face shapes · haircuts
Best Hairstyles for aBig Nose
The best hairstyles for a big or prominent nose, with how volume, soft layers, fringes, and parts affect your profile, and cuts for women and men to try.
Hairover Team
Soft layers, a side part, and some volume at the back of your head tend to balance a strong nose. Hair can’t change your profile, but it can shift the visual weight, so the nose isn’t the only thing that stands out. And many people love a strong nose, and it’s a feature that gives a face real character. This guide is only for those who’d like more balance.
What helps
- Volume at the crown or the back of the head balances your profile from the side.
- Side or off-center parts avoid a center line that leads to your nose.
- Soft face-framing layers draw attention to the cheekbones and eyes.
- Length past the chin adds a downward line.
- Avoid a very flat back, because it makes your profile front-heavy.
Cuts for women
Layered lob. Soft pieces at the cheekbone frame your face. See our layered lob guide.
Long layers with a side part. Soft and easy, and the diagonal helps. See layered haircuts for long hair.
Soft waves. They add movement and pull attention outward. See our soft waves guide.
Side-swept bangs. These soften the forehead without drawing a hard line near the nose. See curtain vs. side-swept bangs.
Half-up with crown volume. This adds balance from the side.
Low bun with soft front pieces. An elegant option that keeps some softness around your face.
Cuts for men
Textured top with a low fade. Volume at the crown balances your profile. See the textured crop guide.
Quiff. Height at the front and the crown draws the eye upward. See textured crop vs. quiff.
Side part. Clean and classic, with a helpful diagonal. See side part vs. comb over.
Medium waves. Soft length softens the whole face. See long hairstyles for men.
Beard. Facial hair adds weight to the lower face, balancing a strong nose from the side. See beard styles by face shape.
What to be careful with
- Strict center parts with flat, straight hair.
- Slicked-back styles with a flat back and no volume, which make a strong nose the main feature in profile.
- Blunt, heavy bangs that end right above your eyes.
- Very short cuts with nothing at the crown.
These don’t have to be off limits, particularly if they suit your style, but consider adding some volume elsewhere if you wear them.
Don’t forget the profile
Most of us check our hair from the front, but people often see us from the side. Take a side photo with your phone, and look at how the back of your head balances the front. Our guide on how to take a photo for hairstyle recommendations has useful tips.
Other ways to shift attention
- Defined eyebrows and glasses draw attention to your eyes. See hairstyles with glasses.
- Hair color with soft dimension adds interest away from your face’s center. See balayage vs. highlights.
Check it from every side
Balance depends on your whole head shape. Upload a clear photo to Hairover, get a hair analysis, and try hairstyles on your own face in Style Studio.
FAQ
Do bangs make a nose look bigger?
Very blunt, heavy bangs can draw attention to the middle of the face. Side-swept or curtain bangs usually work better, because they soften the area and add diagonal lines.
Which part is best for a big nose?
A side or off-center part often helps, since a strict center part creates a line that leads straight to your nose. Try both at home, and see which you prefer.
Do men with big noses need a particular cut?
Volume at the crown and the back of the head helps balance your profile. Very tight sides with nothing on top can make the nose the most prominent feature.
