maquillage
/ma.ki.jaʒ/masculine
In French, makeup is maquillage.
Maquillage is a masculine noun used to refer to cosmetics, which are substances applied to the skin to change its appearance. You may also use terms like rouge à lèvres for lipstick, ombres à paupières for eyeshadows or mascara for mascara.
Meaning: cosmetics, colorants and other substances applied to the skin to alter its appearance (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
There are two ways to use the related verb. Use the reflexive form se maquiller when someone is applying makeup to themselves. Use the non-reflexive form maquiller when someone is applying makeup to another person or to an object.
How do you pronounce it?
/ma.ki.jaʒ/
Did you know?
- The French word maquiller can be used figuratively to mean 'to doctor' or 'to falsify' a document or a set of accounts to make them look better.
- The term maquillage is used in French cinema and theater to encompass both beauty cosmetics and special effects, such as prosthetic wounds or monsters.
- If a person’s makeup is running due to sweat or rain, a French speaker might say that their maquillage a coulé, literally meaning the makeup 'flowed'.
Examples in context
- Mon maquillage était ravagé.My makeup was ruined.This sentence is useful for describing the state of your maquillage.Tatoeba #2490628 by sacredceltic, translation #2490325 by Hybrid
- Elle ne porte pas de maquillage.She doesn't wear makeup.This sentence is useful for stating that someone does not wear maquillage.Tatoeba #2321820 by sacredceltic, translation #2320388 by Hybrid
- Marie a retouché son maquillage.Mary touched up her makeup.This sentence is useful for describing the action of touching up one's maquillage.Tatoeba #6080504 by Blabla, translation #6134000 by Blabla
- Le maquillage est important pour les occasions spécialesMakeup is important for special occasions
- L'industrie des produits cosmétiques est en constante évolutionThe cosmetic products industry is constantly evolving
- Les produits de beauté sont de plus en plus populairesBeauty products are becoming increasingly popular
- Elle met du make-up tous les joursShe wears makeup every day
- J'ai besoin de me maquiller avant la fête ce soirI need to put on makeup before the party tonight
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Nathan are getting ready for a party.
- ManonTu aimes mon nouveau maquillage ?Do you like my new makeup?
- NathanOui, c'est très joli sur toi.Yes, it looks very pretty on you.
- ManonMerci, j'ai acheté ce maquillage hier.Thanks, I bought this makeup yesterday.
- NathanIl te va très bien.It suits you very well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “makeup” translations and entries maquillage, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
