You love the look of dimples, but wasn't Mother Nature so generous that she gave them to you from birth? You can still make your wish come true by learning to fake it. You can create temporary dimples with the help of a simple bottle cap, or with makeup; but there are also long lasting options if you want to keep the look longer.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use the Bottle Cap
Step 1. Wash the bottle cap
You can use both a metal and a plastic cap; but since the cork will have to go into your mouth, make sure it's perfectly clean.
- The metal caps are shallow and tend to create fake dimples with a more delicate and natural look. However, the sides can be painful, especially if you have sensitive cheeks.
- Plastic caps have different sizes. If you want very noticeable dimples, use a soda bottle cap, which is usually deeper. For a more discreet effect, use the shallower cap of a bottle of water.
- The cleaning solution must contain about 5 ml of salt per 250 ml of water. Soak the cap in the solution for 15 minutes before rinsing it and putting it in your mouth.
- You can also clean the cap with soap and water, but be sure to rinse it thoroughly before putting it in your mouth.
- If you follow this technique, it is recommended that you only create one dimple at a time. Bottle caps create very noticeable dimples, and having one on each cheek can be too much for your face.
Step 2. Put the bottle cap in a cheek
Open your mouth and put the cap inside, inserting it between your cheek and teeth. Make sure that the opening of the cap faces your cheek and not your teeth. You may need to do some testing before finding the right position.
If you have a hard time figuring out where to put the cap, take it out of your mouth and smile in front of a mirror. Notice the outer folds that form on your cheeks when you smile. The cap must be positioned very close to the upper outer corner of the fold, on one side of the face
Step 3. Squeeze your cheek towards the opening
Press on the cheek from the outside while at the same time sucking the cheek inwards.
- If you follow the step correctly, you should also hear a slight sucking noise.
- Be careful not to inhale the bottle cap to avoid choking, especially if you are using a small metal cap.
Step 4. Strike a pose
This technique is ideal if you want dimples to take a picture, but it doesn't work if you are in front of live people. Take a few photos from different angles until you find the look that suits you the most.
A popular way to pose is to cover your mouth from below and turn your face so that the cheek with the dimple is facing the camera. Smile slightly, but make sure you keep the pressure of the cork in your mouth. This pose greatly accentuates the dimple and covers any lines or humps created by the cap; in addition, it also hides the fact that your smile is not open as it should if you have natural dimples
Method 2 of 3: Using Eyeshadow and Eye Liner
Step 1. Try to figure out the correct position
Natural dimples usually occur on the outer sides of the lips, or higher up, on the cheeks. Decide which look you want and evaluate the best place to make the fake dimples.
- Most natural dimples are located near the natural outer crease of the smile. To understand the correct position, smile in front of a mirror and accurately determine where the folds are formed. The dimple should be just outside the folds on both sides of your face.
- For dimples located near the sides of the lips, smile in front of a mirror and look for the smaller, inner creases that form right outside the mouth. A fake dimple could be placed along the inner curve of the creases on either side of the mouth.
- If you find it hard to keep your attention on the point, you can draw a small dot with the eyeshadow brush, or with an eye pencil. The dot should be as small as possible so as not to spoil the final look.
Step 2. Draw a comma on the cheeks
Take a matte eyeshadow, or eye pencil, to draw a small comma on the desired spot. First draw a thin and not too strong line; it will be easier to darken the dimples later than to lighten them.
- Use dark brown for best results. Make sure it's a dull color; a shimmery makeup would not do as it would make your dimples too noticeable and therefore fake. For the same reason, colors other than brown are also inadvisable.
- The dot of the dimples should follow the natural curve of your lips that forms when you smile. The intersection of this line with the crease of your smile is the right point for your dot.
- Draw the tail of the comma directly below the period portion. The tail should be about 1.25 cm, and the curve should be very discreet.
Step 3. Blend the eyeshadow
Harmonizes the eyeshadow with the skin to achieve a more natural effect. Start with a light brush stroke using a small brush, then brush the skin to create even, rounded dimples that follow the curve of the stitch. Now, blend the sides with a larger brush by making light strokes.
If you can't get the discreet effect you want with brushes, blend the point with your fingers. Use the index finger of the hand you write with to apply the right amount of pressure. Continue to blend along the curve of the fake dimple, and not in the opposite direction
Step 4. Repeat as needed
Create dimples on both cheeks for a more symmetrical look. If the result is too light and not noticeable enough, apply more eyeshadow or eye liner in the same place and with the same technique.
- The right degree of color depends on why you want the faux dimples. If you want them for every day, it is advisable to draw them discreetly. If they are too dark, the effect will be excessively unnatural.
- If, on the other hand, you want to show off some dimples for a photograph, you can make them slightly darker by applying eyeshadow or eyeliner several times; especially if you will take the photo in poorly lit places.
Step 5. Smile
The dimples will be noticeable whether you smile or not; however, a beautiful smile will make the effect more fascinating.
Immediately after application you should smile immediately to check the effect. Look carefully in the mirror to see if you are satisfied with the result; if not, rinse the makeup off and try again
Method 3 of 3: Long Lasting Fake Dimpling with Piercing
Step 1. Make dimples with the piercing
The procedure for creating the pierced dimples is quite risky because it is an area of the body that is more prone to infections. However, when done correctly, the result will be close to natural. Leave the piercing in the cheek if you want to permanently highlight the area, or remove it after some time to heal the skin, leaving an indentation similar to a dimple.
- Some professionals do not offer this service due to the high risks associated with this type of piercing. Others may do so, but often they will refuse to perform this procedure on a minor, even with the permission of a parent.
- The dimple piercing pierces the muscle and often causes a mild form of nerve damage. Nerve damage can help hold the dimples in place even after the hole is closed; however, it can be dangerous and cause unexpected damage.
- The professional who will do the piercing should clean the outside of the cheek and advise you to clean the inside of the mouth before proceeding. Both the needle and the piercing jewel should be sterilized.
- This procedure first involves drilling both cheeks symmetrically, right where natural dimples would be. Then, a ring or other piercing jewel will be inserted into each hole to prevent it from closing immediately.
- The piercing will need to be cleaned several times a day with a saline solution to prevent infections.
- If you wish, you can always leave the jewelry in the cheek, or remove it about three months after the procedure. If the piercing caused the expected nerve damage, there should be an indentation in the cheek even after the skin has regenerated around the original hole.
Step 2. Consider cosmetic surgery
If you want a more natural and lifelong look, learn about cosmetic surgery procedures to create dimple-like marks. This type of surgery is quite expensive and there are many related risks; however, it will allow you to obtain natural looking fake dimples that other methods cannot produce.
- A plastic surgeon will use local anesthesia for the procedure. He will make a small incision inside the mouth and on the inner surface of the cheek. With special tools, the surgeon will make an indentation in the cheek muscles and mucous tissue. Subsequently, the hole for the dimple will be held in place with internal points; external stitches will instead be used to close the wound inside the mouth.
- For larger dimples, the plastic surgeon may remove perforated tissue. During this procedure, a portion of the cheek muscle is completely removed, creating a deeper and more evident indentation.
- In both cases, the procedure takes about an hour.
- Immediately after the surgery, it is normal to experience pain, swelling and bruising. In addition, the area will be more prone to infection, so you will need to carefully follow the instructions given by your doctor for cleaning and wound care.
- For the first few weeks after surgery, indentations similar to the dimples will be present all the time. However, when your cheek muscles have partially healed, you will only notice the marks when you smile.
