Over the years, the way we do nose contour in our makeup routines has continuously evolved. First, we used bobby pins to paint perfectly straight lines on each side of our noses. Then, we opted for rounded lines that led to a small circle on the tip of our noses.
We’ve also swapped between warm tones and cool tones countless times. And, surely, there were many other trends that we’re forgetting now. Lately, however, there seems to be a particular trend that’s left the internet divided: Unblended nose contour.
While scrolling on social media, it’s now common to see celebrities’ and influencers’ comment sections filled with people asking why their nose contour isn’t blended. While some deny it and defend their faves, others are begging them just to pick up a brush and make it less noticeable.
Thanks to the different reactions, discourse ensues and grows to the point where these discussions can be found not only across several apps like Reddit, Instagram, and TikTok but also in our IRL conversations.
It’s a topic that has the internet in a frenzy. Are celebrities really wearing unblended nose contours purposely? Is the technique wrong, or is this just a different way of doing it? To find out, we decided to go straight to an expert.
Kelly Zhang is a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with actors, models, television personalities, influencers, and more. She also creates informational videos on different trends and techniques to teach her followers how to get the look at home on their own. So, we asked her to break down the phenomenon for us.
“It’s true — less-blended nose contour is having a major moment, especially among celebrities,” Kelly says. “This trend seems to be about making the contour more visible and intentional, rather than blending it into a subtle illusion.”
