How to Get a Sharper Jawline
Not all of us are naturally endowed with a jawline that looks like it was chiseled from the firmament by God’s very hand. It’s almost unfair that men like Brad Pitt and Henry Cavill have jawlines that could shave prosciutto. Most of us (well, nearly all of us, if we’re being fair) have genetic factors that create curvy jawlines that are great for growing beards and catching that dollop of mustard that inevitably falls from our burgers. We’re not cutting charcuterie with our chins anytime soon.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t create more definition regarding our bottom jaw. It’s true that even if you’re born with a butter-soft jawline, you can still gain a more chiseled look through several different methods. From easy, DIY home hacks to more invasive cosmetic procedures, we’re going to show you 16 methods for how to get a sharper jawline for men so you, too, can carve out a lower jaw as razor-sharp as your hockey skates. Let’s take a look at how to get a better jawline.
How to Get a Sharper Jawline Naturally
1. Tone Your Jaw With Exercises
Just like you can tone your arms and abs, the muscles in your jawline also respond to exercising. There are several different jawline exercises you can perform that will tone the muscles that surround that lower jaw. Some of these sound a bit ridiculous but we’re here to give solutions, not judge. Do jawline exercises work? Yes, try them out for yourself.
They include:
- Fish face - this is exactly what it sounds like. Make a face like a fish, with puckered lips, then release. Repeat.
- Chin lifts - start by closing your mouth, then stick out your lower jaw. Stick out your lower lip and hold.
- Jaw clench - close your mouth and press your top molars into your bottom molars until you feel the muscles in your jaw stiffen. Hold and release.
- Chin tucks - Straighten your shoulders and tuck your chin into your neck, forming a double chin. Hold for 15 seconds and release.
If your job allows, do jawline exercises at work. Performed every day, these exercises can help tone the muscles around your jaw, giving a more chiseled look overall.
2. Do Face Massages
Like exercises, face massages can also help to tone the muscles around the jawline. Massaging your face promotes increased blood circulation. There are a number of tools out there that can help you massage your face effectively. For instance, a jade roller is cool and, when used on the various regions of the face, can reduce puffiness providing your cheekbones and jawline with more definition. You can also find metal rollers that can be stored in the freezer until you need them. The colder the roller, the more depuffing it will do.
You can also use your hands to apply pressure to the jawline and slowly move in an upward motion. This can promote circulation while helping drain fluids and providing sharper, more defined lines.
Gua sha is the practice of massaging your face with a jade or marble tool with a rounded edge. Gua sha provides a similar effect as other facial massage techniques, and all of them can be used with serums, facial oils, and moisturizers to protect and hydrate your skin at the same time.
3. Drink More Water
Water is known to help increase the amount of elasticity you have in your skin, which pulls the skin to tighten it over areas like the jaw. This can provide a sharper, more chiseled look.
Most men are dehydrated. In fact, data suggests that over 75% of all Americans are chronically dehydrated. The odds that you don’t get enough water into your body each day are extremely high. The average American man needs more than 15 cups of water per day. When you’re getting enough water to drink each day, you’ll find that not only does your skin pull tighter over your jaw, giving you a more toned look, but your skin is also going to look healthier and younger. That means this tip is a win-win.
Tips for drinking more water:
- If you’re a coffee drinker, follow up every cup by drinking water
- Use a diet tracker app to track how much water you’re drinking
- Make use of sugar-free flavor drops to make drinking water more fun
4. Grow Facial Hair
No matter what your bottom jaw looks like, the right beard shape can produce the illusion of a sharper jawline. The right facial hair can conceal a double chin, and softer lines and create the chiseled look you're after. Styles that can make your jaw appear sharper are:
- Short boxed beard - this style relies on trimming and contouring to create sharp lines and corners, providing a more square look.
- Goatee - a goatee is a great beard style for men with chins that stick out a bit further than the jawline. This look makes the chin and jaw appear more even.
- Hipster beard - this is a well-groomed beard of a longer length, like the short boxed beard but grown out more. Trimming creates the lines you’re looking for to achieve the perfect jawline illusion.
- Power beards - a power beard is a medium to long length beard that is ruggedly kept. The lines aren’t quite as crisp as the short boxed beard of the hipster beard but the full volume of the power beard will hide any lines that defy the chiseled illusion.
There are more beard styles that can help you create this illusion. Be sure to read up on how to shape your beard and how to grow a thicker beard as well.
5. Chew Some Gum
Does chewing gum help jawlines? Believe it or not, chewing your favorite gum can actually help you to tighten and achieve a more chiseled jaw. When you chew gum, it acts like a jaw exercise, helping those muscles that move your jaw appear more toned. Other benefits to chewing gum include teeth cleaning action, appetite suppressant, and great breath, but the one we’re looking for is the exercise it provides. Chewing gum not only works the jaw muscles but also several muscles in the neck, helping to reduce the appearance of any double chins, keep the skin on the next nice and taught, and provide a toned look to the jawline.
The best part, of course, is the fact that chewing gum tastes great, and it’s something you can do all day long. That means that you’re exercising your jaw for hours at a time, working those muscles, and creating the lines you’re looking for reminiscent of a Marvel superhero.
6. Reduce Salt Intake
The more salt we consume, the more water weight our body takes on, producing puffiness and a bloated look. The simple act of reducing the salt in your diet can actually result in more defined lines all over your body. That’s because any puffiness or inflammation you might be experiencing will be reduced.
Salt is also a significant contributor to dehydration. Ever notice when you’re eating a salty snack you need a drink? It’s the salt drawing moisture out of your body that it then bonds with and exits your body as waste. So, the more salt you’re putting in your body, the more water you will need to maintain a healthy level of hydration.
You can easily reduce the amount of salt you’re consuming by snacking on fruits and vegetables instead of chips and salted nuts. Nuts are a great, healthy snack, though, so buy them unsalted. You can also opt for lower sodium versions of products such as broths, butter, soups, and more. Stay away from sports drinks like Gatorade and, of course, cut out the visits to fast food restaurants.
7. Eat Less Carbs
Carbohydrates turn into sugar in your body, increasing your blood sugar levels which can exacerbate weight gain. What’s more, carbs can also lead to overeating when those blood sugar levels drop much faster than they do with proteins. This drop in blood sugar just an hour or two after eating a meal packed with carbs can cause your body to feel hungry again, despite the fact that you’ve already had enough to eat. This leads to overeating and weight gain, which is our enemy when we’re trying to carve out that rock star jaw.
A diet heavy in lean proteins is a better choice when you’re trying to reduce facial fat and achieve a chiseled jaw. Refined carbs are the worst offenders, and a balanced diet is important, so limit your carbs to whole grains like popcorn, rye, oats, and barley. Reducing the refined carbs in your diet will help you get to that sharp jawline much faster.
8. Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Many people are surprised to learn that not getting sufficient sleep often results in the appearance of a double chin and increased puffiness in the face overall. This is no good when we’re trying to sport the jawline of Henry Cavill. Ensuring you’re getting the recommended 8 hours of sleep each night is crucial for the chiseled look.
Tips for getting more sleep:
- Don’t eat within a couple of hours before bed - food is fuel for the human body and when you’re packing it away right before bed, you’re ensuring you’re hitting the pillow brimming with energy.
- Get exercise - nothing helps someone sleep more than an exhausted body. An evening walk or workout can do the trick.
- Earplugs - if you’re a light sleeper, cheap foam earplugs at night can help you sleep for a solid eight hours. If you still need to be able to hear because you have kids or pets, try noise canceling ear plugs like Loops.
- Eye mask - wearing a mask to block out any light that might be keeping you awake is an easy way to ensure better, longer sleep.
9. Lose Body Fat
It’s true that body fat can collect in the face, causing your jawline to be lost underneath. Losing some of your body fat will slim out your face and create a sharper-looking jaw.
Tips for how to get a sharper jawline and lose face fat include:
- Strength training
- High protein diet
- Increase healthy fats
- Cardio exercises
- Stay hydrated
- Get enough sleep
- Cut out sodas and other sugary drinks
- Eat lots of fiber
- Count your caloric intake
It’s not always necessary to lose weight in order to reduce your body fat. You can also work towards a leaner, more muscular body. As your body becomes more toned and you lose body fat, your true jawline will emerge.
10. Have a Skincare Routine
Skincare is crucial to a toned face shape. The skin contains two compounds responsible for its elasticity: collagen and elastin. As we age, the production of these compounds slows, leading to fine lines, wrinkles, and skin that can begin to sag. A regular skincare routine, however, can counteract this process and slow down the signs of aging.
Skincare begins with sunscreen. You should protect the delicate skin on your face from harmful UV rays every day, even when it’s cold and rainy. Sun damage can cause the aging process to accelerate. Next, you need a gentle face wash. Many people make the mistake of using soaps, shower gels, and even shampoo on their faces when these products all contain harsh detergents that can speed up the aging process. Use a face wash that doesn’t strip your natural oils instead. Finally, you need a daily moisturizer. This should be applied every day after washing and drying your face. You’ll find that your skin will become more taught, show fewer lines, and will be less loose around areas like your jawline.
11. Get a Haircut that Suits Your Face
Like contouring, the right haircut can create the illusion of a sharper jawline. Different haircuts will accentuate and enhance the appearance of different facial features, including your jawline. Choosing the right haircut for you starts with understanding your face shape. Ensure you’re getting your hair cut done professionally to ensure the best results. The perfect haircut can reduce the appearance of body fat on your face, producing a slimmer, more toned look that can help to accentuate your jawline. You’ll also be able to achieve better facial symmetry with a well-thought-out haircut.
The right haircut can also make you look younger and well-groomed, and it can turn heads everywhere you go. The best part is that this solution to achieving a more chiseled jawline is non-invasive, affordable, and easy to keep up with.
