All About the Nubian Nose (& How it Compares to Other Noses)

A Nubian nose is a source of pride for many Nubian descendants. It’s known for its wide nostrils and long bridge, and symbolizes strength, beauty, and authenticity, among other things. In this article, we dig deep into the Nubian nose and what makes it great, explaining what it is, why it’s called the Nubian nose, how it compares to other noses, and more!

Nubian Nose: A Brief Overview

A Nubian nose is a nose with a long bridge, wide nostrils, and a soft, rounded tip. It is most common among people of African descent, particularly from the Nubian region (modern-day Egypt and Sudan). It often symbolizes strength, beauty, authenticity, and pride in your African heritage.

Section 1 of 8:

What is the Nubian Nose?

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A Nubian nose is a long-bridged nose with wide nostrils. The long bridge and wide nostrils make for a smooth profile that’s complemented by a soft, rounded tip. A Nubian nose is also narrower towards the top, thick and broad in the middle, and wide at the end. It’s most common among people of African descent. Altogether, the Nubian nose is striking, pronounced, and balances out the face.
- Other common characteristics of the Nubian nose include:
  - Thick nasal skin
  - Flat side-profile
  - Strong, pronounced nasal bones
  - Less defined tip
  - Oily nasal skin

Section 2 of 8:

Where does the Nubian nose come from?

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The Nubian nose is most common among those from the Nubian region. The Nubian nose hails from the region of Nubia, which was an ancient region along the strip of the Nile River that goes south from what is now Upper Egypt to Sudan.^{[1]
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Research source} This region is known for its warm and humid climate, which wider noses (like the Nubian nose) are suited for.^{[2]
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- Wider noses are suited for the Nubian climate because they can take in more of the warm, moist air without having to humidify or warm it as narrower noses do.

Section 3 of 8:

Celebrities with Nubian Noses

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Lots of celebs have Nubian noses, from Lupita Nyong’o to Zendaya. Nubian noses are especially common among celebrities of African descent, as that’s where the nose hails from. This doesn’t mean Nubian noses are exclusive to celebrities descended from Africa, but it is much rarer for non-African celebrities to have them. Celebrities with Nubian noses include:^{[3]
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- Barack Obama
- Gabrielle Union
- Oprah Winfrey
- Beyoncé
- Iman
- Alek Wek
- Mindy Kaling
- Rihanna

Section 4 of 8:

Is a Nubian nose attractive?

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Yes, many people find the Nubian nose attractive. The Nubian nose has received lots of love and praise for its attractiveness, especially considering its strong cultural heritage and how it frames the face. While attractiveness is different for everyone, many people find the Nubian nose beautiful. All types of noses are considered attractive by some, as attractiveness is subjective!
- While some have deemed the Nubian nose as unattractive by Eurocentric beauty standards in the past, in recent years, this narrative has definitely shifted.

Section 5 of 8:

What does the Nubian nose symbolize?

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Nubian noses are just as attractive as other noses, representing beauty and authenticity. They also symbolize pride in your heritage, as they celebrate the natural, distinct African look, which is also associated with strength and resilience.

Section 6 of 8:

How to Celebrate Your Nubian Nose

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Use makeup to highlight your nose and draw attention to it. Highlighting your Nubian nose shows that you’re proud of your nose and not looking to minimize it. Makeup artist Nini Efia Yang says that contour makes your nose smaller, and highlight draws attention to it.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Nini Efia Yang
Makeup Artist

Expert Interview} So, highlight your Nubian nose to celebrate it!
- To highlight your Nubian nose, apply a dark shade of contour on the sides of your nose, then apply a highlighter to all of the space in between the contour lines, going from your nose’s bridge to its tip.
Ponytails and updos help bring attention to your face and nose, while soft, layered cuts help frame your face, which also brings attention to your nose. If you really want to flatter your Nubian nose, opt for an Afro-centric hairstyle, like braids, an afro, or an afro fade. Either way, choosing a hairstyle that flatters your nose is a great way to celebrate it.
The Nubian nose symbolizes strength and perseverance, so channel that strength and perseverance when it comes to taking pride in your nose. Acknowledge its uniqueness, which truly makes it (and you!) beautiful. Simply look in the mirror and be proud of the fact that your Nubian nose represents your heritage and inner strength.

Section 7 of 8:

How the Nubian Nose Compares to Other Noses

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The Greek nose is practically the antithesis of the Nubian nose. The Greek nose is straight and narrow, particularly around the bridge, while the Nubian nose is much thicker. The Nubian nose is also more pronounced around the bridge and has flared nostrils, while the Greek nose has thinner nostrils.^{[5]
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The Roman nose has a prominent bridge that slightly curves, similar to an eagle’s beak. It’s strong and prominent, like the Nubian nose, but the two aren’t exactly the same. The Nubian nose has a much softer tip than the Roman nose, has a less pronounced side profile, and isn’t as sharp.^{[6]
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The celestial nose helps define the face, similar to a Nubian nose, but that’s pretty much where the similarities end. While the Nubian nose is known for its wide nostrils and soft, rounded tip, the celestial nose is known for its narrow nostrils and upward-titled tip. This gives the celestial nose a more delicate look as opposed to the Nubian nose’s strong, pronounced look.^{[7]
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The differences between the hawk nose and the Nubian nose are like night and day, as the hawk nose is thin, sharp, and curved towards the tip.^{[8]
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Research source} The Nubian nose, on the other hand, is thick, wide, and rounded at the tip. While both have a bit of curvature at their tips, the hawk nose is much smaller and sharper than the Nubian nose.

Section 8 of 8:

Frequently Asked Questions

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Is the Nubian nose more common in men or women? The Nubian nose is equally common in men and women of Nubian descent, but men tend to have stronger, more prominent Nubian noses, especially when looking at them from a profile view. Women, on the other hand, tend to have more delicate, curvy Nubian noses.
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What are some misconceptions about the Nubian nose? Some people claim the Nubian nose is a sign of impurity or that a Nubian nose makes you less beautiful, but this is not the case. Like all other noses, Nubian noses are beautiful and a sign of your heritage, not a sign that you’re less than.
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How does the Nubian nose compare to other African noses? The Nubian nose is typically wider than other African noses. For example, West African noses tend to be narrower with slimmer nostrils, while South African noses tend to be more defined and less flat than Nubian noses. North African noses are often narrower and have more of a hook shape, rather than being flat and flared.
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What are some other Nubian features? Aside from a wide, long-bridged nose, other Nubian features include darker skin than the average Egyptian, full lips, high cheekbones, and a strong, pronounced jawline, like many other Africans.^{[9]
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