décolorant
In French, hair bleach is décolorant.
The term refers to a chemical product used to remove the natural color from hair.
What does it mean word for word?
The word décolorant is formed from the verb décolorer (to discolor/bleach) and the suffix -ant which turns the verb into a noun meaning 'an agent that does X'.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between the product and the action: use décolorant for the product itself, but use la décoloration to refer to the chemical process of bleaching the hair itself. Additionally, do not confuse this with coloration, which refers to hair dye used for adding or changing color.
How does it change in a sentence?
While décolorant can stand alone, it is often used with the prepositional phrase pour cheveux (for hair) to specify the product type.
Did you know?
- French beauty salons often use the term balayage, which literally means 'sweeping', to describe a technique of applying décolorant with a brush to create a sun-kissed effect.
- The word décolorant can also be used for household products, such as a laundry additive designed to remove stains or color bleeding from clothes.
- While décolorant is the standard term, you may see 'blondissant' used in high-end cosmetic marketing to suggest a 'lightening' effect rather than a harsh chemical removal of pigment.
Examples in context
- Le décolorant capillaire est efficaceHair bleach is effective
- Je vais acheter un décolorant pour mes cheveux.I am going to buy a hair bleach for my hair.
- Ce décolorant est très fort.This hair bleach is very strong.
- Il ne faut pas laisser le décolorant trop longtemps.You must not leave the hair bleach on too long.
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are at a beauty supply store.
- ChloéGabriel, tu peux me passer le décolorant ?Gabriel, can you pass me the hair bleach?
- GabrielBien sûr, le voici.Of course, here it is.
- ChloéMerci, j'ai vraiment besoin de changer de couleur.Thanks, I really need to change my color.
- GabrielTu seras très belle avec une nouvelle couleur.You will be very beautiful with a new color.
