Cheekbones really shape the way our faces look. Some folks have high, sculpted cheekbones that stand out and give a dramatic edge, while others have lower cheekbones that make the face look softer or rounder. Doesn’t mean one is better than the other. You can look at famous models, actors, influencers—they all have totally different cheekbone shapes.
What are cheekbones, anyway?
They’re the bones right under your eyes, above the middle of your cheeks. In anatomical terms, they’re called the malar or zygomatic bone. These bones don’t just sit there—they play a big part in how wide your face looks, how your eyes are set, the balance of your jawline, and the overall symmetry and structure.
People call them all sorts of names online—cheek bones, high cheek bone, prominent cheek bones, and even cheeck bones (which is just a spelling mess). No matter what you call them, it’s always the same bone.
So, what’s the deal with high vs low cheekbones?
If you have high cheekbones, the bones sit close to your eyes and usually curve outward, creating a lifted look. Signs? Hollow or shadowy area under the cheeks, a sculpted face, bigger-looking eyes, sharper jawline, and a more defined side profile. That’s why models often have this look—it picks up the light really well in photos.
Low cheekbones, on the other hand, sit lower, closer to your nose or mouth. People with low cheekbones usually have softer, fuller cheeks, less of a dramatic shadow, and a rounder face. Some folks think they “don’t have cheekbones,” but everyone has them—it’s just some are less obvious.
Want to figure out what kind you’ve got?
Take the mirror test. Stand under natural light and look straight ahead. If your face’s widest point sits near your eyes and there’s a hollow below, you probably have high cheekbones. If the widest part is lower and your cheeks are fuller, your cheekbones blend more into your face.
Why do some cheekbones look so different on X-rays or skull models?
Genetics set the stage. High cheekbones mean the zygomatic bone sits up higher and juts out more, casting those angular shadows. Lower cheekbones sit lower, create less projection, and have a gentler transition across the cheeks. You can contour and use makeup all you want, but your bone structure does most of the heavy lifting.
Not every cheekbone fits neatly into “high” or “low.” There are so many types: sharp and elevated, wide, flat, round, long, pointy, or uneven. Sometimes one cheekbone ends up higher than the other—most faces aren’t perfectly symmetrical. This can come from how you sleep, jaw habits, muscle use, or just how your bones grew.
Are high cheekbones more attractive?
Depends who you ask. Certain cultures and time periods have valued sharp cheekbones because they add definition and photograph well, but soft cheeks are also seen as beautiful, friendly, or youthful. Attractiveness is bigger than bone structure—it’s about harmony, skin, smile, confidence, and how all your features come together.
For guys, high cheekbones are linked with sharp, chiseled faces—think classic “model look.” That’s why people search for “high cheekbones male” so often. But plenty of male celebs look great with softer or lower cheekbones. Balance matters more than any single feature.
For women, high cheekbones might fit certain beauty trends and editorial looks, while softer, lower cheekbones can make someone look more youthful or approachable. Both are beautiful, and honestly, trends come and go.
Can you have high cheekbones and chubby cheeks?
Absolutely. You can have a strong bone structure under fuller cheeks, and sometimes those bones pop out more if you lose weight. It’s normal for cheekbones to become more visible as your face changes.
Is there a perfect or average cheekbone height?
Nope. Genetics, ethnicity, age, face shape, and body fat all play a role. The internet can push unrealistic standards, but real faces are all over the map.
Forget ideas like “good cheekbones” vs “bad cheekbones.” Beauty is full of opinions shaped by trends and media. Some structures suit certain people better than others—and that’s it.
If your cheekbones look uneven—one higher or more prominent—don’t stress. Perfect symmetry is super rare. It can come from little things like how you sleep or how your face muscles work.
Can you get more defined cheekbones naturally?
You can’t change the bone itself after you’re grown, but you can make your cheekbones stand out more. Lowering your overall face fat makes them pop. Healthy eating, exercise, cardio, sleep, and staying hydrated help. Good posture also helps your jawline, neck, and cheeks look sharper.
Facial exercises?
Some folks swear by them (cheek lifts, “fish face,” resistant smiles), but don’t expect bone-deep changes. Makeup contouring is fastest—adds shadows, makes cheekbones look more defined. Hair and beard styling can change how the face looks, too. More volume up top slims the cheeks, beards frame jawlines.
Some people want softer contours, especially if they feel their cheekbones are too big or wide. Usually, makeup and hairstyles work better than surgery—which is a pretty major step and rarely necessary.
On the cosmetic side, there’s everything from fillers to implants, fat grafting, and buccal fat removal. If you’re thinking about any of this, always talk to a real pro first.
People search about racial differences in cheekbone shape—a lot. “Nordic cheekbones,” “Polish cheekbones,” and similar phrases pop up. But cheekbones are just another variation across populations. No single ethnicity corners the market on “perfect” cheekbones. Genetics control face width, bone projection, symmetry, all that stuff.
Plenty of actors, models, and influencers don’t have high cheekbones. Cameras love confidence and natural harmony—not just sharp angles.
Here’s how people describe cheekbones:
High cheeked = elevated cheekbones.
Prominent cheekbones = strong projection.
Defined cheeks = clear contour.
Sharp cheekbones = angular structure.
Flat cheeks = less projection.
Wide cheekbones = broad mid-face.
Chiseled cheekbones = sculpted look.
Is one type “better”?
Not really. High cheekbones give drama and bold shadows—great for editorial and model vibes. Low cheekbones bring softness, youthfulness, and friendly expression. The best cheekbones are the ones that work for your face.
Final Thoughts
So, after all this, the fuss about low vs high cheekbones is mostly hype. What makes a face attractive goes way beyond bone placement. Some people have bold features—sharp cheekbones and strong jaws. Others have rounder faces with softer contours. Both are awesome.
If you want to look your best, focus on healthy skin, fitness, confidence, grooming, posture, and making all your features work together. Cheekbones are just one part of what makes you “you.”
