How To Enhance Your Cheekbones With Make-Up

“Understanding your face shape is key to effectively balancing and defining your natural features. The most flattering contour placement will depend on what you want to achieve. For an oval face shape, follow the natural bone structure. A more rounded face needs higher, upward blending contour to create lift. Square or heart-shaped faces benefit from softening the edges, so focus just slightly below the cheekbone. If you’re mature or have a slim face, stay on top of the cheek so as not to drag the face down.” – Kelly Orme, make-up artist 

“Enhancing your cheekbones with make-up is all about creating the right amount of light and shade. Remember: highlight what you want to bring forward; contour what you want to push back. You can also try the ‘Kate Moss’ hack. Take a cream product, like Charlotte Tilbury’s Contour Wand, make a dot beneath where your cheekbone ends (near the sides of your mouth) and softly blend in circular motions until it’s smoothed out. It’s the easiest way to create the illusion of hollow cheeks.” – Sophie Tilley, make-up artist  

“For the ultimate ‘no-make-up makeup’ look, my go-to technique is base bronzing. Prime your skin, then apply your cream bronzer to the high points of your face, mimicking where the sun would naturally hit. Follow with targeted concealer and blush for a natural-looking base.” – Jamie Genevieve, make-up artist & Vieve founder  

“I prefer to work with creams as they’re quick to blend and give a supple look to the skin. They’re much easier to build and control – so great for beginners – plus their soft texture works well with other complexion products. Layering a powder over the top creates dimension, but is also handy for added longevity.” – Kelly  

“I love using a soft taupe or grey-beige powder, or even a cream eyeshadow, to carve out the structure of the face and lightly blend out with a fluffy brush, before I move onto anything else. I find this step helps elevate any look, without it looking overly done.” – Kelly 

“For a natural-looking effect, I swear by underpainting – a technique which involves creating dimension underneath your base. Layering a cream contour under a very sheer coverage foundation, or even just some concealer, creates a subtle, seamless finish. The effect is a soft, sculpted look that is virtually undetectable.” – Kelly 

“One of the most foolproof ways to enhance your cheekbones is to use a cream highlight with minimal shimmer. Just a small amount tapped onto the highest parts of your cheekbones can be enough – especially if you’re short on time. Look for ones with a hint of shimmer so they catch the light.” – Jennifer Oliver, make-up artist  

“Apply contour first, then follow up with blush. Use a shade that is tonally closer to your contour higher on the cheek to create lift, then apply a brighter shade on the apples of the cheeks. This seamless two-tone effect gives your skin a more natural-looking flush. My favourite blushes right now are Patrick Ta Major Headlines Blush Duos in ‘She’s Flushed’ and ‘She’s That Girl’ along with Westman Atelier’s Baby Cheeks Blush Stick in ‘Petal’ and ‘Coquette’ for a soft pinch of colour.” – Kelly

“I love mixing different textures to get more out of your make-up. Blending a little of my own brand’s Modern Radiance Cream Bronzer with cream blush or liquid highlighter allows you to create your own custom sun-kissed shades.” – Jamie 

“It’s not just make-up that can give the illusion of more prominent cheekbones – the right skincare tools can make a big difference. NuFace is my favourite gadget for retraining and strengthening the facial muscles into a new, higher position. It gives a tauter appearance and helps to enhance the structure of your facial framework. Likewise, a good gua sha session can work wonders. It’s non-invasive, therapeutic and, though results are short-term, it can help to give your face a glow.” – Sophie  

“When it comes to enhancing your cheekbones, less is more. Use a light hand and build up layers gradually, without packing too much product onto your brush to allow for better control. I find using a contour shade one or two shades darker than your skin tone with a neutral undertone is most effective. These tips, in combination with a well-prepped base, will give your skin a seamless finish.” – Kelly  

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