Brazilian Portuguese Beauty Vocabulary for Everyday Conversations
Learning Brazilian Portuguese beauty vocabulary is very useful if you want to talk about makeup, skincare, hair, nails, or personal care in Brazil. These words are common in pharmacies, beauty salons, cosmetic stores, spas, and everyday conversations.
In this guide, you will learn important Portuguese words related to appearance, makeup, beauty treatments, manicure, skincare, and toiletries. Some words from European Portuguese were adapted to natural Brazilian Portuguese vocabulary, so learners can sound more natural when speaking with Brazilians.
Beauty and Appearance Vocabulary in Brazilian Portuguese
The general word for beauty in Portuguese is a beleza. When talking about someone’s look or physical presentation, you can use a aparência, which means appearance.
Essential Words
a beleza = beauty
a aparência = appearance
bonito / bonita = beautiful, handsome, pretty
lindo / linda = gorgeous
arrumado / arrumada = well-dressed, put together
cuidado / cuidada = well-groomed
Example Sentences
Ela gosta de cuidar da aparência.
She likes to take care of her appearance.
Esse produto realça a beleza natural da pele.
This product enhances the natural beauty of the skin.
Makeup Vocabulary in Brazilian Portuguese
In Brazil, the word for makeup is a maquiagem. This is the most natural Brazilian Portuguese word. In Portugal, you may see a maquilhagem, but in Brazil, people say maquiagem.
Makeup Products in Portuguese
a maquiagem = makeup
a base = foundation
o corretivo = concealer
o pó facial = face powder
o pó compacto = compact powder
o blush = blush
a sombra = eyeshadow
o lápis de olho = eyeliner pencil
o delineador = eyeliner
a máscara de cílios / o rímel = mascara
o batom = lipstick
o gloss = lip gloss
o lápis de boca / o lápis labial = lip liner
o pincel = brush
o pincel para lábios = lip brush
a esponja de maquiagem = makeup sponge
o espelho = mirror
a pinça = tweezers
o lápis de sobrancelha = eyebrow pencil
a escova de sobrancelha = eyebrow brush
Brazilian Portuguese Notes
In the image, a máscara de pestanas appears as mascara. In Brazil, people normally say máscara de cílios or simply rímel.
Another word that sounds more natural in Brazil is pó facial or pó compacto instead of pó de arroz, which may sound old-fashioned.
Example Sentences
Eu uso base e corretivo todos os dias.
I use foundation and concealer every day.
Você tem um lápis de olho preto?
Do you have a black eyeliner pencil?
Ela passou batom vermelho.
She put on red lipstick.
Skincare Vocabulary in Brazilian Portuguese
Skincare is a popular topic in Brazil, especially in pharmacies and beauty stores. The word pele means skin.
Skincare Products
a pele = skin
o sabonete facial = facial cleanser
o gel de limpeza = cleansing gel
o leite de limpeza = cleansing milk
o tônico facial = facial toner
o creme hidratante = moisturizer
o hidratante facial = facial moisturizer
o autobronzeador = self-tanning lotion
o perfume = perfume
a colônia = cologne
a água de colônia = eau de toilette
Types of Skin
pele clara = fair skin
pele escura = dark skin
pele seca = dry skin
pele oleosa = oily skin
pele sensível = sensitive skin
pele mista = combination skin
pele normal = normal skin
Useful Skincare Vocabulary
a tonalidade = shade
o bronzeado = tan
antirrugas = anti-wrinkle
hipoalergênico / hipoalergênica = hypoallergenic
a tatuagem = tattoo
as bolinhas de algodão = cotton balls
a manteiga de cacau = cocoa butter / lip balm
Example Sentences
Minha pele é oleosa.
My skin is oily.
Eu preciso de um hidratante para pele sensível.
I need a moisturizer for sensitive skin.
Esse produto é hipoalergênico.
This product is hypoallergenic.
Beauty Treatments in Brazilian Portuguese
Beauty treatments are common in salons, spas, and esthetic clinics. In Portuguese, we say os tratamentos de beleza.
Common Beauty Treatments
os tratamentos de beleza = beauty treatments
a máscara facial = face mask
a limpeza de pele = facial cleansing / facial treatment
esfoliar = to exfoliate
a esfoliação = exfoliation
a depilação com cera = waxing
a depilação com linha = threading
a depilação a laser = laser hair removal
a pedicure = pedicure
a manicure = manicure
Example Sentences
Eu marquei uma limpeza de pele.
I scheduled a facial.
Ela faz depilação com cera.
She gets waxing done.
Eu gosto de esfoliar a pele uma vez por semana.
I like to exfoliate my skin once a week.
Manicure and Nail Vocabulary in Brazilian Portuguese
In Brazil, nail care is very popular. The word manicure can refer to the treatment or the person who does nails.
Nail Products and Tools
a manicure = manicure
a pedicure = pedicure
a unha = nail
as unhas = nails
o esmalte = nail polish
o removedor de esmalte = nail polish remover
a acetona = acetone
a lixa de unha = nail file
a tesoura de unha = nail scissors
o cortador de unhas / o corta-unhas = nail clippers
o alicate de unha = nail nippers
Brazilian Portuguese Notes
In Portugal, you may see o verniz for nail polish. In Brazil, the natural word is o esmalte.
Instead of removedor de verniz, Brazilians say removedor de esmalte or acetona.
Example Sentences
Eu quero pintar as unhas de vermelho.
I want to paint my nails red.
Você tem removedor de esmalte?
Do you have nail polish remover?
Preciso comprar uma lixa de unha.
I need to buy a nail file.
Hair and Eyebrow Vocabulary in Brazilian Portuguese
Beauty vocabulary also includes hair and eyebrows. These words are useful at salons and cosmetic stores.
Hair and Eyebrow Words
o cabelo = hair
a tintura de cabelo = hair dye
pintar o cabelo = to dye the hair
a sobrancelha = eyebrow
as sobrancelhas = eyebrows
a pinça = tweezers
o lápis de sobrancelha = eyebrow pencil
a escova de sobrancelha = eyebrow brush
Example Sentences
Ela quer pintar o cabelo.
She wants to dye her hair.
Eu uso lápis de sobrancelha.
I use an eyebrow pencil.
Você pode tirar minha sobrancelha com pinça?
Can you tweeze my eyebrows?
Useful Phrases at a Beauty Store or Salon in Brazil
At a Cosmetics Store
Você tem base para pele oleosa?
Do you have foundation for oily skin?
Estou procurando um hidratante facial.
I am looking for a facial moisturizer.
Esse produto é para pele sensível?
Is this product for sensitive skin?
Quanto custa esse batom?
How much does this lipstick cost?
At a Salon
Eu gostaria de fazer manicure.
I would like to get a manicure.
Quero fazer uma limpeza de pele.
I want to get a facial.
Você faz depilação com cera?
Do you do waxing?
Quero pintar as unhas.
I want to paint my nails.
Brazilian Portuguese vs. Portugal Portuguese: Beauty Vocabulary Differences
Some beauty words are different in Brazil and Portugal. Here are the most important differences for learners.
| English | Brazilian Portuguese | Portugal Portuguese |
|---|---|---|
| makeup | maquiagem | maquilhagem |
| mascara | máscara de cílios / rímel | máscara de pestanas |
| nail polish | esmalte | verniz |
| nail polish remover | removedor de esmalte / acetona | removedor de verniz |
| face powder | pó facial / pó compacto | pó de arroz |
| hair dye | tintura de cabelo | tinta do cabelo |
| lip liner | lápis de boca / lápis labial | lápis de contorno |
Conclusion
Learning Brazilian Portuguese beauty vocabulary helps you communicate naturally in salons, pharmacies, cosmetic stores, and daily conversations. Words like maquiagem, base, batom, creme hidratante, limpeza de pele, esmalte, and depilação com cera are very common in Brazil.
For learners of Portuguese, it is also important to notice the difference between Brazilian Portuguese and European Portuguese. In Brazil, people say maquiagem, esmalte, máscara de cílios, and removedor de esmalte, which sound much more natural in everyday Brazilian conversations.
