High cheekbones occur when the zygomatic bones sit higher on the face, just below the eyes, creating a more defined and sculpted appearance. They are a genetic trait found across many ethnicities and are often linked to attractiveness, symmetry, and youthfulness. While high cheekbones may help maintain facial definition with age, they are not inherently better than low cheekbones-both are normal and equally natural. For those who want more definition, makeup, dermal fillers, or cheek implants can enhance cheekbone prominence.
How to Tell If You Have High Cheekbones
You can check your cheekbone placement with a simple mirror test:
- Stand in front of a mirror in natural light.
- Place your thumb at the top of your ear and your index finger at the side of your nose.
- Imagine a straight line between these two points.
- If your cheekbones sit above this line, you have high cheekbones. If they fall below, they are considered low cheekbones.
Other signs of high cheekbones include:
- Noticeable shadows beneath the eyes in natural lighting.
- Prominent cheekbone projection when smiling.
- Angular definition along the midface and jawline.
Are High Cheekbones Attractive?
High cheekbones are often considered aesthetic markers of beauty because they create a naturally sculpted and balanced facial appearance. In many societies, they are associated with:
- Symmetry and proportion in the face
- A defined, “model-like” look
- Confidence and elegance
However, attractiveness is subjective. While some cultures highlight high cheekbones as ideal, others appreciate the softness and youthfulness of low cheekbones. Both are equally normal and attractive depending on perspective.
Cultural and Historical Views on High Cheekbones
Perceptions of cheekbone structure have varied across time and cultures:
- Western beauty standards: High cheekbones are seen as sophisticated and dominant in the fashion industry.
- Eastern beauty standards: Softer, rounder faces (often linked to lower cheekbones) are sometimes preferred for a youthful appearance.
- Historical art: Renaissance paintings often idealized fuller, softer cheeks, while modern photography tends to emphasize sharp contours.
This shows that beauty trends shift over time, but both high and low cheekbones have always been part of admired aesthetics.
Do High Cheekbones Make You Look Younger?
High cheekbones can create the impression of youthfulness because:
- They add natural facial contouring that reflects light differently.
- They support the midface, which may help delay visible sagging.
- Prominent cheekbones maintain definition even as skin loses elasticity.
That said, aging is influenced by many factors such as genetics, skin quality, lifestyle, and sun exposure. High cheekbones may enhance youthful appearance, but they don’t prevent aging altogether.
Can You Enhance or Define High Cheekbones?
Yes. Even if someone naturally has high cheekbones, they may want to make them more defined or prominent. This can be done in both temporary and long-lasting ways:
- Makeup contouring: Uses shadows and highlights to emphasize cheekbone projection.
- Dermal fillers: Adds volume and definition with hyaluronic acid-based injections.
- Fat grafting: Transfers fat from another body area to enhance midface contour.
- Cheek implants: A permanent surgical solution for long-term definition.
At HospitaPrime, the goal is always natural enhancement that matches overall facial harmony.
Non-Surgical vs. Surgical Options for Cheekbone Enhancement
🔹 Non-Surgical Options
- Contouring with makeup
- Dermal fillers (temporary, 6-18 months)
- Fat grafting (longer-lasting, natural result)
🔹 Surgical Options
- Cheek implants (permanent structural change)
- Facial contouring surgery (reshaping the bone if needed)
Choosing between non-surgical and surgical depends on patient goals, downtime tolerance, and desired longevity of results.
FAQs About High Cheekbones
❓ Are high cheekbones genetic?
Yes, cheekbone placement is largely determined by genetics and ethnicity.
❓ Do high cheekbones always mean beauty?
No. Beauty is subjective and influenced by culture, symmetry, and personality-not just cheekbone height.
❓ Can low cheekbones look like high cheekbones with makeup?
Yes, contouring techniques can create the illusion of higher cheekbones.
❓ Do high cheekbones prevent aging?
They may help maintain definition with age, but they do not stop the natural aging process.
❓ Are cheek implants safe?
Yes, when performed by an experienced surgeon, cheek implants are safe and effective for long-term enhancement.
❓ What does it mean to have high cheekbones?
It means your zygomatic bones sit higher on the face, just below the eyes, creating a more defined and angular midface appearance.
❓ What type of face has high cheekbones?
High cheekbones are most common in oval, diamond, and heart-shaped faces, where the midface looks more sculpted.
❓ Do high cheekbones age well?
Yes. High cheekbones can help maintain facial definition with age by supporting the midface, though aging still depends on genetics, lifestyle, and skin quality.
❓ What is the personality of people with high cheekbones?
There is no scientific link between cheekbone height and personality. Associations are cultural stereotypes rather than biological facts.
❓ Did Native Americans have high cheekbones?
Yes, many Native American groups are historically described as having prominent cheekbones, though facial structure varies across individuals.
❓ At what body fat percentage do cheekbones show?
Cheekbones usually become more visible in the range of 12-15% body fat for men and 18-22% for women, though genetics also play a major role.
❓ What ethnicity has high cheekbones?
High cheekbones are common across many ethnicities, including East Asian, Native American, African, and Eastern European populations.
❓ Are high cheekbones feminine?
No. High cheekbones are a neutral trait and can be present in both men and women. In women, they are often seen as elegant, while in men they add angular definition.
