The Makeup Dictionary

It’s 2018 and the number of makeup trends that were born just in the last year is uncountable. Here is a list and makeup terms and their definitions from the most basic of vocabulary to recent beauty trends that are currently trending:

Products

• Primer - A base for foundation that allows it to go on smoothly and last longer.

• Foundation - A product found usually in liquid or cream form that matches the color of one’s skin and is intended to make one’s facial skin look even and cover blemishes.

• Concealer - Similar to foundation, except it is meant to be applied in smaller areas of one’s face like under the eyes to cover eye bags and in spots on smaller blemishes.

• Setting Powder - Dusted over foundation to set the product in place and make it last longer and it also helps eliminate shiny oil on one’s face.

• Bronzer - A powder that is a few shades darker than the skin tone that is intended to give one the appearance of a suntan.

• Blush - Applied to the cheekbones for a natural-looking flush.

• Contour - A liquid, cream or powder that is about 2 shades darker than one’s skin tone that is used to change the dimension of one’s face -- often making it appear slimmer.

• Highlighter - Usually used in pair with contour, a brighter and sometimes shimmery product placed on the high points of one’s face.

• Eyebrow Pencil / Gel / Powder - A product used to define one’s eyebrows and fill in the sparse areas where there is no hair.

• Eyeshadow - A colored product, typically in powder form, that is applied to the eyelids/eye area.

• Eyeliner - A product applied close to the eyelashes line to accentuate one’s eye shape

• Mascara - A typically black or dark brown product applied to the eyelashes to make them appear longer and more voluminous.

• Lip Liner - A pencil-like product applied around the perimeter of one’s lips to define their shape

• Lipstick / Lipgloss / Lip Stain - A product applied to the lips to add color and dimension.

• Setting Spray - A liquid sprayed on the face after one’s makeup is complete to lock it the makeup in place and ensure it will last longer.

Techniques

• Stippling (verb) - blending product, usually foundation, on your face by using dotting/taping motions and very gentle circular movements with a brush, rather than brushing and dragging the product around. Gives a natural, airbrushed finish.

• Baking (verb) - After foundation is applied, applying a light coat of loose powder to the face, typically under the eyes, and allowing it to sit for about five to 10 minutes to soak up the oils and set your foundation in place and then brushing it away. A technique founded by drag queens that is now trending in the makeup industry.

• Strobing (verb) - Contouring with only light shades/highlighter and skipping the step of using a contour shade.

• Cut-Crease (noun) - An eyeshadow look that dramatically defining one’s eye socket with a light color.

• Overline (verb) - The technique of using lip liner to outline one’s lips slightly larger than one’s natural lip line to give the appearance of larger lips.

• Tightline (verb) - Applying eyeliner the lop lash line, in between the roots of the lashes.

Part of the Face/Body

• Waterline - The area where one’s lower eyelid meets the eye, often where eyeliner is applied to define the eye shape.

• Crease - The line on one’s upper eyelid in between the lash line and the brow, around your eye socket, where the lid naturally folds. Darker eyeshadow is often applied in the crease to accentuate the eye shape.

• Cupid’s Bow - The v-shape just above the center of the upper lip, often where highlighter is placed.

• T-Zone - The central part of one’s face including the center of the forehead, the nose, and the chin.

• Decolletage - The neckline and upper part of one’s chest.

Extra Terms

• Pigment - The amount of color in a makeup product. For example, a highly pigmented eyeshadow will appear very opaque and bright.

• Finish - The texture or appearance of a makeup product on the skin. Examples include matte, dewy, shimmery, satin, and metallic.

• Beat Face - A slang term referring to when a person’s makeup is applied flawlessly. In the drag community, it means to apply a large amount of makeup to the face.

• Hit Pan - When a makeup product, usually a powder product, has been used so much that you can see the bottom of the container.

• Fallout - When eyeshadow is applied to the eye and it falls down onto the face.

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