Are High Cheekbones Attractive On A Man?


High cheekbones are one of the traits that we see a lot in models and the runway. But is it attractive on men? Or are high cheekbones just something that only matters for women? This article will talk more about cheekbones and how well-suited they are to men.

High cheekbones are attractive on men, but not that much more than low cheekbones. However, too many people confuse “high cheekbones” with “prominent cheekbones.” It’s more important for cheekbones to be prominent than high. 

Sean O'Pry Eye Area
Model Sean O’Pry has high cheekbones, but not necessarily super prominent.

For more info on cheekbones, check out this looks theory episode.

There are a lot of beauty standards that men have to deal with today. Times are always changing, and what it means to be attractive changes as well. Many men want to obtain the hollow cheeks + high cheekbone look common in many models and actors. 

But still, not all men fit that type of look. Some guys might have faces that don’t blend well with high cheekbones, while some have faces that are exactly right for it. A harmonious face is much more important than just a pair of high cheekbones. While it can certainly do wonders for many people, there are still some who might not benefit from chasing that look.

This study by Little et al. (2011) about facial attractiveness deemed cheekbone prominence a secondary sex characteristic to give you some insight. This conclusion means that cheekbones in men differ from cheekbones in women. The study says that men are more likely to have larger and more prominent cheekbones. This conclusion leads us to think that higher cheekbones do make someone more attractive.

But to put it simply, having high cheekbones will make you more attractive if you play your cards right. If you match it with a great looking jaw and other features, then you will be golden.


Consider one of our custom facial reports if you’re interested in an in-depth analysis of your cheekbones and overall facial structure.

The Anatomy of the Cheekbones

In a technical sense, you can also call the cheekbones the malar surface. It is part of the zygomatic bone, which is a part of the skull.

You can locate the highest point at about 15-20mm below the eye. At the same time, the base of the malar region spans almost in line with the nose. The shape of the zygomatic bone is convex, and its shape gives a cheekbone that prominent look.

A cheekbone is highlighted mostly by how hollow the cheeks are as well. Though the cheekbone stands out just fine, it looks even better if the cheeks have lost their baby fat, giving that angular and intense look. For example, someone could have a very prominent cheekbone in theory but have too much soft tissue to even see it. 

What Do High Cheekbones Look Like?

True high cheekbones are rare. Here’s an example:

The most outward part of her cheekbone is almost at her eyeball.

Mads Mikkelsen, on the other hand, has low cheekbones. The most outward part of his cheekbone is on the lower part of his nose.

Everyone gets confused because they think high cheekbones automatically mean that they are more prominent and vice-versa. This is not true.

Angelina, for example, doesn’t have high cheekbones. She has low cheekbones that are prominent.

How to Get Better Cheekbones

Fortunately, if you were not born with the cheekbones you’ve always wanted, there is hope for you. There are a couple of ways that you can make your cheekbones look higher and better. Here are some of them:

Dermal Fillers

cheekbone filler male

One of the easiest ways to get better cheekbones is through dermal fillers. It is a non-invasive method of improving your cheekbones. Many people choose this option because the recovery time is relatively low. As in, you can go to work in a few days with no consequences.

Fillers have been all the rage lately because most of them are composed of hyaluronic acid, which is found naturally in the body. Because of that, reversing the effects of filters is easy.

The downside is that fillers are more prone to breaking down over a short period. Thus, someone who has gotten fillers will need touch-ups every once in a while. The other problem is that fillers can migrate to other parts of your face and can have remnants that last for years. Also, they don’t hold their shape well, so they’re not as great an option as implants.

If you have the budget for it, dermal fillers are an option to get improved cheekbones without spending too much time and effort. However, fillers work best when you’re just replacing lost volume rather than augmenting bone. Granted, they will cost some money, but they’re a step in the right direction.

Mewing

YouTuber AstroSky

Mewing is a great way to improve your cheekbones. It involves having proper tongue and oral posture at all times of the day. Mewing exerts a force on your palate 24/7, for years. When this happens, the dental arch widens, and the maxilla and mandible (upper and lower jaw) move upward and forward. 

Now, you may be thinking, what does this have to do with cheekbones? With mewing, as your dental arch widens, so does your cheekbones. Your cheekbones will move outward, making them look prominent. Take note that this is a change that will take months, if not a few years, to achieve because you’re trying to remodel your skull into a new orientation. The younger you are, the faster it will work for you. So if what you are looking for is some quick answers, you better off with the other options.

We have a complete discussion on mewing here.

MSE (Maxillary Skeletal Expander)

Another unorthodox way to improve your cheekbones is through MSE. Its primary purpose is to expand the maxilla and the dental arch to create room for the teeth. It also alleviates breathing problems in the nose. The device does this by literally creating a split on the roof of the mouth using a screw. The split will be right in the bone’s suture, so when it splits, there will be a new bone to replace. It usually leaves a gap in the front teeth that will need fixing.

MSE Device

Again, what does this have to do with the cheekbones? Well, when the maxilla and the palate expands, this means that there is also a force pushing your cheekbones outward. Much like mewing, this process will also give your cheekbones a much more defined look. 

People who want to mew but don’t have enough space in their palate for proper oral posture use this method to expand the area. MSE and mewing are two things that go together. 

Conclusion

Yes, high cheekbones will make men more attractive. They will look more masculine, especially if cheekbones are also prominent. However, a cheekbone that is too prominent will not have the same effect. The person could look too alien and gaunt when the cheekbones jut out too much. There is a certain boundary between where prominent cheekbones are considered attractive and when they are not.

In any case, you will know if your high cheekbones are attractive or not if they fit with the rest of your facial features. If they do, then that’s great! But if not, check out our article on how to get hollow cheeks.

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