How to Make Your Nose Look Less Wide?

For many people, especially those with a broad or arched nose structure, aesthetic concerns may be a primary focus. If you too are thinking, 'My nose is too broad; how can I make it appear slimmer and more proportionate?' we comprehensively present all the methods you can use to improve the appearance of a broad nose, from the most basic make-up techniques to the most advanced surgical procedures.

Understanding the structure of your nose; why might your nose appear wide?

Wide nasal wings: This refers to the soft tissue on either side of the nostrils being wide. It is a feature commonly seen in individuals of Asian, African, and Mediterranean descent.
Wide nasal bridge: This refers to the bony area between the two eyes at the top of the nose being wide. This causes the nose to appear more 'flat' overall.
Low nasal tip: If the tip of the nose is not sufficiently lifted and droops downward, this can cause the nostrils to appear wider and more prominent.
Thick skin: Thick nasal skin can mask the thinness of the underlying cartilage and bone structure and give the nose a fuller, wider appearance.

Non-surgical methods:

These methods are strategies that you can apply immediately in your daily life, particularly using techniques such as makeup and hairstyling, to create noticeable differences in your appearance.

Professional make-up techniques:

Make-up is the most effective and inexpensive way to visually slim a wide nose. The basic principle is a technique known as 'contouring,' which shapes facial features using light and shadow

Products you will need:

Contour product: A matte foundation, cream, or powder that is 2-3 shades darker than your skin tone.
Highlighter: A matte product (cream foundation or powder) that is 2-3 shades lighter than your skin tone.
High-quality brushes: Fine, angled brushes will make your job easier.
Makeup sponge or beauty blender: To soften transitions.

Contouring and highlighting application:

Begin the process with clean, moisturized skin that has foundation applied. It is very important that your skin has an even base.
Take your thin, angled brush and lightly touch it to the contour product, shaking off any excess.
Draw thin, straight lines along both sides of your nose, from just above your eyebrows to the tip of your nose. The key is to follow the natural shadow lines of your nose. The thinner the lines, the more natural and subtle the effect will be.
If your nose has a bridge, you can add a light horizontal shadow there too.
If your nostrils are wide, you can visually push them back by lightly applying a ''V'-shaped shadow just outside the nostrils, towards the cheeks.
Take your highlighter and apply it in a straight line from the center of your nose, between your eyebrows, to the tip of your nose.
You can also highlight the tip of your nose with highlighter to make it appear more lifted and defined.
There should be no sharp lines at this stage. Using a makeup sponge or a clean, soft brush, gently blend the contour and highlighting lines, lightly sweeping them outwards. The transitions should be so soft that they do not give the impression of 'wearing makeup.'
Set the process with a transparent powder suitable for your skin to ensure your makeup lasts all day.

Hairstyle:

Center parting: Center-parted hairstyles divide the face symmetrically in two, drawing attention to the sides and eyes. This reduces the prominence of the nose.

Wavy and voluminous hair: Straight, fine hair makes facial features appear more pronounced. However, wavy, layered, or voluminous hairstyles that create volume towards the sides widen the frame of your face, making your nose appear proportionally smaller.

Avoid creating contrast: Excessive contrast between your hair color and skin tone (e.g., very dark skin with very light blonde hair) can draw attention to the center of the face. Softer transitions with similar tones are preferable.

Eyebrow shape:

Well-defined and shaped eyebrows: Scattered or sparse eyebrows disrupt facial expression. However, neatly shaped, slightly arched eyebrows create a focal point on the upper part of the face and draw attention upwards to the eyes.

Natural arch: Avoid making your eyebrows too thin or straight. A natural arch will enhance the balance of your face.

Accessory and eyewear selection

Eyewear: If you wear glasses, your choice directly affects the appearance of your nose.

Avoid: Small, round, or narrow frames that sit directly on the bridge of the nose can make the nose appear wider.

Recommended: Glasses with wider, thicker frames or 'browline' (eyebrow-accentuating) frames, which draw attention to the eyes and eyebrows, softening the appearance of the nose.

Earrings: Long, dangling, or eye-catching earrings can reduce the focus on the lower part of the face and therefore the nose.

Rhinoplasty (nose surgery)

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure performed to permanently alter the shape and sometimes the function of the nose. It is the most definitive solution for narrowing and refining a broad nasal structure.

Rhinoplasty techniques for a wide nose:

Depending on the structure of your nose, the surgeon will use one or a combination of the following techniques.

Osteotomy (bone breaking and reshaping):

Wide nasal bridge (bone): The surgeon creates controlled mini-fractures in the lateral bones of the nose. These bones are then brought closer to the center to create a narrower and smoother nasal bridge. This is the most commonly used basic technique in rhinoplasty to refine the nose.

Alar base reduction:

Wide nostrils: The surgeon removes excess skin and tissue just outside the nostrils with a small incision. These incisions are usually hidden in the natural creases of the nostrils, so the scars are extremely minimal and inconspicuous. Alarplasty procedure directly reduces the width of the nostrils and their angle to the face.

Nose tip reshaping (tip plasty):

Wide, boxy, or low nose tip: The surgeon reshapes the cartilages that form the nose tip. The cartilages are brought closer together with sutures to create a narrower, more defined, and upturned nasal tip. Tip-rhinoplasty procedure can also indirectly improve the appearance of wide-looking nostrils.

Subcutaneous tissue thinning:

Thick nasal skin: The surgeon carefully reduces the fat and soft tissue beneath the skin, allowing the underlying new bone and cartilage structure to appear more defined and refined. However, thick skin is more likely to remain swollen during the healing process, and it may take longer to see the final result.

Rhinoplasty process:

Consultation:

This is the most crucial step. You should discuss your expectations, requests, potential risks, and outcomes in detail with the surgeon you are considering for the operation. You can see a simulated view of your appearance after the operation using 3D simulation programs.

Surgery:

This is a procedure that takes 1.5 to 3 hours under general anesthesia. (Closed or open techniques may be used).

Recovery process:

First week: The nose is in a cast, and the dressings are in place. This is when the swelling, bruising, and edema are at their most intense.

First 2 weeks: The cast and stitches are removed. Swelling decreases rapidly but does not completely subside.

First 3 months: 70-80% of the swelling subsides. The new shape of your nose becomes apparent.

Final result: It may take up to 1 year, sometimes 1.5 years, for the fine swelling to completely disappear and for the soft tissue of the nose to fully adapt to its new structure. Patience is very important.

Natural methods and exercises:

Facial exercises can strengthen your facial muscles and slightly improve skin firmness. However, the structure of the nose consists largely of bone and cartilage. It has not been scientifically proven that these structures can be permanently altered by external exercises.

Some exercises (e.g., movements that create resistance with the tip of the nose) may have a temporary and very limited tightening effect on the cartilage at the tip of the nose. This may not be noticeable under thick skin and is not expected to have a significant effect on the overall width of the nose.

These exercises can be tried as facial yoga for general tightening, but realistic expectations should not be set for narrowing a wide nose. It would be more sensible to direct your time and energy towards makeup or medical methods that deliver definite results.

Which method is right for you?

Whichever method you choose, the most important thing is to have realistic expectations. Your goal should be a result that looks natural, is in harmony with the other features of your face, and makes you feel better about yourself. On this journey, give yourself time, do your research, and be sure to seek support from professional experts to make the right decision.

You can discuss your options by contacting Op. Dr. Çağatay Ruhi, an ear, nose, and throat specialist with over 15 years of experience in rhinoplasty surgeries.

If you're looking for daily and temporary solutions: Professional makeup techniques and altering your hair and eyebrow shape are a great starting point. The fact that they are free or low-cost and can be applied immediately is a major advantage.