Let me tell you a little story. I used to think contouring was a magic trick that only makeup artists and beauty influencers could pull off. The first time I tried it, I ended up with two dark stripes on my face that looked more like a tiger than the sculpted goddess I was aiming for! But with some practice (and a few amazing products), I discovered that contouring is way easier than it seems. It’s just about enhancing what’s already beautiful—and yes, that includes you, exactly as you are. Whether you’re looking to play with the shape of your nose for fun, self-expression, or just to try something new, let’s dive into this step-by-step guide together.
Let’s Talk Makeup Magic
Here’s the thing: makeup isn’t about changing who you are. It’s a way to express yourself and bring out the features you love most. And while you can’t change the shape of your nose permanently with makeup, you can tweak its appearance temporarily with some clever contouring and highlighting techniques. Plus, it’s super fun to experiment! Whether you’re going for a subtle sculpt or a full glam moment, your nose will look stunning—contoured or not.
Ready? Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of nose contouring!
How to Make Your Nose Look Smaller with Makeup
Step #1: Prep Your Face
Before anything else, create a smooth, even base. Apply your favorite foundation and concealer to even out your skin tone. Think of it as your blank canvas for all the magic to come. This step helps the contour and highlight blend beautifully, so don’t skip it!
Step #2: Highlight the Center
Here’s where the fun begins! Grab a creamy highlighter—one that isn’t overly shimmery—and draw a straight line down the center of your nose. Blend it out gently with your fingertip or a small brush. I swear by the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Highlighter Shaping Sticks (available on Amazon) for this. They’re creamy, easy to use, and come in shades that flatter all skin tones.
Step #3: Contour the Sides
Next up, contouring! Use a cream contour shade from the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Total Cover Concealing and Contour Kit (available on Amazon). Choose a color that’s one to two shades darker than your skin tone. With a small contour brush, draw two lines on either side of your nose. The closer the lines, the slimmer your nose will look, but don’t go too close if you want a natural effect. Blend, blend, blend with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender (available on Amazon) until it all looks seamless.
Step #4: Set with Powder
To lock everything in place, dust a translucent setting powder like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Sweep & Lock Loose Setting Face Powder (available on Amazon) over your nose. This step keeps your masterpiece from budging all day.
Step #5: Balance It Out
Why stop with your nose? To create a harmonious look, use the same contour and highlight products on your forehead, cheekbones, and temples. Finish with a touch of illuminator on your cheekbones and cupid’s bow for a radiant, glowing finish.
Other Ways to Play with Contouring
How to Make Your Nose Look Thicker
Yes, some people want a fuller-looking nose! It’s all about placement. Draw your contour lines further apart and fill the space between them with highlighter. The wider the highlighted area, the more substantial your nose will appear.
How to Make Your Nose Look Straighter
If you want to make your nose look straighter, the key is ignoring its natural curves. Draw two straight contour lines, even if they don’t follow the shape of your nose. For the highlight, use a reflective product like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Powder Glow Illuminator (available on Amazon) to draw attention to the center.
How to Make Your Nose Look Shorter
Want a shorter-looking nose? Use a small brush to apply contour powder to the tip of your nose and around the nostrils. Darkening this area creates the illusion of a shorter nose by visually lifting the tip.
How to Make Your Nose Look Longer
For a longer appearance, do the opposite! Highlight the tip of your nose with a shimmery powder like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Powder Glow Illuminator (available on Amazon) to draw the eye downward.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, contouring is just one tool in your makeup kit to have fun and express yourself. Whether you’re transgender, cisgender, or anywhere on the spectrum, remember: your beauty is uniquely yours. Contouring doesn’t change who you are—it just helps you play up the features you love or explore something new. So grab your brushes, experiment with these techniques, and most importantly, have fun with it. You’ve got this!
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When it comes to my choices for makeup and beauty products, I only use L’Oréal Paris (Available on Amazon). I have really sensitive skin and never once have I had any negative reaction to any L’Oréal product.
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