rímel
/ˈʁĩ.mew/masculine
The Portuguese word for the eyelash cosmetic mascara is rímel.
The most common and widely recognized term for mascara in Portuguese is rímel. To avoid confusion, you can also use the phrase máscara de cílios.
Meaning: eyelash cosmetic (noun)
Which one should you use?
While rímel is the standard term, máscara de pestanas serves as an alternative. Additionally, máscara de cílios can be used specifically to refer to mascara for the eyelashes.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term máscara de pestanas is used in European Portuguese.
How does it change in a sentence?
rímel is a masculine noun and is typically used with the masculine article o (e.g., o rímel).
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈʁĩ.mew/. It has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The common word rímel is actually a proper noun in disguise. It was named after the French perfumer Eugène Rimmel, meaning you are technically using a person's surname to describe your makeup.
- If you use the word máscara without the qualifier de cílios, a Brazilian might think you are talking about a skincare face mask rather than eye makeup.
- In Brazilian Portuguese, máscara is often used as a shorthand for máscara capilar, a deep-conditioning hair treatment, which is different from the lash cosmetic.
Examples in context
- Por favor, você poderia me mostrar alguns modelos de rímel?Could you please show me some models of mascara?
- A senhora tem alguma máscara de pestanas à prova d'água?Do you have any waterproof mascara?
- Você poderia me indicar uma boa marca de rímel?Could you recommend me a good brand of mascara?
- Eu comprei um rímel novo.I bought a new mascara.
- O seu rímel está borrado.Your mascara is smudged.
- Você prefere rímel à prova d'água?Do you prefer waterproof mascara?
Example conversation
Camila and Rodrigo are getting ready for a party.
- CamilaRodrigo, você viu o meu rímel?Rodrigo, have you seen my mascara?
- RodrigoEstá em cima da mesa.It is on the table.
- CamilaObrigada, eu quase não achei.Thanks, I almost couldn't find it.
- RodrigoVocê vai ficar muito bonita.You are going to look very beautiful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mascara” translations and entries rímel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rímel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
