How to Sign "Make Up"
To sign *makeup*, start by holding your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up, as if holding a makeup compact. Form your dominant hand into a flat 'O' shape by bringing your fingertips and thumb together. Tap the fingertips of your dominant hand against your cheek a couple of times, mimicking the action of applying powder to your face.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic and visually motivated, meaning it looks exactly like the action it represents. It directly mimics the real-world routine of applying cosmetics. Your non-dominant hand acts as the physical makeup compact or palette, while your dominant hand represents a powder puff, sponge, or brush. By bringing your dominant hand to your cheek and tapping lightly, you are recreating the exact physical motion of dabbing powder onto your face, making this sign very intuitive and easy for beginners to remember.
Signing Tips
When practicing the sign for *makeup*, focus on keeping your non-dominant hand steady and relaxed to clearly represent the makeup compact. The tapping motion on your cheek should be light, gentle, and repetitive, just like dabbing real powder onto your skin. Make sure your dominant hand stays in a clear flat 'O' shape throughout the movement, with your thumb and fingertips pressed together. Using the correct facial expression—perhaps looking slightly upward or into an imaginary mirror—can also help make your signing look much more natural and expressive.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake beginners make is forgetting to use the non-dominant hand entirely. Because the 'compact' hand is an important part of this specific sign variation, leaving it out changes the visual story of the sign. Another frequent error is using a flat, open palm instead of a flat 'O' handshape to tap the face. Finally, be careful not to use a harsh rubbing or scratching motion on your cheek; the movement should always be a light, gentle dabbing or tapping motion.
Regional Variations
While the compact-and-powder variation shown here is very common and widely understood, ASL has a few different ways to sign *makeup*. In some regions, you may see signers drop the non-dominant hand entirely and simply dab their cheek with their dominant hand. Another popular variation involves using both hands in flat 'O' shapes to simultaneously dab or make small circles around the face. However, the variation using the base hand is excellent for beginners because it provides a clear, unmistakable visual context.
Examples Using "Make Up" in a Sentence
1I need to buy more makeup.
To sign this, point to yourself, sign 'need', then 'buy', 'more', and finish with the sign for 'makeup'.
2She wears beautiful makeup.
Point to the person you are referring to, sign 'makeup', and then sign 'beautiful' while showing an appreciative facial expression.
3I don't wear makeup every day.
Sign 'everyday', point to yourself, sign 'makeup', and then shake your head while signing 'none' or 'don't'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this sign mean 'make up' as in reconciling after a fight?
No, this sign specifically refers to cosmetics. To sign 'make up' in the sense of resolving an argument, you would use a completely different sign, often involving the signs for 'reconcile' or 'friend'.
Can I use this sign for specific types of makeup like lipstick or mascara?
This is the general sign for all cosmetics. However, specific types of makeup often have their own signs that mimic their application, such as tracing your lips for lipstick or brushing your eyelashes for mascara.
Do I have to use my non-dominant hand?
For this specific variation, the non-dominant hand acts as a base (representing a compact), so it should be included. In fast, casual conversation, some signers might drop the base hand, but beginners should practice using both.
Related ASL Signs
