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Big and small, thick and thin, there are so many types of noses. We should give special attention to them sometimes because they do play a crucial part in our appearance.

As a health and wellness expert, I know that besides vital functions like breathing, noses really are fascinating.

We’re all about facial features and our sniffers today, so let’s get to know your nose.

Contents

Types of Noses - #Types-of-Noses

Types of Noses

Identify the Types - #Identify-the-Types

Identify the Types

Nose in Kissing - #Nose-in-Kissing

Nose in Kissing

Noes Tip Sizes - #Noes-Tip-Sizes

Noes Tip Sizes

Perception of Beauty - #Perception-of-Beauty

Perception of Beauty

Interesting Nose Facts - #Interesting-Nose-Facts

Interesting Nose Facts

How to Care - #How-to-Care

How to Care

FAQs - #FAQs

FAQs

Downloadable - #Downloadable

Printable

More - #More

More

11 Types of Noses

Facial features have fascinated people's interest for a long time. There are many different types of noses, and many adopt new names based on who identifies with the nose type. For example, Harry Redknapp and the Redknapp Nose, or Kate Middleton with the Duchess Nose. At the center of our face, the subject is either one for admiration or criticism— the human nose.

1. Greek noses

This shape owes its name to the perfectly straight, bump-free beaks on famous Greek Gods and Goddess sculptures. Characterized by its linear bridge, it's considered by surgeons to be the ideal snoot with the most aesthetical appeal. It suits both sexes and is the envy of those with bent noses.

Roughly 3% of the population has the Greek nose.

2. Fleshy noses

This is the most common type for men and women. Dubbed The Einstein, it has a fleshy tip turned downwards. The alae, or the wing, is usually open and thick. It's large and has a prominent shape, which some people dislike. However, this shape has been linked to legendary beauties such as Cleopatra.

Roughly 24% of the population has a Fleshy nose.

3. Hawk noses

Defined by its dramatic arch and protruding nasal dorsum, it resembles the curved beak of a hawk and other predatory birds. Adrian Brody and Barbara Streisand are famous for their beak-like shape and strong portraits. This striking shape doesn’t deter attractiveness; instead, it provides a bold profile.

Roughly 5% of the population has a Hawk nose.

4. Bumpy noses

The bumpy shape, like the one Owen Wilson has, is another one of the world's most common shapes. It has a distinctively bumpy outline and can have either a subtle or noticeable curve in the dip. A broken nose can cause a bumpy shape, but for some, the dorsal hump it's hereditary. Nose surgery is most commonly performed on those who have a bumpy form.

Roughly 9% of the population has a Bumpy nose.

5. Upturned noses

Also well known as the Celestial Nose, it is most commonly small with an indentation at the middle of the bridge. It has a protruding lobule, or tip, which can make the nostrils prominent. The bridge is normally thin.

Thanks to celebrities like Emma Stone, this is one of the most requested shapes for rhinoplasty surgery patients. Michael Jackson’s post-plastic surgery is a good example of a corrected up-turned shape that's gone a little too far, even after revision rhinoplasty.

Roughly 13% of the population has an Upturned nose.

6. Bulbous noses

Former US president Bill Clinton has a bulbous nose. A rare rounded shape with a bulbous tip. It often protrudes outward and forms a silhouette at the bottom. In caricatures and cartoons, this is often used as the big nose for an added exaggerated feature.

Less than 0.5% of the population has a Bulbous nose.

7. Roman noses

Just like the Greek, the Roman is named after the faces of many ancient Roman sculptures. Known as Hooked or Aquiline Nose, it has a balanced size tip that is not too small or too big. This is a typical shape and has slightly bigger nostrils.

It does deal with appearing to be more prominent from a side profile because of its high protruding bridge and its distinctive hump. Think Ryan Gosling.

Roughly 13% of the population has a Roman nose.

8. Nixon noses

Aptly named after the 37th president of the United States, Richard Nixon, this is the least common shape. It has a straight nose bridge, with a wide, long nose tip and curved end.

Less than 1% of the population has a Nixon nose.

9. Button noses

Usually considered charming or cute, it's important to see this one from the side. As a small nose, it's dainty and has a lower sitting nasal bridge. However, because the bridge is not flat, there is still a perceptible height and slight curve.

The rounding of the slightly spherical formed nasal tip may turn up or down. The overall length can be too short in proportion to other facial features, but it can also make a face appear smaller.

There is no specific data on the population % with Button nose.

10. Nubian noses

Featuring a longer bridge with a wide nose base, the Nubian is most commonly found in those of African descent. With this shape, the nostril does tend to stand out more and has a thicker columella. If there is a request for a nose job with this type, it's usually to narrow the bridge or a reduction rhinoplasty to the alar flares.

There is no specific data on the population % with Nubian nose.

11. Asian noses

It can vary from country to country, but most commonly, it's similar to the button shape, having a rounded but shorter tip. It can also resemble the Nubian at the base, being wide. What makes the most distinctive character of this shape is its flat bridge. This shape is popular for a plastic surgeon to perform nasal structure alterations to heighten the bridge.

There is no specific data on the population % with Asian nose.

How To Know What Kind of Nose You Have

Question the size and shape of your tip; does it point up or down? What shape is your bridge; is it narrow or wide, flat or raised? The form of the nasal bones and cartilage are the most important components in figuring out your shape. To determine what kind you have, it's best to identify by comparing with visual aids and the descriptions.

Does Your Nose Type Matter When Kissing?

How to kiss a guy successfully is about finding a rhythm with your partner and a play of simultaneous give and take. In a passionate lip-to-lip caress, your bill won't come between you and your partner unless it becomes your sole focus. While it's common sometimes to clash noses, all obstructions disappear when you're in that moment.

Can The Tip of Your Nose Get Bigger? Or Is It Permanent?

Body changes are natural, and it's only reasonable for noses to grow in size as we age. But, fortunately for us, they only grow to a certain point. People often believe our noses continue to grow indefinitely, but this is untrue. It can just alter in size and shape as the bone, cartilage, and skin undergo structural or anatomical changes.

How The Nose Influences Our Perception of Beauty

The question "Am I attractive?" is generally due to our opinion of our beak. As a main focal point to your face, it does play a role in your overall facial balance. Often we question whether our opinion would change with a different nose shape as a common standard of beauty is to have harmonized facial features.

With this said, physical appearances should never take precedence over a person's character.

5 Interesting Trivia Facts About the Nose

Besides being part of our visual identity, they really are a remarkable body part. You breathe from it; you can sniff and sneeze, but what else do you know?

It can detect more than 10,000 scents.

It was a study from 1927 that found humans could detect about 10,000 different odors, but new research has found our sense of smell is much more powerful. In fact, the National Institutes of Health claim it's about 1 trillion smells.

Your nose grows downwards.

As you become older, your skin lengthens and droops due to gravity's constant pressure. It's also caused by the continuous deterioration of collagen and elastin in your skin, especially at the tip. Tip rhinoplasty is a popular request among facelift patients since it is a clear sign of aging.

It is your first line of defense against pathogens.

Nose hairs operate as a physical barrier to infection. Mucus is produced by cells, which then traps pathogens before they can enter the lungs. The mucus and any pathogens caught within it are expelled when it's blown. Your nose is an essential focal point in respiratory health. If you love science trivia questions like these, check this one out on Mantelligence.com.

Without the nose, you wouldn't be able to taste any of the food you want.

Air is pushed across the nerve endings in your nasal passage and throat when you chew. This air, or scent, is processed with the food, resulting in the sense of flavor. As the smell travels, it triggers the olfactory receptors inside your nose and then works with your taste buds. So, in other words, if you can't smell, you can't taste.

Your nose can help you find your MATE!

Our smell receptors, also called the olfactory receptors, play a role in what we find attractive. The scent of a person's perfume or cologne and their shampoo or soap is significant for sexual arousal.

Someone's sweat has a direct influence on our sexual receptors in the brain as well. You'll find more interesting trivia questions like these on Mantelligence here.

Downloadable And Printable List of Types of Noses

Here is a downloadable and printable jpg/pdf list of types of noses (right-click the image and select Save Image As...):

How To Take Care of Your Nose

Now that you know it plays several necessary functions in your well-being, the next time you look in a mirror, give it a little appreciation. After all, it's the only one you have.

Tip #1: Avoid High Humidity

The amount of mucus in your nasal cavity and throat passage increases with high humidity. This can cause congestion, sneezing fits, and a runny nose.

Tip #2: Practice Good Hygiene

Only touch your schnoz or face with clean hands and limit how much you rub it. Do a daily nasal cleaning routine and clean more frequently if you have allergies. Ask a pharmacist for advice in using a saline solution.

Tip #3: Keep Skin Healthy

If you feel self-conscious about your sniffer, try to avoid it getting too oily by taking care of your skin as oil and shin attract more attention. Try oil-absorbing wipes.

Tip #4: Take Care of Piercings

Having a nose ring is a very fashionable trend. If you have a healed nose piercing, don't forget to practice good care by cleaning it when the area is dirty or oily. For new piercings, seeking professional advice for its aftercare.

Tip #5: Limit Rubbing

Constant rubbing or wiping can cause chapping as the action exfoliates the area. This results in raw skin cells turning you into Rudolph.

Tip #6: Be Gentle When Blowing

Try not to blow too hard. Although rare, there are consequences to blowing too hard. It can cause a nose bleed, eardrum rupture, or an ear infection. Did you know sneezing really hard can also cause you to break a rib?

Tip #7: Dust is Bad

Vacuum frequently and try to keep your surroundings clean because dust can irritate your nasal passage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there really is plenty more to know about our beaks. And you probably have some questions. Check out our FAQs.

What do nose types reveal about personality?

This is a matter of debate on what you believe. The shape can tell which particular ethnical group your ancestors were from. So, genetically speaking, there may be a link to predisposed traits. However, the correlation between the shape and your personality are generally vague characterizations and conjectures.

Can you reshape your nose naturally?

Pinching or doing nose exercises won't change its shape. Because your bone and cartilage determine its form, it cannot be altered without surgery. If you don't like your schnoz, the simplest, cheapest, and closest to a natural solution is to contour it using cosmetics.

How does human sniffing ability compare with that of other mammals?

Humans having a poor sense of smell is not true. In fact, according to an article on Scientific American, humans were found to have more acute senses with some scents than mice, who are well-known to have superior nostrils. For at least a few odors, humans have even beaten the tenacious dog.

Does messaging your nose make it sharper?

No. Massage is mainly used to improve muscle flexibility. The size of your sniffer is determined by genetics, not the movement of the muscle and cartilage that surrounds it.

What shapes leave the nose permanently blocked?

No shape causes you to be permanently blocked. However, if you struggle to breathe properly due to a crooked nose, check that you don't have a deviated nasal septum. As this could be present at birth, you might not realize you have this condition.

A deviated septum is when the thin wall between your nasal passages is off to one side, making one nasal passage smaller.

More Articles To Know About Your Body Parts

It's essential to learn about yourself on a physical and visual level.

  1. Just as there are many types of noses, there are also many types of lips. Pucker up and learn about what makes up your smile.
  2. Mild swelling or puffiness under your eyes? Did you know under-eye bags are typical as you age? Read this article and learn how to de-puff and lighten the area under your eyes.
  3. Whether you're in the market for new sunglasses or trying to figure out the best hairstyles for you, it's vital to know face shapes. Know your unique face shape now.

In Conclusion

It may have come as a surprise that there are so many different types of noses. And apart from adding to your facial features, there's a lot more to the flesh and cartilage appendage than you first thought.