Shopping for Beauty Products in English: Phrases, Questions & Conversations

Shopping for beauty products can be fun, but it can also be confusing if you don’t know the right words in English. Whether you are at a salon, a cosmetics store, or shopping online, knowing beauty product phrases and questions helps you communicate clearly.

In this guide, you will learn the most common phrases and conversation questions used when buying skincare, makeup, haircare, nails, and body care products.

You’ll also see sample dialogues, tips for ESL learners, and classroom activities for teachers essential for English for Beauty.

By the end, you’ll feel confident asking about, recommending, and discussing beauty products in English.

Common Phrases for Shopping Beauty Products

Knowing the right phrases can make shopping for beauty products in English much easier. Here’s an extended list of useful expressions you can use in stores, salons, or online.

Asking About Products:

• “Do you have a moisturizer for dry skin?”
• “Which shampoo works best for curly hair?”
• “Is this body lotion suitable for sensitive skin?”
• “Do you have this product in a different color or shade?”
• “Which serum is good for oily skin?”
• “Does this foundation come in light or medium tones?”
• “Are there any organic or natural options?”
• “Is this nail polish long-lasting?”
• “Do you have waterproof mascara?”

Asking for Recommendations:

• “Can you recommend a good cleanser for acne-prone skin?”
• “Which hair mask do you suggest for dry hair?”
• “What fragrance would you recommend for summer?”
• “Can you suggest a lipstick that lasts all day?”
• “Which highlighter is best for fair skin?”
• “Do you have a gentle exfoliator?”
• “Which nail products are best for home manicures?”

Asking Prices, Sizes, or Availability:

• “How much is this perfume?”
• “Do you have a bigger size of this lotion?”
• “Is this product available online?”
• “Can I get this shampoo in travel size?”
• “Is this foundation in stock?”
• “Are there any discounts or promotions?”

Expressing Preferences or Needs:

• “I prefer matte lipstick over glossy.”
• “I like floral-scented perfumes.”
• “I usually buy products with natural ingredients.”
• “I need a sunscreen suitable for daily use.”
• “I want a body scrub that’s gentle on skin.”
• “I like nail polish with bright colors.”

Polite Phrases for Asking Help:

• “Could you help me, please?”
• “I’m looking for something for sensitive skin.”
• “Do you mind showing me where the nail products are?”
• “Can you tell me how to use this product?”
• “Would you recommend this for daily use?”

Phrases for Comparing Products:

• “Which one is better for dry hair, A or B?”
• “Is this lotion stronger than that one?”
• “Does this perfume smell stronger than the other one?”
• “Which foundation lasts longer?”

👉 Tip for learners: Keep this list handy and practice aloud. Mix phrases with product vocabulary from our Beauty Products Vocabulary post to make your shopping conversations natural and confident.

Conversation Questions for Practice

These questions help you use beauty product vocabulary in real-life situations, whether shopping in-store, online, or at a salon. Try asking a partner or practicing aloud.

Skincare Questions:

• Which moisturizer do you use daily?
• Do you prefer gel or cream-based cleansers?
• Have you tried any facial serums?
• Which sunscreen do you recommend for sensitive skin?
• How often do you exfoliate your skin?
• What toner do you like best for oily skin?

Makeup Questions:

• Which foundation matches your skin tone perfectly?
• Do you prefer matte or glossy lipstick?
• How often do you use eyeshadow?
• Can you recommend a good blush for fair skin?
• Do you usually wear mascara every day?
• Have you tried using a highlighter before?

Haircare Questions:

• What shampoo do you use for dry or damaged hair?
• Do you prefer hair oil or serum?
• Have you ever used a hair mask at home?
• Which hair spray holds your style best?
• Do you use heat protectant before styling your hair?
• How often do you wash your hair?

Nail Questions:

• What nail polish color do you like most?
• Do you prefer gel or regular polish?
• Have you ever tried acrylic nails?
• Do you use cuticle oil regularly?
• How often do you get manicures?
• Which nail products are essential at home?

Body Care & Fragrance Questions:

• Which body lotion do you use daily?
• Do you prefer scented or unscented products?
• Have you tried any body scrubs?
• Which perfume is your favorite?
• Do you use deodorant or body spray every day?
• Which body cream keeps your skin soft in winter?

Shopping & Recommendation Questions:

• Can you recommend a good product for oily skin?
• Which beauty product lasts the longest?
• Do you usually buy beauty products online or in stores?
• How do you choose between two similar products?
• Have you ever returned a beauty product?
• What’s your favorite brand for skincare or makeup?

Polite Interaction Questions:

• Could you help me find this product?
• Do you mind showing me how to use this serum?
• Which product would you suggest for beginners?
• Can you tell me the difference between these two products?
• Would this lotion be suitable for daily use?

👉 Tip for learners: Use these questions to role-play with a friend, teacher, or classmate. Combine them with vocabulary and phrases from the previous section to practice real-life beauty shopping conversations.

Sample Shopping Conversation 1: Customer and Store Assistant

Customer: Hi, could you help me find a moisturizer for dry skin?
Assistant: Of course! Are you looking for something lightweight or more hydrating?
Customer: I need something very hydrating. My skin gets dry in winter.
Assistant: I recommend this cream. It’s rich in natural oils and safe for sensitive skin.
Customer: That sounds perfect. Do you also have a matching facial cleanser?
Assistant: Yes, we have this gentle cleanser. It’s fragrance-free.
Customer: Great! How often should I use this moisturizer?
Assistant: Twice a day, morning and evening, after cleansing.
Customer: Okay. Do you have any serum to add extra glow?
Assistant: Yes, this vitamin C serum works well for dry and dull skin.
Customer: Can I try a small amount to see how it feels?
Assistant: Sure, here’s a tester.
Customer: Perfect. How much is the moisturizer?
Assistant: It’s $25 for 50 ml.
Customer: I’ll take both the cream and the serum, please.
Assistant: Excellent choice! Would you like a shopping bag?

Sample Shopping Conversation 2: Friends Shopping Together

Lina: I love your lipstick! Which brand is it?
Sara: Thanks! It’s a matte lipstick from a new brand I tried.
Lina: I usually wear glossy lipstick. Should I try matte?
Sara: Yes, it lasts longer. You might like it.
Lina: Hmm, maybe. What about nail polish? Your nails look amazing.
Sara: Thanks! It’s a red gel polish. Do you prefer gel or regular polish?
Lina: Regular polish. Gel feels a bit heavy for me.
Sara: You should try a quick-dry formula. It’s light and long-lasting.
Lina: Good idea. And your perfume smells amazing! Which one is it?
Sara: It’s a floral scent, perfect for summer.
Lina: I want something similar. Can we check the perfume section?
Sara: Of course. And don’t forget to try the body lotion too—it matches the scent.
Lina: Perfect! Let’s grab one for both perfume and lotion.
Sara: Great choice. We can also check if they have a gift set.

Tips for ESL Learners While Shopping

Shopping for beauty products in English can feel challenging at first, but these tips will help you communicate confidently:

1. Learn Key Vocabulary Before Shopping

• Review words for skincare, makeup, haircare, nails, and body care.
• Knowing the names of products helps you ask precise questions.
  Example: “Do you have a sunscreen for sensitive skin?”

2. Practice Polite Phrases

• Use phrases like “Could you help me?” or “Do you mind showing me…?”
• Politeness makes conversations smoother and easier to understand.

3. Ask Clear Questions

• Specify what you want: product type, skin type, color, size, or scent.
  Example: “Which foundation is best for oily skin?”

4. Compare Products

• Use phrases to compare: “Is this lotion better than that one?”
• Helps you choose the right product while practicing vocabulary.

5. Repeat and Confirm

• If you don’t understand, politely ask: “Could you repeat that, please?”
• This builds confidence and avoids mistakes.

6. Use Role-Play Practice

• Practice conversations with friends, classmates, or online partners.
• Pretend you are at a store or salon to simulate real-life situations.

7. Pay Attention to Pronunciation

• Some words can be tricky: serum, exfoliator, toner, mascara, highlighter.
• Break them into syllables and repeat aloud.

8. Take Notes

• Keep a small notebook or phone note of product names and phrases.
• Review them before your next shopping trip.

9. Start Small

• Practice with just a few questions or products first.
• Gradually expand to asking about multiple products or preferences.

10. Combine Vocabulary and Compliments

• Compliment products naturally: “Your lipstick looks amazing; which brand is it?”
• This reinforces vocabulary and makes interactions more friendly.

Common Mistakes Learners Make

Even experienced ESL learners make mistakes when shopping for beauty products. Being aware of them can help you communicate more clearly and confidently.

1. Mixing Product Categories

• Mistake: “I need a shampoo for my nails.”
• Correct: Shampoo is for hair; cuticle oil or nail strengthener is for nails.

2. Using Vague Words

• Mistake: “I want this cream.”
• Correct: Specify the type: “I want this moisturizer for sensitive skin.”

3. Mispronouncing Product Names

• Mistake: “Ex-fo-lee-ator”
• Correct: “Ex-fol-lee-ator”
• Practice syllables for tricky words: mascara, serum, toner, highlighter.

4. Forgetting Politeness

• Mistake: “Give me this perfume.”
• Correct: “Could you please show me this perfume?”

5. Confusing Sizes or Quantities

• Mistake: “I want three sunscreen.”
• Correct: “I want three bottles of sunscreen.”

6. Overusing “good” or “nice”

• Mistake: “This lipstick is nice.”
• Correct: Use specific adjectives: “This lipstick is bright red and long-lasting.”

7. Forgetting to Confirm Details

• Mistake: Buying a product without checking skin type or shade.
• Correct: “Is this foundation suitable for oily skin?”

8. Using Wrong Product for Purpose

• Mistake: “I use cuticle oil for my hair.”
• Correct: Hair products and nail products are different; use them appropriately.

9. Not Asking for Recommendations

• Mistake: Not asking staff or friends for advice.
• Correct: “Can you recommend a moisturizer for sensitive skin?”

10. Confusing Product Names and Tools

• Mistake: “I use a foundation brush for nails.”
• Correct: Learn which tool matches each product type.

Classroom Activity Ideas for Teachers

Teaching shopping for beauty products vocabulary can be fun and interactive. Here are some activities ESL teachers can use:

1. Role-Play: Store Assistant and Customer

• Students take turns being a store assistant and a customer.
• Use phrases like: “Do you have a moisturizer for dry skin?” or “Which shampoo do you recommend?”
• Encourages practical conversation and polite interactions.

2. Product Hunt Game

• Place pictures or real beauty products around the classroom.
• Students must find a product based on your description: “Find a red lipstick that lasts long.”

3. Question & Answer Drill

• Prepare a list of shopping questions from Section 3.
• Students ask each other questions and answer using complete sentences.

4. Compare & Choose Activity

• Give students two product cards.
• They compare using phrases: “This serum is better for oily skin, but that one is good for dry skin.”

5. Bingo with Shopping Phrases

• Create bingo cards with phrases or product names.
• Call out definitions or questions: “Ask for a moisturizer for sensitive skin.”

6. Shopping Dialogue Writing

• Students write their own short shopping conversations.
• Encourage including at least 5–6 phrases from the vocabulary list.

7. Guess the Product Game

• One student describes a product without naming it: “It’s a cream I use every morning to protect my face from the sun.”
• Others guess: “Sunscreen!”

8. Online Shopping Simulation

• Use online beauty store websites.
• Students role-play shopping, asking questions, comparing products, and choosing items in English.

9. Daily Routine Practice

• Students describe their morning or evening beauty routine using product vocabulary.
• Others ask questions: “Do you use toner every day?”

10. Pronunciation Challenge

• Focus on tricky words: serum, exfoliator, toner, mascara, highlighter.
• Students repeat and practice in pairs or groups.

Quick Reference Table: Shopping Phrases

Phrase	Example Usage
Do you have…?	Do you have a moisturizer for dry skin?
Which… do you recommend?	Which shampoo do you recommend for curly hair?
Can you show me…?	Can you show me where the nail products are?
How much is…?	How much is this perfume?
Is this suitable for…?	Is this lotion suitable for sensitive skin?
Do you have it in…?	Do you have it in a bigger size?
Could you help me, please?	Could you help me choose a foundation?
I prefer…	I prefer matte lipstick over glossy.
Can I try…?	Can I try a small amount of this serum?
What do you suggest for…?	What do you suggest for oily skin?
Is this in stock?	Is this body lotion in stock?
How often should I use…?	How often should I use this exfoliator?
Do you have a gift set?	Do you have a perfume gift set?
Could you repeat that, please?	Could you repeat the product name?
Which one is better…?	Which one is better for dry hair, A or B?

👉 Tip for learners: Print or screenshot this table and keep it handy while practicing or shopping. It makes your conversations faster and more confident.

Conclusion

Knowing how to shop for beauty products in English makes your daily routines, salon visits, and online shopping easier and more enjoyable. By practicing the phrases, questions, and dialogues in this post, you can communicate confidently about skincare, makeup, haircare, nails, and body care.

Remember to combine beauty product vocabulary with polite phrases and compliments, and don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations or clarifications. The more you practice, the more natural your conversations will become.

Shopping in English doesn’t have to be intimidating—use these tools to explore, compare, and enjoy beauty products while improving your language skills.

FAQs About Shopping for Beauty Products

1. How can I ask for product recommendations in English?
You can say: “Which product do you recommend for my skin type?” or “Can you suggest a good moisturizer?” These phrases are polite and clear.

2. How do I ask about sizes or quantities?
Use phrases like: “Do you have a bigger size of this lotion?” or “I would like two bottles of this shampoo, please.”

3. How can I politely ask for help in a store?
Say: “Could you help me, please?” or “Do you mind showing me where the nail products are?” Polite phrases make interactions smoother.

4. How do I compare products in English?
Use phrases like: “Which one is better for oily skin, A or B?” or “Is this lotion stronger than that one?”

5. How can I describe my preferences?
You can say: “I prefer matte lipstick over glossy.” or “I like floral-scented perfumes.”

6. What if I don’t understand the product name?
Politely ask: “Could you repeat that, please?” or “How do you spell that?”

7. How can I ask if a product is suitable for me?
Say: “Is this product suitable for sensitive skin?” or “Would this lotion be good for daily use?”

8. Can I ask for a product trial in English?
Yes! Use: “Can I try a small amount of this serum?” or “Do you have a tester for this lipstick?”

9. How do I ask about prices politely?
Say: “How much is this perfume?” or “What’s the price of this body lotion?”

10. How can I practice shopping conversations at home?
Role-play with a friend, teacher, or even in front of a mirror using the phrases and vocabulary from this post. You can also simulate online shopping conversations.