Contouring your nose is an essential makeup technique that can instantly lift and define your features. Nose contouring, when done correctly, can create the illusion of a slimmer, more sculpted nose. It’s a versatile technique that can enhance any nose shape and can be tailored to your individual preferences.
Before you start contouring, it’s important to have the right tools. You’ll need a matte contour powder that is two to three shades darker than your skin tone and a highlighting powder that is one to two shades lighter. You’ll also need a small brush for applying the contour and a large, fluffy brush for blending. Once you have your tools, you can follow these steps to contour your nose like a pro:
Start by applying the contour powder to the sides of your nose. Use a small brush to draw a line from the inner corner of your eyebrow down to the tip of your nose. Be sure to blend the contour upwards and outwards to avoid creating a harsh line. Next, apply the highlight down the center of your nose. Start at the bridge of your nose and blend downwards to the tip. Use a large, fluffy brush to blend the contour and highlight together to create a seamless look.
Understanding Nose Contouring
Nose contouring is a makeup technique that uses light and shadow to create the illusion of a more refined and defined nose shape. By highlighting and shading certain areas of the nose, you can subtly correct imperfections, enhance your features, and draw attention to your best assets. Here’s a detailed guide to help you master the art of nose contouring:
Identifying Your Ideal Nose Contour
Before you start contouring, it’s essential to determine your desired nose shape. Consider your facial features and the areas you’d like to enhance or minimize.
1. If you want to make your nose appear narrower, contour the sides of your nose with a darker shade.
2. To create the illusion of a straighter nose, highlight the bridge of your nose with a lighter shade.
3. If you’d like to add definition to your nose tip, contour the sides of the tip with a darker shade and highlight the center with a lighter shade.
4. To minimize the appearance of a hump or bump on your nose, contour the area around the bump with a darker shade and highlight the sides of your nose with a lighter shade.
| Desired Nose Shape | Contouring Technique |
| Narrower nose | Contour sides of the nose with a darker shade |
| Straighter nose | Highlight the bridge of the nose with a lighter shade |
| Defined nose tip | Contour sides of the tip with a darker shade and highlight center with a lighter shade |
| Minimize hump or bump | Contour area around hump with a darker shade and highlight sides of the nose with a lighter shade |
Selecting the Right Contouring Products
Understanding Your Skin Type
The first step in choosing the right contouring products is understanding your skin type. If you have oily skin, opt for powder-based products that will absorb excess oil and prevent smudging. Dry skin benefits from cream-based or liquid formulas that provide hydration and a dewy finish.
Choosing the Right Shade
Selecting the correct shade for contouring is crucial. The best contour color should be 1-2 shades darker than your natural skin tone. Warm undertones complement warm skin tones, while cool undertones suit cool skin tones. Test the product on your jawline before applying it to your nose to ensure it blends seamlessly.
Types of Contouring Products
Various products are available for contouring, each with unique advantages.
| Product | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Powder | Controls shine, long-lasting, easy to blend |
| Cream | Hydrating, creamy texture, buildable coverage |
| Liquid | Effortless application, sheer to full coverage, dewy finish |
Consider your desired finish and blendability when selecting a product. Powders provide a matte finish, while creams and liquids offer a more natural, luminous look.
Preparing Your Skin for Contouring
Before you start contouring, it’s important to prepare your skin so that the makeup will go on smoothly and last all day. Here are a few steps to follow:
1. Cleanse your face
Start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser to remove any dirt, oil, or makeup. This will help to create a clean base for your contouring makeup.
2. Moisturize your skin
After cleansing, apply a moisturizer to your face to help hydrate your skin and prevent your contouring makeup from looking cakey.
3. Prime your skin
Primer is a makeup product that helps to create a smooth, even surface for your foundation and contouring makeup. It can also help to keep your makeup in place all day.
There are many different types of primers available, so choose one that is right for your skin type. If you have oily skin, look for a mattifying primer. If you have dry skin, look for a hydrating primer.
To apply primer, simply smooth a thin layer over your face after you have moisturized. Let the primer dry completely before applying your foundation and contouring makeup.
| Skin Type | Primer Type |
|---|---|
| Oily | Mattifying |
| Dry | Hydrating |
Highlighting the Bridge of Your Nose
To accentuate the bridge of your nose, you will need a lighter shade of your chosen contour product. Apply a thin line along the center of your nose, starting at the inner corner of your eyebrows and extending down to the tip of your nose. Use a small, angled brush to blend the product outwards and upwards, following the natural shape of your nose. The goal is to create a subtle highlight that will draw attention to the center of your nose and make it appear more prominent.
Here are some additional tips for highlighting the bridge of your nose:
- Use a light hand when applying the product. You don’t want to create a harsh or over-highlighted look.
- Blend the product well. The highlight should look seamless and natural.
- If you have a wide nose, you may want to apply the highlight in a slightly wider line. This will help to balance out the width of your nose.
- If you have a narrow nose, you may want to apply the highlight in a thin line. This will help to make your nose appear wider.
Contouring the bridge of your nose can be a great way to enhance your natural features and create a more defined look. Just be sure to use a light hand and blend the product well to achieve a natural and sophisticated finish.
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Use a light hand | You don’t want to create a harsh or over-highlighted look. |
| Blend the product well | The highlight should look seamless and natural. |
| Apply the highlight in a slightly wider line if you have a wide nose | This will help to balance out the width of your nose. |
| Apply the highlight in a thin line if you have a narrow nose | This will help to make your nose appear wider. |
Darkening the Sides of Your Nose
To contour the sides of your nose, follow these steps:
- Determine the shape of your nose. Decide if you want to make your nose look narrower, wider, shorter, or longer. This will help you determine where to apply the darker contour shade.
- Choose the right shade of contour powder. The shade should be 1-2 shades darker than your skin tone. You can also use a cream or liquid contour product if you prefer.
- Apply the contour powder to the sides of your nose. Start by applying the powder to the outer corners of your nose, just below the brow bone. Then, blend the powder inwards towards the center of your nose.
- Blend the contour powder well. It’s important to blend the contour powder well so that it looks natural. Use a brush or sponge to blend the powder until it fades seamlessly into your skin.
- Highlight the center of your nose. Once you’ve applied and blended the dark contour powder to the sides of your nose, you can highlight the center of your nose to create more dimension. To do this, apply a lighter shade of powder to the bridge of your nose and down the center of your nose. Blend the powder well.
| Nose Shape | Contour Placement |
|---|---|
| Wide nose | Apply darker contour powder to the sides of the nose, blending inwards towards the center. Highlight the bridge of the nose and down the center. |
| Narrow nose | Apply darker contour powder to the sides of the nose, blending outwards towards the edges. Highlight the bridge of the nose and down the center. |
| Short nose | Apply darker contour powder to the tip of the nose and blend downwards towards the center. Highlight the bridge of the nose and down the center. |
| Long nose | Apply darker contour powder to the base of the nose and blend outwards towards the sides. Highlight the bridge of the nose and down the center. |
Creating a Defined Tip
To create a defined tip, follow the steps below:
1. Identify the Tip of Your Nose
Locate the exact spot where your nose curves downward to form the tip.
2. Apply Contour Shade
Using a dark contour brush, apply a small amount of your contour shade directly to the tip of your nose. Focus on the downward curve and the sides of the tip.
3. Blend Outward
With a makeup sponge or a small blending brush, gently blend the contour shade outward, creating a soft feathered edge.
4. Add a Highlight
Apply a small amount of highlight to the center of the tip of your nose. This will draw attention to the center and create the illusion of a more defined tip.
5. Blending the Highlight
Blend the highlight smoothly into the contour shade, creating a gradient effect.
6. Use Concealer to Highlight (Optional)
For an extra pop of definition, you can apply a small amount of concealer slightly above the tip of your nose. Gently blend this concealer upwards, creating a subtle bump in the center of your nose. This helps to create the appearance of a more lifted and contoured tip.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Identify the tip of your nose. |
| 2 | Apply contour shade to the tip. |
| 3 | Blend outward. |
| 4 | Add a highlight to the center. |
| 5 | Blend the highlight. |
| 6 | Use concealer to highlight the tip (optional). |
Blending and Polishing
Once you have applied your contour and highlight, it’s time to blend and polish everything together to create a seamless look. Here are seven steps to help you achieve a flawless finish:
Step 1: Use a clean brush or sponge
A clean brush or sponge will help you to blend your products without creating streaks or lines. If you’re using a brush, make sure to use a soft, fluffy brush that won’t irritate your skin.
Step 2: Start with your highlight
Begin by blending your highlight using a light, circular motion. Focus on the areas of your nose that you want to emphasize, such as the bridge and the tip.
Step 3: Blend in your contour
Once you have blended your highlight, it’s time to blend in your contour. Using a slightly heavier hand, blend your contour in a downward motion, following the natural contours of your nose.
Step 4: Use a setting powder
Once you have blended your products, set your look with a setting powder. This will help to keep your makeup in place and prevent it from smudging or rubbing off.
Step 5: Highlight your brow bone
To finish off your look, highlight your brow bone with a small amount of shimmery eyeshadow or highlighter. This will help to create a lifting effect and make your eyes look brighter.
Step 6: Use a matte eyeshadow to set your highlight
To help your highlight stay in place all day, set it with a matte eyeshadow. This will help to absorb any excess oil and prevent your highlight from creasing.
Step 7: Polish your look
Once you have set your makeup, go over everything one more time with a clean brush or sponge to polish your look. This will help to remove any harsh lines or edges and create a more natural, polished finish.
Enhancing with Highlighter
After adding depth, you can highlight the high points of your nose to create a more lifted and sculpted look. Here’s how to apply highlighter:
Step 1: Choose the Right Highlighter
Select a liquid, cream, or powder highlighter in a shade that complements your skin tone. For fair skin, opt for a champagne or ivory hue. Medium skin tones can use a soft pink or golden shade, while deep skin tones should choose a warm, amber color.
Step 2: Apply to the Bridge
Using a light hand, apply the highlighter to the bridge of your nose, starting at the inner corner of your brows and extending towards the tip. Blend it well to create a seamless transition.
Step 3: Highlight the Tip
Dab a small amount of highlighter to the tip of your nose. This will help create the illusion of a narrower and more defined tip.
Step 4: Highlight the Sides
Gently apply the highlighter to the outer edges of your nose, just below the crease where the nose meets the face. This will add dimension to the sides and enhance your contour.
Step 5: Blend
Use a blending brush or sponge to carefully blend the highlighter into the surrounding skin. Avoid over-blending, as you want to create a subtle and natural finish.
| Skin Tone | Highlighter Shade |
|---|---|
| Fair | Champagne, Ivory |
| Medium | Soft Pink, Golden |
| Deep | Warm Amber |
Setting Your Contour
Once you have chosen your contour shades, it’s time to set your contour. This step will help to keep your contour in place all day long and prevent it from smudging or fading.
Step 1: Apply a Primer
A primer will help to create a smooth, even surface for your contour to adhere to. Apply a thin layer of primer all over your face, focusing on the areas where you will be contouring.
Step 2: Apply Your Contour
Using a contour brush, apply your darker contour shade to the hollows of your cheeks, the sides of your nose, and the temples. Be sure to blend well so that there are no harsh lines.
Step 3: Apply Your Highlight
Using a highlight brush, apply your lighter contour shade to the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, and the center of your forehead. Again, be sure to blend well.
Step 4: Set Your Contour
Once you have applied your contour and highlight, it’s time to set it in place. There are two ways to do this:
- You can use a setting powder. Using a powder brush, apply a thin layer of setting powder all over your face, focusing on the areas where you have applied your contour and highlight.
- You can use a setting spray. Hold the setting spray about 8 inches away from your face and spray it all over. Allow the setting spray to dry completely before touching your face.
1. Determine Your Nose Shape
Before you start contouring, it’s important to determine your nose shape. This will help you choose the right techniques and shades to enhance your features. There are six main nose shapes: straight, Roman, Greek, hooked, button, and snub.
| Nose Shape | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Straight | A straight line from the forehead to the tip |
| Roman | A hump on the bridge of the nose |
| Greek | A straight bridge with a slightly upturned tip |
| Hooked | A downward curve at the tip |
| Button | Small and rounded |
| Snub | Short and upturned |
Additional Tips for a Flawless Nose Contour
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Use a light hand | Apply product sparingly and blend well |
| Choose the right shades | Use a darker shade for the contour and a lighter shade for the highlight |
| Blend, blend, blend | Use a brush or sponge to blend the contour and highlight seamlessly |
| Practice makes perfect | Experiment with different techniques until you find what works best for you |
| Don’t overdo it | Contouring is meant to enhance your features, not create a drastic change |
| Use a setting spray | Help your contour last longer with a setting spray |
| Don’t be afraid to experiment | There are no strict rules when it comes to contouring. Have fun and find what looks best on you |
| Use a highlighter | Apply a highlighter to the bridge of your nose to create a more defined look |
| Contour your eyebrows | Contouring your eyebrows can help frame your nose and make it look more balanced |
| Use a setting powder | Set your contour with a light dusting of setting powder to prevent it from smudging or fading |
How to Nose Contour
Nose contouring is a makeup technique that uses light and shadow to create the illusion of a slimmer, more defined nose. It’s a great way to enhance your natural features and make your nose look more balanced with the rest of your face.
To contour your nose, you’ll need a light-colored concealer or foundation, a dark-colored contour shade, and a blending brush. Start by applying the light shade to the bridge of your nose, the center of your forehead, and the tops of your cheekbones. Then, apply the dark shade to the sides of your nose, the hollows of your cheeks, and the temples. Finally, blend the two shades together using a brush.
Here are some tips for nose contouring:
- Use a light touch when applying the contour shade. You want to create a subtle shadow, not a harsh line.
- Blend, blend, blend! The key to a natural-looking contour is to blend the shades together seamlessly.
- If you have a wide nose, focus on contouring the sides of your nose. If you have a long nose, focus on contouring the tip of your nose.
- Experiment with different contouring techniques to find what works best for you.
