FAQ About Makeup Techniques

Contouring your nose can help create the illusion of a smaller or straighter nose. By using strategic shading and highlighting, you can balance and reshape the appearance of your nose. Here's a step-by-step guide to contouring your nose:

1. Choose the Right Contour Shade:

• Select a contour shade that is one to two shades darker than your natural skin tone. It should be a cool-toned shade, such as a taupe or grayish-brown, to mimic natural shadows.

2. Prepare Your Skin:

• Start with a clean and well-moisturized face. Apply your foundation as usual, making sure your nose is well-blended and even-toned.

3. Identify the Areas to Contour:

• Study your nose in the mirror and identify the areas you want to contour. Common areas include the sides of the bridge, the tip of the nose, and the nostrils.

4. Contour the Sides of the Bridge:

• Use a small, angled makeup brush and the contour shade to draw two straight lines along the sides of your nose bridge. Start at the inner corners of your eyebrows and extend the lines down to the tip of your nose. Keep the lines close to your nose bridge but not too close to avoid creating an artificial look.

5. Contour the Tip of the Nose:

• To make the tip of your nose appear smaller, apply the contour shade to the rounded tip of your nose, creating a straight line across it. You can also add a small shadow on the tip's sides to narrow it.

6. Contour the Nostrils:

• To make your nose look slimmer, shade the areas around your nostrils with the contour shade. This can help reduce the width of your nose.

7. Blend Well:

• The key to a natural-looking nose contour is blending. Use a clean blending brush or a damp makeup sponge to blend the contour lines, ensuring there are no harsh lines or obvious color differences.

8. Highlight the Nose:

• To accentuate the contoured effect, use a light, matte highlighting shade or a concealer that is one to two shades lighter than your skin tone. Apply it down the center of your nose, following the natural line from the bridge to the tip. This will bring attention to the center of your nose and make it appear straighter.

9. Set Your Makeup:

• Set your contour and highlight with a translucent powder to ensure it lasts throughout the day.