3 Ways to Get Dimples Naturally

Dimples are one of those face features that look like nature accidentally hit “add charm” and then walked away whistling. If you have them, people tell you they’re cute. If you don’t, you might catch yourself staring at your cheeks in the mirror like: “Hello? Are we doing this or not?”

Here’s the honest truth (delivered gently, like a spa robe): most cheek dimples come from anatomy and genetics. That means you usually can’t “grow” permanent dimples with a trick, a gadget, or a YouTube dare. But you can get a very believable dimple looksafelyusing smart, natural-looking techniques that work in real life and in photos.

This guide covers three realistic ways to get dimples naturally (think: no needles, no “DIY trauma”), plus a quick reality check on what to avoid and what to know if you’re ever tempted by the permanent route.

Before We Start: What Dimples Actually Are

Cheek dimples are small indentations that show up most when you smile. In many people, they’re linked to variations in facial muscle/skin connectionsespecially around the muscles that lift the corners of your mouth. That’s why dimples often look more pronounced when the face is moving, not when it’s frozen like a passport photo.

Also: not all dimples are forever. Some babies have “dimples” caused by cheek fat that fades as they grow. Other people develop subtle dimples later as their face changes with age. Translation: the face is a living, evolving work of artsometimes with surprise features.

Bottom line: If your face isn’t naturally wired for permanent dimples, the safest “natural” path is creating the illusion of dimples in a way that looks soft, believable, and like you didn’t just lose a fight with a contour stick.

Way #1: Create Dimples with Makeup (The “Borrowed from Hollywood” Method)

If you want dimples todayfor a party, a date, a photoshoot, or just because it’s Tuesdaymakeup is the most reliable option. Done well, it looks like a natural shadow that appears when you smile. Done badly… it looks like you were attacked by a brown marker.

What you’ll need

• A cool-toned brow pencil, contour pencil, or matte eyeshadow (avoid warm/orange tones)
• A small blending brush or clean fingertip
• Optional: setting powder or setting spray (especially if you’re oily or it’s humid)

Step-by-step: the subtle dimple trick

1. Find your natural “dimple zone.” Smile normally (not your “yearbook smile,” just your real one). Look for where a faint crease or shadow naturally formsusually a little outside the corner of your mouth.
2. Dot, don’t draw. Make a tiny dot or very short line where that shadow would sit. Keep it small. You can always add more. You can’t always erase regret.
3. Soften the edges immediately. Tap and blur with a brush or fingertip so it melts into your skin. The goal is “shadow,” not “symbol.”
4. Test it in motion. Relax your face, then smile again. The mark should fade into your skin when your face is neutral and become more noticeable when you smile.
5. Set lightly. A tiny bit of powder helps it last and prevents smudging.

Make it look natural (the details that matter)

• Use matte products for the “indentation.” Shimmer reads like highlight, not depth.
• Keep dimples asymmetrical if you want realism. Many people have one dimple or dimples that aren’t identical twins.
• Pair with subtle highlight (optional). A tiny touch of highlight above the “dimple shadow” can enhance the illusionbut go easy.

Real-life example: If you’re taking photos at a wedding or birthday dinner, makeup dimples can show up beautifully in warm lightingespecially in candid smile shots. For video calls, keep them ultra-soft; cameras can exaggerate contrast and make harsh “dimples” look like tiny bruises.

Way #2: Use Smile Technique + Lighting (Dimples for Photos Without Looking “Try-Hard”)

Even without natural dimples, many people can create a faint dimple-like indentation by using a relaxed, genuine smile and letting light do the heavy lifting. This is the most “natural” option because it doesn’t add anything to your skinit just changes how your face moves and how shadows land.

Practice the “soft smile” (not the clenched one)

A forced smile often pulls the mouth sideways and tightens the cheeks in a way that flattens natural shadows. A softer smile lifts the cheeks and can create tiny creases that mimic dimples.

• Try smiling like you just heard a funny comment you’re pretending not to laugh at.
• Relax your jaw and let your cheeks lift upward (not outward).
• Keep your lips gently closed or slightly partedwhichever looks more natural on you.

Angle + lighting: the dimple “cheat codes”

• Face a light source (window light is best). Side lighting creates gentle shadows in the cheek area.
• Turn your face slightly (about 10–20 degrees) instead of straight-on. This adds dimension and makes cheek shadows more visible.
• Avoid harsh overhead light unless you want dramatic shadows in places you didn’t request.

Real-life example: If you’re snapping selfies, stand near a window, turn your head slightly, and use a soft smile. You’ll often see a natural-looking indentation form near the smile lineespecially if your cheeks lift high when you grin.

Micro-expression tip (the secret sauce)

If you want a dimple-like shadow to appear, think “smile with your cheeks,” not just your mouth. A genuine smile tends to lift more of the mid-face, creating natural creases and tiny hollows. No need to overdo itsubtle wins.

Way #3: Reduce Puffiness + Improve Skin Texture (So Shadows Look Cleaner)

This method won’t “create” dimples, but it can make your cheeks look more defined so natural shadows (including dimple-like ones) show up more clearly. Think of it like cleaning a camera lens: the picture doesn’t change, but it looks sharper.

De-puffing habits that help

• Sleep consistency: Puffy cheeks often show up after poor sleep or late nights.
• Hydration: Dehydration can make the face look dull and uneven, which makes “cute shadows” harder to see.
• Gentle cooling: A cool compress or a chilled roller can temporarily reduce morning puffiness. Keep it gentleno ice directly on skin for long periods.
• Manage irritation: Allergies, sinus issues, and skin irritation can increase facial puffiness for some people.

Skincare that supports a believable “dimple look”

• Daily sunscreen helps prevent uneven texture and discoloration that can make shadows look blotchy.
• Moisturizer helps makeup sit smoothly if you’re doing the makeup-dimple method.
• Exfoliation (gentle, not aggressive) can reduce rough patches that catch light in weird ways.

What about “dimple exercises”?

You’ll see plenty of videos claiming that cheek exercises can permanently create dimples. The problem is: dimples are typically tied to structural anatomy (muscle/skin tethering), not just muscle strength. Facial exercises may improve muscle control and help you find a flattering smilebut they shouldn’t be treated as a proven way to grow permanent dimples.

Safe takeaway: If you like doing facial exercises because they help you relax, feel expressive, or improve smile symmetry, great. Just don’t expect them to rewrite your facial anatomy like it’s editing a document.

What to Avoid (Because Your Cheeks Deserve Peace)

If you’ve seen “DIY dimple hacks” that involve pressing hard, twisting objects against your skin, or using tools to bruise an indentationskip them. These tricks can irritate skin, cause swelling, trigger hyperpigmentation (especially in deeper skin tones), or create breakouts. Most importantly, they usually don’t work the way the videos promise.

And please don’t try anything that involves puncturing the skin (like cheek piercing) at home. That’s not “natural”that’s “medical risk with a ring light.”

If You’re Curious About Permanent Dimples (Quick, No-Drama Reality Check)

The only reliable way to create permanent cheek dimples is a cosmetic procedure commonly called dimpleplasty. It’s typically done from inside the mouth, where a surgeon creates a tether that forms an indentation when you smile. People often describe it as a short procedure, but it’s still surgeryand surgery comes with real risks (infection, asymmetry, scarring, and results that can look too deep or “stuck on” at first).

If you ever consider it, the safest move is consulting a qualified, board-certified professional so you understand healing time, risk factors, and what “natural-looking” actually means in the months after the procedure. For this article, we’re staying in the natural and non-invasive lanebecause your face is not a craft project.

FAQ: Quick Answers People Actually Want

Are dimples genetic?

Often, yes. Cheek dimples are widely considered a genetic trait linked to facial muscle/skin anatomythough inheritance patterns can be more complicated than a simple dominant/recessive story.

Can dimples appear later in life?

They can. Some childhood dimples fade as baby fat decreases, and some people notice subtle dimpling later as facial structure changes. It’s not guaranteedbut it happens.

What’s the most natural-looking non-surgical method?

Makeup is the most controllable, and smile + lighting is the most effortless. Combine both (light makeup + flattering light) for the best “Is that real?” effect.

Will makeup dimples look obvious in person?

Not if you keep them soft and placed where your face naturally creases when you smile. The biggest mistake is making them too dark or too round.

Real Experiences: What It’s Like Trying to “Get Dimples Naturally” (About )

Most people who chase the dimple look don’t actually want a brand-new facethey want a vibe. Something playful. Something that makes their smile feel a little more “storybook main character,” without turning their bathroom into a low-budget science lab. And when you look at the experiences people share, a pattern shows up: the happiest results come from methods that are temporary, gentle, and easy to undo.

Makeup dimples are usually the first experiment because they’re fast and low-stakes. People often describe a “lightbulb moment” when they realize placement matters more than product. The first attempt is commonly too low (hello, accidental marionette shadow) or too dark (“Why do my cheeks have punctuation marks?”). But once someone finds the right spotusually where their smile line naturally softensthe results can feel surprisingly believable. A common win: using a cool-toned brow pencil, tapping it out until it’s barely there, then checking it in a mirror from a few feet away. If it looks good from that distance, it’ll likely look good in real life.

Smile practice gets mixed reviews, mostly because people expect instant magic. The more realistic experience is this: practicing a softer smile helps you look more relaxed on camera, and sometimes that relaxed cheek lift creates a tiny dimple-like dipespecially in side lighting. People who love this method tend to say it makes them feel more confident, not because it “gave them dimples,” but because it helped them find a smile that feels like them. One surprising benefit: it can reduce “photo face,” where you tense your jaw and cheeks without realizing it. In other words, you don’t gain dimples, but you gain better pictures. That’s still a win.

De-puffing and skincare experiences are the quiet success stories. No one wakes up and says, “My moisturizer gave me dimples!” But plenty of people notice that when their skin looks smoother and less puffy, their face has more natural dimension. That makes makeup sit better, and it makes shadows look cleaner in photos. People who try this route often talk about simple changes: getting consistent sleep, using sunscreen so their complexion looks even, and keeping skincare gentle so they don’t trigger redness. The dimple illusion becomes easier when the canvas is calm.

Then there are the DIY hacks people regret. The stories usually sound similar: someone tries a trend that involves pressing hard or twisting something into the cheek, and ends up with irritation, a breakout, or a mark that lasts longer than the “temporary dimple” ever did. The emotional takeaway is almost always the same: “Not worth it.” The most practical lesson people learn is that if a hack requires pain or leaves damage, it’s not a beauty trickit’s a problem you’ll have to treat.

In the end, the best “natural dimple” experiences are the ones that treat dimples like an accessory, not a requirement. Some days you wear the look (makeup + flattering light). Other days you don’t. Either way, your smile is doing the real work.

Conclusion

If you weren’t born with dimples, you’re not “missing” somethingyou just have a different kind of smile. But if you want the dimple look, you have options that are safe, realistic, and actually flattering: makeup dimples, smile + lighting, and de-puffing/skincare that makes facial dimension pop. Keep it subtle, avoid painful DIY trends, and remember: the most convincing dimple is the one that looks like it belongs on your facenot like it was stamped on in a rush.