maquillaje
/mah-kee-YAH-heh/
makeup
Maquillaje is the Spanish word for 'makeup' or cosmetics applied to the face.
maquillaje(noun)
makeup
?cosmetics applied to the face
,cosmetics
?beauty products
face paint
?for theater or costume
📝 In Action
Ella olvidó su estuche de maquillaje en casa.
A1She forgot her makeup bag at home.
Prefiero usar maquillaje natural, casi invisible.
A2I prefer to use natural, almost invisible makeup.
Antes de salir, se puso un poco de maquillaje.
A1Before leaving, she put on a little bit of makeup.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Noun Rule
Even though many beauty words are feminine in Spanish, 'maquillaje' is masculine. Always use 'el' or 'un' with it: 'el maquillaje es caro' (the makeup is expensive).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing the Verb
Mistake: "Yo maquillo."
Correction: Yo me maquillo. (The correct verb is 'maquillarse,' meaning 'to put makeup on oneself,' which requires the 'me.')
⭐ Usage Tips
The Action, Not the Product
To talk about the act of applying makeup, use the verb 'maquillarse.' To talk about the product, use the noun 'maquillaje'.
Maquillaje can also be used metaphorically to mean a 'cover-up' or deception, a falsification of facts.
maquillaje(noun)
cover-up
?deception or falsification of facts
,disguise
?superficial alteration
window dressing
?making something look better than it is
📝 In Action
El informe financiero era solo un maquillaje de la situación real de la empresa.
B2The financial report was merely a cover-up of the company's real situation.
Los políticos intentaron hacer un maquillaje a las cifras de desempleo.
C1The politicians tried to disguise the unemployment figures.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
This meaning is almost always used in a negative context, implying that someone is trying to hide or improve a bad situation superficially, without fixing the underlying problem.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: maquillaje
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the word 'maquillaje' as a masculine noun?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'maquillaje' and 'maquillarse'?
'Maquillaje' (masculine noun) is the product itself (the makeup). 'Maquillarse' (a reflexive verb) is the action of putting the makeup on your own face. You *use* 'el maquillaje' when you 'te maquillas'.
Why is 'maquillaje' masculine if it relates to beauty?
Spanish noun genders don't always follow logic! While many words ending in -a are feminine, and many ending in -e are masculine, 'maquillaje' is one you simply have to memorize as masculine ('el maquillaje').