Tutorial: How to Get Gorgeous Cheekbones

By marlena • May 18th, 2008 • Category: Tutorials

What you need:

  • Angled blush brush (nothing too stiff or too large)
  • Fluffy dome brush (for contouring the nose)
  • Matte brown eyeshadow or blush
  • Shimmery light colored eyeshadow, pigment, or blush
  • Your favorite blush color
  • *optional*: MAC Fix+ spray and Duo fibre brush

40 Responses »

  1. Susanne on May 18th, 2008 at 9:12 pm:

    Great tutorial again! Thanks!

    BTW can you tell me if there is a brush from Sephora that is similar to the 228? Is it Platinum Small shader brush # 17?

  2. marlena on May 18th, 2008 at 9:29 pm:

    I haven’t tried the Sephora one, but it looks dead on :) Also, check Target’s brushes for a small shader- I’m trying to remember if Sonia Kashuk had one- it would work well and is much cheaper :)

  3. mscuppycakes on May 18th, 2008 at 11:28 pm:

    Great Tutorial! Thanks!

  4. Susanne on May 19th, 2008 at 8:25 am:

    Thanks, Marlena :)

  5. Susanne on May 19th, 2008 at 8:48 am:

    The Sculpt and Shape powders from MAC are great for contouring, too! I am NC 25 and love Accentuate/Sculpt.

    Are the MSFs an alternative to the shimmer brick by Bobbi Brown?

  6. Devin on May 19th, 2008 at 2:27 pm:

    Thanks SO much for getting to this! I really appreciate it. Everything that you did is pretty much what I do when I apply my contour/highlighter/blush - so I guess I’m on the right track, lol. I think most of my issue are what I’m using. Exactly what angled blush brush are you using? I’m NC40 & currently use MAC’s Blunt (matte blush) for my sculpting purposes…in your wonderful opinion do you think I’m using the right shade for contouring? I’m noticing while you’re applying your Emote it’s not looking as harsh as it does when I apply my Blunt. So maybe I’m using something too dark? Again, thank you SO much for posting this!

  7. jessica on May 19th, 2008 at 3:01 pm:

    Omg I loooove ur site!!! I was wondering if u could maybe come up with a list of NYX e/s that are similar 2 the mac colors that u use? I can’t afford MAC bit NYX prices aren’t out of my budget! Thanks so much u are awsome!!!

  8. marlena on May 19th, 2008 at 3:11 pm:

    Hi Susanne, the MSF’s could probably be a substitute for the shimmerbrick :) For highlighting, try to find a light colored one though…

  9. marlena on May 19th, 2008 at 3:13 pm:

    Hi Devin :)
    I use the angled blush brush from Bare Escentuals (it’s just what I’ve had forever) Any angled fluffy brush that isn’t too big will work really. But, if blunt is showing up pretty dark, try a matte brown e/s- maybe Cork? Not sure if that’s still to light… Play around with your brown e/s until you find one that’s just a little darker than your skin :)

  10. marlena on May 19th, 2008 at 3:14 pm:

    Hey Jessica! I’m planning on doing “dupe” swatches of NYX vs. MAC e/s- that’s my next photography project, as I realize the MAC e/s definitely add up :) Ooh, maybe I’ll just type up a list under the articles/review until I can get all the swatches done and uploaded…

    Good idea- thanks hun for the suggestion!

  11. Amber on May 19th, 2008 at 5:53 pm:

    Love this tutorial, thanks so much. I came across your youtube videos and I’m really glad I found your site. Love every post so far.

  12. Hélène on May 19th, 2008 at 11:11 pm:

    Susanne I just discover your blog, and I must say I’m totally fan !! Your videos are really good, and I love all your explanations ! Thanks a lot !

  13. Hélène on May 19th, 2008 at 11:24 pm:

    Oops, sorry ! I thought your name was Susanne, I’m new here, I just discoveredtyou were Marlena ;-)

  14. Jessica on May 20th, 2008 at 12:06 am:

    thanks so much i came across one of your video’s on Pursebuzz.com and now im an addict i check your site everyday all day! lol i even went to walgreens to go get some HIP to do the pink and brown and passed on the word about your site to the gurls there!!!!1 you are so awsome im so glad that pursebuzz posted one of your videos! also one more request, is there anyway you can do a bridal and bridemaid look using pinks? im getting married next May and need some make up ideas for me and my gurls, my colors are pink and wine and a golden khakki (sp) color! thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!!!

  15. tracy on May 20th, 2008 at 1:46 am:

    Hi Marlena!! thanks for the tutorial ur amazing! i been checking out ur website everyday for new tutorials..:D i love the way u do ur makeup…its really nice and natural…

  16. marlena on May 20th, 2008 at 3:02 am:

    No problem Jessica :) Can you post your tut request in the forum under “tutorial requests”- that way I can be reminded of it whenever I check that thread :) And, congratulations on your being engaged! What an exciting time for you!!!

  17. richellene on May 20th, 2008 at 10:15 am:

    i wanted to say thank you soooooo much for this marlena! you are really great! thanks for all the help!

  18. richellene on May 20th, 2008 at 10:21 am:

    oh im sorry, i forgot to ask you about something. i have a very define cheekbones… do i need contouring on my cheeks then? thanks again marlena….

  19. Andie on May 22nd, 2008 at 7:57 pm:

    Lovely tutorial. Just to let you know, NYC make a Mosaic Color Wheel which is reallllyyy similar to the Shimmer Brick.

    http://www.newyorkcolor.com/products/index.cfm?item=504

    That’s the link to the face one, there is a blush one, too, and they come in all sorts of colors.

    Andie x

  20. marlena on May 23rd, 2008 at 12:06 am:

    Thanks Andie- I’ll have to check it out :) I just went to CVS and got the Physicians Formula shimmerstrip, and it seems to be similar to the BB shimmerbrick too- plus it’s 1/3 the cost!

  21. crystal on June 3rd, 2008 at 6:44 pm:

    Great tutorial!!! You are really great at these, I like that you KNOW what you’re doing, and always give several alternatives to products so people don’t feel like there’s just one thing will get the look they want, it’s about experimenting. Again, great work, love your makeup!!!

  22. Cindy on June 18th, 2008 at 4:13 am:

    Can you tell me which Physicians Formula Shimmer Strip is similar to the Shimmer Brick?

  23. Farah on June 20th, 2008 at 4:54 am:

    HI Marlena, thank you sooo much for your siite, im addicted already, I wanted to ask you, would you say NYX colors are similar to MAC colors? I mean its a lot cheaper than MAC but would you say they are just about the same?

  24. Fatima on June 26th, 2008 at 8:11 pm:

    i have a questions…the matte color you used, is it under the powder or blush category? the only matte i find is powder so i am confused. looks pretty by the way

  25. sadia on July 3rd, 2008 at 2:46 pm:

    can u tell us about the different types of face cuts and how to contour them ie how to deal with a round ,oval ,square face etc

  26. marlena on July 3rd, 2008 at 6:25 pm:

    Hi Sadia :)

    I can do a tutorial on that- I actually have a book that has picture demonstrations… I may scan it and put in the articles until I can get the time to do another contouring video :)

  27. sadia on July 8th, 2008 at 4:30 pm:

    hi marlina
    i simply love u u r an angel in disguise for me i live in pakistan and there r some very well reputed makeup artists here and they charge u like hell for training just 20 hrs i cant afford that much at all i want to take up makeup seriosly i i certainly consider u my mentor u have changed my life altogether giving me that end of string to rise up in life that i could never have achieved otherwise u r doing a great job keep it up

  28. sadia on July 13th, 2008 at 10:38 am:

    hi im still waiting for that tutotrial on contouring on diff face cuts

  29. marlena on July 13th, 2008 at 5:43 pm:

    Hi Sadia,

    It will take some time as I have MANY requests to go through… I’ll get to it when I can, but it will be some time as I have previous requests to do as well.

  30. Maria on July 22nd, 2008 at 6:40 pm:

    Hi Marlena, I just found by casuality your webpage and I love it! I’ve spent all the afternoon watching everything on it and I loved it! Congratulations!

    I have a smaill question, do you think I could use the 222 brush instead of the 224 for the nose? Thanks a lot! xxxx

  31. marlena on July 22nd, 2008 at 10:30 pm:

    Hi Maria :)

    The 222 should work just fine :)

  32. Whit on August 11th, 2008 at 4:45 am:

    Hi Marlena, I just had a few questions about a couple things i hope you don’t mind. One is, is there any kind of makeup that isn’t so pricey that you can buy at like walmart or target or meijer etc. that would come close to M.A.C or urban decay because i sort of don’t have that much money to spend on makeup i am only 20 and have a daughter too, bu ti still want to be beautiful..LOL….but i have found a very pretty eyeshadow collection made by Milani and it is available at meijer they have very pretty colors i think a palette of about 6 colors is 6.49 and single colors are 4.49 they are just very beautiful colors, but i was wondering if there was anything else, and wanted to know if there were any cream colored base types that were available at any of these places. I also wanted know if there was anything cheaper that is like the fix plus by M.A.C thanks so much, oh and by the way i love your videos they are very helpful..you are just pretty much awesome!!

  33. sadia on August 11th, 2008 at 4:32 pm:

    thanx for the tutorial, it was really helpfull.
    quick question, was just wondering if you do not have the MAC Fix+ spray, is there anything else you can use that will give the same or near the same effect…

    thanx

  34. karla on August 21st, 2008 at 3:47 am:

    i love this thank u so much!!

  35. amina on October 9th, 2008 at 11:04 am:

    Hi Marlena,

    I love your tutorilas, it’s really helpful, i’m from algeria and the only problem i’m having is that i can’t find the products that you’re using, i can’t have the same results with my products.

    anyway, thanks a lot for everyday, geat job M, we love it !!

  36. Eve on October 11th, 2008 at 7:43 pm:

    Hi Marlena =]
    I found one of your tutorials on YouTube just this morning, and I absolutely LOVE your site. This is one of my favorite tutorials, and I can really see the effect it has. It emphasizes your whole face through just a little. I myself don’t use make-up, but it’s wonderful to keep your tips in mind when I need to go to an event or occasion. Looks great,and thanks!!! =]

  37. Pamela on November 27th, 2008 at 1:51 am:

    Hi, I hope you understand (I don´t speak english), but I´d like to ask a silly question: do you put your foundation before or after countouring your face?????, sorry…… but I don´t know, thanks and you´re veeeeeery nice, I love your tutorials, bye!!!!!

  38. Alicia on December 10th, 2008 at 5:02 pm:

    Hey marlena, you look stunning =]

    i need your help, i have a similar skin tone to you, pale.i have wedge but ide prefer something abit bigger than an eyeshadow, im going to purchase a blush for my contouring, which colour would be better to use, Blunt or Harmony? or should i just use my wedge?
    Thanks!

    x x x

  39. Coconut :] on December 27th, 2008 at 1:27 am:

    Hey Marlena this is so great you have definitley done the best job explaining how to contour! Could i use MAC Mylar eyeshadow as a highlight?? If you or someone else could let me know that’d be great. Thanks! :]

  40. bewe on January 3rd, 2009 at 12:16 am:

    love it so much , thanx alot Marlina, great job as usual ^.^

    and could please tell me where i can find the Fix+ Spray on the net ?

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