Jawline Snatching Makeup Tips & Cosmetic Techniques Celebs Use

Source: Peter White | Getty Images

When Harper’s Bazaar writer, Jessica Iredale, wrote that 2021 was the “Year of the Snatched Jawline,” we (and the rest of the beauty world) were obviously intrigued. While we happen to think that all jawlines are cute, we understand the appeal of dabbling in things like jawline contouring or even in-office treatments that create a neck with a bit more definition.

According to the dermatologist (one of our fave derms, Dr. Shereene Idriss) interviewed for the story, roughly 70% of her patients are inquiring about how to get a more chiseled-looking neck and jaw. We’re not surprised, seeing as some of the most famous supermodels have this snatched feature in common. While some may be born with it, other celebs use contouring techniques and even cosmetic treatments to achieve the look. If you’re on a similar mission, then consider trying some of the below tips and techniques.

1. Grab Your Makeup Bag & Contour Away

via Giphy

Yep, a more defined jawline can be as simple as wielding a bit of contour and a makeup brush – no expensive procedure required! Basically, contouring creates a shadow effect, which in essence redirects attention while creating definition where you want it. We asked Victoria Stiles, makeup artist and creative director of ShikSona Beauty, for the full how-to.

Step 1: Grab Your Supplies

You’ll want a contouring product about a couple shades darker than your skin color, as well as a sculpting makeup brush. Stiles recommends the Huda Beauty Tantour Contour & Bronzer Cream, $30, and Huda Beauty Sculpt and Shade Brush, $28.

Step 2: Define Your Back Jaw

“With the small end of the brush, begin applying [a small amount of contour] in a painting motion from where your jaw meets your ear lobe to just below your chin,” says Stiles. Do the same on the other side. You don’t need a ton of product – less is definitely more.

Step 3: Apply Contour Under Your Chin

Using the fluffy side of the Sculpt and Shade Brush, apply a small amount of contour just underneath your chin where it’s the thickest. You can pull your chin back a bit to identify the more padded area.

Step 4: Blend, Blend, Blend

Next, grab a large, clean, fluffy makeup brush and start diffusing the contour you just applied. The goal is to remove any harsh lines so that the result looks like a natural shadow.

Step 5: Add a Touch of Highlighter

“For added dimension, apply a lighter shade foundation to the jawline itself, just above the darker contoured,” says Stiles.

 2. Get a Lymphatic Drainage Massage

via Giphy

Our bodies can hold on to excess fluid, which can make us look puffy or swollen. And yeah, it can even make your jawline area look less defined than usual. While a lymphatic drainage massage isn’t going to yield a huge change in your jawline, it can definitely make a difference. You can have this done professionally, or you can perform the massage on yourself. We created a full guide on how to do a lymphatic drainage massage.

3. Try Injectables

Believe it or not, strategically placed filler and neuromodulators (like Botox) can actually have a lot of impact on your jawline.

“Botox injections can slim the jawline by relaxing the masseter muscles while filler, like Scultpra, can create definition of the jawline,” explains Dr. Tahl Humes, medical director and founder of VITHAL Medical Aesthetics.

While the neuromodulator relaxes the muscle, the filler creates a lift. These results will typically last you between three and eight months.

4. Look into Sculpting Techniques

“Reducing the fat under the chin will help achieve that ‘snatched’ look,” notes Dr. Humes. And there are a handful out there that can target the area. Options include CoolSculpting, which destroys fat cells by freezing them, and TruSculpt iD, which uses radiofrequency to tighten skin and reduce fat.

Another option is Kybella, an injectable that can minimize fat deposits below the chin. “While the treatment does entail some downtime and bruising, visible results including fat loss can be seen after a few sessions,” notes Dr. Humes.

5. Consider a Tightening Treatment

In addition to all the above, there are a number of tightening treatments out there that can help create a firmer neck and jawline. These include Ultherapy, which uses ultrasound technology; Thermage, a radiofrequency treatment; and microneedling with or without radiofrequency, such as Vivace.

A more intense tightening option is a thread lift. This procedure involves strategically placing dissolvable threads under the skin to lift the neck and create a more defined jawline. In cases where there’s a lot of drooping, which becomes more common as we get older, a lower facelift is a more long-term solution with very noticeable results.

What are your thoughts on the “snatched jawline” trend? Let’s chat it out in the comment section.