cosmetics

Meanings

1. Preparations applied externally to change or enhance the beauty of skin, hair, nails, lips, and eyes.
2. The way something looks; superficial appearance.

1. The study of such products.

Etymology

From French cosmétique, from Ancient Greek κοσμητική (kosmētikḗ, “the art of dress and ornament”), from κοσμητικός (kosmētikós), an adjective of κοσμέω (kosméō, “to order, to arrange, to rule, to adorn, to equip, to dress, to embellish”).