How to Contour Your Nose, According to a Makeup Artist

There are tons of crazy contouring tutorials out there, but if marking your face like an art project doesn't sound like you, don't fret — you can still achieve a sculpted look with a more natural, real-life finish. . One of the trickiest features to get right? nose. Go too far, and it may look like you tried to crinkle your nose, which is the opposite of what you're supposed to be doing.

There's no one-size-fits-all technique as it depends on the shape of your nose and your desired result, but there are some general tips you can keep in mind. To help us avoid joining the ranks of contouring casualties, we asked celebrity makeup artists to show us how it's done.

Keep reading to learn how to contour your nose like a pro.

Know what contouring does

Before you read on how to get your nose to look like Kim K's, it's important to know what contouring does for the face. "The contour of the nose is the most obvious feature of the face and for some people, if they are insecure about the shape or size of their nose, it can make them feel more confident," says Dedivanovic. "Be careful in daylight though, a contoured nose really looks best under lights or for photographs."

Choose the Right Contour Product

Surprisingly, Matin advises against contouring with bronzer, as bronzers are often formulated with a warm hue, which may not look like a natural shade on all skin tones. Instead, he recommends looking for something (like a brow product) with a more neutral, earthy hue, which looks more like a natural shade than a bronzer.

However, Dedivanovic recommends a cool-toned or neutral bronzer that's one to two shades darker than your skin tone, which helps create a soft sculpted shadow. "My SoftSculpt Bronzer ($28) and E3 Makeup Brush ($22), will help achieve a natural-looking result. The bronzer formula is super lightweight and buildable and won't require a lot of blending or fuss, making it perfect It will be easier. This technology," he says.

Tip

Try to avoid creams as it can get tricky (or muddy) to blend properly, especially when setting with a powder after.

connect the dots

Instead of drawing a line on either side of the nose, Matin recommends making a series of dots. Once you have a few dots vertically on either side of the nose, smudge them together (vertically), which creates a more natural cast than a harsh line. Be sure to do this step on both sides of the bridge of your nose.

"Apply just below the inner brow. The closer you are to the bridge of the nose with the bronzer, the greater the effect," says Dedivanovic. "A small fluffy brush made for targeted areas will ensure there are no deep, harsh lines running down the nose."

Contour the tip

"You can add a little bit of contour [at the tip of the nose] to make the tip more sculpted. Think of contouring as shadow, not as color or bronzer," says Mattin. "You shouldn't be able to see lines or any kind of redness."

Dedivanovic likes to mix it with a translucent powder to further diffuse the product.

Tips

Dedivanovic recommends sculpting the nose after bronzing and contouring the rest of the face. "This helps me gauge how much or how little product is needed on the nose, or if I even need to contour at all. Sometimes I will just add a touch of product to warm up the center of the face," he says.

Sharpen color

If the look of a natural shadow is a little too subtle for you, Matin suggests recreating the lines you created with powder contour in steps one, two and three. Just remember to go little by little. It is much easier to apply more contour than to wipe off excess product.

For her final step, Dedivanovic uses a highlighter with a small brush down the bridge of the nose to slim down the center and create a contrast against the shadow.

No matter your skin tone, Dedivanovic says anyone can contour their nose. "If you have very dark skin, focus on highlighting the bridge versus creating depth with contouring along the sides and you'll get a similar result," he says. Haven't mastered the art of contouring yet? Practice, practice, practice. "I don't think nose contouring should be an everyday technique because it takes a little practice to achieve a more natural, softly sculpted look," says Dedivanovic.

How do you blend contour makeup?

Once you've applied the makeup to your face, you can blend using a foundation brush or a blending sponge, patting until the two shades blend together and the look isn't quite so severe.

Once you've applied the makeup to your face, you can blend using a foundation brush or a blending sponge, patting until the two shades blend together and the look isn't quite so severe.

What kind of makeup should you use to contour?

You can either use a contour palette or a light foundation or concealer paired with a darker (i.e. bronzer-like) shade for definition. Contour kits make the job very easy and there are several high-quality versions we love.

What parts of the face can you contour with makeup?

You can really contour your entire face, from the forehead to the neck. Makeup artists most often use the contour technique to shape the nose, cheeks and forehead.