Makeup glossary: beauty terms, explained simply
What is kajal? What’s an undertone? Matte or satin? Here are plain-English definitions of the makeup terms you’ll see across Metabu — written for Indian skin, no jargon.
- Kajal (kohl)
- A richly pigmented eye cosmetic used to line the eyes for depth and definition, traditionally worn across South Asia. Applied along the lash line — and sometimes the waterline — it can be kept crisp or smudged into a smoky look. Read the kajal guide →
- Concealer
- A high-coverage product used to hide dark circles, blemishes and redness. It’s applied in a thin layer over the area you want to neutralise, usually after foundation. For under-eyes, a colour corrector can go underneath first. Shop face →
- Foundation
- A base makeup that evens out skin tone and creates a uniform canvas. It comes in finishes (matte, satin, dewy) and coverage levels (sheer to full), and should be matched to your jawline and undertone — not the back of your hand. Learn more →
- Blush
- Colour applied to the cheeks to add a healthy flush and warmth. Placed on the apples of the cheeks and blended up toward the temple, it comes in cream and powder forms — cream gives a natural, lit-from-within look. Learn more →
- Highlighter
- A luminous product that catches the light on the high points of the face — the tops of the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, cupid’s bow and inner eye corners — for a soft glow. Best kept off the centre of the cheek, where it can read oily. Learn more →
- Undertone
- The subtle hue beneath your skin’s surface — warm (golden/yellow), cool (pink/red) or neutral (a mix). Most Indian skin is warm to neutral. Knowing your undertone is the key to matching foundation, lipstick and blush. Find your shade →
- Matte finish
- A flat, shine-free finish with no glow. Matte lipstick and foundation tend to last longer and photograph well, but can feel drier — so prep with moisturiser first.
- Satin finish
- A soft, low-sheen finish between matte and glossy. It looks natural and comfortable on the lips and skin, with a subtle light reflection rather than a flat or shiny one.
- Liquid lipstick
- A lip colour that applies wet and dries down to a long-wearing, often transfer-proof finish. It delivers intense, even colour in one stroke and resists fading through meals. Learn more →
- Lip crayon
- A twist-up or sharpenable lip pencil that combines the precision of a liner with the payoff of a lipstick. It’s buildable and travel-friendly — line and fill with one product. Learn more →
- Primer
- A base applied before foundation to smooth skin texture, blur pores and help makeup grip and last longer. A little goes a long way, pressed on after moisturiser.
- Setting / translucent powder
- A fine, usually colourless powder pressed over makeup to set it and control shine, especially in the T-zone. Used lightly, it extends wear without making the finish look heavy.
- Colour corrector
- A coloured product that cancels out specific discolouration before concealer: peach or orange neutralises blue-grey under-eye darkness, green calms redness. It uses opposite colours on the wheel to balance tone.
- Mascara
- A product that coats the eyelashes to add length, volume and definition. Applied from the roots and wiggled out to the tips, it frames the eyes and completes an eye look. Learn more →
- Eyeliner
- A product used to define the eyes with a precise line along the lash line. Liquid and gel liners give sharp, defined lines (ideal for a wing); pencils and kajal give softer, smokier ones. Learn more →