Facial Exercises for Cheeks That Work: Lift, Sculpt & Skip the Fillers

by: Linda Robison / Facial Fitness Specialist

I'll show you cheek exercises that gave me the best results in the least amount of time.

Firmer, fuller cheeks can really give you a more youthful appearance. Plus, when you lift sagging cheeks, the lower part of the face gets a small lift too.

Linda Robison smiling with naturally lifted, sculpted cheekbones after facial exercise—no fillers usedMy cheeks are higher and fuller now than they were in my late 40s.

See Sagging Cheeks Before and After results!

Why fuller cheeks matter (and no, they don’t make your face look fat)

Fuller cheeks are often seen as a sign of youth and vitality—not a chubby face. In fact, when your cheek volume is higher and more defined, it sculpts your face and softens the look of jowls or sagging.

As we age, facial volume shifts downward, making the lower part of the face look heavier. By restoring cheek fullness with muscle-toning exercises, you can create a naturally lifted and more sculpted look—no fillers needed.

How to build cheek volume naturally

To get a naturally fuller, lifted look, you need to target your cheek muscles regularly with specific exercises. One of the best for this is the Cheek Shaper.

The Cheek Shaper—Carolyn’s go-to move for fuller, more defined cheeks

If your goal is to lift and round out your cheek contours, this exercise can help.

The Cheek Shaper—part of Carolyn’s Facial Fitness routine—works the natural curve of the cheeks to create volume and balance.

It’s especially helpful for preventing uneven muscle development, which can happen if only one side of the face is stronger than the other.

See the Cheek Lifter in action:

Find other FREE sample exercises to add to your workout.

My personal filler story (and why I switched to facial exercise)

Before and after photo showing fuller, lifted cheeks after facial exercises—reduced puffiness and better definition compared to heavier face beforeBefore and after: I took this photo after consistently doing facial exercises. My cheeks looked fuller and more defined—and my face no longer felt bloated & heavy.

I tried fillers once, back in my late 40s, when my cheeks started looking flat and my nasolabial folds deepened. But they made my face look bloated and didn’t lift the lower half like I’d hoped.

That one experience was enough to send me in a different direction—toward facial exercises, which I’ve been doing ever since.

Exercises helped me firm and lift not only my cheeks, but also my jawline and neck.

Add extra lift with facial massage

In addition to cheek exercises, regular facial massage helps enhance your results. Studies show that facial massage can help lift and reshape the face by improving the support layer underneath your skin—especially around the cheeks and jawline.

This means:

  • Firmer skin
  • Less sagging
  • More lifted cheeks over time

Try adding 5–10 minutes of massage a few times per week. Check out these suggested facial massage tips—and what L’Oréal has to say about the lifting benefits of massage—in my full face lift massage guide.

FAQs

Question: Do cheek exercises actually work?

Answer: Yes. A study in JAMA Dermatology found that after 20 weeks of facial exercises, participants had fuller upper and lower cheeks—and were happy with the results.

Question: How often should I do facial exercises?

Answer: 2–3 times a week is ideal. More isn’t better—overdoing it could create an unbalanced look.

Question: Can facial exercises replace fillers?

Answer: If you want a natural lift and don’t want the puffiness or cost of fillers, yes. Exercises work with your muscles, not against them.

Final thoughts

While cheek exercises can absolutely add lift and volume, the best results come when they’re part of a full-face routine. Working the entire face ensures everything stays balanced and naturally lifted—from your forehead to your jawline and even your neck.

That’s why I recommend a full facial workout like Carolyn’s Facial Fitness—it targets all the right areas in under 15 minutes, just a few times a week.

Ready to lift and define your cheeks naturally? Start with just one of the exercises above and see how your face begins to change.

And don’t forget—take your own before-and-after pics. That’s how I noticed the difference, even before anyone else did!

About the Author:
Linda Robison is a Facial Fitness Specialist and the founder of Anti-Aging Beauty Zone. She shares expert insights on skincare, facial rejuvenation, and beauty treatments—blending traditional wisdom, personal experience, and science-backed research for both at-home and in-office solutions.

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