Ogee curve: the S-shaped contour of the midface
- Nerve
Quick facts
- Definition
- A smooth S-shaped line of the midface, formed by a convexity over the apple of the cheek followed by a concavity just below.
- Best view
- Oblique (three-quarter), with the head in a neutral position and even lighting.
- Anatomical basis
- Projection of the zygomatic bone and maxilla, cheek fat pads, and retaining ligaments.
- With aging
- Tends to flatten or fragment, with loss of malar convexity and a visible lid-cheek transition.
- Relevance in facial harmonization
- A visual reference for assessing midface support and volume, not a measurement.
- In Harmy
- The area corresponds to the Cheekbone point in the marking.
The ogee curve is the smooth S-shaped contour of the midface, best seen in oblique (three-quarter) view. The line descends from the lower eyelid, passes over a convexity on the apple of the cheek, and enters a concavity just below it, in the submalar region. The name comes from architecture, where an ogee is a molding with an S profile. In facial aesthetics, it came to be used as a visual reference for a midface with good support.
How is the curve formed?
The curve is the result of several layers working together:
| Layer | Contribution to the curve |
|---|---|
| Skeleton | Projection of the zygomatic bone and maxilla, which provide the base of the convexity |
| Deep fat | The SOOF and the deep cheek compartments, which give support from beneath |
| Superficial fat | The malar fat pads, which round out the apple of the cheek |
| Ligaments | The retaining ligaments, such as the zygomatic ligament, which anchor points and mark transitions |
| Skin | Thickness and elasticity, which soften or accentuate the outline |
In a young midface, the passage from lid to cheek is short and continuous, the convexity of the cheek sits high, and the concavity below it is smooth. The curve is often described as more pronounced in the female face, but the pattern varies widely with ethnicity, body type, and weight.
What happens with aging?
Over time, the midface skeleton loses projection, the fat pads lose volume and descend, and the ligaments begin to mark anchor points. The result is a flattened or broken curve: the convexity of the cheek decreases or drops, the tear trough and the transition between lid and cheek appear, and the weight that descends deepens the nasolabial fold. The full picture is in facial aging by layers.
Why does it matter in facial harmonization?
The ogee curve helps in thinking of the midface as a structure, not as a sum of folds. Instead of looking only at the fold, the professional assesses whether support is lacking at the cheek and in the zygomatic region, because restoring convexity can soften the transition and reduce the weight on the lower part. It also serves as a warning against excess: too much volume, or poorly distributed volume, in the cheekbone area erases the concavity and leaves the cheek looking heavy and rounded.
How does it show up in the assessment?
- Oblique view of both sides: this is where the curve shows in full; compare right and left.
- Frontal view: shows the height of the cheek and the width of the midface, but not the complete S outline.
- Rest and smile: smiling lifts the fat pads and can mask volume loss.
- Lighting: light from above accentuates shadows and distorts the reading; photo standardization is covered in standardized clinical photography.
- Relationship to other landmarks: the curve interacts with the facial profile and with the triangle of youth, described in triangle of youth.
The procedure most tied to the topic is cheekbone filler.
Also called: S-curve of the face, ogee curve, ogee contour.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ogee curve of the face?
It is the S-shaped contour the cheek draws when the face is seen in three-quarter view: a convex curve over the apple of the cheek that passes into a concave curve just below it. It is used as a reference for a midface with good support.
Why does the ogee curve disappear with age?
Because the midface loses bony support and fat volume, the fat pads descend, and the ligaments become more visible. The convexity of the cheek decreases and the S line flattens or breaks.