With a mouthful of new terms arising every day on social media, it can be quite difficult to keep up with the makeup terminology. However, not all of them are useful when booking a makeup artist. 

There are a few words makeup artists frequently use that you can learn to make communication a breeze while booking or deciding on your look.

 Here’s a list of 25 terms that your makeup artist wants you to know.

Skin

1. Skin Finish: This is the final look of your skin once the makeup application is finished. Different types of skin finishes can include matte, dewy, and natural.
2. Dewy Skin: ‘Dewy’ skin finish adds a glow to your face in a way that the light reflects off your base. It gives the appearance of healthy and hydrated skin.
3. Matte Skin: ‘Matte’ finish is smooth and shine-free, almost a velvety texture. It is best for days when you want your skin to remain oil-free.
4. Natural Skin: Another type of skin finish is ‘natural,’ which enhances your skin’s appearance without looking too obvious, as if you’re not wearing much makeup at all. It’s neither too matte nor too dewy, but somewhere in between.
5. Baking: Baking refers to applying a considerable amount of powder under your eyes and around your mouth and letting it sit for a while before dusting it off. This technique ensures that the makeup sets perfectly and remains long lasting. This can also prevent the cream products from settling into fine lines.
6. Color Correction: Color correction is the usage of orange and green under the concealer of your skin shade. This is to combat the darkness or redness on your skin. It neutralizes the discoloration, making it easier for the concealer to cover it.
7. Highlighter: Highlighter is a makeup product that can lift certain features of your face. It also adds a glow to your face, making the light reflect off your skin in a flattering way. It may also give you the look of dewy skin finish without having to use a lot of cream-based products.
8. Contour: Contour is a cool-toned powder that is darker than your skin tone. It is used on the face to define features and add shadows. Contour is essential especially for professional photography, as without it, the pictures may make you look flat and undefined.
9. Bronzer: A bronzer is like contour, except for the undertones of both the shades. Unlike contour, it does not create shadows. Instead, a bronzer brings color to the face for a soft Sunkissed look.
10. Undertones: Undertones are the hidden colors beneath the surface of your skin that can affect the makeup application. There are three main types of undertones.
    ‘Warm undertones’ have hints of yellow, peach, or green. They favor colors like oranges, reds, and warm browns.
    ‘Cool undertones,’ on the other hand, have hints of pink, red, or blue. They go well with shades like blues, purples, and cool-toned grays.
    And then there are ‘Neutral Undertones,’ which have a mix of warm and cool tones, making them versatile. People with cool undertones are lucky and can wear just about any shade.

Eyes:

1. Winged Liner: It is an extended flick of eyeliner at the outer corner of the eye. It can make the eyes look lifted and appear cat-like or foxy.
2. Half Winged Liner: It is a toned-down version of the winged liner. A half-winged liner starts from the middle of your eyes and ends in a thin flick, giving the appearance of siren eyes.
3. Smokey Liner: Smokey liner is achieved by blending your regular liner with black and brown eye shadows. It can be subtle or intense, depending on the desired look.
4. Full Lashes: These are lashes that are thick and voluminous. The lash band is stuck to the lash line starting from the inner corner to the outer corner of the eyes.
5. Half Lashes: Half lashes, however, begin from the middle of the eyes till the outer corner. These are often used simultaneously with half winged liner to make the eyes appear more lifted and siren-like.
6. Tightlining: This refers to applying a black liner pencil under the lashes. This is done to prevent the skin under the liner from peeking through.
7. Water-lining: Applying a liner on the waterline refers to this term. Usually nude or brown liners are used in the waterline to enhance the eye makeup.

Lips:

1. Overlining: This refers to a makeup technique that involves drawing slightly outside the lips to create an illusion of fuller lips.
2. Creamy Finish: A creamy lip finish refers to the texture and appearance of lips after the lip color is applied. This type of finish is achieved by a product that applies a smooth layer of lipstick that glides easily onto your lips. It has a soft sheen to it.
3. Glossy Finish: This refers to a shiny, reflective appearance of the lips. A glossy finish can be sticky and a bit heavier on the mouth. It is not as long-lasting nor transfer-proof. However, a glossy lip finish can give the appearance of softer makeup and can make you look younger.
4. Matte Finish: It is the opposite of a glossy finish. Instead of a soft, shiny look, matte finish gives the appearance of a smooth, flat surface, which can be described as almost velvety. It is longer lasting, but can dry out your lips, making them chapped.

Makeup Types

1. Party Makeup: Party makeup is soft makeup often opted for by wedding guests. It is intended for shorter durations.
2. Bridal Makeup: Bridal makeup can be soft or heavy, depending on the bride’s preference. However, special attention is paid to every minor detail for the look. The makeup is done keeping in mind the dress, weather, venue, emotions, and photography. It often involves the use of high-quality, waterproof products and techniques to ensure that the makeup stays fresh, flawless, and transfer-proof throughout the event.
3. No-Makeup Makeup Look: The no-makeup look uses makeup techniques to enhance the natural beauty of the clients. Cream products, tints, and softer tones are used. The focus remains on highlighting the features rather than altering them.
4. Soft Glam: Soft Glam is often confused with Natural Makeup. However, there’s a huge difference between both looks. Soft Glam is heavier makeup with full coverage foundation. Special attention is given to every detail regarding the eyes and the lips. The only similarity between both looks is the use of neutral tones.

Conclusion

Communication is key when it comes to describing your desired look to your makeup artist. The above-mentioned terms are some of the many that can help make communication a breeze on the day of your wedding. So, when you are in the makeup chair, you will feel confident to share your vision clearly and for your MUA to better understand your desired look.