diagonally down to the left, completing the heart outline.
The hair inside the heart becomes one section while hair outside forms another. Style the heart section differently from the surrounding hair. Try a small bun inside the heart or leave it loose while pulling back the outer sections. Add a decorative heart pin at the bottom point of your heart part for emphasis.
Best For: Beginners, quick styling needs, and all hair lengths.
2. Double Heart Ponytail
This playful style features two heart shapes created from twisted sections, joined into a festive ponytail. Children and adults alike adore this cheerful design.
How to Create This Look:
Part hair down the middle from forehead to nape. On the right side, section out a small portion near the temple. Divide this section in half and twist each piece. Shape the twists into half a heart and secure with a tiny elastic at the bottom point. Repeat on the left side, creating a matching half heart.
Connect both heart bottoms together with another elastic, then gather all remaining hair including the heart sections into a low ponytail. Wrap a strand of hair around the elastic to conceal it. Attach heart-shaped accessories along the ponytail or at the connection point.
Best For: Medium to long hair, school celebrations, and active days.
3. Braided Heart Crown
This elegant style weaves a heart shape around the crown using braided sections. The romantic design makes a stunning statement for special Valentine’s celebrations.
How to Create This Look:
Section out hair from ear to ear across the top of your head. From the center of this section, create two three-strand braids going in opposite directions. Curve each braid upward and then down to form half of a heart shape, securing with bobby pins as you go.
Join the braid ends at the center back of your head, securing firmly. The remaining loose hair can stay down in soft waves or gather into a low bun. Place small heart pins along the braided heart outline for added sparkle.
Best For: Medium to long hair, formal events, and photo opportunities.
4. Heart Bun Updo
This sophisticated style arranges hair into a heart-shaped bun at the back of the head. The unique updo turns heads while keeping hair elegantly contained.
How to Create This Look:
Gather all hair into a ponytail at the mid-back of your head. Divide the ponytail into two equal sections. Twist each section loosely and form into a loop, creating half of a heart shape. Secure each loop with bobby pins, ensuring they connect at both top and bottom.
Tuck any loose ends into the heart shape and secure with additional pins. Gently pull on the heart edges to create fullness and perfect the shape. Add a decorative heart accessory at the center or bottom point of the heart bun.
Best For: Long hair, elegant occasions, and updos that last all day.
5. Calico Heart Pigtails
These adorable pigtails each feature a heart accent created through clever sectioning. This style remains a favorite for calico heart hairstyles among younger children.
How to Create This Look:
Part hair down the middle. On one side, section out a small portion at the front near the part line. Divide this into two pieces and twist each piece. Form these twists into a heart shape, securing with a small elastic at the bottom.
Incorporate the heart section into a pigtail by gathering it with the remaining hair on that side. Repeat the entire process on the opposite side. Finish each pigtail with heart-shaped hair ties or add heart clips near each heart twist section.
Best For: Young children, school events, and playful celebrations.
6. Woven Heart Half-Up Style
This romantic half-up style features a woven heart pattern at the crown while leaving the remaining hair flowing freely. The design balances elegance with effortless beauty.
How to Create This Look:
Take a section of hair from each temple and pull back to the center crown. Before securing, create the heart shape by dividing each section in half. Cross the inner portions over each other to form the heart’s bottom point. The outer portions curve up and around to create the heart’s top curves.
Use small clear elastics to hold the heart shape in place. Weave additional small sections through the heart for added dimension if desired. Leave remaining hair down and add soft waves for romance. Place a statement heart pin at the heart’s center.
Best For: All hair lengths, date nights, and romantic dinners.
7. Heart Accent French Braid
This style incorporates a heart design at the top of a classic French braid. The combination creates visual interest while maintaining practicality.
How to Create This Look:
At the crown, section out hair and create a small heart shape using the twist technique described in earlier styles. Secure the heart with pins, leaving tail ends loose. Begin a French braid directly below the heart, incorporating the tail ends into your starting sections.
Continue the French braid down the back of your head, gathering hair from both sides as you go. Secure the braid end with an elastic. Gently pancake the braid for fullness. Add small heart pins along the braid or place a larger heart accessory at the top near your twist heart.
Best For: Medium to long hair, active celebrations, and all-day wear.
8. Multi-Heart Scattered Style
This whimsical style features multiple small heart shapes scattered throughout the hair using the calico technique. The playful design maximizes the impact of calico heart hairstyles with creative accessory placement.
How to Create This Look:
Create three to five small heart shapes at various points around your head using the twist method. Place hearts asymmetrically for visual interest. Secure each heart with small clear elastics and bobby pins. Leave remaining hair down in natural waves or soft curls.
Add heart-shaped pins and clips near each twisted heart for emphasis. Mix accessory sizes and styles for a collected, curated appearance. Consider using hearts in graduating sizes from larger at the crown to smaller toward the ends.
Best For: Creative expression, festival celebrations, and making bold statements.
Styling Tips for Picture-Perfect Results
Creating flawless calico heart hairstyles requires attention to detail. These professional tips ensure your heart designs photograph beautifully and last throughout your celebration.
Preparation Matters:
Work with second-day hair for better grip and texture. If hair is freshly washed, add texturizing spray before beginning. Detangle thoroughly to prevent snags during sectioning. Slightly damp hair sections more easily than completely dry hair.
Perfecting Heart Shapes:
Practice the basic heart shape several times before your actual styling day. Use reference images to guide your shaping. Step back frequently to check symmetry. Adjust sections while elastics are still loose for easier corrections.
Choosing the Right Heart Accessories
The accessories you choose can elevate simple styles into stunning creations. Consider these factors when selecting heart pins and clips for your Valentine’s Day look.
Metal Tones:
Gold accessories complement warm hair tones like red, auburn, and warm brown. Silver works beautifully with cool-toned hair including ash blonde and black. Rose gold flatters nearly every hair color and adds romantic warmth.
Size Considerations:
Large statement pieces work best as single focal points. Medium accessories can be grouped in pairs or trios. Small delicate pins scatter beautifully throughout multi-heart styles.
Material Options:
Rhinestone hearts add sparkle for evening events. Pearl hearts provide classic elegance. Enamel hearts in red or pink embrace traditional Valentine’s colors. Metal hearts offer understated sophistication.
Making Your Heart Hairstyle Last
Ensure your beautiful creation stays intact throughout your Valentine’s Day celebration with these longevity tips.
Apply light hold hairspray to finished sections immediately after securing. Use bobby pins that match your hair color for invisible hold. Cross bobby pins in an X pattern for extra security on larger sections. Carry extra elastics and pins for quick touch-ups if needed.
Avoid excessive touching throughout the day as this loosens styles. If outdoors, consider a light silk scarf during travel to protect your design. A final mist of finishing spray before leaving home seals your style perfectly.
Final Thoughts
These 8 adorable styles offer something special for every skill level, age group, and Valentine’s Day celebration. From simple heart partings perfect for beginners to intricate woven designs for experienced stylists, the calico technique combined with heart shapes creates unforgettable romantic looks.
The key to success lies in practice, patience, and having the right accessories ready. Start with simpler styles and work your way up to more complex designs as your confidence grows. With beautiful heart-shaped pins and clips enhancing your creation, you will have a Valentine’s Day hairstyle that captures hearts and creates lasting memories.
Gather your tools, choose your favorite heart accessories, and begin creating your own romantic hair masterpiece today.
