I didn’t realize just how essential contour makeup is for achieving balanced facial proportions and enhancing the definition of facial features until I experimented with too cool for school’s Artclass By Rodin Shading (#01 Classic) a few years back. However, I tend to shy away from contouring my nose due to fears of going overboard. Nose contouring requires a delicate approach and precision, as it can significantly impact the overall makeup look.
To start, I’ve never disliked the shape of my nose; in fact, I believe a unique nose shape adds character to the face. Yet, I’m continually fascinated by how makeup artists can reshape their noses and create the illusion of a “nose job” simply through contouring. After observing several contouring techniques on social media, I finally gathered the courage to test my skills on three distinct nose shapes using A’PIEU’s Start Up Pore Primer, too cool for school’s Artclass By Rodin Dual Contour Stick in #01 Warm Duo, along with a nose shading brush from Peach C’s Tuning Brush Set.
It’s worth mentioning that the noses demonstrated do not entirely reflect the title prototypes. Each person’s nose typically combines various characteristics, so grasping the foundational principles and adapting them individually is paramount. Let’s examine the outcomes!
Long Nose / Roman Nose
A Roman nose is characterized by a pronounced, convex nose bridge that resembles an eagle’s beak, with the tip angled downward, which can elongate the nose’s appearance. A hawk nose shares similarities but features a narrower bridge and a pointier tip.
Example of a Roman nose: Lady Gaga
For this nose type, the contouring should aim to soften the bump on the nose bridge. Apply shadow on the bump to create an illusion of a shorter nose. Subtle highlights should be applied above and below the bump to soften this feature. A little highlight can be added above the nose tip to give the nose a lifted appearance. Utilize concave lines instead of straight lines when shading the sides of the nose bridge to soften its shape. To “break” the bridge, draw a half-circle of shadow just above the nose tip. Finally, blend everything outwards with a medium-sized bullet-shaped blending brush.
Short Nose / Button Nose
In contrast to a Roman nose, a button nose features a short and concave bridge that gives it a stunted appearance. A blunt tip can contribute to the perceived shortness, while a snub nose has a more pointed, upturned tip.
Example of a button nose: Florence Pugh
To elongate a button nose, apply shadow on the inner corners of the brows and continue straight down the sides of the nose bridge. Highlight a slender line along the nose bridge to enhance the elongation effect. Be sure to highlight the nose tip, and shade the sides of the nose along with the outer edges of the nostrils for a sleeker appearance. It’s important that the shading remains confined within the wings of the nose to avoid a muddy look! Blend towards the center of the nose for a natural gradient effect.
Wide Nose Bridge / Bulbous Nose
A bulbous nose features a rounded tip and wider nostrils, leading to a bulbous shape. Meanwhile, a wide nose bridge results in a more prominent appearance, with nostrils spaced farther apart.
Example of a wide nose bridge: Zendaya
For those with a bulbous nose or wide nose bridge, apply shading to the sides of the nose tip and the nostrils to create a narrower and sharper appearance. The shading along the nose bridge should taper towards the tip. Adding V-shaped shading at the base of the nose tip can enhance the sharpness. Optionally, you can highlight the tip of your nose with a small triangle for an upturned effect. Blend gently toward the center to draw focus on the narrow section of the nose instead of its wider areas.
Products & Tools
The creamy and slightly beige A’PIEU’s Start Up Pore Primer is not as thick as other nose primers I’ve tried, which usually have matte or balmy consistencies. However, the Start Up Pore Primer is more adept at concealing pores and smoothing out uneven skin texture compared to most face primers I’ve utilized. I also appreciate that it does not alter your skin tone.
too cool for school’s Artclass By Rodin Dual Contour Stick is a great tool for quick nose touch-ups. Its creamy texture is easy to blend and remains intact after using a mist setting spray (if you have dry skin) or setting powder (for oily skin). The shading is substantially darker than the darkest shade from the brand’s popular Art Class Rodin Shading (#01 Classic), making it more suitable for darker skin tones. The highlight is refined and buildable, allowing for easy control during application.
The nose shading brush from Peach C’s Tuning Brush Set performed admirably. Its shape, size, and density are ideal for blending, although I prefer brushes with darker, thinner bristles. This brush set includes a larger blusher brush, a smaller base shadow brush, and a clear zip pouch. too cool for school also offers an attractive Artist Vegan Brush Kit equipped with four makeup brushes and a vertically oriented canvas pouch that features a snap button closure.
Tips
- Be sure to prep your skin before applying contour makeup. Use a blackhead remover to exfoliate your face, especially the nose, to create a smooth canvas. This prevents the accentuation of blackheads, enlarged pores, and flaky skin during nose contouring.
- Contour beyond just your nose. Ensure you contour your entire face so that your makeup appears cohesive and natural.
- Prior to contouring, apply concealer one to two shades lighter than your skin on the sides of your nose to create contrast, particularly if you have soft facial features or a low visual weight face. Follow this with baking using setting powder.
- If possible, use a ring light while contouring to illuminate your face from all angles. Regularly turn your head to check for a natural application.
- If needed, use a clean mini beauty blender or wedge sponge to remove excess product.
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