Nose Shape Quality: What FaceIQ Labs Measures and How It Rates the Nose

Key facts

• Nose Shape Quality is one of the Features assessments in FaceIQ Labs' facial analysis, alongside skin, under-eyes, creasing, sclera, eyelids, hair, brows, lashes and symmetry.
• It covers three assessments: Bulbous Nasal Tip, Bloated Nasal Bridge and Nostril Exposure.
• On each assessment, higher scores indicate a more refined tip, a narrower and more defined bridge, or less visible nostrils.
• Each assessment has five levels: 0–2, 3–4, 5–6, 7–8 and 9–10. A score of 5–6 is labeled Moderate on all three.
• FaceIQ Labs' scores use a 0–10 scale where 5 is the population average and the scale is non-linear.
• FaceIQ Labs states that nose shape is largely genetic, though certain characteristics are more universally considered attractive.
• Camera angle, wide-angle lenses, contouring makeup, lighting, skin thickness and temporary swelling can change how a nose appears in photos.
• FaceIQ Labs recommends photos taken from six feet away with the back camera at 2x zoom, at eye level, in even lighting, with a neutral expression.

What does FaceIQ Labs' Nose Shape Quality assessment measure?

FaceIQ Labs' Nose Shape Quality is a Features assessment that rates three aspects of the nose from an uploaded photo: nasal tip refinement (Bulbous Nasal Tip), bridge width and definition (Bloated Nasal Bridge), and nostril visibility (Nostril Exposure). FaceIQ Labs states that nose shape is largely genetic, though some characteristics are more universally considered attractive.

Why does nose shape matter for facial appearance?

FaceIQ Labs describes the nose as the central feature of the face, with a significant effect on facial harmony. Its help page says a refined nasal tip, proportionate bridge and balanced nostrils contribute to an attractive profile, and that rhinoplasty remains one of the most popular cosmetic procedures because nose shape strongly affects aesthetics. The page also says noses closer to the mathematical average are rated as more attractive, while deviation from averageness reduces attractiveness, attributing this to van Zijl et al., 2020.

How are Nose Shape Quality scores read?

On all three FaceIQ Labs Nose Shape Quality assessments, higher scores indicate a more refined or less prominent result: a more refined tip, a narrower and more defined bridge, or less visible nostrils. Each assessment has five levels: 0–2, 3–4, 5–6, 7–8 and 9–10, and 5–6 is labeled Moderate. More broadly, FaceIQ Labs' scores use a 0–10 scale where 5 is the population average. The scale is non-linear: a 7 is roughly the top 6% of the population and an 8 is about 1 in 250.

How does FaceIQ Labs rate the Bulbous Nasal Tip?

FaceIQ Labs' Bulbous Nasal Tip assessment evaluates the roundness and definition of the nasal tip. A refined, well-defined tip is considered more aesthetically pleasing than a wide, bulbous one, so higher scores indicate more refined tips. It has five levels, running from Bulbous (0–2) to Refined (9–10). The levels are Bulbous (0–2), Noticeable (3–4), Moderate (5–6), Slight (7–8) and Refined (9–10). Bulbous means a significantly wide, rounded tip lacking definition. Slight means slightly wider than optimal but with good overall refinement. Refined means a narrow, well-defined tip. FaceIQ Labs lists five things to look at: tip width (narrow and refined versus wide and rounded), tip definition (visible tip-defining points versus an amorphous blob), skin thickness (thick skin often creates a bulbous appearance), cartilage shape, and the profile view for tip projection and rotation. The help page says tip refinement is one of the most common goals in rhinoplasty. It advises judging width from the front view and projection and definition from the profile view.

How does FaceIQ Labs rate the Bloated Nasal Bridge?

FaceIQ Labs' Bloated Nasal Bridge assessment evaluates the width and definition of the nasal bridge. A narrow, well-defined bridge is generally considered more attractive than a wide, undefined one, so higher scores mean a more refined bridge. FaceIQ Labs says bridge width significantly affects facial harmony from the front view. The five levels are Bloated (0–2), Noticeable (3–4), Moderate (5–6), Good (7–8) and Normal (9–10). Bloated means a significantly wider bridge with poor definition. Good means slightly wider than optimal but with good definition. Normal means a narrow, well-defined and smooth bridge. FaceIQ Labs lists four things to look at: bridge width from the front, definition (sharp edges versus soft, undefined borders), skin quality (thick skin can obscure definition), and the proportion of bridge width to face width. The bridge is best assessed from the front, looking at definition and shadow along its edges.

How does FaceIQ Labs rate Nostril Exposure?

FaceIQ Labs' Nostril Exposure assessment evaluates how visible the nostrils are from a frontal view. Ideally nostrils are minimally visible, largely concealed by the nasal tip, so higher scores indicate less visible nostrils. It has five levels, running from Extreme (0–2) to None (9–10). The levels are Extreme (0–2), Significant (3–4), Moderate (5–6), Mild (7–8) and None (9–10). At None, nostrils are largely concealed with only a faint outline visible. At Mild, the lower rims are slightly visible but mostly concealed. FaceIQ Labs lists five things to look at: how much of the nostril opening is visible from the front, tip rotation (upturned tips show more nostril), nostril shape (round, oval or slit-like), nostril width (narrow versus flared), and columellar show, the relationship between the nostrils and the central column. The help page says natural variation exists and some exposure is normal.

What does a score of 5–6 mean for nose shape quality?

On each of FaceIQ Labs' three Nose Shape Quality assessments, a score of 5–6 out of 10 is labeled Moderate. For the tip it means moderate bulbousness with some fullness affecting definition; for the bridge, moderate fullness affecting definition; for nostrils, noticeable but not overly prominent exposure. On FaceIQ Labs' overall scale, 5 is the population average.

What can distort a photo-based nose assessment?

Camera angle, wide-angle lenses, contouring makeup, lighting, skin thickness and temporary swelling can change how a nose appears in photos, according to FaceIQ Labs' Nose Shape Quality help guidance. Which factors matter depends on whether the tip, bridge or nostrils are being assessed. For the Bulbous Nasal Tip, camera angle, contouring makeup, wide-angle lenses (which distort nose size) and skin thickness (which varies by ethnicity) affect appearance. For the Bloated Nasal Bridge, contour makeup commonly narrows its look, lighting and camera angle change perceived width, and swelling such as from allergies can temporarily widen it. For Nostril Exposure, camera angle, looking up at someone and lighting from below all increase nostril visibility.

How should I take photos for an accurate nose assessment?

FaceIQ Labs recommends taking photos from six feet away with the back camera at 2x zoom, at eye level, in even lighting and with a neutral expression. For nostril exposure, its help page says to assess from a straight-on frontal view at eye level. These conditions matter because angle, lenses, lighting and makeup can alter how the nose looks. The help page also says to check the tip from both front and profile views and the bridge mainly from the front.

Frequently asked questions

What three parts make up FaceIQ Labs' Nose Shape Quality?

Nose Shape Quality at FaceIQ Labs covers Bulbous Nasal Tip (roundness and definition of the tip), Bloated Nasal Bridge (width and definition of the bridge) and Nostril Exposure (how visible the nostrils are from the front).

Is a higher Nose Shape Quality score better?

Yes, on each of the three assessments higher scores indicate a more refined result: a more refined nasal tip, a narrower and more defined bridge, or less visible nostrils.

What does a Moderate nose shape score mean on FaceIQ Labs?

A score of 5–6 out of 10 is labeled Moderate. It indicates some fullness affecting tip or bridge definition, or noticeable but not overly prominent nostril exposure.

Does FaceIQ Labs say nose shape is genetic?

Yes. FaceIQ Labs states that nose shape is largely genetic, though certain characteristics, such as a refined tip, proportionate bridge and minimally visible nostrils, are more universally considered attractive.

Can makeup or camera angle change my nose shape results?

FaceIQ Labs' help page lists contouring makeup, camera angle, wide-angle lenses and lighting among the factors that change how the nose appears in photos, so photos should be taken at eye level in even lighting without contouring.

Is some nostril visibility normal?

Yes. FaceIQ Labs' help page says natural variation exists and some nostril exposure is normal, while ideally nostrils are minimally visible and largely concealed by the nasal tip.