How to Use Contouring to Make Your Nose Appear Shorter

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A Comprehensive Guide to Contouring Your Nose to Appear Shorter

Introduction

If you’ve ever wished for a more button-like, petite nose, you’re not alone. Many people feel that their nose is too long, and while surgery is an option, it’s a significant step. Thankfully, the art of makeup offers a non-invasive, temporary solution: contouring. With the right techniques and products, you can create a clever illusion of a shorter, more balanced nose. This in-depth guide will take you through every step, from choosing your tools to mastering the final blend, ensuring you achieve a flawless, natural-looking result. We’ll focus on clear, actionable steps and concrete examples so you can put these techniques into practice immediately. Get ready to transform your look and boost your confidence, one strategic stroke at a time.

The Essential Tools of the Trade

Before we dive into the application, you need to gather the right tools. Using the wrong products can lead to a muddy, unnatural finish, defeating the purpose entirely. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:

  1. Contour Product:
    • Cream or Liquid: Ideal for beginners and those with dry skin. They are easier to blend and provide a more natural finish. Look for a product in a shade that is one to two shades darker than your skin tone and has a cool, greyish undertone. Avoid warm, orangey bronzers, as these will look unnatural and a bit like a stripe of dirt.
      • Example: A cool-toned contour stick or a cream contour pot in a shade like Fenty Beauty’s Match Stix Matte Contour Skinstick in “Amber” is perfect.
    • Powder: Best for those with oily skin or those who prefer a more matte finish. Powder contours can be easier to control and build up. Again, opt for a cool-toned shade.
      • Example: Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit in “Light to Medium” offers a great range of cool-toned powders.
  2. Highlight Product:
    • Matte Highlight: For the most natural look, a matte highlight that is one to two shades lighter than your skin tone is crucial. This will be used on the tip of the nose to shorten it visually.
      • Example: A matte, light-toned eyeshadow or a light setting powder.
    • Shimmer Highlight: A subtle, non-glittery shimmer highlight can be used sparingly on the bridge of the nose, but avoid placing it on the tip if your goal is to shorten.
      • Example: Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector in “Moonstone” for a subtle glow.
  3. Brushes & Sponges:
    • Small, Tapered Blending Brush: This is your primary tool for applying the contour lines. A tapered shape allows for precision.
      • Example: A small eyeshadow blending brush or a dedicated nose contour brush.
    • Fluffy Blending Brush: A soft, fluffy brush is essential for blending out the harsh lines and creating a seamless finish.
      • Example: A small crease brush or a clean eyeshadow blending brush.
    • Small Detail Brush: For applying the highlight with precision.

    • Beauty Blender or Makeup Sponge: Excellent for blending out cream products and ensuring a skin-like finish.

Step-by-Step Guide to the “Shortening” Technique

This section is the core of our guide. We will break down the process into clear, manageable steps with actionable advice for each.

Step 1: Prep and Prime Your Canvas

Start with a clean, moisturized face. Apply your foundation and concealer as you normally would. Ensure your base is smooth and even, as this will prevent your contour from looking patchy. A smooth canvas is non-negotiable for a flawless contour.

Actionable Example: After applying a light-to-medium coverage foundation, use a small amount of concealer to cover any redness around your nostrils or on the bridge of your nose. This creates an even base.

Step 2: The Vertical Lines – Creating a Narrower Bridge

The secret to a shorter-looking nose begins with creating the illusion of a narrower bridge. A narrow bridge makes the entire nose appear more compact.

  • Action: Using your small, tapered blending brush and your contour product, draw two straight, thin lines down the sides of your nose.

  • Key Point: Do not start these lines at the very top of your brow. Instead, start them from the inner corner of your brows, where they naturally begin to taper.

  • Concrete Example: Imagine drawing two parallel lines from the inner edge of your eyebrows down towards the sides of your nose. These lines should not extend all the way down to the tip of your nose. Stop them a few millimeters before the end of the tip. The closer these lines are to each other, the narrower and more defined your nose will appear.

Step 3: The Horizontal Line – The “Shortening” Secret

This is the most crucial step for achieving the shorter nose illusion. A strategic horizontal line will visually cut off the end of your nose.

  • Action: Use your small, tapered brush to draw a single, thin, horizontal line across the very tip of your nose. This line should connect the two vertical lines you just created.

  • Key Point: The placement of this line is everything. The higher up you place it, the shorter your nose will appear. Placing it right at the end of the tip will not have the same effect.

  • Concrete Example: Think of drawing a tiny, horizontal “bar” or “shelf” just above the nostril area. This creates a visual shadow that makes the tip of your nose recede.

Step 4: The Underside – Elevating the Tip

To further enhance the illusion of a shorter, more upturned nose, you’ll need to contour the underside.

  • Action: Apply a very small amount of contour product to the underside of the tip of your nose, specifically in the area between your nostrils.

  • Key Point: This is a very subtle step. Use a light hand. The goal is to create a soft shadow, not a harsh stripe.

  • Concrete Example: Lightly tap your brush with product and then tap it on the skin directly between your nostrils. This creates a slight shadow that gives the illusion of an upturned, smaller tip.

Step 5: The Highlight – The Final Piece of the Puzzle

Highlighting is just as important as contouring. It’s the interplay between light and shadow that creates the illusion.

  • Action: Using a small, detail brush, apply a matte highlight product to the very center of your nose, between the two contour lines. Start the highlight from just above the horizontal contour line and extend it upward.

  • Key Point: Do not drag the highlight all the way down to the tip of your nose. The highlight should stop where the horizontal contour line begins. The shorter the highlight line, the shorter the nose will appear.

  • Concrete Example: Imagine drawing a thin, matte highlight line that only covers the top two-thirds of your nose bridge. This brings light to the area you want to emphasize and keeps the tip in shadow, achieving the shortening effect.

Step 6: Blending – The Art of Seamlessness

This is where your look goes from amateur to pro. Unblended lines are a dead giveaway.

  • Action: Use a clean, fluffy blending brush or a damp beauty blender to gently blend all the lines.

  • Key Point: Use very light, gentle tapping and circular motions. The goal is to soften the edges, not to blend the product away completely. Always blend upwards and outwards.

  • Concrete Example: For the vertical lines, gently blend them outwards towards the cheeks. For the horizontal line, blend it downwards and outwards, and for the highlight, blend it softly into the skin. Make sure there are no visible lines of demarcation.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Even with the best instructions, it’s easy to make mistakes. Here are a few common pitfalls and how to avoid them.

  1. Using the Wrong Shade:
    • Mistake: Using a bronzer that is too warm or orange. This looks muddy and unnatural.

    • Fix: Always use a cool-toned contour product. The greyish undertone mimics a natural shadow, which is the key to a believable contour.

  2. Drawing the Lines Too Thick:

    • Mistake: Using a heavy hand and drawing thick, dark lines. This makes the contour obvious and harsh.

    • Fix: Start with a very light hand and build up the color gradually. Use a small, precise brush to keep the lines thin and controlled.

  3. Forgetting to Blend:

    • Mistake: Leaving harsh, unblended lines on your nose. This is the most common mistake and makes the contour look fake.

    • Fix: Spend more time on the blending step than the application. Use a clean brush and a gentle hand. Blending is the difference between a good contour and a great one.

  4. Highlighting the Wrong Area:

    • Mistake: Placing a shimmer highlight on the very tip of the nose. Shimmer attracts light and will make the area appear more prominent, which is the opposite of what you want.

    • Fix: If your goal is to shorten the nose, stick to a matte highlight on the bridge and avoid the tip entirely. If you want a subtle glow, place a tiny amount of shimmer on the very top of the bridge and nowhere else.

Pro Tips for Advanced Application

Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can elevate your contour game with these advanced tips.

  • Baking the Contour: After applying your cream or liquid contour, use a small detail brush to apply a layer of translucent setting powder directly on top. Let it “bake” for a few minutes before dusting it off with a fluffy brush. This technique locks the contour in place and creates a very sharp, defined line.

  • “Pushing Up” the Tip: For an extra lift, use a small amount of matte highlight powder on the area directly between your nostrils, under the contour line you created. This makes the tip appear even more “upturned” and petite.

  • Setting Spray: A good setting spray will not only lock your makeup in place but can also help to melt all the products together, creating a more skin-like, seamless finish.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of nose contouring is a skill that takes practice, but the payoff is well worth it. By following this comprehensive, step-by-step guide, you have all the tools and knowledge you need to create the illusion of a shorter, more balanced nose. The key lies in understanding the interplay of light and shadow, using the right products, and, most importantly, mastering the art of blending. Start with a light hand, be patient with yourself, and soon you’ll be able to sculpt your nose with confidence and precision. The power to transform your features is now in your hands.