Cut Crease? Baking? Setting Spray? The beauty world is evolving at lightning speed – with new makeup trends, techniques, and products appearing constantly.
Keeping track of all the makeup terms isn’t always easy, especially when even the basics raise questions.
Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by all the different makeup terms? Don’t worry! Words like highlighter, contouring or blending often sound more complicated than they actually are. In our makeup glossary, we explain the most important terms in a simple and clear way – so you can follow every trend effortlessly!
Makeup Terms with A
Applicator
An applicator is a tool used to apply makeup. This includes brushes, sponges, silicone and flocked applicators (e.g., doe-foot applicators for lip gloss or concealer).
Eyeshadow palettes often come with sponge-tip applicators, while concealers, foundations, and lip gloss usually have an applicator attached to the cap. These are typically made of either soft sponge or silicone.
An applicator allows for precise product application. Brushes are a special type of applicator with synthetic or natural bristles. The Beauty Blender is also a type of applicator.
Makeup Terms with B
Baking
Baking is a popular makeup technique to make your look last longer and achieve a flawless finish. Concealer especially benefits, as this method prevents it from creasing and ensures it stays in place.
For this technique, a generous amount of loose powder (e.g., NYX Studio Finishing Powder) is applied under the eyes and left on the skin for 10–30 minutes. During this time, the powder fuses with the foundation or concealer – hence the term “baking.” Afterwards, the excess is swept away with a brush, leaving long-lasting, even coverage.
Blending
Blending refers to softening and merging makeup so that no harsh lines remain. The goal is smooth, natural transitions between colors and products.
Special blending brushes or sponges (e.g., Beautyblender Original) help achieve perfect blending for foundation, eyeshadow, or contouring.
Blush
Blush – also known as rouge – adds natural freshness to the face and makes the complexion look healthy and radiant. While a pale look can appear tired or dull, soft pink or peach tones on the cheeks instantly bring life to the skin.
The right blush application gives a youthful glow – depending on your face shape, it can be placed on the “apples” of the cheeks or slightly higher to accentuate facial features.
Bronzer
Bronzer has a similar effect to blush – it warms up the face and adds definition. Instead of rosy freshness, it creates a sun-kissed, tanned look.
It’s often applied in a “3” shape: from the temples to the cheekbones and down to the jawline. Depending on preference, you can use a matte formula for depth or a shimmering one for a radiant glow.
Beauty Blender
The Beauty Blender is a specially shaped makeup sponge (usually egg-shaped) used for applying and blending liquid or cream products such as foundation, concealer, blush, or even powder.
It can be used damp or dry, and thanks to its soft, porous texture, it ensures smooth, flawless coverage.
The Beauty Blender is an applicator – as explained earlier under the letter “A.” It comes in different shapes and sizes.
BB Cream
A BB cream (Blemish Balm or Beauty Balm) is a tinted moisturizer that evens out redness and small blemishes while giving the skin a smoother look. Unlike foundation, a BB cream usually offers only light to medium coverage. It’s a lighter alternative to classic foundation and perfect for a natural, fresh look.
Makeup Terms with C
CC Cream
A CC cream (Color Correcting Cream) is designed to correct uneven skin tone. It reduces redness, dark spots, and under-eye circles, creating a more balanced complexion. The color pigments refine the skin’s appearance and give a smoother finish. With light to medium coverage, CC creams can be worn as a makeup base or on their own for everyday use.
Concealer
A concealer is a coverage product, typically available in liquid or cream form. As the name suggests, it conceals imperfections. It’s most often used under the eyes or to cover blemishes and redness. Concealers usually offer high coverage and come in many shades. There are also special CC concealers in green or violet that correct specific discolorations.
Contouring
Contouring is used to create shadows, making the face appear slimmer or more defined. It can also minimize certain areas while emphasizing others.
For this, matte, cool-toned shades that are slightly darker than your skin tone are applied and carefully blended. Common contour areas include the cheekbones, jawline, and temples – for a naturally sculpted look.
Cut Crease
A cut crease literally means “cut fold” – but don’t worry, no sharp tools involved! This eye makeup technique defines the crease for a bold, dramatic look.
Here’s how it works:
- A light shade is applied to the eyelid.
- A darker shade is blended above the crease up to the brow bone.
What makes it special? The colors aren’t softly blended into each other – instead, they’re separated by a sharp line (“cut”), highlighting the crease and intensifying the eyes.
Makeup Terms with E
Eyeliner
Many people confuse eyeliner and kajal, but there’s a key difference: eyeliner is usually liquid or gel-based and has a precision tip for creating sharp lines along the upper lash line.
Eyeliner comes in many shades, but classic black is the most popular – perfect for bold, defined eyes. Whether a subtle line or a dramatic wing, eyeliner can transform any look.
Eyelash Curler
An eyelash curler is a tool that bends the lashes upwards, opening the eyes and adding definition. When followed by mascara, lashes appear longer and fuller.
Makeup Terms with F
Foundation
Often simply called “makeup,” foundation is the correct term for the liquid product applied to the face to even out redness and imperfections.
The word “foundation” means “base” – and that’s its purpose: it forms the base for the entire makeup look, creating an even canvas for blush, highlighter, and other products. Unlike BB or CC creams, foundation is highly pigmented and offers full coverage for a flawless complexion.
Fixing / Setting Spray
Setting sprays – also called fixing sprays – are the final step of your makeup routine. They ensure your look lasts all day without smudging or fading. Spray evenly from about 8 inches (20 cm) away to lock in your makeup and keep it fresh and flawless.
Makeup Terms with H
Highlighting
The opposite of contouring is highlighting. This technique emphasizes certain features and adds radiance. A shimmering product or lighter shade than your skin tone is applied – often under the eyes to brighten.
If only highlights are used without contouring, the technique is called strobing. It creates a fresh, luminous finish for healthy, glowing skin.
Makeup Terms with K
Kajal
Kajal is a pencil with a soft tip, often used on the waterline to define the eyes. It can also be applied and smudged along the lash line for a smokey-eye effect.
Whether in classic black or other colors, kajal is versatile. A nude or white kajal in the waterline can make the eyes look larger and more awake.
Makeup Terms with L
Liquid Lipstick
Liquid lipstick is a liquid formula that provides rich, opaque color payoff and usually dries matte. Though packaged similarly to lip gloss, it’s not the same. A big advantage of liquid lipsticks is their long wear – perfect for all-day looks or special occasions.
Makeup Terms with P
Primer
Primer is the base for your makeup, smoothing and evening out the skin. It’s an extra step, but especially useful for very oily or dry skin.
Applied before makeup, it ensures better longevity. It can also minimize pores, allowing foundation to glide on smoothly. There are different types of primer – foundation primer, eye primer, even lip primer. The difference from a base is subtle: a base not only evens out skin, but also intensifies the color of the makeup applied over it.
