When learning a new language, familiarizing yourself with everyday vocabulary related to beauty and cosmetics can be both fun and practical, especially if you’re interested in beauty trends or shopping for beauty products in a Chinese-speaking country. Here is a compilation of essential beauty and cosmetic terms in Chinese that will enhance your vocabulary and help you navigate the beauty world more effectively.
化妆品 (huàzhuāngpǐn) – Cosmetics
她的化妆包里充满了各种化妆品。
This term refers to any product applied to enhance or alter the appearance, commonly used for makeup and beauty products.
护肤品 (hùfūpǐn) – Skincare products
这家店主要售卖护肤品。
These are products used to improve the appearance and health of the skin, including moisturizers, toners, and serums.
粉底 (fěndǐ) – Foundation
她用粉底来均匀肤色。
Foundation is a skin-colored makeup applied to the face to create an even, uniform color, cover flaws, and sometimes to change the natural skin tone.
眼影 (yǎnyǐng) – Eyeshadow
她喜欢用彩色眼影来突出眼睛。
Eyeshadow is a cosmetic that is applied on the eyelids and under the eyebrows to add depth and dimension, and to make the wearer’s eyes stand out.
唇膏 (chúngāo) – Lipstick
红色唇膏非常适合她。
Lipstick is a cosmetic product containing pigments and oils, used to color the lips. It comes in many colors and types such as matte, glossy, and satin.
睫毛膏 (jiémáogāo) – Mascara
她每天都要涂睫毛膏。
Mascara is a cosmetic used to enhance the eyelashes by darkening, lengthening, thickening, or curling them.
腮红 (sāihóng) – Blush
她用腮红让脸颊看起来更有活力。
Blush or rouge is a cosmetic for coloring the cheeks in varying shades, or the applied product itself, used to bring out a more youthful appearance and to emphasize the cheekbones.
卸妆 (xièzhuāng) – Makeup removal
卸妆是保持皮肤健康的重要步骤。
Makeup removal is the process of removing makeup, which is essential for maintaining skin health.
洗面奶 (xǐmiànnǎi) – Facial cleanser
使用洗面奶可以帮助清洁皮肤。
Facial cleanser is a product used to remove makeup, dirt, oil, dead skin cells, and other pollutants from the skin of the face.
保湿霜 (bǎoshī shuāng) – Moisturizer
冬天使用保湿霜可以防止皮肤干燥。
Moisturizer is a cosmetic preparation used for protecting, moisturizing, and lubricating the skin.
防晒霜 (fángshài shuāng) – Sunscreen
出门前别忘了涂防晒霜。
Sunscreen is a lotion, spray, gel or other topical product that absorbs or reflects some of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the skin exposed to sunlight and thus helps protect against sunburn.
眉笔 (méibǐ) – Eyebrow pencil
她用眉笔修整了眉形。
An eyebrow pencil is a cosmetic tool used to define and fill in the eyebrows.
指甲油 (zhǐjiayóu) – Nail polish
她选了一个粉红色的指甲油。
Nail polish is a lacquer that can be applied to the fingernail or toenails to decorate and protect the nail plates.
美容 (měiróng) – Beauty treatment
她去做了一个美容护理。
Beauty treatment refers to various procedures aimed at enhancing a person’s appearance.
Understanding these terms not only helps in everyday conversations about beauty but also assists in navigating beauty stores or discussing beauty routines with Mandarin-speaking friends. As you incorporate these words into your vocabulary, you’ll find it easier to engage in more meaningful and specific conversations about beauty and cosmetics in Chinese.
