Makeup Names
Whether you are naming a brand, a product, or an iconic shade, a great makeup name captures mood, colour, and aspiration in just a few words.
Famous Makeup Names That Nailed It
Real-world names that became iconic. Here's what makes them work.
Charlotte Tilbury's bestselling shade name conjures intimacy and softness, becoming one of the most recognised product names in modern beauty history.
MAC's iconic red lipstick name feels retro, bold, and playful — a perfect encapsulation of the shade's personality and the brand's theatrical identity.
A shade name that contradicts itself — dark yet sweet — creating a memorable tension that perfectly suits a deep, universally flattering lip colour.
Tips for Choosing Makeup Names
For shade names, aim for a two-word phrase that creates a visual or emotional image — single words can feel generic, and three or more words become hard to remember.
Draw inspiration from unexpected categories: food, geography, music, literature, and materials all yield rich naming territory.
Test shade names across different skin tone communities to ensure the name resonates broadly and does not unintentionally exclude.
Avoid names that are too literal (e.g. 'Dark Red') — evocative names generate far more emotional connection and social sharing.
Build a naming system for your product line so individual names feel coherent with each other — a consistent naming language strengthens brand identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with the colour's mood and energy, then look for words from unrelated categories — nature, places, textures, emotions — that capture that feeling. The best shade names surprise you while feeling immediately right.
Brand names and product line names can be trademarked, but individual shade names are generally harder to protect as standalone marks. Consult a trademark attorney for your specific situation.
Brevity, distinctiveness, and emotional resonance. Names that are easy to say, hard to confuse with competitors, and that evoke a specific feeling tend to stick in the memory far longer than descriptive or functional names.
Made-up words (like 'Fenty' or 'Ilia') can be very powerful because they are inherently unique and easier to trademark. They do require more marketing effort to build meaning around the name, but that effort pays off long-term.
Most successful collections have a clear naming theme with six to twelve products at launch. This is enough to feel curated and cohesive without overwhelming customers or diluting the naming concept.
How to Create Great Makeup Names
Understand the Product's Personality
Build a Mood Board of Words
Avoid Common Naming Traps
Create a Naming System
Check Availability and Secure Assets
Related Categories
Curious about what names mean? Explore Name Meanings →