Unless you were blessed with seriously great genetics or have already made friends with your local plastic surgeon, you have probably wished for a smaller nose.
Many of us are looking for something a little bit smaller, a bit more shapely, but sadly we are stuck with serious beaks right in the center of our faces.
Want to minimize the nose and look a little more gorgeous? It’s a simple matter of emphasis. Here are some go-to strategies so you never have to worry about it again. Follow these guides and you, too, can make your nose look smaller.
Expert Level: Contour
No matter what shape your nose is, you can make it seem smaller through the magic of contouring. via pinterest.com
Contouring is truly an art form. While it can look downright scary when done by a beginner, it is magically transformative when done properly.
Maybe you have seen some intense contouring and been scared off by it. Don’t give up hope! There are very natural-looking ways of achieving contouring with makeup.
Contouring can be great when you’re in the mood for a bold look, but you probably don’t want to do it every day.
The key to contouring is subtlety. It’s all about creating definition, enhancing what you have and minimizing the parts that you want to fade into the background. Obviously, this is a great tool if you feel like your nose is getting too much attention.
So you want to contour? The first step is to get the right products. You’ll need a dark contouring cream or powder to create the illusion of shadows and a light cream or powder to highlight other areas. Basically, this means that you want something white and something brown.
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is using shimmery contouring shades. Always go matte! The natural shadows of your face are matte, so stick with matte contouring shades for the most natural-looking effect.
There are lots of great contouring compacts. You can use one of these or you can make your own. You just need a dark shade and a light shade.
It’s very important to pay attention to your natural coloring. If your skin is pale, a dark bronzer will look totally unnatural. Likewise, if you have a dark skin tone, a contouring cream with a gray undertone will make you look washed out.
Do a little experimenting. Head to the makeup counter and add some color under your cheekbones to see what hues best suit your face. Basically, you’re looking for a color that is two to three shades darker than your natural tone.
Powders and creams can give very similar results, but creams are a bit more forgiving.
If you’re not feeling confident in your makeup artistry, just go for a foundation that’s two shades darker than your skin tone.
If you’re ready to learn, go for a powder. It’s a bit more complicated but that’s the way to get the very best results. It’s important to get a good set of brushes with powder-based contouring. Use one brush for highlighting, one for contouring, and one for blending.
The basic technique is simple. To achieve particular results, hit YouTube and browse through the tutorials. You’ll quickly find a guide to help you get the results you want.
Kim Kardashian is the queen of contouring, but her style is a bit severe for every day.
If you want something simple, draw two dark lines along the sides of your nose and run a line of highlighter down the center. Then blend, blend, blend! You can always add more as you get more comfortable creating the look.
When you first start contouring, sunlight is your best friend. Until you have mastered contouring, always check your results outside or in front of a window. Your makeup might look amazing in your bathroom mirror but cartoonish when you get into the light, so always carry your blending brush. You don’t want to look like you’re walking around with dirt on your face, so make sure you double-check everything.
Makeup Artist Level: Bronzing
Bronzing lets you blend your features and make your nose less apparent. Don’t forget to blend! via listotic.com
If the idea of doing a full contour sounds intimidating – or it’s just too much trouble – try bronzing. You can use a bronzer or brown eye shadow.
Take an eyeliner brush and sweep a line of dark shadow or bronzer on both sides of the bridge of your nose. You’re going to have two totally unnatural-looking lines at this point.
Take a makeup sponge or blending brush and sweep those lines away from the bridge of your nose. This will darken everything but the center of your nose.
Once it’s blended, go over the center of your nose with a highlighter or white eye shadow.
In general, a bronzer is going to slim your face. Just as black clothes can knock five pounds off your figure, bronzer can gloss over any perceived imperfections.
Here’s another approach: Start with a quick, strategic self-tan. Pull your hair up and away from your face. Use a bronzer to draw the numeral three on both sides of your face (over your forehead, under your cheekbones, and across your chin). Once you have a three shape colored in on both sides of your face, run your bronzing brush down both sides of the bridge of your nose. Using bronzer all over your face makes the lines appear subtle. Your face will have a nice healthy glow.
Rushed Diva Level: Gloss It Over
A bit of powder can cover a multitude of sins. via allaboutyou.com
Regardless of the size of your nose, it’s often a problem area. Between oily skin and red discoloration, your nose might be getting all of the wrong kind of attention.
If you don’t have time for contouring or bronzing, or you just want to keep a light makeup bag, you can take a shortcut or two. Create an even, matte skin tone. This will gloss over any flaws and keep the attention on your lips and eyes.
The best way to get a picture-perfect finish is to use a primer.
There is a primer type for every kind of skin. Look for something with a green undertone if you have redness. Go for a pore minimizer if your nose has that strawberry look. Apply it all over then follow up with a foundation.
Now all of your skin imperfections have been smoothed over.
If you have a particularly oily nose, follow up with a matte powder. If you’re dealing with redness around your nose, add a little extra concealer around the base. You will find that creating a smooth, matte finish will leave your entire face (including your nose) looking amazing.
Lazy Girl Level: Distract
Nose? What nose? All I could see was those luscious lips! via pinterest.com
Want to simplify your makeup game? If you don’t like your nose, shift attention to something else!
Love your eyes? Go for a smokey eye or a jewel-toned liner.
Want to be out the door in five minutes? Add a quick coat of mascara, then a bold lipstick. If you’re wearing a magenta or plum lipstick, no one is going to focus on your nose.
The best thing that you can do is focus on the positive. If you love your lips, concentrate on them. It’s much easier to draw attention to your favorite feature than to hide something centered in the middle of your face.
And don’t forget your hair. It’s all about proportion, so if you want your nose to look smaller then make your hair look bigger.
Wear your hair in wide curls or natural beachy waves. Sleek styles and updos are going to draw more attention to your nose, so wear them strategically.
If you want an updo, pair it with a bold necklace or earrings. If you want a sleek style, add an attention-getting headband.
Keep It Soft
While bronzing and contouring are great for wide noses, they don’t do much for sharp noses. If you have a very angular face, it’s important to keep your look soft. It’s all about balance.
If you have a long nose and a sharp chin, bold shades and styles are going to overwhelm your face. Stick with blended shadows and soft liners. Go for neutral palettes and never wear harsh hairstyles.
The Sexiest Thing You Can Wear
Whatever you do, do it with style. Master the art of contouring (it’s really not that hard) or get a lip stain that makes you feel amazing. Walk away from the mirror feeling ready to face the world.