High cheekbones are more than just a coveted facial feature; they symbolize timeless beauty and aesthetic appeal. In the realm of facial aesthetics, high cheekbones have consistently held a place of distinction, capturing attention and admiration from cultures across the globe. 

This article delves deep into the world of high cheekbones, exploring their significance, their impact on facial aesthetics, and the ways individuals seek to enhance and celebrate this captivating feature.

Whether you are looking to embrace your natural cheekbone structure or consider cosmetic enhancements, this journey through the realm of high cheekbones promises to be enlightening.

High Cheekbones
High Cheekbones

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Explanation of High Cheekbones

The high cheekbones, also known as zygomatic or malar bones, are a prominent and distinctive feature of the human skull, specifically in the facial region. They play a significant role in shaping the facial structure and influencing the overall appearance of a person’s face.

Here’s an explanation of cheekbones and their anatomical significance:

Anatomy

The cheekbones are located on each side of the face, just beneath the eyes and towards the sides of the head. They are part of the facial skeleton and contribute to the overall shape of the face. The cheekbones have two main parts: the zygomatic arch and the malar prominence.

  1. Zygomatic Arch: This bony arch extends from the temporal bone (located on the side of the skull) to the zygomatic bone. The zygomatic arch comprises the temporal process of the zygomatic bone and the zygomatic process of the temporal bone. It forms the lateral border of the eye socket and contributes to the structural integrity of the skull.
  2. Malar Prominence: Malar prominence, refers to the rounded, elevated cheek area formed by the zygomatic bone. It’s the part of the cheekbone that is most visible and contributes to the characteristic contours of the face. The prominence of the malar bone can vary from person to person, leading to differences in facial appearance.

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Function and Significance of High Cheek Bones 

Cheekbones serve several important functions:

  1. Structural Support: The cheekbones provide support to the eye sockets, helping to protect and maintain the position of the eyes within the skull. They also contribute to the overall stability of the facial skeleton.
  1. Facial Contour: The prominence of the cheekbones contributes to the definition of facial contours and gives the face a more angular and sculpted appearance. Well-defined cheekbones are often associated with a youthful and attractive facial structure.
  1. Expression and Communication: Cheekbones play a role in facial expressions. They can influence how the skin and muscles move during facial expressions, contributing to nonverbal communication.
  1. Cultural and Aesthetic Significance: Cheekbones can vary in prominence based on genetics, ethnicity, and individual differences. Different cultures and societies have different beauty standards that may place importance on specific facial features, including the appearance of cheekbones.
High Cheekbones of a model

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The Beauty of High Cheekbones in Facial Aesthetics

Cheekbones are important for how our faces look. They make our faces look balanced and attractive. In many cultures, having high and clear cheekbones is associated with a high standard of beauty.  Here’s how cheekbones make our faces look better:

  1. Facial Symmetry and Proportion: High cheekbones help our faces look even and nice. Everything looks right when our cheekbones are balanced on both sides of our faces. This makes our faces look better.
  2. Contour and Definition: High Cheekbones make our faces look like they have shape. They create shadows and light spots on our faces, making them look more interesting. Shadows on the cheekbones make our faces look three-dimensional, like they’re not flat.
  3. Youthful appearance: Having evidently high cheekbones makes us look younger. As we age, the fat in our faces can change, and our cheekbones might not look as clear. People sometimes use treatments like dermal fillers to make their cheekbones look better and younger.
  1. Framing the eyes and lower face: Prominent high cheekbones can act as a natural frame for the eyes and lower face. They draw attention to the central features of the face, such as the eyes and mouth, and contribute to an overall balanced facial appearance.
  2. Cultural and Societal Influence: Different cultures and times have different ideas about what looks good. But having clear, high cheekbones has always been considered beautiful in many places. Fashion and media also show that high cheekbones are attractive.
  3. Emotional Expression: High cheekbones can make our faces show feelings better. When our cheekbones are clear, our facial muscles move in specific ways that show our feelings more. This makes our faces more exciting and nice to look at.
  4. Personal Confidence: For individuals who find their high cheekbones aesthetically pleasing, having well-defined cheekbones can boost their self-confidence and self-esteem. Feeling satisfied with one’s appearance can positively impact one’s overall well-being.
High cheekbones

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Tips for Enhancing High Cheek Bones

1. Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are a safe and effective option to achieve your desired high cheekbones. Hyaluronic acid is a natural sugar that holds onto water and adds volume to the skin. HA is known for having anti-ageing components and contains skin hydration components.

You can attain well-defined high cheekbones by carefully injecting HA into your cheek region. The HA molecules will retain water, boosting your cheek volume and creating a more pronounced appearance.

Although the outcomes are quite positive, they aren’t permanent. Since HA is naturally present in the body, it will gradually break down. Thus, anticipate that the effects will diminish after about a year.

2. MakeUp

If applied correctly, makeup can immensely alter facial features. To use makeup for our purpose, you will need a few items. So get your makeup brush, a bronzer that is three shades darker than your skin tone, and a highlighter that is lighter than your skin tone.

To start

  • Stand before a mirror and suck in your cheekbones to make them hollow. 
  • Apply the bronzer to the sucked-in area below the cheekbones and blend in. 
  • Once the bronzer is mixed in and set, you are ready for the second step: 
An image of a lady's high cheekboone
High Cheekbones

Highlighting:

  • Choose a highlighter that is one shade lighter than your skin tone. 
  • Choose a highlighter with a gold undertone if you have dark skin. Pick a highlighter with a pearly undertone if you have fair skin. 
  • Apply this highlighter to your cheekbones using a brush. 
  • Gently blend it into your cheekbones.

3. Facial Exercises

You can perform a few exercises to help tone the cheek muscles around your cheekbones and potentially achieve a more defined look.

  • Fish Lips: Begin by imitating the famous “fish lips” expression with your mouth. Then, while maintaining this position, try to smile simultaneously. Hold this pose for ten seconds and repeat it five times daily.
  • Jaw Opener: Gently open your mouth as wide as possible and hold this position for ten seconds. Repeat this exercise several times a day. Don’t forget to massage your cheekbones after exercising to relax the muscles.
  • Chewing Gum: While there isn’t ample scientific data on this, some individuals have reported changes in their facial definition after regularly chewing gum. Notably, those who chew gum predominantly on one side of their face may notice that side appearing slimmer and more defined than the other.

4. Diet 

We do not influence where our bodies choose to store fat when we gain weight. Some individuals tend to accumulate fat around their facial area.

If you fall into this category, you might want to prioritize weight loss as the initial step towards achieving your desired cheekbone definition. In such cases, investing in treatments may not be necessary, as adhering to a healthy diet can often suffice.

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Step-by-Step Instructions for Contouring the Cheekbones

Here, we will give five straightforward steps suitable for everyone, whether you’re a beginner to the world of cheekbone contouring or an experienced expert.

Instruments you need:

  • Foundation
  • Bronzer/Contour powder
  • Brushes
  • Blush 
  • Highlighter

Step-by-step to Contouring

Step 1

First, it’s important to identify the areas where you should contour your cheeks. To do this, follow these steps:

  • Begin by sucking in your cheeks. This will help you locate the natural hollows of your cheeks.
  • Hold your contour brush at a 45-degree angle and position it along your cheekbone, as demonstrated in the picture.
  • Alternatively, you can use your index finger to feel your cheekbone while sucking in your cheeks.

Understanding these key points will guide you in achieving the desired contour for your cheeks.

Makeup high cheekbones
Makeup high cheekbones

Step 2

  • Correct placement is the crucial element for achieving a flawless contour technique. 
  • Another effective method for determining where to contour is to vertically align the brush with the outer edge of your eyebrows. This point marks the ideal end for your contour shading.

Step 3

  • Grab an angled contour brush and apply a contour powder or bronzer that’s two to three shades darker than your skin tone. 
  • Position the brush just below your hairline at the spot where your index finger is located. 
  • Gently sweep downward, covering less than half the length of your cheekbones. 
  • Apply lighter pressure as you sweep to avoid extending the contoured shadows across your cheekbone.

Step 4

  • Select a blush that complements your skin tone; you can opt for shades like pink, brown, mauve, or bronze. 
  • Use a fluffy powder brush for application and follow the blending guide displayed in the image.
  • Gently tap the brush to mix the blush and bronzer. This step helps maintain a seamless and even makeup finish, preventing any patchiness.

Step 5

  • Contouring and highlighting work together to enhance your features.
  • Select a cream-based highlighter that matches your skin tone and use a small, fluffy brush to apply it. 
  • Concentrate the application just above your cheekbones, about half an inch from your hairline. 
  • You can use a shimmer blush in peach or brown shades without a highlighter.
  • A shimmer blush or powder highlighter is ideal for those with less pronounced cheekbones. Apply it using a blush brush to the apples of your cheeks, sweeping gently to achieve a flattering effect.
High Cheekbones with a smile

Contouring Techniques to define and highlight the cheekbones

Contouring is the art of strategically using shadow and light to reshape the face, potentially creating the appearance of elevated cheekbones, a more slender face, or a shorter nose.

  • Apply your contour shade, which should be a dark matte colour, under your cheekbones using a soft, angled brush. To locate your cheekbone, use your fingers to identify the hollow area just below it. Initially, the colour might appear intense, but don’t worry; it’s time to blend. Use your fingers to blend the line upward; avoid blending downward, as it can make your cheekbone appear less defined.
  • Extend the contour colour into your hairline; this will impart a healthy radiance to your skin and help conceal a large or flat forehead.
  • For a straighter-looking nose, gently apply contour powder along the sides of your nose using your fingers and blend it well. Avoid going all the way to the tip of your nose to prevent it from looking too narrow. If you want to make your nose appear shorter, apply a bit of contour along the nostrils.
  • To address a slightly sagging chin, lightly sweep some contour powder under the jawline to instantly conceal any sagging and create a more youthful appearance.
  • Here’s a top tip for achieving a celebrity look: Brush a small amount of contour powder above the inner corner of your eye, extending it up towards the brow. This will make your eyes appear more defined and captivating.
  • To further enhance your cheekbones, use a large brush to sweep a face powder, like my Invisible Veil Blotting Powder, along the lower jaw, beneath the areas where you applied contour for the cheekbones.

Basic Steps On How To Highlight

Highlighter is excellent for reflecting light, so apply it only to the areas you want to emphasize. Sweep it above your cheekbone, along your brow bone, and down the centre of your nose to create the illusion of a rounded surface.

As a final touch, lightly dab a bit of highlighter onto your cupid’s bow—the small dip in your upper lip.

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Conclusion

High cheekbones have long been celebrated as a symbol of beauty and elegance in various cultures and societies. Their ability to create facial symmetry, provide definition, and convey youthfulness makes them a sought-after facial feature for many individuals.

Whether achieved naturally through genetics, enhanced through makeup techniques, or temporarily augmented with dermal fillers, the allure of high cheekbones is undeniable.

Understanding the significance of high cheekbones in facial aesthetics empowers individuals to explore techniques that can accentuate their features and boost their self-confidence. It’s important to remember that beauty is subjective, and the definition of attractiveness varies from person to person.

Embracing one’s unique facial characteristics, including cheekbones, is a testament to the diversity and individuality that make each person’s face truly captivating. Ultimately, pursuing high cheekbones is a journey of self-expression, self-care, and the celebration of personal beauty.

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FAQs About High Cheekbones

Are high cheekbones attractive?

A lot of research has been done on beauty, and high cheekbones often come out on top as a preferred feature. A study done by the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology on a group of 20,000 people from around the world confirms this.

How can I tell if I have High Cheekbones?

Place your thumbs over your ear canal and your index fingers at your nostrils. Slowly draw both fingers together until they meet. Your cheekbones are at the centre just beneath the skin. You have high cheekbones if they meet at the level of the upper part of your nose or closer to your eye.

What ethnicity has High Cheekbones?

Some ethnicities known for having high cheekbones include Asians, Africans, and Amerindians. It has been established earlier that certain cultures prefer higher cheekbones to low ones

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