messa in piega
/ˈmes.sa in ˈpjɛ.ɡa/word by word
The English phrase hair blowout is translated into Italian as messa in piega.
A messa in piega refers to a professional hairstyling service where the hair is dried and shaped using a blow dryer and a brush. If you want to say you are getting a blowout, you typically use the verb fare, resulting in the phrase fare la messa in piega.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase messa in piega literally means 'putting into a fold' or 'setting into a style'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is a feminine noun phrase. When referring to a single service, you should use the feminine article una, as in una messa in piega.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈmes.sa in ˈpjɛ.ɡa/. The word has 4 syllables and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word messa in this phrase shares the same Latin root as the word for a Catholic 'Mass'.
- The term messa in piega is a linguistic relic from the time before blow dryers, when hair was shaped using pin-curls and permanent waves.
- The verb piegare used in this phrase is the same word Italians use for folding laundry or bending a piece of metal.
Examples in context
- Vorrei prenotare una messa in piega per domani.I would like to book a hair blowout for tomorrow.
- La messa in piega è inclusa nel prezzo.The hair blowout is included in the price.
- Questa messa in piega è davvero perfetta.This hair blowout is truly perfect.
Example conversation
Matteo and Martina are at a hair salon.
- MatteoMartina, vuoi fare solo il taglio o anche una messa in piega?Martina, do you want just a haircut or a hair blowout too?
- MartinaPenso che farò una messa in piega.I think I will get a hair blowout.
- MatteoOttima idea, ti starà benissimo.Great idea, it will look wonderful on you.
- MartinaGrazie, spero che duri a lungo!Thanks, I hope it lasts a long time!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry messa in piega, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (messa, in, piega) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries in, messa, piega, CC BY-SA 4.0.
