“She has such beautiful cheekbones!” How many times have we heard this statement and maybe felt a little tinge of jealousy? Prominent cheekbones are a desirable trait to all. High cheekbones add definition and sculpt the face adding length and a more svelte appearance.
Mischa Barton is known for her sculpted face & high cheekbones
Unfortunately, not all of us are born with prominent cheekbones, but there is a way to fake it. Follow these easy steps, and you’ll have the cheekbones that others covet.
Step One: Contouring
Contouring refers to the application of highlights and shadows to create the illusion of depth on the face. Using these methods helps to disguise areas of the face that are less desirable, while enhancing those that are most attractive.
Anytime you apply a product to the skin that is darker in color than the skin itself, you are creating the illusion of depth. Shadows make an area appear to sink in or depress because dark colors absorb light. In order to make your cheekbones stand out, begin by placing a shadow in the area beneath the cheekbone after applying foundation and powder as usual. Take a matte bronzing powder, and begin by applying a line of shadow beneath the cheekbone using a foundation brush as pictured. Then blend the product out in a downward motion with a blush or contouring brush to create the appearance of a natural shadow on the lower portion of the cheek. Stila makes the Happily Ever Palette, which is great for applying blush, bronzer, and eyeshadows.
Place shadow in the area beneath the cheekbone
Blend the product out in a downward motion
You may also apply the bronzing powder along the hairline toward the temples in order to further accentuate the cheekbones. Applying a highlighting powder, any color lighter than that of the skin (usually a white, sheer powder), will make an area pop out. Contrary to a shadow, a highlight reflects light causing the area to catch the eye. To make the cheekbones stand out, apply a highlight by blending a sheer white powder across the cheekbones with your blush brush.
Further accentuate the cheekbones by applying bronzing powder along the hairline and toward the temples
Step Two: Blush
In order to finish sculpting your cheeks, using a blush brush apply blush in a flattering color on the area where the highlight and shadow meet as well as on the apples of the cheek. You never want to bring the blush too close to the nose. As a general rule, leave a space the size of the width of two fingers in between the blush and the side of the nose.
Apply blush to the apples of the cheek being sure to stay two fingers away from your nose
These techniques can be used in other areas as well, not just the cheekbones. Applying a bronzing powder in a straight line on each side of the nose using a foundation brush and blending it outward while applying a highlight on the bridge of the nose (as pictured) gives the illusion of length.
Create the illusion of length by applying bronzer in a straight line on each side of the nose
To disguise the appearance of a double chin, apply a shadow on the area below the chin and just under the jawline (as pictured). This motion also helps sculpt and soften the jawline.
Soften the jawline by applying a shadow on the area below the chin
Some people even use a highlighting powder on all areas that light naturally reflects off of on the face…raised areas, such as the top of the nose, the center of the forehead, and the chin. Likewise, any protruding areas may be softened and disguised by applying a shadow on top. Please let me know if you have any questions about how to contour and enhance your gorgeous cheekbones. Tweet me @MakeupByMikala with your questions!
Contouring disguises areas of the face that are less attractive and enhances areas that are most desireable!
Photographer: Lisa Johnson Model: Emmy Downey
