Beauty Terms Explained – Beginner-Friendly Makeup Glossary

What do all these makeup terms actually mean?

The world of makeup can sometimes feel like its own language. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially if you’re new to beauty or only do makeup now and then.

But learning the most common terms can actually make it more fun and easier to apply makeup – and super helpful when you’re shopping for new products. Below you’ll find a mini makeup glossary with some of the most popular expressions, so you don’t have to guess the next time you're watching a tutorial or reading a product description.

Simple explanations of popular beauty terms

*Blending: This means softening the edges of a product (like eyeshadow, foundation or contour) so there are no harsh lines. A good brush or beauty sponge makes all the difference.

*Concealer: Used to cover dark under-eye circles, blemishes or redness. Choose a shade close to your skin tone – or a bit lighter if you want to brighten the under-eye area.

*Baking: A technique where you apply a thick layer of loose powder (usually over concealer), let it sit for a few minutes, then dust it off. It helps create a smooth, matte and long-lasting base.

*Contour: A way to sculpt the face by adding shadow to certain areas like under the cheekbones or along the nose. Usually done with a cool-toned brown product.

*Setting spray: A spray you use at the end of your routine to help your makeup stay in place – kind of like hairspray, but for your face.

*Primer: A base you apply before foundation to smooth the skin and make your makeup last longer.

*Fallout: When eyeshadow (especially powdery ones) falls down onto your cheeks during application – a common issue with highly pigmented formulas.

*Swatch: Testing a product on your skin (like a lipstick or eyeshadow) to see the true color and finish.

*Dupe: A more affordable version of a popular (usually pricey) product that gives similar results.

Tips for learning makeup lingo

*Save guides like this one so you can quickly look things up when you come across a new term.

*Watch tutorials with subtitles – it’s easier to follow both the technique and the language that way.

Hope this guide helped make the makeup world feel a little more beginner-friendly. Are there any other must-know terms you think I should add? Let me know in the comments!