How to Make Your Cheeks Glow: 13 Steps (with Pictures) (2024)

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1Prepping Your Skin

2Applying Your Makeup

3Getting a Natural Glow

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Things You'll Need

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Co-authored byYuka Arora

Last Updated: February 16, 2022References

While it may feel great to get told your hair looks great or your outfit is on point, there is something extra special about being told, “You’re glowing!” This “glow” is usually attributed to internal factors like happiness and health, and it’s an eye-catching, attractive quality. Luckily, there are ways to create this glow. With just a few makeup products and a little handiwork, you can create a gorgeous, shimmery glow on your cheeks.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Prepping Your Skin

  1. 1

    Exfoliate your face. Dead skin cells, makeup, and general grime accumulate on your face, and this build-up can cause your skin to look dull. If you want to create a bright, healthy glow on your cheeks, it’s best to do this on bright, shiny skin. Three times a week, make sure to exfoliate your face to remove this build-up and keep your skin looking fresh.

    • You can purchase exfoliating face washes at your local drugstore, and you can also make your own scrubs. Learn more about exfoliating your face here.
  2. How to Make Your Cheeks Glow: 13 Steps (with Pictures) (2)

    2

    Moisturize your skin. Dry skin can be dull and flaky, so it’s important to moisturize regularly. Moisturize in the morning and at night, and after you take a shower.[1] Look for lotions marketed specifically for the face.

    • Hydration is key for your entire body, so make sure you are drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Men should aim for about three liters, and women should aim for a little over two.[2]

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  3. How to Make Your Cheeks Glow: 13 Steps (with Pictures) (3)

    3

    Prime your face. Before you start applying any makeup, it’s crucial to prime your face. A makeup primer is a base for your makeup, helping it last longer. It holds everything into place, preventing creasing and smudging. Face primers will also smooth out the skin to create a flawless base for your glowing look. It’s frustrating to put on makeup perfectly in the morning only for it to be worn off by lunch, so combat this problem by using a great face primer.[3]

  4. 4

    Apply a light layer of BB cream. Depending on whom you ask, “BB” means anything from “blemish balm” to “beauty balm” to “beauty benefit,” but all BB creams work toward the same goal. These creams are skin perfectors that will even out your skin tone and minimize your pores. Look for a BB cream that is light reflecting for extra glow power.[4]

    • BB creams are light coverage, so this will not look thick or cakey underneath your favorite foundation.
    • While many BB creams do contain primers and moisturizers, using them in conjunction with other products will ensure all of your bases are covered.

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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Applying Your Makeup

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    1

    Create a flawless base with foundation. In order to accentuate the glow you’re going to create on your cheeks, it’s important to have smooth, even-toned skin. While the BB cream will work as a color corrector, foundation will provide more coverage. Use a Beauty Blender or foundation brush to apply your favorite foundation over your entire face.[5]

    • A kabuki brush can help you apply your foundation so that it blends into your skin evenly. These brushes have a dense, flat top that allow you to press and buff the product into your skin.[6]
    • After applying your foundation, try dabbing your beauty blender or makeup sponge with a little bit of water and patting it over your face. This can help you get rid of any excess foundation.[7]
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    2

    Conceal dark circles under your eyes. If you have dark, tired looking circles or bags under your eyes, it will distract from the shimmery glow of your cheeks. Apply a concealer underneath your eyes using a concealer brush, sponge, or your fingertips. Pat gently to blend the product in thoroughly. Once you’ve covered the area, set your entire face with a pressed powder.[8]

  3. How to Make Your Cheeks Glow: 13 Steps (with Pictures) (7)

    3

    Use bronzer to accentuate your cheekbones. By applying a dark contour to the hollows of your cheeks, you’ll add dimension to your face that will make your highlighted glow appear more natural.[9] Use a blending brush to apply the bronzer in the hollows and up to your temple, building up the color gradually. When you are finished, your cheeks should look more defined and prominent.[10]

    • If you have trouble determining where the bronzer should go, try this trick. Pucker your lips into a "fish face" and touch your hands to your cheeks. You will feel indentations where your cheeks are sucked in, underneath your cheekbones. That is where your bronzer should go!
  4. How to Make Your Cheeks Glow: 13 Steps (with Pictures) (8)

    4

    Brush blush onto the apples of your cheeks. Glowing cheeks should be a bit rosy, so apply a soft, natural color to your cheeks.[11] If you’re not sure where to apply it, smile into your mirror. Apply blush to the raised parts of your cheeks. Use a light hand while applying the blush, adding color without over-doing it.

    • You can learn more about blush application here.
  5. How to Make Your Cheeks Glow: 13 Steps (with Pictures) (9)

    5

    Apply a highlighter on your cheeks. Now that you’ve perfected your skin and added gorgeous color to your cheeks, it’s time to add the final, and most important, touch. You can purchase a light, shimmery highlighter at your local drugstore or beauty supply store. Use your fingertip to apply the highlight along the natural curve of your cheekbones, gently patting it into your skin. This should go on the highest point of your cheekbones, where the light hits as you smile.[12]

    • Consider using setting spray after you have applied your highlighter to help the product blend into your skin and appear more natural.[13]
    • This highlight, along with the bronzer and blush, will make your cheeks appear prominent, rosy, and positively glowing.

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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Getting a Natural Glow

  1. 1

    Nourish your skin with a healthy diet. If your diet is filled with junk food, your skin can suffer. An easy rule of thumb is to make sure that your plate is colorful at every meal. In other words, try to get some leafy greens, some fruits and vegetables, and so on. Greens help to brighten the skin, and fruits and vegetables are packed with micronutrients that keep your skin (and the rest of your body) functioning properly. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like fatty fish, are also fantastic for making the skin look hydrated and vibrant.[14]

    • Replace your sodas, coffees, and sugary juices with tall glasses of water at meal times. Dehydration will show in your skin!
  2. How to Make Your Cheeks Glow: 13 Steps (with Pictures) (11)

    2

    Exercise regularly. And when you exercise, get your heart pumping with some cardio. Sweating helps create a natural glow by ridding the skin of impurities and clearing out your pores. Not only will the endorphins from a great workout boost your mood, but the skin benefits will too.[15]

    • While working up a sweat can be beneficial to your skin, don't let that sweat stay on your face for a long time. Once you're finished at the gym, make sure to wash your face. The junk from your pores comes to the surface of your skin through sweat, and then it's your job to get rid of it for good with a thorough cleansing.
  3. 3

    Get enough sleep. This might be the easiest beauty tip around. When you are asleep, your body goes into recovery mode. The amount of blood flowing to your skin actually increases, and that results in healthy, bright skin. If you've ever pulled an all-nighter studying or stayed up late with friends, you know how puffy and dull your skin can look the following day. Do your face a favor, and try to get seven to nine hours of sleep a night.[16]

  4. 4

    Pump yourself up. Confident, happy people seem to have a natural glow about them. Take a note from them, and give yourself a pep talk whenever you're feeling down. Do something you love to do, spend time with uplifting people, remind yourself of all the reasons you are unique and wonderful, or put on your favorite mood-boosting song. It may sound strange, but there's nothing quite like that natural, organic glow that only comes from joy.

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Expert Q&A

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  • Question

    How can I make my glowing cheeks look natural?

    Yuka Arora
    Makeup Artist

    Yuka Arora is a self-taught makeup artist who specializes in abstract eye art. She has been experimenting with makeup art for over 5 years, and has amassed over 5.6K Instagram followers in just 5 months. Her colorful and abstract looks have been noticed by Jeffree Star Cosmetics, Kat Von D Beauty, Sephora Collection, among others.

    Yuka Arora

    Makeup Artist

    Expert Answer

    Consider using setting spray after you have applied your highlighter to help the product blend into your skin and appear more natural.

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  • Question

    Can I use highlighter to give my cheeks a natural glow?

    Yuka Arora
    Makeup Artist

    Yuka Arora is a self-taught makeup artist who specializes in abstract eye art. She has been experimenting with makeup art for over 5 years, and has amassed over 5.6K Instagram followers in just 5 months. Her colorful and abstract looks have been noticed by Jeffree Star Cosmetics, Kat Von D Beauty, Sephora Collection, among others.

    Yuka Arora

    Makeup Artist

    Expert Answer

    If you’re trying to look natural, it actually looks more natural to put highlighter in multiple areas, because that gives your face dimension.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

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      Video

      Things You’ll Need

      • Store-bought or homemade exfoliator
      • Face moisturizer
      • Makeup primer
      • BB cream
      • Foundation
      • Foundation brush or Beauty Blender
      • Concealer
      • Bronzer
      • Blending brush
      • Blush
      • Blush brush
      • Highlighter

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      About this article

      How to Make Your Cheeks Glow: 13 Steps (with Pictures) (32)

      Co-authored by:

      Yuka Arora

      Makeup Artist

      This article was co-authored by Yuka Arora. Yuka Arora is a self-taught makeup artist who specializes in abstract eye art. She has been experimenting with makeup art for over 5 years, and has amassed over 5.6K Instagram followers in just 5 months. Her colorful and abstract looks have been noticed by Jeffree Star Cosmetics, Kat Von D Beauty, Sephora Collection, among others. This article has been viewed 17,045 times.

      1 votes - 100%

      Co-authors: 3

      Updated: February 16, 2022

      Views:17,045

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      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 17,045 times.

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