Nose contouring, three ways: Here's how to get a narrower nose
Is your contour game on the nose? Literally? Because it’s one thing to avoid the common booboos of contouring, and it’s another thing to start experimenting with something that’s in the middle of your face.
Okay, we didn’t mean to make it sound scary. It’s primarily a matter of knowing what you’re working with and getting the hang of “casting shadows” with the use of your makeup. If you’re game to give it a go, we’ll help you figure out what you need to do to achieve a shapelier nose with with a bit of magic and blending.
What my nose looks like without any contouring
Flat Noses
As Pinays, we tend to be sensitive when it comes to having a pango (flat, broad) nose. That’s why contouring the nose is so appealing to us! To give it a raised, slimmer appearance, draw two parallel lines with contouring makeup on either side of the top of the nose, from just below the brows all the way down to the tip. Sheer out the edges of the lines, and you are done! You can also create greater contrast by applying a highlighter right on the bridge of the nose.
Two dark lines and a hint of highlighter later, my nose looks more pronounced
Crooked Noses
The two parallel lines schtick is the most common when it comes to nose contouring, but there’s more to it than that. Different nose shapes require different techniques. If your nose isn't quite straight, then just adding lines may make the misalignment more obvious. Trick the eye into straightening it out by applying your contour product along the crooked side, and highlighter on the opposite side. This can be a little tricky as you need precision with your straight-line application to compensate for the bend, so make sure you're working under good lighting conditions.
Notice the slightly darker shading on the right? It's right where my nose normally casts a shadow, but the added definition makes the rest of my face seem more symmetrical
Round Noses
Round or bulbous noses are also commonplace among Pinays. We have our Asian heritage to thank for softer, rounder features, but the curves can make your face look wider. To make angles and edges appear, use your contour to create parallel lines from your brows going down the length of your eyes. Then make a softer version of the symbols “<< >>” on either side of the tip of your nose. Highlight the bridge of the nose to make it pop out.
On the other hand, a nose that’s narrow at the top but too wide at the bottom (in a distinct triangle shape), can follow the same method but use the highlighter instead of contour for the parallel lines.
Personally, I perceive my nose as the round type, so this technique is what I usually follow especially since I have nose envy for the slim tips I see on Kate Beckinsale and Sarah Michelle Gellar! I could still darken the contour on the tip of the nose to narrow further, but I do appreciate how subtle these methods can look with the right application skills. So if you don't get it right the first time, just keep practicing.
Ready to try these tricks on yourself? Contour powders are usually perfect for beginners, but you may want to consider a cream formula if you want a more natural finish. And though the focus may seem to be more on contouring, using highlighters are just as important. It’s a yin-yang relationship between shadow and light, so if you don't have one yet, check out these budget-friendly picks!
Have you figured out which nose type you have? How do you usually contour your nose?
