7 Face Exercises to Slim Your Chubby Cheeks & Define Your Jawline

Having chubby cheeks can make you look youthful and full faced. However, many of us would like slimmer cheeks with more definition. Thinner cheeks with high, prominent cheekbones and a sculpted jawline.

Doing facial exercises (aka face yoga) can tone and strengthen the muscles underneath. Over time this could lead to better muscle definition, less puffiness, more prominent cheekbones and an overall firmer, more sculpted appearance.

There are small studies that show repetitive facial exercises over time (>20 weeks) can lead to increased cheek fullness and muscle thickness. (Study in JAMA Dermatology) This may translate into a more toned, youthful appearance for some people.

7 Face Exercises to Slim Your Chubby Cheeks & Define Your Jawline

These 7 best facial exercises target the chubby cheeks muscles (buccinator, zygomaticus), jaw, and surrounding areas. Try to do it for 15 minutes every day or at least 5–6 days per week. Consistency matters far more than intensity.

1. Side Kiss Pucker – Firm & Lift the Cheeks

Primary muscles: Buccinator (main cheek muscle), orbicularis oris (lip muscle)

How to do it:

1. Sit or stand with shoulders relaxed and spine neutral.
2. Purse your lips tightly forward (like preparing for a big kiss).
3. Keeping lips puckered, slowly stretch them as far to the left as possible — imagine trying to kiss your left cheekbone.
4. Hold the stretch 2–3 seconds while feeling the cheek muscle working.
5. Return to center, relax 1 second, then repeat to the right.
6. Keep forehead, eyes, and neck completely relaxed — movement stays in the mouth/cheeks.
7. Reps: 20–30 total (10–15 each side)

How it helps get rid of chubby cheeks: It strongly contracts the buccinator, which is the deep muscle layer of the cheek. Regular activation improves muscle tone and may reduce soft-tissue laxity. Over time, it enhances cheek firmness and contour.

Tip: Do it in front of a mirror. The funny expression will make you smile naturally and engage your muscles more.

2. Half Smile Cringe – Define Jawline & Reduce Jowl Appearance

Primary muscles: Risorius, zygomaticus major, platysma (neck sheet muscle)

How to do it:

1. Relax your entire face.
2. Pull the left corner of your mouth upward and slightly backward into a strong half-smile (teeth may show a little).
3. At the same time, gently tilt your head back 10–20 degrees (eyes look toward ceiling).
4. Hold the half-smile + tilt for 5–8 seconds — feel strong tension from jaw corner up to mid-cheek and down the neck.
5. Release slowly, relax face 3 seconds, then repeat on right side.
6. Reps: 12–18 per side

How it helps get rid of chubby cheeks: Unilateral contraction lifts one side of the mouth, engaging the platysma and creating an upward pull along the jawline. This improves the separation between the jaw and neck. This helps counteract mild jowl sagging.

3. Fish Face + Ceiling Gaze – Tighten Cheeks & Under-Chin

Primary muscles: Buccinator, mentalis (chin), orbicularis oris

How to do it:

1. Suck both cheeks in hard while puckering lips forward (classic fish face).
2. Try to maintain a tiny smile at the corners while holding the suction.
3. Gently tilt head back and look up toward the ceiling.
4. Hold the full expression for 8–12 seconds — feel cheeks and under-chin working.
5. Release slowly and relax face completely.
6. Reps: 12–18 holds

Bonus: One of the best moves for reducing soft double-chin appearance over time.

How it helps get rid of chubby cheeks: It combines strong cheek compression with slight neck extension to create high isometric tension in the cheeks and floor-of-mouth muscles. This helps tighten the submental (under-chin) area.

4. Cheekbone Lift (Resisted) – Sculpt High Cheekbones

Primary muscles: Zygomaticus major & minor (cheek lifters)

How to do it:

1. Relax face, then open mouth into a soft oval (like saying “O” gently).
2. Place index and middle fingertips on the highest point of both cheekbones.
3. Apply very light upward pressure with fingers.
4. At the same time, try to lift your cheek muscles upward against your fingers (smile lightly into the resistance).
5. Hold the lift for 20–35 seconds while breathing deeply.
6. Relax completely for 5–10 seconds, repeat.
7. Hold: 20–35 seconds × 4–6 rounds

How it helps get rid of chubby cheeks: It targets the muscles responsible for lifting the cheeks directly, strengthening them over time. With regular use, it helps achieve more defined, contoured cheekbones.

Tip: apply a small amount of facial oil or moisturizer before putting on your makeup to make your fingers glide more smoothly.

5. Full Face Squeeze – Overall Firmness Booster

Primary muscles: Orbicularis oculi, frontalis, corrugator, zygomaticus, buccinator

How to do it:

1. Take a normal breath in.
2. Close eyes tightly (comfortably — no pain).
3. At the same time, scrunch forehead, squeeze cheeks, purse lips, and tense chin.
4. Hold the full-face squeeze for 4–6 seconds.
5. Release slowly — let face go completely soft and relaxed.
6. Reps: 15–25 squeezes.

Bonus: This exercise is also great for relieving eye strain!

How it helps get rid of chubby cheeks:The contraction of most facial muscles at the same time has several effects, including an increase in overall tone, boosted circulation, and a “full-face reset” effect.

6. Chin Raise + Lip Pout – Sharpen Jaw & Neck Line

Primary muscles: Platysma, digastric, mylohyoid

How to do it:

1. Sit/stand tall with good posture.
2. Tilt head back comfortably (eyes toward ceiling).
3. Push lower lip forward and upward — try to cover upper lip (exaggerated pout/underbite).
4. Slowly increase chin lift — feel strong stretch under jaw and tension in neck.
5. Hold 6–10 seconds, then lower slowly.
6. Reps: 12–18 raises

How it helps get rid of chubby cheeks: This unique approach integrates neck extension with resisted lip movement, targeting the muscles in the lower jaw and neck while also stretching the platysma, resulting in a more defined jawline.

7. Hanging Chin + Tongue Press – Tighten Submental Area

Primary muscles: Geniohyoid, mylohyoid, anterior digastric

How to do it:

1. Sit or stand straight.
2. Press tongue firmly against the back of your bottom teeth (push upward slightly).
3. Slowly drop chin down and forward (create intentional double chin).
4. Hold the position 4–6 seconds while maintaining tongue pressure.
5. Return to neutral slowly and relax.
6. Reps: 15–20 controlled reps

How it helps get rid of chubby cheeks:It activates the deep muscles of the floor of the mouth that support the chin and reduce the appearance of soft, loose tissue under the jaw.

For best chubby cheeks slimming results, combine these facial exercises with good hydration, sleep, a lower salt intake, and overall body fat management. Your face is already beautiful. These facial exercises are just a tool to help you feel stronger, firmer, and more confident when you look in the mirror. Try them for 30 days and see how your reflection changes!

Last Updated: March 2026 – Completely Rewritten

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical. Always see a qualified healthcare provider for concerns about your health.