There are several ways to help you achieve a nose shape that matches your face and looks natural. One is contouring – applying face makeup like bronzer that’s one or two shades darker than your skin color can help make the nose appear narrower and thinner.
There are also facial exercises and homemade facial molds that some people swear will make the nose look smaller. However, evidence supporting these claims is limited.
1. Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty
In less time than it takes to run a mile, Los Angeles-based cosmetic surgeon Alexander Rivkin can shape a nose with dermal fillers, creating the illusion of a slimmer and more contoured bridge or straighter nose. His treatment, dubbed the nonsurgical nose job, uses thick hyaluronic acid filler to instantly create the effect of a reshaped nose, and it can be used to address a range of cosmetic concerns including reducing a bump on the nose or lifting the tip.
But before you think about booking an appointment for a nonsurgical nose job, be sure to set realistic expectations. The fillers we use are excellent at smoothing minor imperfections and adding subtle volume, but they cannot make a nose significantly smaller or remove large bumps. And it is also important to avoid certain blood-thinning medications and supplements like aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E, and fish oil for up to a week before the procedure to minimize bruising.
When we perform a nonsurgical nose job, we use injectable hyaluronic acid fillers such as Restylane(r) and JUVEDERM(r) to create the desired appearance. These dermal fillers are very safe, require no downtime, and are virtually painless.
This procedure can be especially useful for patients who want to test how a change to their nose might look before committing to a permanent surgical rhinoplasty. However, if you have a significant bump, wide nostrils, or a bulbous tip, nonsurgical rhinoplasty probably will not be able to address your aesthetic goals. A consultation with our triple board-certified plastic surgeon can help you determine the best way to address your goals.
2. Contouring
Contouring can look like a lot of work but with the right tips it’s really not that bad. It can be a great way to enhance your features and define your face shape. The key is to use a dark product to create shadows on the sides of your nose and on your forehead, cheekbones and jawline.
Then highlight using a lighter color to bring out those areas you want to accentuate. For example if you have a square face shape your main objective is to minimize width in the jaw and around the cheeks (and possibly make your eyes appear a bit larger). The best way to do this is to contour on the edges of your nose, forehead, and cheeks but avoid drawing that line all the way up to your eyes (that can cause “raccoon eyes”). Instead “aim” for a point at the bottom or in-between your nostrils and your top lip & stop there.
For an oblong face shape your objective is to make your face seem longer if you wish. The best way to do this is to contour around your eyes but leave a small gap between your contour and highlight to prevent the appearance of shadows under your eyes.
If you have a heart-shaped face, your main objective is to highlight the center of your face. Then for the cheeks use a highlight on the highest point of your cheek bone. You can also add a highlight on the back area of your jawline to help accentuate that part of your face. You’ll have to play with how far in you can go with that highlight though – depending on your face shape that may be further in than others.
3. Fillers
As we age, our noses go through structural changes that permanently shape our noses. Girls go through the process during their teenage years while boys do at age 18. The nasolabial angle (the curve of the nose from the lips) is usually straighter on men for a rugged look, and with a slight’ski slope’ angle for a more feminine appearance. A petite nose with a slightly upward slope is called the snub nose and has been featured on the faces of many A-List celebrities such as Meryl Streep and Grace Kelly. Dr Doyle has extensive experience in the art of nose shaping and will work with you to achieve your desired results.
4. Massages
If you’re on YouTube, you’ve probably seen videos of people claiming that facial massage has made their noses look smaller or tilted their eyebrows upward, but before you book your next rubdown, be aware that kneading your face into place won’t change bone structure or tighten skin (although it can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles). “An understanding of anatomy is super important when attempting to manipulate the muscles controlling movement,” says aesthetician Raquel Medina-Cleghorn. Instead, she recommends focusing on areas that can be changed with massage, such as relaxing the muscles around the eyes to minimize squinting or minimizing dark under-eye circles. “With the right technique, you can achieve these results without injectables or surgery.” -Dr Doyle. Gold Coast Plastic Surgery, Australia.
5. Masks
The shape of your nose is a good indicator of where your ancestors came from. Did they live in a warm climate near the equator? Then you’ll likely have wide nostrils. This is due to the fact that a warmer environment requires more breathing room for the nose.
Masks are a great way to boost your looks and also have health benefits. However, you want to be sure that the style you choose is right for your face and neck shape. Also, be mindful of the colors and designs. Masks adorned with avocados or kittens, for example, only work well with certain outfits. Look for masks that are more sleek and refined.
Dr Doyle has a wealth of experience in rhinoplasty and will help you find the best nose shape to suit your face. A straight nasolabial angle appears masculine, while a slight ‘ski slope’ is more feminine. Celebrities like Tom Cruise and Ryan Gosling have this type of nose. The snub nose is small in size with a round tip and upward slope. This is the most common and requested nose shape among women.
