What Are the Different Types of Noses?

There are many different types of noses and shapes out there, and every person’s nose is a defining feature of their face.  So naturally, much of how we look depends on our nose. It’s no shock that many of us feel dissatisfied with how our nose looks.

The Nose is the second most important part of our respiratory system, it filters the air you breathe, and also moistens and warms the air that enters into your lungs, and provides a sense of smell.

Scientists usually determine the race of people based on their skin color, hair texture, and height; However, we can also identify ethnicity based on different types of nose shapes and sizes.

In this article, we will discuss different types of Noses, and what nose size is the considered average size based on the aesthetic principle.

What are the Different Types of Noses?

1. Bulbous Nose type

Bulbous Nose is a type of nose with an enlarged or poorly defined tip

A bulbous nose is a type of nose with an enlarged or poorly defined tip. The problem with appearance is often an imbalance between the upper and lower halves of the nose.

The eye usually likes a straight and unbroken, gently curved line between the head of the eyebrow and the tip of the nose. If the tip of the nose is too wide in relation to the bridge of the nose, disproportion and imbalances will occur and the gently curved line will be broken.

The cause of a bulbous tip of the nose can either be enlarged or ill-defined cartilage at the tip of the nose, or thick skin on the tip of the nose itself. In both cases, both anatomical causes contribute to the lack of definition of the tip of the nose.

Bulbous noses are more common in men than women and are usually caused by simple genetics or, in some cases, untreated rosacea.

2. Upturned Nose type

Upturned Nose is a type of nose where the tip is angled upwards

An upturned nose is a type of nose where the tip is angled upwards. According to Healthline, the angle can vary from slightly upwards to an exaggerated angle which makes the nose appear short and the nostrils protrude. 

Upturned noses are sometimes referred to as “pixie noses” or “pig noses.” Whatever you call it, an upturned nose is like any other facial feature.

We are all different, and unless the shape of your nose changes from an injury or previous surgery, chances are you inherited it from your family.

An upturned nose can be caused by sudden nasal trauma. To change the shape of your nose, the injury must be serious, such as a broken nose. A direct frontal strike usually results in the nose being pushed in and up, creating an upward-facing appearance.

The nose regulates the temperature and humidity of the air we breathe as it enters our airways. Therefore, their shape evolved based on the climate their ancestors faced.

Medically, an Upturned nose is nothing to worry about. Unless it affects your breathing, nothing needs to be done. If you’re having trouble with the shape of your nose, there are surgical and non-surgical options that can help.

3. Button Nose type

Button Nose type

A button nose is defined as having a rounded tip and a small nose that can twist up or down slightly, making your nose look round.

This type of nose is very common. It can also be accompanied by a hump on the back (a bump in the middle of the nose when viewed from the side).

Many people have shorter noses that sit lower on the bridge of the nose. This can result in the nose being too short for the proportions of the face, making the face appear shorter and rounder.

The most requested nose shape is this one. However, people usually don’t like these noses because they are mostly equipped with a short nose bridge. In some cases, a wide-based Nubian nose can also look like a button nose from the front.

Thanks to advances in cosmetic medicine, you can have your nose operated on by an experienced nasal surgeon to improve it. You can make it look more masculine or feminine if you already have one.

Additionally, it’s difficult to reshape your snub nose without medical help if you don’t like the way it looks or if it’s been injured in an accident. If you meet the general requirements for rhinoplasty, snub nose surgery may be a good option for you.

4. Straight or Greek Nose type

Greek Nose type

A Greek nose is a type of nose where the nose is straight from top to bottom, which is why it is also known as a straight nose. The straight nose type is characterized by a straight nasal dorsum or smaller nostrils and bridge of the nose. A face with a Greek nose shape is considered aesthetically pleasing.

With no bumps or curves, a straight Greek nose is considered the perfect geometric shape. The crest starts between the forehead and ends at the tip of the nose with slightly narrow nostrils. A Greek nose looks more like an “upside down number 7”.

The Greek nose is one of the most visually pleasing types of the nose because it has a lovely profile and is quite straight. Both male and female Greek nose shapes are among the few preferred choices among “nose job” enthusiasts.

The female version of a Greek male nose is proportionately smaller. Several beauty-conscious females who wish to alter their nose shapes, surgically or through minimally invasive procedures, prefer to have Greek female nose shapes. Its thin profile also makes it appear aesthetically beautiful.

5. Snub Nose type

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The Snub nose is small and slopes upward at the tip, causing the nostrils to be visible. This type of nose is usually smaller and tends to turn up. The tip of the nose is neither round nor flat. With its slightly upturned tip, it gives the impression of a snobbish person.

Sometimes referred to as “The Mirren,” since it resembles the nose of Actress Helen Mirren, the snub nose is marked by its distinctive thin and pointed appearance.

It differs from the celestial nose in that it has a softer, rounder shape rather than a pointy appearance. According to Prof. Tamir’s study, only 5 percent of those surveyed had a snub nose.

6. Hawk Nose or Roman Nose type

Hawk Nose or Roman Nose type

Aquiline nose, this type of nose is distinct downward curvature that often follows a visible pivoting point on the bridge.

For this reason, it is also often referred to as a hooked nose, though it is probably best known as the Roman nose. The Latin word for eagle-like, ‘aquilinus’, is where the term aquiline nose comes from.

The bump on the bridge can vary in how conspicuous it is and the hooked nose characteristic can sometimes be emphasised by a drooping tip. In any case, the Roman nose is certainly a special one, distinguishing its possessors with their own recognizable trait that is unique to their beauty.

7. Fleshy Nose or Broad Nose type

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Brod name is a type of nose where the very top portion of the nose is wider than typically expected. In some cases, it is a normal facial feature, but it can also be indicative of certain genetic or hereditary medical conditions especially when present with other associated anomalies.

A wide nose can significantly affect the look of your face since wider noses tend to be flatter and do not project from the face’s profile. Because of this, a wide nose can affect overall facial symmetry by making your other facial features such as your eyes or mouth appear too small in contrast.

If the nasal passages of the nose are flat, this may also result in breathing difficulty due to constricted airflow.

8. Nubian Nose type

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A Nubian nose has a broad base, a long nasal bridge, and a nose tip that often extends downwards toward the lips. This type of nose name gives away its ancestry since it often refers to ancient North African Numidia.

Rihanna and former President Barack Obama are two well-known people with noses like those of Nubians.’ of nose name gives away its ancestry since it often refers to ancient North African Numidia.

Rihanna and former President Barack Obama are two well-known people with noses like those of Nubians.

9. Bumpy Nose type

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Bumpy noses are another very common nose shape, with an irregular outline and a subtle or more prominent curve in the dip.

The main reasons a bump develops on the nose are the excess growth of bone, cartilage, or both on the nasal bridge or severe damage to the nose.

People with bumpy noses are some of the most common candidates for rhinoplasty, as bumps in the nose can be corrected more easily than other concerns, and in some cases, non-surgically.

10. Nixon Nose type

A Nixon nose is classified by a wide tip and is not very common among the population. The tip protrudes out from the face making it very prominent. This is a type of nose that many people would prefer to get through a rhinoplasty.

11. Combo Nose type

A combo nose is any nasal form combining two or three nasal shapes. So, if you couldn’t find your nose shape in any of the abovementioned descriptions, you probably have a combo nose.

What Nose Is Considered Average Size?

While all human noses theoretically function the same, the size of the nose can vary widely across different demographics. Generally speaking, the average male has a nose size of 2.2 inches, while the average female nose size is 2 inches.

The discrepancy is believed to be correlated to lean muscle mass that men naturally have more of, but the size of the nose is also highly influenced by climate and human evolution.

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