Doesn’t it seem like there are different beauty terms popping up all the time suddenly? From baking to strobing to good old C-T-M, we don’t blame you for being utterly confused. It’s time we helped you make sense of it all with this ultimate beauty glossary. Keep this beauty bible handy and you’ll soon be a pro on all things hair and makeup.
Age Spots
Dark pigmented patches that appear with age.
Allergen
A substance or substances that can cause allergic reactions.
Baking
A super cool makeup technique that involves layering on powder in the undereye area and allowing it to sit (bake) and get absorbed well thanks to the heat produced by your skin. Wipe it off and watch how flawless and creaseless your makeup looks. We show you how to do it in a few simple steps here.
BB Cream
BB stands for blemish balm. It’s an all-in-one product that can act as a foundation, moisturizer, primer and sunblock and has become a cult phenomenon. Find out some awesome ways to use BB cream here.
Benzoyl Peroxide
An anti-bacterial and drying ingredient used in common products to help fight acne effectively.
Bleeding
When a lip colour spreads around or outside the lips. We’ve all experienced this problem, it’s time we knew the term.
CC Cream
It’s full form is colour correcting or colour control cream and is designed to improve uneven skin tone and reduce redness.
Creasing
You know that annoying habit of eye shadow or liner to gather in the crease of your eyelid? That’s called creasing. It’s pretty common when you have oily lids.
Collagen
Collagen is a skin-firming protein found in your skin tissues that is responsible for keeping your skin firm and tight. Loss of collagen is what leads to wrinkles as we age.
C-T-M
This common beauty term stands for the all-essential cleanse, tone and moisturize routine that we sure hope you follow religiously.
Diffuser
A diffuser is a removable attachment for a hair dryer that spreads the hot air for a gentler drying process than a nozzle. It helps give better-defined waves and curls. We hope all your curly hair beauties have one – learn how to dry your curls right here.
Also Read: How To Make Hair Silky
Dry Shampoo
One of our fave products ever – dry shampoo is a product that is meant to be sprayed on the roots to soak up oiliness and leave your hair looking, feeling and smelling fresh when you don’t have time to wash it.
Dupe
A “dupe” is actually a good thing in the beauty world. It refers to a product that is the same or similar to another one from a different brand but with a more affordable price tag.
Eau De Toilette
A less-concentrated and slightly milder version of a perfume.
Feathering
It’s another word for bleeding. When your lipstick spreads, it’s also known as feathering.
Flyaways
Flyaway hairs are those pesky strands of hair that stick up thanks to frizziness and static.
Hair Contouring
A hair colouring technique that uses highlights and lowlights (light and dark shades) around the face to accentuate your best features and downplay others. Find out more about it here.
Ingrown Hair
Those little hairs that do not rise above the skin, but grow below the surface and can cause redness, inflammation and infections if aggravated. Here’s how you can deal with them.
LOB
The Long Bob is a chic hairstyle that has taken the beauty and fashion world by storm. It typically falls at the collarbone and suits all hair types.
No Poo
A life-changing hair cleansing method that involves giving up shampoos and using natural ingredients like baking soda and apple cider vinegar for healthy and shiny hair. Learn more about it here.
Nude
No it doesn’t mean naked. Nude is a colour for your lips or nails that is subtle and a more enhanced version of your natural shade.
Overline
A technique of drawing outside your lip line to help make your lips look fuller a la Kylie Jenner.
Parabens
A group of preservatives that are found in shampoos, soaps, creams, etc., that have been known to be linked to cancer. It’s always safer to look for products that are paraben-free. Here is a list of harmful beauty ingredients to stay away from.
Pigmentation
A condition where patches of skin turn darker because of excess melanin.
Retinol
It is a well-known anti-ageing ingredient that boosts collagen production to prevent wrinkles. Retinol (or retinoid) is derived from Vitamin A.
Salicylic Acid
An antiseptic ingredient found in many acne-fighting products, especially cleansers, to help unclog pores and reduce breakouts.
Stippling
A technique that involves applying your foundation and blending it in dotting motions for an airbrushed finish.
Strobing
A super simple makeup trend that focuses on highlighting areas of your face for a dewy, natural-looking glow. Learn how to do it in 2 simple steps.
Swatch
The line you make on your wrist or back of the hand to test a lipstick or any other makeup product is called a swatch.
Tightlining
A pro technique of applying your eyeliner at the base of your lashes and not on top of your lids like you usually do. By filling in your lash line, your eyes will appear bigger than before.
Virgin Hair
This term refers to hair that has not been coloured, permed or chemically treated in any way like with straightening or rebonding.
Waterline
The inner part of your lower eyelid that is wet. This part can be lined for some major eye definition.
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