Nose Shapes: Types of Noses

What are the different types of nose shapes?

As the central feature of the face, the nose is one of the first things you notice about a person. So it is important that you feel happy with your nose shape.

There are many different types of nose shapes, the most common ones being:

Greek nose

Sometimes simply referred to as “the straight nose”, this rare but much sought-after nose shape is defined by its remarkably straight bridge. It is generally free of any curves or humps. This nose shape is named for the perfectly straight noses on ancient statues of Greek gods. Celebrities with Greek noses include Hollywood actress Jennifer Aniston (who is a second-generation Greek) and the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton. About 3% of people have a Greek nose.

Roman nose

This type of nose is characterised by a prominent bridge, which makes it appear slightly bent, and a sloping curve protruding from the face. Much like the Greek nose, the Roman nose is named for the features found on ancient Roman sculptures. People with a Roman nose often have a strong, defined profile. Celebrities who have this type of nose include actor Ryan Gosling. About 9% of people have a Roman nose.

Bulbous nose

A bulbous nose is actually a characteristic of a skin disorder called rhinophyma, which is believed to be the result of poorly treated or untreated rosacea. The outcome is usually a large mass or swelling on the lower half of the nose. This is far more common in men than women. Former US president Bill Clinton has what would be described as a bulbous nose. Less than 0.5% of people have a bulbous nose.

Nubian nose

The Nubian nose is characterised by a longer bridge with a wide base and a tip that points slightly downwards towards the lips. Also known as the wide nose, this nose shape is most commonly found in people of African descent with darker skin tones, such as singer Beyonce and actress Gabrielle Union.

Fleshy nose

This is the most common nose type found in both men and women. It usually has weak cartilage and a large, protruding shape with a fleshy tip turned downwards. Sometimes it is colloquially referred to as an Einstein nose, although Einstein’s is a particularly bold example of a fleshy nose. These noses can also be small and petite, but are still categorised as fleshy as long as they appear more fatty than bony. Over 24% of people have a fleshy nose. This is not dissimilar to a bulbous nose.

Snub nose

This type of nose is usually small and slightly rounded with a subtle upward slope at the tip. Sometimes referred to as the Mirren nose, after actress Helen Mirren, this nose type is often confused with the turned-up nose (or celestial nose), which has a thinner, more pointed appearance. About 5% of people have a snub nose.

Hawk nose

Resembling the curved beak of a hawk and other predatory birds, this nose shape is characterised by a dramatic curved shape and prominent bridge. A key contributor to a strong profile, it’s also referred to as the beak nose or aquiline nose (aquiline means “eagle-like”). Actor Adrien Brody has an archetypal hawk nose, and Daniel Radcliffe has a less obvious version. About 4.9% of people have a hawk-nose.

Turned-Up Nose

The turned-up nose is also known as the celestial nose. It is relatively small with a slight dent in the bridge and a protruding tip. Celebrities like Emma Stone and Carey Mulligan have helped to make this nose type very desirable - in fact, it is one of the most requested shapes according to rhinoplasty surgeons. About 13% of people have a turned-up nose.

Bumpy Nose

Bumpy noses are another very common nose shape, with an irregular outline and a subtle or more prominent curve in the dip. 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. Barbra Streisand had a bumpy nose which she had corrected through rhinoplasty. About 9% of people have a bumpy nose.

East Asian Nose

The East Asian nose is characterised by its slim, flat shape with a shorter tip. Of course, many varieties of this shape occur across different East Asian regions, but this is one of the most common nose shapes among people from this part of the world. American actress Lucy Liu, who is of Chinese descent, has a classic East Asian nose.

Nixon Nose

Named for the 37th President of the United States, Richard Nixon, this nose shape has a straight bridge which curves at the end into a wider tip. The Nixon nose shape is extremely uncommon, occurring on less than 1% of the population.

Combo Nose

A combo nose is one which has features of various different nose types which combine to create a unique shape that doesn’t fit neatly into any of the categories above. Combo noses prove that no two noses are the same.

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Nose Abnormalities & Health Problems

Nose abnormalities can affect the structure and appearance of the nose, resulting in difficulty breathing, an impaired sense of smell and other concerns. People who suffer from nose abnormalities may be prone to snoring, nosebleeds, dry mouth and sinus problems.

A rhinoplasty procedure reshapes, corrects or reconstructs the nose to achieve more aesthetically pleasing proportions and to enhance physical appearance. Whilst this is most commonly carried out for aesthetic reasons, a nose job can also be performed as a procedure to improve function by correcting breathing issues and help alleviate the symptoms of sleep apnoea and snoring. In these cases, one is likely to also be operating on the septum or turbinate which are blocking the airway, otherwise known as a septoplasty or submucosal resection ('SM Resection').

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There are many types of nose abnormalities, but these are some of the most common.

Congenital deformities - these are present at birth, and include cleft palates, nasal masses or weaknesses in the structure of the nose.
Enlarged adenoids - these are the lymph glands found at the back of the nose. When they swell and become enlarged, they can block the airway, causing breathing difficulties and in some cases, sleep apnea.
Enlarged turbinates - each nostril has three turbinates that help to clean and purify the air you breathe in before it goes to the lungs. When these are swollen, they can cause difficulties with breathing through the nose.
Deviated septum - this occurs when the wall of cartilage between the nostril (the septum) is malformed or bent to one side. This condition can be congenital or caused by trauma, and is often associated with heavy drug use.
Saddle nose - also referred to as a boxer’s nose, a saddle nose has an extremely flat or even concave bridge. This condition can be caused by nasal trauma, certain diseases or drug abuse.
Ageing nose - just like any other part of the body, the nose is affected by ageing. The sides of the nose may start to collapse inward, leading to obstruction of the nostrils and a droopy appearance.

Treatments mentioned in this article

Rhinoplasty is a popular procedure with men who are concerned that their nose does not fit with the proportions of their face.

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Surgery For Men

Rhinoplasty for Men

Rhinoplasty is a popular procedure with men who are concerned that their nose does not fit with the proportions of their face.

Injectables

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers add volume, definition, and structure to the lips, cheeks, jaw, and more.

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Non-surgical rhinoplasty uses dermal filler to non-surgically augment the shape of the nose.

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