Makeup Magic: How to Make Your Nose Look Smaller

Contouring Tips and Eye Makeup Tricks to Downplay Your Nose

Jenny Slate
Michael Tran/Getty Images

Your nose tends to be a focal point obviously because of its position on your face: dead center. If you feel like you have a big nose (that's relative!), there are a few makeup and hair tricks you can do to minimize its appearance.

Flawless Skin Is Key

Redness, blemishes, or dark spots on your nose can draw even more attention to it. So, the first step is to address skin issues. Always cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize your face regularly to keep your skin looking and feeling as healthy as possible.

If you do have some imperfections you'd like to cover up, you can do that with concealer and foundation. Sweep on some powder to set your makeup and leave a matte finish, as the nose can be prone to oiliness. Keep blotting papers on hand to keep shine at bay throughout the day.

The Magic of Contouring

If you want to create the illusion of a smaller nose, contouring is the way to go. The best way to contour is with an eyeliner brush and bronzer. Here's how to do it:

  1. Dip the brush into bronzer or a brown eyeshadow and draw a perfectly straight line on each side of the bridge of your nose. You could also do this with a darker shade of foundation.
  2. Make sure to blend very well to create the appearance of a shadow rather than blunt lines.
  3. Take a highlighting pen, like Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat High Cover Radiant Concealer ($35), and swipe it down the bridge of the nose. The contrast of light versus dark helps shape the nose.

Play Up Your Best Facial Features

Consider which of your facial features you love the most and accentuate them. 

Smoky eyes or bright jewel-toned eye shadows can draw attention upward from your nose. Feel free to go all out with eye makeup. Have fun with color, and go for va-va-voom lashes with a high-impact mascara like Milk Makeup Kush High Volume Mascara ($24).

If you have full, luscious lips, you could keep the rest of your makeup soft and go bold with your lipstick shade to redirect attention to your pout. A classic red lip always leaves an impression.

Big Hair, Don't Care

Voluminous hair can help balance out a bigger nose. Avoid pulling hair back into a tight ponytail or bun, which can make your facial features look more severe. Instead, wear your hair down and let any natural waves or curls stand out.

Be Nice to Yourself

Consider this: What you might think of as a flaw may actually be what makes your face interesting, unique, and beautiful. Again, a "big" nose is not only relative, but it's also not something to hide.

Try not to make fun of your nose to friends or strangers. Complaining about your insecurities only highlights them. Work on accepting yourself for who you are, because everything about you is 100-percent gorgeous. Nose and all.