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maquillaje

mah-kee-YAH-heh/ma.kiˈʝa.xe/

“maquillaje” means “makeup” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

makeup, cosmetics

Also: face paint
NounmA1
A simple colorful illustration of three essential cosmetic items: a tube of bright red lipstick, an open eyeshadow palette showing multiple colors, and a fluffy makeup brush.

📝 In Action

Ella olvidó su estuche de maquillaje en casa.

A1

She forgot her makeup bag at home.

Prefiero usar maquillaje natural, casi invisible.

A2

I prefer to use natural, almost invisible makeup.

Antes de salir, se puso un poco de maquillaje.

A1

Before leaving, she put on a little bit of makeup.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cosméticos (cosmetics)

Common Collocations

  • quitarse el maquillaje – to take off one's makeup
  • bolsa de maquillaje – makeup bag
  • maquillaje permanente – permanent makeup

cover-up, disguise

Also: window dressing
NounmC1formal
A simple illustration showing a small, gray object (representing truth or facts) completely hidden and obscured beneath a large, brightly colored, decorative cloth.

📝 In Action

El informe financiero era solo un maquillaje de la situación real de la empresa.

B2

The financial report was merely a cover-up of the company's real situation.

Los políticos intentaron hacer un maquillaje a las cifras de desempleo.

C1

The politicians tried to disguise the unemployment figures.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • engaño (deception)
  • simulación (simulation)

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: maquillaje

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses the word 'maquillaje' as a masculine noun?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
maquillar(to apply makeup (to someone else)) — Verb
maquillarse(to put makeup on oneself) — Verb
maquillador/a(makeup artist) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

This word comes from the French verb *maquiller*, which originally meant 'to disguise' or 'to prepare a set for a show or theater.' This origin explains both the beauty meaning and the figurative meaning of 'cover-up' or 'disguise.'

First recorded: Mid-20th century (in Spanish)

Cognates (Related words)

French: maquillage

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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').