What are the Apples of Your Cheeks?

The apples of your cheeks are the section of the cheeks that tend to extend out from the general area of the face when the individual is smiling or laughing. For many years, the area has been of special interest to anyone involved with the use or manufacture of facial makeup products, as well as persons involved in theatrical performances. This is because of the impact that this part of the cheeks can have in displaying emotions.

Along with the eyes, the apples of your cheeks can indicate a great deal about your mood. People who are happy tend to carry around a little smile on their faces. The underlying muscles naturally cause this section of the cheeks to become more prominent during a smile. Essentially, the wider the smile, the more prominent the apples of the cheeks will become.

Locating the apples of your cheeks is a simple task. Begin by sucking in your cheeks, creating what is sometimes referred to as a fish face. Use your fingers to locate the underlying cheekbones that are located just above the sunken in area. Now smile a big smile. You will notice that the action causes the muscle and skin on top of the cheekbones proper to gather and protrude away from the underlying bone. This rounded, fleshy protrusion is the area that this term describes.

Various makeup techniques are used to highlight the apples of your cheeks by calling attention to the cheekbones. Applying blush is one of the most common makeup techniques used to accomplish this goal. By utilizing what is referred to as the Backward C method, a small line of blush is brushed in beginning at the lip line and arcing across the perimeter of the cheeks and to the cheekbone. The blush is blended into the natural skin tone to achieve a hint of color that is accentuated when smiling.

In theatrical productions, the apples of the cheeks are often highlighted with makeup techniques that are not so subtle. This is often the case when the desire is to achieve an exaggerated expression. Heavy makeup on the cheeks was a common visual device with silent movies, and still is employed at times today with various stage and screen performances.