THE 9 NOSE SHAPES
Nose shapes are varied and one could even say that there are as many noses as there are inhabitants on earth. The nose is one of the 3 most important elements of the face along with the eyes and the mouth. Seen from the side, it is even the most visible part of the face. Nose shapes are multiple but we have nevertheless tried to classify them into 9 categories . Thus, we took as criteria the size, the shape (bump or hollow), the orientation, the inclination and the particularity of the tip of the nose. So, what nose do you have? What is your favorite nose style ?
The visible parts of the nose
In the aesthetic analysis of the nose, we will take into account the visible parts of the nose:
- The hollow between the forehead and the root of the nose (at the top of the nose)
- The bridge of the nose . This is the upper part of the nose that runs from the base to the beginning of the tip. It can be flat, humped, or hollow.
- The tip of the nose. This is the end of the nose; it can be large, small, angular, rounded, asymmetrical, or bulbous.
- The columella. This is the furrow of skin between the two nostrils. It can be horizontal, lean forward (drooping nose), or lean backward (upturned nose).
- The nostrils. They are more or less wide and more or less rounded. The skin can be thin or thick.
“Classic” nose
This nose shape is the most common in Europe and North America. There is a small hollow that separates the nose from the forehead, the ridge is relatively straight and the columella (bottom of the nose) is horizontal or slightly rising. Seen from the front, it is perfectly symmetrical and aligned with the rest of the face. The nostrils are slightly rounded and the tip is nicely rounded. This nose is a standard, as much for men as for women.
Aquiline nose
The aquiline nose is thin and hooked, with thin skin and marked angle breaks. This type of nose is also called an eagle’s beak nose because of its hooked side. Aquiline comes from the Latin word “eagle.” In the collective imagination, the aquiline nose is used as much to symbolize witches as to symbolize nobles. 2 very different and rather antagonistic symbolisms coexist.
The aquiline nose is subject to varying opinions. Some like its assertive, forward-looking, and self-confident appearance. While others find it unattractive. It will also depend on whether it’s combined with a hump on the nose and its overall size.
Hunchbacked or hooked nose
The nose has a bump on the top of the nasal ridge, particularly visible from the side. The bump on the nose is more or less significant and can sometimes cause a complex and a loss of self-confidence. Seen from the front, the bump is generally much more discreet. The bump gives character to the nose. It is often located in the middle of the nasal ridge.
Some people also have a bump on the tip of their nose. This is due to an overgrowth of the alar cartilages at the front of the nose, which often occurs during adolescence. A bump on the nose can also appear following an impact. Normally, the nose returns to its normal size after 5 to 10 days, while the swelling recedes. Repeated impacts can change the shape of the nose.
Bourbon nose
The Bourbon nose is characterized by its large size and thick, fleshy skin. This name comes from the royal Bourbon family, several members of which had large, imposing noses.
Everything about the Bourbon nose is big, with the nostrils being very fleshy and well rounded. However, it maintains good overall harmony and will pair perfectly with people with a bon vivant face.
Square nose
The square nose is characterized by a stepped nose. The angles are pronounced.
First, we notice a hollow at the top of the bridge of the nose. The nose starts to become almost horizontal, then a new break places it almost vertically.
The tip of the nose is reminiscent of a square, which is where it gets its name.
The “camard” nose has the particularity of making the cartilages of the nose appear prominent.
Flat nose
A flat nose is a small nose in proportion to the rest of the face. It sits close to the face and sometimes tends to make the nostrils appear wider. Indeed, since the tip of the nose is close to the face and the nostril anchor points are the same as on a classic nose, the nostrils will tend to be very rounded and widen.
The small, flat nose will tend to pull on the upper lip and make it very plump.
Drooping nose
A drooping or hooked nose has the particularity of having its tip lower than the base of the nose (columella). In fact, the tip will be oriented downwards and may give the impression that it is not well supported.
It is generally relatively large.
A drooping nose can occur from a young age, or it can become droopy over time. As the years go by, the nasal fat will melt away, the cartilage support structures will loosen, and the nose will tend to sag and become droopy.
Straight nose
The straight nose has the distinction of being an extension of the forehead without a marked break between the two. The ridge of the nose is almost straight. The distance between the corner of the eye and the ridge of the nose will therefore be significant. The entire ridge is very straight, without hollows or bumps.
Nostrils can vary between individuals.
A straight nose can give an authoritative or confident appearance to the face.
This type of nose is relatively rare.
Upturned nose
The upturned or trumpet nose has a concave shape and a tip of the nose that rises upwards.
The tip of the nose will be more or less raised, revealing a greater or lesser extent of the nostrils. In extreme cases, this can result in a “pig nose” and become a complex. This can sometimes result in botched rhinoplasties, for example, when the surgeon removed too much bone and cartilage while trying to flatten a bump.
Recently, the trumpet nose has become a benchmark in terms of beauty standards for young women. It gives a youthful, joyful, and innocent look. While it was once a source of insecurities, it is now being promoted, and some stars are undergoing surgery to transform a classic nose into a trumpet nose.
We’ve outlined the 9 main nose shapes . Obviously, we had to categorize them because there are thousands of them. Fashions change with the times and civilizations. When you really don’t like the shape of your nose, then cosmetic surgery and rhinoplasty can be solutions to accept yourself and regain self-confidence.
Nose surgery is also sometimes used to repair a nose deformed by an accident or birth defect. The most common nose injuries occur in the construction industry and also in bicycle, scooter, or car accidents. Fights are also a major source of reconstructive nose surgery. The nose is fragile; it’s not uncommon to have a broken nose after being punched.
Some people also undergo nose surgery to remove a wart. These surgeries are different because they are performed on the outside of the nose, unlike other surgeries that are performed through the nostrils and leave little to no scarring. Generally, the scars left by the surgery are much less than the initial cosmetic problem. However, the surgeon should inform you of the desired outcome.
Want to simulate a rhinoplasty ?
Upload your profile photo and tell us what type of changes you’d like to see on your nose. We’ll send you a modified photo to show you what it might look like. You can then show the photo to your surgeon to ask if the surgery is technically feasible and how much it will cost.
Vous pourrez ensuite montrer la photo à votre chirurgien afin de lui demander si l’opération est réalisable techniquement et pour quel prix.