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Esthetician (NIC Theory Exam) · Skin Care and Services

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Esthetician (NIC Theory Exam) Makeup, Products, and Ingredients Summary

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About 11 of 45 Skin Care and Services questions (25%)

Color basics, makeup hygiene, sun protection, and common skin care ingredients.

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Makeup, Products, and Ingredients: must-know points

  • Primary colors are red, yellow, and blue; complementary colors sit opposite each other.
  • Humectants draw water in; occlusives hold it in.
  • Broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB.
  • Never share or re-dip makeup applicators between clients.

Makeup, Products, and Ingredients: 10 sample questions

Practice questionReviewedSkin Care and Services › Makeup, Products, and Ingredients★★★★☆

Question 1. What are the primary colors?

  1. ① Orange, green, and violet
  2. ② Red, green, and blue
  3. ③ Red, yellow, and blue
  4. ④ Black, white, and gray
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Answer: ③ Red, yellow, and blue

Key point: Primary: red, yellow, blue

Mixing two primary colors makes a secondary color.

Wrong choices

  • Orange, green, and violet: Orange, green, and violet are secondary colors made by mixing primaries.
  • Red, green, and blue: Red, green, and blue are the primary colors of light, not of pigment.
  • Black, white, and gray: Black, white, and gray are neutrals, not primary colors.
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Question 2. Which color neutralizes redness?

  1. ① Green
  2. ② Yellow
  3. ③ Violet
  4. ④ Orange
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Answer: ① Green

Key point: Green cancels red

Opposite colors cancel.

Wrong choices

  • Yellow: Yellow cancels violet, not red.
  • Violet: Violet cancels yellow tones, not red.
  • Orange: Orange or peach cancels blue tones, not red.
Practice questionReviewedSkin Care and Services › Makeup, Products, and Ingredients★★★★☆

Question 3. Which UV ray is the main cause of sunburn?

  1. ① UVA
  2. ② UVC
  3. ③ Infrared
  4. ④ UVB
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Answer: ④ UVB

Key point: UVB burns

UVB affects the surface.

Wrong choices

  • UVA: UVA penetrates deeper and is linked to aging, while UVB is the main cause of sunburn.
  • UVC: UVC is mostly absorbed by the atmosphere and is not the main cause of sunburn.
  • Infrared: Infrared is heat, not a UV ray.
Practice questionReviewedSkin Care and Services › Makeup, Products, and Ingredients★★★★☆

Question 4. How should mascara be applied to clients safely?

  1. ① With the same wand each time
  2. ② With a new disposable applicator
  3. ③ By wiping and reusing
  4. ④ By wetting with saliva
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Answer: ② With a new disposable applicator

Key point: Disposable applicators

Prevents eye infection.

Wrong choices

  • With the same wand each time: Reusing the same wand can pass eye infections from one client to the next.
  • By wiping and reusing: Wiping does not remove germs from a wand.
  • By wetting with saliva: Saliva carries germs and must never be used on a client.
Practice questionReviewedSkin Care and Services › Makeup, Products, and Ingredients★★★★☆

Question 5. What does a broad-spectrum sunscreen protect against?

  1. ① UVB only
  2. ② UVA only
  3. ③ Both UVA and UVB
  4. ④ Infrared
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Answer: ③ Both UVA and UVB

Key point: Broad spectrum = UVA and UVB

Covers both.

Wrong choices

  • UVB only: Broad spectrum covers more than UVB.
  • UVA only: Broad spectrum covers more than UVA.
  • Infrared: Sunscreen ratings are for UV rays, not infrared.
Practice questionReviewedSkin Care and Services › Makeup, Products, and Ingredients★★★★☆

Question 6. Which is NOT a sanitary makeup practice?

  1. ① Reusing an applicator after touching the client
  2. ② Using a spatula
  3. ③ Using disposable sponges
  4. ④ Cleaning brushes
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Answer: ① Reusing an applicator after touching the client

Key point: Never reuse applicators

Spreads germs.

Wrong choices

  • Using a spatula: Using a clean spatula is sanitary, so it is not the answer.
  • Using disposable sponges: Using disposable sponges is sanitary, so it is not the answer.
  • Cleaning brushes: Cleaning brushes between clients is sanitary, so it is not the answer.
Practice questionReviewedSkin Care and Services › Makeup, Products, and Ingredients★★★☆☆

Question 7. Which ingredient blocks UV light in sunscreen?

  1. ① Zinc oxide
  2. ② Glycerin
  3. ③ Salicylic acid
  4. ④ Lanolin
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Answer: ① Zinc oxide

Key point: Zinc oxide blocks UV

It is a physical block.

Wrong choices

  • Glycerin: Glycerin is a humectant that moisturizes; it does not block UV.
  • Salicylic acid: Salicylic acid exfoliates and does not block UV.
  • Lanolin: Lanolin is an emollient that softens skin; it does not block UV.
Practice questionReviewedSkin Care and Services › Makeup, Products, and Ingredients★★★☆☆

Question 8. In an ingredient list, how are ingredients generally ordered?

  1. ① Alphabetically
  2. ② From highest to lowest amount
  3. ③ From lowest to highest
  4. ④ By date
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Answer: ② From highest to lowest amount

Key point: Descending amount

First is the most.

Wrong choices

  • Alphabetically: Ingredient lists are not in alphabetical order.
  • From lowest to highest: The largest amount is listed first, not last.
  • By date: Ingredient order is not based on date.
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Question 9. Which ingredient type draws water into the skin?

  1. ① Occlusive
  2. ② Astringent
  3. ③ Exfoliant
  4. ④ Humectant
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Answer: ④ Humectant

Key point: Humectants attract water

Examples: glycerin.

Wrong choices

  • Occlusive: Occlusives seal water in; they do not draw it in.
  • Astringent: Astringents give a tightening feel; they do not draw water in.
  • Exfoliant: Exfoliants remove dead cells; they do not draw water in or hold it.
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Question 10. Which ingredient type forms a barrier that slows water loss?

  1. ① Occlusive
  2. ② Humectant
  3. ③ Exfoliant
  4. ④ Antioxidant
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Answer: ① Occlusive

Key point: Occlusives seal

Examples: petrolatum.

Wrong choices

  • Humectant: Humectants draw water in; they do not form a barrier.
  • Exfoliant: Exfoliants remove dead cells; they do not draw water in or hold it.
  • Antioxidant: Antioxidants help protect against free radicals; they do not seal in water.

Test yourself.

Makeup, Products, and Ingredients: 5 questions →Skin Care and Services: 5 questions →