How Much Do You Actually Know About Beauty and Makeup?
By: Jane Andrews
6 min
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!
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.
When prepping your skin for makeup, which should you apply first - moisturizer or serum?
Serum
Moisturizer
It doesn't matter.
You shouldn't mix moisturizer and serum.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
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.
When you need to hide redness and cover up blemishes, what color concealer should you use?
Yellow
Blue
Green
Peach
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
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.
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.
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.
Should you use an eyelash curler before or after you apply mascara?
After
Before
It doesn't matter.
Both before and after you apply mascara.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
What's the difference between a BB cream and a CC cream?
BB creams offer more skin care benefits, while CC creams are more for providing coverage and correcting skin problems.
BB creams have SPF; CC creams do not.
BB creams are more moisturizing than CC creams.
There is no difference.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
When a product says that it's non-comedogenic, what does this mean?
It's all-natural.
It's free of parabens.
It's specially formulated not to clog pores.
It does not contain gluten.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
It preps the skin so foundation and other makeup goes on smooth and lasts longer.
It moisturizes the skin.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
Which of the following methods is the best way to apply under-eye cream?
Blend the cream into your skin with a cotton ball.
Use your index finger and middle finger to rub the cream into your skin.
Use your ring finger to gently pat the cream onto your skin.
Slather it on and let it sit for five minutes, then wipe off the excess.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
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.
How long should you use a mascara before replacing it?
Six months
Three months
A year
As long as it lasts
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
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.
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.
Which should you apply first, foundation or concealer?
Foundation
Concealer
It doesn't matter.
They should be applied together.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
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.
What makes Fenty Beauty, Rihanna's makeup line, so special?
It's all-natural.
It's very inexpensive.
It features 50 shades of foundation.
It's designed for acne-prone skin.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
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.
Plant- and animal-derived chemical compounds used in skin care products
An ingredient used in hair dye
Synthetic chemicals used for laser hair removal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
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.
Epidermabrasion is the technical term for which of the following skin care techniques?
Intensive hydration
Exfoliation
Lymphatic face massage
Blackhead removal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
If you're wearing lipstick with a matte finish, what does this mean?
The lipstick is very shiny.
The lipstick has no shine.
The lipstick is translucent.
The lipstick is the same shade as your lip's natural color.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
A manicure that involves the use of a special peel-off polish
A manicure that involves the use of a special type of long-wear polish cured under UV light
A manicure that is squishy to the touch
A manicure that involves the use of a special gel to moisturize hands and nails before polish application
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
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.
Which of the following types of eyeliners provide the strongest pigment?
Pencil
Gel
Kohl
Liquid
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
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.
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.
If someone says they co-wash their hair, what do they mean?
They get their hair washed at a salon weekly.
They only wash the very bottom ends of their hair.
They shampoo their hair but use no conditioner.
They skip shampoo and only use conditioner to wash their hair.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
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.
Which of the following is not a nationwide beauty store chain?
Sephora
Ulta
Sally Beauty
Michael's
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
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.
If someone is about to pineapple their hair, what are they going to do?
Rinse it with pineapple juice before bed
Pull their hair into a high pony tail before bed
Braid their wet hair before bed
Cover their hair with a shower cap before bed
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
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.
If you see a nail polish with a "3-free" label on it, what does this mean?
The formula is free of three toxic ingredients that polishes frequently use.
The formula contains three nail-nourishing essential oils.
The polish can be applied in three different ways.
The polish should be applied in three coats.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
"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.
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.
If a shampoo is "sulfate-free", what is it missing?
Harsh foaming agents that facilitate cleansing
Additives that might change the color of your hair
Additives that might change the texture of your hair
Ingredients that are known to cause frizz
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
A dry cleansing powder that's applied in the shower
A cleansing spray or power that's used on wet hair
A cleansing spray or powder that's used on dry hair
All of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.
An app you can download to enhance the look of your phone's flashlight
A type of light that's used in photography and video
A brightening under-eye cream
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer
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.