All About Cheekbones
The shape of your face is significantly affected by your cheekbones, also known as the zygomatic bones. Those bones have a big impact on how attractive your face looks. Some people have high cheekbones, while others have low cheekbones.
High cheekbones sit closer to the eyes, while low cheekbones are closer to the nose. But what makes one more desirable than the other? Well, that’s a matter of opinion. People’s perceptions of attractive cheekbones vary across cultures and even from person to person.
No matter how high or low your cheekbones are, they change over time as you age. If you’re not happy with how your cheekbones look, there are surgical and non-surgical procedures that can enhance them. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between high vs low cheekbones, how they change with age, and what you can do to enhance them.
Defining Cheekbones: Anatomy and Types
What exactly are cheekbones, anyway? And what makes them “high” or “low?” Let’s take a look at the anatomy behind those facial features.
Anatomical Location and Structure
Cheekbones are defined by the malar bones, which are found on either side of your face, just under your eyes. The main bone that gives the cheek its shape is called the zygomatic bone.
If you feel the bony structure that surrounds your eye socket, that’s called the orbital rim. It serves as a handy reference point for figuring out where your cheekbones sit on your face.
Types of Cheekbones
So, how do we categorize cheekbones? Here’s a breakdown:
- High cheekbones: These sit closer to the eyes and tend to give the face a more sculpted, defined look.
- Low cheekbones: These are closer to the nose and can create a softer, rounder appearance.
- Prominent cheekbones: These jut out from the face, contributing to a strong, defined facial structure.
- Flat cheekbones: These have less projection, resulting in a softer and more subtle facial contour.
Ultimately, cheekbones play a big role in shaping the overall appearance of your face.
High vs. Low Cheekbones: A Detailed Comparison
The position of your cheekbones can have a big effect on the overall appearance of your face. Here’s how to tell the difference and what factors come into play.
Key Distinguishing Features
The easiest way to tell whether you have high or low cheekbones is to look at their height and position on your face.
- Height and position. High cheekbones sit higher on your face, closer to your eyes and farther from your nose. Low cheekbones are positioned lower, closer to your nose.
- Visual impact. High cheekbones tend to give you a more angular, sculpted look, while low cheekbones can make your face look softer and rounder.
- Self-assessment. To find your cheekbones, put your fingers on your face and find your zygomatic bone. If it’s closer to your nose, you likely have low cheekbones. If it’s closer to your eyes, you likely have high cheekbones.
Factors Influencing Cheekbone Position
A few different factors affect the position of your cheekbones.
- Genetics. The position and prominence of your cheekbones are largely determined by your genes.
- Ethnicity. Some ethnicities are known for having more prominent or higher cheekbones than others.
- Gender. While there’s plenty of overlap, there can be subtle differences in cheekbone structure between men and women.
The impact of aging on cheekbone appearance
As we age, the architecture of our faces changes, and that includes our cheekbones. Several factors contribute to this:
- Collagen loss: Collagen is the protein that gives our skin its structure and elasticity. As we get older, our bodies produce less collagen. This means the skin loses its firmness and begins to sag. The loss of collagen in the cheeks can make cheekbones look less defined.
- Fat pad redistribution: We have pads of fat under our skin that give our faces their youthful plumpness. With age, these fat pads start to shift downward. This can cause the cheeks to flatten and the lower face to look heavier.
- Muscle tone changes: The muscles in our faces also change as we age. They may weaken or become less toned, which can affect the shape and position of the cheekbones.
These changes combine to give the face a less defined, sometimes even sunken, appearance. While high cheekbones are often associated with youth, the effects of aging can soften their appearance.
Surgical Options for Cheekbone Enhancement
If you’re looking for a more permanent change to the appearance of your cheekbones, there are several surgical options available. These range from relatively minor procedures to more involved surgeries.
Facelift (Rhytidectomy)
A facelift, technically known as a rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure designed to address sagging skin and wrinkles in the face and neck. The primary goal is to create a more youthful and refreshed appearance.
While a facelift doesn’t directly alter the cheekbones themselves, it can indirectly enhance their appearance. By lifting and tightening the skin, a facelift can make the cheekbones look more prominent and defined.
Facial Fat Transfer (Fat Grafting)
Facial fat transfer, also called fat grafting, involves taking fat from another area of your body (like your thighs or abdomen) and injecting it into your cheeks to add volume. It’s like a natural filler.
This procedure can be used to restore volume and definition to the cheekbones, creating a more youthful, sculpted appearance. It’s a good option if you’ve lost volume in your face due to aging or weight loss.
Cheek Implants
Cheek implants are solid, biocompatible materials that are surgically implanted to enhance the cheekbones. They offer a more permanent solution than fat transfer or fillers.
Different types of implants are available, allowing for varying degrees of cheekbone prominence and definition. Your surgeon can help you choose the right implant size and shape to achieve your desired look.
Buccal Fat Removal
Buccal fat removal involves surgically removing a portion of the buccal fat pad in the cheeks. The buccal fat pads are located in the lower cheeks, and removing some of this fat can create a more sculpted appearance.
This procedure doesn’t directly enhance the cheekbones, but it can accentuate them by reducing fullness in the lower cheeks. It’s a good option if you feel your face is too round or full.
Non-Surgical Cheekbone Enhancement: Dermal Fillers
If you want to enhance your cheekbones without surgery, dermal fillers are an option. Dermal fillers, often made of hyaluronic acid, are injected to add volume and reshape your face. They’re a popular choice for people seeking a less invasive way to achieve more defined cheekbones.
The procedure is pretty quick, and you’ll typically see results right away. A qualified practitioner will inject the filler into specific areas of your cheeks to create the desired contour and lift. The amount of filler used and the injection points can be adjusted to meet your needs.
Benefits of Cheek Fillers
- Minimally Invasive: Dermal fillers don’t require any incisions or general anesthesia, so there’s minimal downtime.
- Quick Results: You’ll notice an immediate improvement in your cheekbone definition after the injections.
- Customizable: Fillers can be tailored to achieve the exact look you want, whether you prefer a subtle enhancement or a more dramatic change.
Limitations
Keep in mind that dermal fillers are temporary. They will eventually be absorbed by your body, so you’ll need to get regular maintenance injections to keep the results. The frequency of these injections will depend on the type of filler used and how your body metabolizes it.
Makeup Techniques for Cheekbone Contouring
Want to make your cheekbones pop? Here’s a simple guide to contouring:
- Identify Your Cheekbones (Malar Bones): The first step is to find your cheekbones. Feel along the sides of your face until you find the bony structure beneath your skin. These are your cheekbones.
- Apply Contour Makeup Beneath the Cheekbones: Grab a contour shade that’s a few shades darker than your skin tone. Apply this beneath your cheekbones. This creates a shadow, which gives the illusion of depth and makes your cheekbones stand out more. Use a brush and apply the product from your ear towards the corner of your mouth, stopping about two finger-widths away from your nose.
- Highlight the Top of the Cheekbones: Next, use a highlighter on the top of your cheekbones. The shimmer will catch the light and enhance the prominence of your cheekbones.
- Add Blush for a Natural Flush (Optional): Smile to find the “apples” of your cheeks, and dust a bit of blush there. This adds a natural, healthy-looking flush to your face.
- Blending: The most important step! Blend all the products well. You don’t want harsh lines; you’re going for a seamless, natural finish. Use a clean blending brush and buff the edges of the contour, highlight, and blush until they melt into your skin.
Cultural perceptions and attractive face shapes
Beauty is, famously, in the eye of the beholder. That’s why it’s worth remembering that beauty standards vary dramatically across different cultures and regions.
How prominent a person’s cheekbones are, for example, is perceived in very different ways, depending on where you are. Some cultures prize high cheekbones, while others may find a softer, rounder look more appealing.
Face shapes we often admire
Here are a few face shapes that are often cited as being particularly attractive:
- Heart or V-shaped face: This face shape is defined by a forehead that’s wider than the chin.
- Diamond face shape: Diamond-shaped faces have wide cheekbones, combined with a narrower forehead and chin. This shape is often associated with women.
In general, the attractiveness of these shapes is enhanced by prominent cheekbones, which add structure and definition.
Cheekbones and Ethnicity
It’s important to note that all ethnicities have a diverse range of facial features. Avoid generalizations.
That said, people from certain ethnic backgrounds are more likely to have high cheekbones. These include people from some Asian, African, and Amerindian communities. For example, many models of East Asian descent are celebrated for their high cheekbones.
Ultimately, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. There’s no single “best” set of features, and attractiveness has nothing to do with ethnicity.
The Bottom Line
High cheekbones sit higher on the face, closer to the eyes, while low cheekbones are closer to the nose. But what’s considered more beautiful ultimately comes down to personal preference and cultural context. What’s prized in one culture might be seen as less desirable in another. There’s no single, objective definition of the “perfect” cheekbone.
If you want to change the appearance of your cheekbones, you have options. Makeup techniques, like contouring and highlighting, can create the illusion of higher or more prominent cheekbones. For a more lasting effect, non-surgical fillers can add volume and definition. Surgical procedures, like cheek implants, offer a permanent solution.
Whatever you decide, remember to appreciate your unique facial features. And if you’re considering cosmetic procedures, be sure to seek advice from qualified and experienced practitioners. They can help you understand the risks and benefits and achieve results that complement your natural beauty.