Makeup Glossary

A base applied before makeup to smooth texture, control shine or add glow, and help makeup last longer.

Using tinted products to balance discolouration before foundation. Green helps soften redness, while peach and orange tones help balance dark circles, especially on deeper skin tones.

How much a base product hides, from sheer, which evens skin lightly, to medium and full, which covers more.

How a product looks on the skin: matte has no shine, satin has a soft glow, and dewy looks fresh and luminous.

A very light, fluid base that evens skin tone while letting your natural skin show through.

Finding a base that matches your skin's depth and undertone. Testing along the jawline in natural light gives the truest match.

When a foundation darkens slightly after being applied, as it reacts with air and the skin's oils. Testing a shade for a few minutes before buying helps avoid surprises.

When skincare or makeup rolls into little balls on the skin, often from layering too many products or not letting each one settle.

Products used to help makeup stay in place. Powder sets cream products and controls shine, while setting spray melts layers together and helps them last.

Makeup sprayed onto the skin with an airbrush for a smooth, long wearing finish. Read our Airbrush Makeup guide.

Using shades slightly deeper than your skin tone to add shape and definition, often under the cheekbones and along the jaw.

A luminous product placed on the high points of the face to catch the light.

Focusing on highlighting the high points of the face instead of contouring, for a fresh, glowing look.

Pressing loose powder onto areas such as under the eyes and leaving it to sit for a few minutes before brushing it away, to set makeup and brighten.

Applying contour, blush and other cream products first, then blending foundation over the top for a soft, natural effect.

Sweeping blush higher up the cheekbones and towards the temples for a lifted, sculpted flush.

An eye look where a sharp line of contrast is created along the crease of the eyelid, often filled with a lighter shade on the lid.

Softly blended, deeper eyeshadow around the eye for a sultry, diffused finish.

Eyeliner that flicks out at the outer corner of the eye to lift and elongate it.

Applying eyeliner along the upper waterline, close to the lashes, to make lashes look fuller without a visible line.

Drawing lip liner slightly outside the natural lip line to make lips look fuller.

A full face of carefully layered, polished makeup, also called a full glam.

A light, natural look that evens and enhances the skin so it looks like you are wearing very little.

A warm look built around soft browns, caramels and bronze tones.

A lip liner paired with a lipstick or gloss, often deeper liner blended into a lighter centre. A deep liner with a red or berry gloss is often called cherry cola lips.

A practice run with your makeup artist before a wedding or special event, to agree the look, test products and check how long it lasts. Read our Makeup Lesson guide.