Make-up Guide

Collocations for make-up vocabulary

A few notes when talking about cosmetics:

• Cosmetics or make-up are both common terms for substances used to enhance the appearance of the face and body.
• Women sometimes say they "put their face on" or wouldn't go outside without their "face on" to describe wearing make-up.
• We say "heavy" make-up to describe someone with a lot of make-up on the face.
• Women who prefer a more "natural look" don't wear as much make-up.
• We "apply" make-up or cosmetics (= to put on make-up).
• We "wear" make-up.
• People sometimes call manicures (for the hands) "mani's" and pedicures (for the feet) "Pedi's."
• We say we get our "nails done" when we have a manicure or pedicure.

The Basic Makeup Words

To start your journey into the world of makeup, you need to be familiar with the basic terms. These terms are fundamental to understanding more complex makeup concepts and techniques.

• Foundation: a skin-colored cosmetic applied to the face to create a uniform complexion, cover flaws, and sometimes change the natural skin tone.
• Concealer: a type of makeup that covers up dark circles, age spots, big pores, and other small skin flaws.
• Blush: a cosmetic product used to add a rosy color to the cheeks; typically available in powder, cream, or liquid form.
• Mascara: a cosmetic for darkening, lengthening, curling, coloring, and thickening the eyelashes; typically applied with a brush.
• Eyeliner: a tool for defining the eyes. It is put around the eyes to create different looks.
• Eyeshadow: a cosmetic that is applied on the eyelids and under the eyebrows; it is often used to make the wearer's eyes stand out or look more attractive.
• Lipstick: a beauty product that gives color, structure, and protection to the lips. It is made of pigments, oils, waxes, and emollients.
• Bronzer: a powder or liquid makeup product that gives skin a sun-kissed appearance, often used for contouring.
• Lip gloss: a product applied to the lips to give a glossy lustre and sometimes subtle color.
• Powder: a type of cosmetic in a powdered form, often used to set makeup or provide light coverage.
• Brow pencil: a tool used to fill in and define eyebrows.
• Lip liner: a pencil-like makeup product used to define and shape the lips.
• Lash extensions: semi permanent fibers that are stuck to your own eyelashes to make them look longer and bigger.

Skin Type and Color Terms

Different skin types and colors require different care and products, so it's essential to know these terms. Understanding them will help you choose the right cosmetics for your skin or someone else's.

• Oily skin: skin type that produces excess oil; often characterized by a shiny complexion and larger pores.
• Normal skin: a balanced skin type with no severe sensitivity, dryness, or oiliness.
• Tanned skin: skin that has darkened as a result of exposure to the sun.
• Fair skin: a light skin tone, usually with cool or warm undertones.
• Acne-prone skin: skin that tends to develop pimples and acne due to overactive sebaceous glands.
• Mature skin: skin that shows signs of aging, like wrinkles, fine lines, and loss of elasticity.
• Rosy skin: skin that has a pinkish tone, often associated with health and vitality.
• Dry skin: skin type that lacks moisture, which can lead to flaking and sensitivity.
• Combination skin: a skin type that is both oily and dry; typically, the forehead, nose, and chin are oily, while the cheeks are dry.
• Sensitive skin: a skin type that is prone to inflammation and adverse reactions such as redness, itching, or rashes.
• Pale skin: a light or fair skin tone.
• Olive skin: a skin tone with a slightly greenish or yellowish undertone, typical in individuals of Mediterranean or Hispanic descent.
• Dark skin: a skin tone that is rich in melanin pigmentation; can vary from moderately to very dark tones.

Makeup Items List

Just as an artist needs brushes, makeup application also requires specific tools. Understanding this makeup items list will help you navigate makeup tutorials and product descriptions more effectively.

• Brush: a tool with bristles, used for the application of makeup or face painting; can vary in size and shape depending on their use.
• Powder puff: a soft pad for applying powder to the skin.
• Spoolie brush: a mascara-like tool used to comb through and shape eyebrows and eyelashes.
• Fan brush: a brush shaped like a fan, used for dusting off excess product or applying a soft touch of color.
• Lip brush: a tool used for precise application of lip color.
• Applicator: a general term for a tool used to apply cosmetics.
• Makeup remover: a product used to cleanse makeup off the skin.
• Sponge: a tool used to apply and blend makeup products; typically used for liquid or cream products.
• Blender: a small sponge used to blend or dab makeup onto the skin; usually egg-shaped and latex-free.
• Eyelash curler: a hand-operated device for curling eyelashes for cosmetic purposes.
• Tweezers: a small tool used for plucking or handling small objects; often used in beauty routines to shape eyebrows or apply false eyelashes.

Advanced Makeup and Cosmetics Terms

Once you're comfortable with basic makeup product names, it's time to delve into more advanced vocabulary. These words are often used in makeup tutorials and beauty blogs, so understanding them will deepen your comprehension of such materials.

• Contouring: a makeup technique that uses cosmetics to define, enhance and sculpt the structure of the face.
• BB cream (beauty balm): a cream that combines skincare and makeup in one product, providing moisture, sun protection, and some coverage.
• CC cream (color correcting): a product used to even out skin tone and texture, often providing SPF protection and more coverage than a BB cream.
• Eyeshadow primer: a cosmetic applied to the eyelids to enhance the color and longevity of eyeshadow.
• Strobing: a makeup technique using highlighter in a way to create a glowing and dewy complexion.
• Waterproof: refers to makeup resistant to water, useful in humid weather or when swimming.
• Non-comedogenic: refers to a product formulated so as not to block pores and cause acne.
• Primer: a cream or lotion that is put on the face before another makeup to help it cover better and stay on the face longer.
• Setting powder: a cosmetic product applied to the face to set foundation and concealer, providing a smooth, long-lasting finish.
• Highlighter: a cosmetic product that reflects light, often used to give the skin a brighter, more contoured look.
• Pigment: the part of a product that gives a cosmetic its color; can refer to both natural and synthetic ingredients.
• Palette: a thin board or slab on which an artist lays and mixes colors; in cosmetics, it's a set or range of colors or elements used in a particular cosmetic product.

Makeup Words List: Everything You Need for Your Perfect Skin

All girls know that perfect makeup starts with quality skin care. No one can do without the proper cleanser and cream, so make sure you have the appropriate products in your cosmetic bag in advance. And, of course, remember to use them daily! And now, look at the most common cosmetics words that will be useful for achieving the smooth skin effect.

• BB cream.

This product is a type of foundation, but the difference is it's not that tight. BB cream is unlikely to cover visible skin imperfections, but it can make the perfect tone for those who do not have noticeable acne, scars, and other problems.

• CC cream.

This special type of foundation contains minimum pigment, which is made for masking minor imperfections and moisturizing skin. It’s one of the trendiest make up words that won millions of girls’ hearts. The abbreviation means “color correction,” so you will find multiple options in different shades to cope with your skin problems. 

• Foundation.

This product is designed to even out the skin tone, correct imperfections, and create a smooth surface for your perfect makeup. They can be in different forms, including liquid, powder, cream, and cushion. Experts recommend choosing a suitable tone by applying some product on your neck or wrist. 

• Primer.

This makeup base is designed to create an even face tone before applying the foundation. As a rule, this product contains silicone, so experts do not recommend using it daily.

Perfect Eyes Makeup Words

Expressive eyes are one of the most significant accents in the image of every girl, so cosmetic manufacturers regularly develop novelties to please their clients. You will be surprised how many options are now available in the market. Grab the most prevalent eye makeup terminology that might be helpful when choosing the best cosmetics.

• Eyeshadow.

This product is used to correct eye shapes, emphasize color, and draw attention to your face. The cosmetics are usually sold in palettes with different shades, which girls can perfectly combine to get fantastic makeup.

• Mascara.

This cosmetic product is designed to curl eyelashes, lengthen them, and intensify their color. Modern fashionistas often choose not only standard brown and black shades but also bright tones like blue or violet to create an accent. You can’t form your makeup glossary without learning what mascara is!

• Eyeliner.

This product is usually applied to the upper or lower eyelids to enhance the expression of the eyes. The most popular option is black eyeliner, which most girls use. But modern cosmetic companies offer a wide range of colors, so this product can be a great assistant in creating a bright and unusual look.

Adding Glow to Your Image: Best Cosmetic Terms for Your Bright Looks

The makeup industry is not limited to even skin tone and adding some shadows to your eyes. The cosmetics world is so huge that even those working in the industry for years are surprised by the number of new products released daily.

• Highlighter.

This product helps to make an accent on certain areas of the face due to its light-reflecting effect and radiance. The highlighter can perform different functions in makeup, like contouring the face and creating the effect of radiant skin. Many girls also use it as eyeshadows, so it’s a multifunctional product.

• Meteorites.

A powder or blush in the form of balls gives the skin a light glow. Don’t expect effective concealment of imperfections since it was initially created to add light sparkles. Isn’t it one of those cosmetic words you haven’t met before?

• Shimmer.

Another word used for this cosmetic product is “glitter,” and it’s made for your face to sparkle. Keep in mind that, unlike a highlighter, it does not always give a natural shine, so it is better to use it for evening makeup.

• Tint.

This product can make the dream about natural juicy lips shade come true. A tint is a coloring liquid that provides a long-lasting pigment and doesn’t leave marks on other surfaces. It’s also called “tattoo for lips” and was initially developed by Korean cosmetics manufacturers considered the market leaders for their high quality and innovations.

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