What Nose Shapes Look Good with Different Nose Piercing Styles?

Download Article

Body piercing expert Lynn Loheide explains how nose shape affects your piercing options

Co-authored by Lynn Loheide and Maryana Lucia Vestic, MFA, M.Phil.

Last Updated: January 7, 2026 Fact Checked

Download Article

Best Piercings by Nose Shape

|

Nose Piercing Types

|

Jewelry Styles

|

Jewelry Materials

|

Best Piercings by Face Shape

|

Video

Are you considering whether you should get a nose piercing, but are not sure which would best suit your nose (and face)? We’ve demystified the sometimes complicated world of nose piercings to make it easier for you. Read on for a guide to different types of noses, along with which nose piercings look best on them. You’ll also find nose piercing types to choose from and what types of jewelry and materials are available, plus how to choose nose piercings according to your face shape.

Nose Piercings for Different Nose Shapes

An illustration containing different types of noses, along with their names, and what nose piercings work for each nose type.

Body piercing expert Lynn Loheide explains that all noses work for piercings, but your specific anatomy may affect your piercing options, placement, and jewelry choices. Some common nose shapes include:

Roman: A strong, prominent nose with a high, curved, or hooked bridge.
Greek: Has a very straight bridge with no bumps or curves.
Snub: A small, short nose that gently slopes into a soft, upturned tip.
Fleshy: Has a full, rounded, or prominent tip with wider nostrils.
Flat: Has a low, less-defined bridge, broad base, and wider nostrils.

Section 1 of 5:

Nose Piercings for Different Types of Noses

Download Article

1
Roman Roman noses appear strong and prominent on the face. They usually have a high, curved, or hooked bridge, and can sometimes have a hooked tip that resembles an eagle’s nose. Roman noses are also referred to as hawk or aquiline noses, from the Latin “aquilinus,” meaning “eagle’s beak.”^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Best nose piercing styles: High nostril piercing, septum piercing, bridge piercing
- Loheide notes that “all noses work for piercing, but your anatomy may affect placement, piercing options, and jewelry choices.”^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Lynn Loheide
  Body Piercing Expert
  
  Expert Interview}
2
Greek Greek noses have a super straight bridge, without any bumps or curves. They typically start high on the forehead and have narrow nostrils. These noses are called Greek, because they look similar to the types of noses on ancient Greek statues, and are considered very symmetrical.
- Best nose piercing styles: High nostril piercing, double nostril piercing, septum piercing
Advertisement
3
Snub (Button) Snub noses are small, with short lengths. Their low bridges usually slope gently, ending in a soft, round, upturned tip that reveals the nostrils slightly. The tip of a snub nose is often called a “button” shape.
- Best nose piercing styles: Nose piercing (bones/screws/small hoops/dainty studs), L-post
- Celestial or upturned noses are often considered a type of button or snub nose with a more noticeable curve at the tip.
4
Fleshy Fleshy noses have a full, rounded, or prominent tip. They’re recognized due to their generally thicker skin, weak cartilage, and wider nostrils. These factors cause fleshy noses to appear soft, full, or "meaty”; they’re less defined than other nose types.
- Best nose piercing styles: High nostril piercing, double or triple nostril piercing, septum piercing, bridge piercing
- Bulbous noses are a specific type of fleshy nose known for their enlarged, rounded, ball-like tip, which has little definition. All bulbous noses are fleshy, but not all fleshy noses are bulbous.
EXPERT TIP

Lynn Loheide
Body Piercing Expert
Lynn Loheide is a body piercing expert based in Seattle, WA. With 14 years of experience, Lynn specializes in surgically altered tissue and gender-affirming piercings. They often work with clients who have different disabilities, different skin, and autoimmune conditions, or who have had surgeries in the areas being pierced. Lynn has been creating educational content for the piercing industry on their blog since 2016, and later expanded to YouTube and TikTok, with the goal of empowering piercers and clients alike with accurate piercing information. Lynn has also been doing body modification archival work for over 7 years, with a focus on the American history of body modification. They have an Applied Jewelers Professional Degree and a Graduate Diamonds Degree from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and are a member of the Association of Professional Piercers.

Lynn Loheide
Body Piercing Expert

Book a consultation with an experienced piercer to figure out what works with your specific nose. As far as what piercings work with specific nose types, it's tricky to generalize, as it really depends on the exact structure of someone’s nose. Usually, it’s something you and the piercer can work around in person.
5
Bumpy (Hooked) Bumpy noses can appear similar to Roman nose types, but have a noticeable bump or bumps on the bridge. The bump on the nose is often the most recognizable feature of bumpy/hooked/humped noses. The bump(s) on the bridge can vary in number and size.
- Best nose piercing styles: High or low nose piercing (studs/hoops); septum piercing; avoid piercing directly on the bump.
6
Flat Flat noses have a low, less-defined bridge, along with a broad base with wider nostrils. They don't protrude as far forward from the face as other nose types. The angle where the nose meets the upper lip is often lower on flat noses, which causes it to appear more downward-facing.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Best nose piercing styles: High nostril piercing (studs/hoops), double nostril piercing, septum piercing
- Among different types of noses, flat noses are more common in those with African/African-American, Afro-Caribbean, Southeast Asian, and Indigenous backgrounds.
7
Nubian Nubian noses, common in those of African descent, usually have a long nasal bridge and a wide base. They are often broad with flared nostrils and a soft, less-defined, rounded tip. These noses usually appear flatter or project less overall.
- Best nose piercing styles: Nostril piercing (large/thick hoops, studs), double nostril piercing, septum piercing, rhino piercing

Section 2 of 5:

Types of Nose Piercings

Download Article

1
Nose/Nostril Piercing jewelry is inserted from the outside edge of your nose (through the cartilage on the fleshy side of the nostril), with the back half placed just inside your nostril. Nostril piercings are considered the most classic choice for nose and face piercings, and are the most versatile.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Any type of nose piercing involves some type of jewelry (stud, hoop, bar, etc.) being inserted in the nasal area of your face.
A high nostril piercing is placed from the outside edge of your nose to the inside of your nostril, but is positioned higher up on the nasal bridge in between your eyes. This piercing involves thicker cartilage and sometimes requires flat-back labrets or nostril screws for comfort. There is also a potential for more swelling and a longer healing time.
A septum piercing is placed through the middle part of the skin on your nose, located between your nostrils. It doesn’t involve any cartilage, making a septum piercing not as painful as it’s sometimes made out to be. An additional perk of getting a septum piercing is that you can easily flip the ring up inside your nose to conceal it.
A vertical bar is placed through the tip of your nose (which makes it look similar to a rhino’s tusk). It’s one of the few non-horizontal nose piercing styles available. Rhino piercing is less painful and often with fewer complications than piercings that go through the nasal septum.
5
Septril A septril piercing is a vertical piercing that goes through the stretched septum fistula (tunnel) and exits on the underside of your nose tip. It’s considered a combination of a septum and a rhino piercing. Septril piercings require stretching of the septum to a 4-gauge or larger.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- To get a septril piercing, you need to already have a significantly stretched septum piercing that is fully healed.
A long straight barbell is placed from the outside of one nostril through the nasal septum, exiting through the other nostril. It’s thought to be one of the boldest statements you can make with nasal piercings. placed through your two nostrils as well as the septum, making it a bit further down. Nasallang piercings can take the longest time to heal, from 3 to 9 months.^{[6]
X
Research source}
A horizontal (Austin) bar is placed through the tip of your nose, which gives the impression that you have small beads on either side of your nose. Though healing takes only about 2 months, it isn’t considered ideal for first-time piercings, due to the discomfort during the procedure.^{[7]
X
Research source}
A multiple nostril piercing can include 2 piercings on one nostril, stacked vertically or horizontally beside each other. If the piercing is bilateral, one or more piercings are placed in each nostril. It’s considered a combination of classic nostril and higher nostril piercings.
A vertical piercing is placed directly on the bridge of the nose, between the eyebrows. Unlike some other nose piercings, the jewelry goes under the skin's surface instead of through thick cartilage. The jewelry options for a 3rd eye piercing include a dermal (single anchor) or a vertical bridge (surface bar).^{[8]
X
Research source}

Section 3 of 5:

What type of jewelry is used for nose piercings?

Download Article

1
Studs Studs that are used for nose piercings include a nose bone or screw, which has a straight post and a decorative end, like a ball or gem, along with a slight bend or corkscrew to keep them in place.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Labret studs have a straight post with a flat disc on the back, which is called a push pin.
- Fishtail studs feature a decorative front and a long, bendable end for secure attachment.
- Ideal for: High and traditional nose piercings
2
Hoops/Rings Hoops and rings you can choose for nose piercings include a seamless ring, which is a solid hoop that opens and closes by twisting the ends apart. Clicker hoops are hinged hoops that secure by snapping shut. Captive bead rings (CBR) consist of rings with a small bead that closes the gap.
- Ideal for: High nostril, low nostril, septum piercings
3
Barbells Barbells are a straight or curved bar with decorative ends. The decorative ends typically include balls, spikes, or gems. You can put barbells on and take them off by screwing them together and apart.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Ideal for: Septum, bridge, rhino piercings

Section 4 of 5:

Available Materials for Nose-Piercing Jewelry Styles

Download Article

Nose piercing materials can include titanium, surgical steel, niobium, and gold/silver. Titanium and solid gold are believed to be the safest choices to promote healing. Surgical steel remains an affordable, popular alternative. Hypoallergenic gold (14/18K) is a good choice for those with sensitive skin, while silver can tarnish easily, so it's better for piercings that have healed. Here are all the pros and cons of each:^{[11]
X
Research source}
- Titanium: Hypoallergenic, lightweight, and durable; the best choice for healing, but can also be expensive.
- Surgical steel: Affordable, durable, and doesn’t tarnish easily; not ideal for new piercings due to possible irritation.
- Niobium: Hypoallergenic, lightweight, and comfortable; more expensive and less durable.
- Gold: Good for healing/hypoallergenic, complements warm tones; can be expensive.
- Sterling Silver: Affordable, complements cool tones; not ideal for new piercings, can easily tarnish.
- Hypoallergenic means that the material used produces fewer allergic reactions for those wearing it (hypo means “less”).^{[12]
  X
  Research source}

Section 5 of 5:

How to Choose Nose Piercings for Your Face Shape

Download Article

Also consider your face shape before getting your nose pierced. While certain nostril piercings look better on specific types of noses, the piercing style you choose can also depend on your overall face shape. Oval faces are the most versatile, while round, heart-shaped, square, and rectangular faces favor certain styles over others. Here is a breakdown when determining your face shape:^{[13]
X
Research source}
- Oval: Most piercing styles work; a classic gold nose ring is the most versatile.
- Round: Longer, dangle studs or hoops that elongate your face.
- Heart-shaped: Nostril studs, small hoops, or dainty designs to draw focus inward and soften your features.
- Square: More rounded designs to soften sharp angles on your face.
- Rectangular: Nostril piercings with wider studs or hoops, septum piercings to draw focus to the center of the face, or ornate/beaded nose pins to emphasize horizontal lines; avoid high nostril or overly vertical placements.
- Take our face shape quiz to see which shape you have!