Learn essential vocabulary to describe your daily cosmetic routine, from foundation and eyeshadow to your favorite perfume.
The Basics of Makeup
The general Croatian word for makeup is šminka. To talk about the action of doing your makeup, use the reflexive verb šminkati se (to put on makeup).
| Her makeup is always perfect. | Njezina šminka je uvijek savršena. |
| I am not putting on makeup today. | Danas se ne šminkam. |
Building the Base and Scent
When describing your routine, you will often use the verb stavljati (to put on / to apply). A common first step is applying foundation, known as puder (which also means powder). You might also finish getting ready by putting on some perfume (parfem).
| First I put foundation on my face. | Prvo stavljam puder na lice. |
| I am buying that expensive perfume. | Kupujem taj skupi parfem. |
Lips and Lipstick
The word for a single lip is usna (plural: usne). To color them, you will use lipstick, which is ruž.
| I will buy a red lipstick. | Kupit ću crveni ruž. |
| Put lipstick on your lips. | Stavi ruž na usne. |
Eye Makeup
When focusing on the eyes, you apply mascara (maskara) to your eyelashes (trepavice). If you want to add color to your eyelids, you use eyeshadow (sjenilo).
| I put mascara on my eyelashes. | Stavljam maskaru na trepavice. |
| Do you like blue eyeshadow? | Sviđa li ti se plavo sjenilo? |
Finishing Touches
To add some healthy color to your cheeks, you will need blush, which is called rumenilo.
| I put blush on my cheeks. | Stavljam rumenilo na obraze. |
| We only need blush and mascara. | Trebamo samo rumenilo i maskaru. |