How Much Do You Actually Know About Beauty and Makeup?

BEAUTY & FASHION

By: Jane Andrews

7 Min Quiz

Image: Renzo79/E+/GettyImages

About This Quiz

People started using skincare products, makeup techniques, and hair care tricks to amp up their appearance long before beauty vloggers and Instagram influencers started schooling the world online. Did you know that the ancient Egyptians are believed to have created the first cosmetics? They made makeup from a mixture of copper and lead ore and ground minerals to create kohl for eyeliner. Nail polish is thought to have originated in China as far back as 3000 B.C., and women in ancient Rome reportedly used chalk to lighten and brighten their complexions. Clearly, humanity's obsession with beauty and makeup is nothing new, and today, there's no shortage of products for getting glam — from lipsticks, eyeshadows and foundations to serums, face masks and specially formulated shampoos.

How much do you know when it comes to the big wide world of makeup and beauty? Are you a casual beauty product user, or are you the queen when it comes to researching brands, trying new products and coveting the ones you love? Are you up on all the new trends and latest beauty blogger beefs? This quiz will tell us how much you really know about makeup, hair, nails and skincare — so get started and show us what you've got!

Do you know what the "BB" in BB cream stands for?

Though it's most commonly known as Beauty Balm in America, the "BB" in this skin-correcting, Korean-beauty staple is also called blemish balm, blemish base or beblesh balm in markets outside of the U.S.

Advertisement

When prepping your skin for makeup, which should you apply first — moisturizer or serum?

In order to get the most out of your skin care products, it's important to apply them in the correct order. Most skincare experts maintain that serum should be applied first so it can properly sink into the skin. Otherwise, the thickness of the moisturizer can hinder the serum's absorption.

Advertisement

What is the point of contouring?

While the contouring craze has died down a bit since it was first popularized by the Kardashian clan several years ago, it's still a popular makeup technique designed to enhance your best features and minimize your less favorable ones.

Advertisement

When you need to hide redness and cover up blemishes, what color concealer should you use?

Green concealer is so good at hiding redness because green is the opposite of red on the color wheel. This means that the colors cancel each other out, so skin problems like pimples and broken blood vessels seem to disappear behind green-colored cover-up.

Advertisement

Where's the best place to test foundation?

The jawline is where your complexion is the most even, so it's a good spot for finding a true foundation match. Makeup experts recommend dabbing three different shades next to each other in this area to compare how they look. The one that's the least detectable is the right shade for you.

Advertisement

What is a jade roller used for?

Though it's recently become a big beauty trend, jade rolling is an ancient Chinese technique that's been used for centuries. It gently massages and relaxes the face, which helps drain lymphatic fluid and minimize puffiness.

Advertisement

What's the name of Kylie Jenner's makeup line?

Formerly known as Kylie's Lip Kits, Kylie Cosmetics has released a number of collaborations with the Kardashian sisters, including Kourt X Kylie with Kourtney Kardashian, Koko X Kylie with Khloe Kardashian and KKW X Kylie with Kim Kardashian.

Advertisement

Should you use an eyelash curler before or after you apply mascara?

It's best to curl your lashes when they are clean and bare. Trying to curl them once they're already coated in mascara can cause breakage and other types of damage. It will also leave gunky buildup on your curler.

Advertisement

What's the difference between a BB cream and a CC cream?

The double "C"s in CC cream stand for color-correcting because these products are formulated to cover-up complexion problems such as redness and sallowness. BB creams do offer some coverage, but their primary purpose is to improve the appearance of the skin with vitamins and antioxidants.

Advertisement

When a product says that it's non-comedogenic, what does this mean?

Non-comedogenic makeup and skin care products such as foundation and moisturizer are great for people with acne-prone skin because they are less likely to clog pores and cause pimples.

Advertisement

What is the purpose of a primer?

Putting on makeup primer before applying foundation is a great way to avoid cakeyness and keep makeup looking fresh. Primers are available in cream, gel and powder formulas, and there are even versions designed for specific areas like the eyelids and the lips.

Advertisement

Which of the following methods is the best way to apply under-eye cream?

Because the skin around the under-eye area is very delicate, beauty experts recommend using the weakest finger to apply eye cream, which is the ring finger. In addition, rubbing can cause irritation, which is why it's better to pat the cream onto your skin and let it absorb naturally.

Advertisement

What is tightlining?

Tightlining involves applying eyeliner along your upper and lower waterlines. The technique adds subtle definition to the eyes while also making the eyelashes appear thicker. An eyeliner pencil should be used for this trick — gel and liquid liners can smudge and run into the eye.

Advertisement

How long should you use a mascara before replacing it?

Because a mascara tube can accumulate bacteria and germs every time it's used, most manufacturers (and the FDA) recommend replacing them every three months to avoid the risk of eye infections.

Advertisement

Do you know what banana powder is?

This universally flattering setting powder has a slightly yellow/gold tinge, which is how it got its name. In addition to setting makeup and absorbing oil, it corrects discoloration and hides fine lines.

Advertisement

How often should you wash your makeup brushes?

You should wash your makeup brushes at least once a week to keep them free of bacteria and other irritants. The best way to wash them is to use makeup brush cleanser and warm water, but in a pinch, you can also use cleansing and disinfecting sprays.

Advertisement

Which should you apply first, foundation or concealer?

If you apply your concealer before your foundation, it will end end up getting smeared and smudged as you blend in your foundation. A concealer's purpose is to cover specific areas, so it should be applied to problem spots on top of foundation.

Advertisement

What does the "K" in K-Beauty stand for?

K-Beauty is a general term that refers to skin care products that come from South Korea. These products have recently become very trendy in the U.S. and include sheet masks, serums, cleansing oils and ampoules.

Advertisement

What makes Fenty Beauty, Rihanna's makeup line, so special?

Founded by the pop sensation in 2017, Rihanna's vision for Fenty Beauty was to create a makeup line that worked for "women of all shades, personalities, attitudes, cultures, and races." The brand's large range of foundation shades means that there's a coverage option for every type of skin tone.

Advertisement

Do you know what a basecoat is?

While it's tempting to skip the base coat when you're painting your nails at home, it's an essential step that shouldn't be left out. In addition to protecting your nails from staining and peeling due to the polish, it also helps the color stick to your nails and gives them an even texture.

Advertisement

What are alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs)?

AHAs offer a wide range of anti-aging benefits, including smoother skin, discoloration correction, collage promotion and wrinkle reduction. Look for them on the ingredient lists of your skin care products — there are six types of AHAs that are naturally derived: glycolic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, malic acid and mandelic acid.

Advertisement

What is a depilatory cream used for?

Depilatory cream brands such as Nair and Veet remove unwanted hair from the skin with strong chemical compounds. They are often used as an alternative to waxing and shaving, as they may not cause pain or ingrown hairs.

Advertisement

Epidermabrasion is the technical term for which of the following skin care techniques?

Epidermabrasion is the process of removing dead skin cells from the outermost layer of the skin (the epidermis) to create a smoother and more radiant complexion. A variety of methods can be used to do this either at home or at a salon or doctor's office, including microdermabrasion, which is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure.

Advertisement

If you're wearing lipstick with a matte finish, what does this mean?

The opposite of a gloss, a matte lipstick provides highly pigmented, long-lasting color with zero shine. Because of their nature, matte formulas can sometimes be very drying, so it's always good to hydrate your lips with a light layer of moisturizing lip balm before you apply a matte lipstick.

Advertisement

What's a gel manicure?

Gel manicures have become hugely popular because they last very long, typically two weeks. They are also less prone to breaking and chipping than other types of manicures and can help strengthen nails that are naturally weak and brittle.

Advertisement

Do you know what balayage is?

Balayage creates natural-looking highlights that feature subtle gradations of lightness towards the hair's ends. It's a free-hand technique that does not involve the use of foil to separate the hair.

Advertisement

Which of the following types of eyeliners provide the strongest pigment?

Liquid eyeliner is the way to go when you want to create bold, precise lines. They last longer than other formulas and won't smudge like pencil or kohl. Liquid liners are great for creating statement-making looks like cat eyes or wings.

Advertisement

Do you know what your cupid's bow is?

This upper-lip curl is though to resemble the double-curved bow carried by Cupid, which is how it got its name. Smoothing a small dab of highlighter onto your cupid's bow before you put on lipstick is a great trick for making your lips appear fuller.

Advertisement

What is threading?

When you get your brows threaded, a piece of thread is used to go through your eyebrow hair row by row to shape it. While hair is removed from the follicle, the skin is not damaged. Threading is a good option if you have sensitive skin that's prone to irritation as a result of waxing or plucking.

Advertisement

If someone says they co-wash their hair, what do they mean?

Short for “conditioner-only washing,” the co-washing movement has been on the rise since about 2014. Because shampoos contain cleansing ingredients that can be harsh and strip hair of its natural oils, many people find co-washing beneficial because it leaves the hair and scalp feeling softer.

Advertisement

Where is your T-zone?

The T-zone is so named because the forehead, nose and chin create a "T" shape. In most cases, the T-zone is oilier than other areas of the face because it has more oil glands. This is why the area is often prone to whiteheads, blackheads and pimples.

Advertisement

Which of the following is not a nationwide beauty store chain?

While just as awesome (and big!) as stores like Sephora, Ulta and Sally Beauty, Michael's sells craft and home items such as art supplies, frames, weekly planners, knitting and crochet tools and more.

Advertisement

Where's the best place to store a makeup kit?

People often store their makeup kits in their bathrooms; however, this is not the best choice as the room's heat and humidity can negatively affect your products, shorten their lifespan and in some cases destroy them. To keep your cosmetics in peak shape, store them in a cool and dry place in your room, such as on your dresser, desk or vanity.

Advertisement

If someone is about to pineapple their hair, what are they going to do?

Created by the curly hair community, pineappling involves loosely securing your hair on the top of your head before you got to bed (and yes, the shape is similar to a pineapple). This easy technique helps prevents tangles and preserve your curls while you sleep.

Advertisement

Which celebrity owns the Honest Beauty brand?

An offshoot of Jessica Alba's Honest Company, Honest Beauty, launched in 2015. All of the products in the makeup and skincare line are free of parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, sulfates and chemical sunscreens.

Advertisement

If you see a nail polish with a "3-free" label on it, what does this mean?

"3-free" polish does not contain dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde and toluene, three common nail polish ingredients that are now thought to be toxic. There are also 5-free polishes, which have no formaldehyde resin and camphor, and 7-three formulas, which remove ethyl tosylamide and xylene.

Advertisement

What's the best way to get rid of split ends?

Despite what some hair serums and conditioning treatments might tell you, it's impossible to heal or seal split ends. The only way to truly get rid of them is to trim them off and reveal the healthier, non-split strands on top.

Advertisement

If a shampoo is "sulfate-free", what is it missing?

Sulfates are chemicals commonly added to shampoo to create lather and remove oil. While they are effective cleansing agents, they're very harsh and can strip hair of needed oils and leave color-treated hair looking dull.

Advertisement

What is dry shampoo?

Dry shampoo soaks up dirt and oil, as well as adds texture and volume, without having to get the hair wet. It's a great way to stretch out hairstyles and blowouts for a few extra days.

Advertisement

What are ring lights?

Popular in the world of beauty vlogging, these flattering circular lights create camera-ready complexions by giving skin a soft, filtered glow. The diffused light also helps eliminate shadows.

Advertisement

Explore More Quizzes

About Zoo

Our goal at Zoo.com is to keep you entertained in this crazy life we all live.

We want you to look inward and explore new and interesting things about yourself. We want you to look outward and marvel at the world around you. We want you to laugh at past memories that helped shape the person you’ve become. We want to dream with you about all your future holds. Our hope is our quizzes and articles inspire you to do just that.

Life is a zoo! Embrace it on Zoo.com.