メイク動画

• Reading: メイクどうが
• Romaji: meiku dōga
• Kanji breakdown: メイク (makeup) + 動 (move) + 画 (picture) → makeup video
• Pronunciation: /me.i.kɯ doː.ɡa/

Meaning

A makeup tutorial or beauty video showing techniques and product application.

メイク動画 is the standard term for makeup tutorial videos on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Japan has a massive beauty video culture, with creators like Nanakoななこ and Sasakiasahi among the most popular. These videos cover everything from daily makeup routines to dramatic transformations, product reviews, and seasonal looks. The term is used universally to refer to any video content focused on makeup application.

Examples

1. 寝る前にメイク動画見るのがルーティンになってる。 Watching makeup videos before bed has become part of my routine.
2. メイク動画参考にしたらだいぶ上手くなった。 My skills improved a lot after I started following makeup tutorials.
3. このメイク動画、100万再生超えてるよ。 This makeup video has over a million views.

Usage Guide

Context: social media, beauty, YouTube, daily conversation

Tone: neutral, everyday

Do Say

• おすすめのメイク動画ある？ (Got any makeup video recommendations?)
• メイク動画見ながら練習してる。 (I'm practicing while watching makeup tutorials.)

Don't Say

• 「メイク動画見て勉強しなよ」は余計なお世話 (Telling someone to study makeup tutorials is unsolicited advice and rude)

Common Mistakes

• Saying メイクビデオ instead of メイク動画 — while ビデオ exists in Japanese, 動画 is the standard word for online video content

Origin & History

Simple compound of メイク (makeup, from English) + 動画 (video/moving picture). Became a standard phrase with the rise of YouTube beauty content in Japan in the early 2010s.

Cultural Context

Era: 2010s with the rise of YouTube

Generation: All ages, especially teens to 30s

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Japanese beauty YouTubers have massive followings. The term is as common as 'makeup tutorial' in English.