xièzhuāng: 卸妆 - To Remove Makeup, Take Off Makeup

• Keywords: 卸妆, xiezhuang, xie zhuang, remove makeup in Chinese, take off makeup in Chinese, Chinese skincare, 化妆 (huàzhuāng), 卸妆油 (xièzhuāng yóu), double cleansing, beauty in China, Chinese cosmetics.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term 卸妆 (xièzhuāng), which means “to remove makeup.” This page breaks down the characters 卸 (unload) and 妆 (makeup), explaining how they combine to form this practical verb. Discover its central role in modern Chinese beauty and skincare routines, its difference from simply washing your face (洗脸), and see how it's used in everyday conversations, from discussing daily habits to buying specific products like 卸妆油 (makeup remover oil).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xièzhuāng
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To remove cosmetics from one's face; to take off makeup.
• In a Nutshell: 卸妆 (xièzhuāng) is the direct and most common way to talk about removing makeup. It's the opposite of 化妆 (huàzhuāng), which means “to put on makeup.” While the term is purely functional, it represents an important daily ritual for many in modern China, marking the end of the day and the beginning of a skincare routine.

• 卸 (xiè): This character means “to unload,” “to remove,” or “to discharge.” Picture a truck unloading its cargo (卸货 - xièhuò). It carries the sense of taking off something that has been put on, like a burden, a responsibility, or in this case, a layer of cosmetics.
• 妆 (zhuāng): This character means “makeup” or “adornment.” It often relates to a woman's appearance and the application of cosmetics.
• How they combine: The logic is very straightforward: 卸 (to unload/remove) + 妆 (makeup) = 卸妆 (to remove makeup). You are literally “unloading” the makeup from your face.

While “removing makeup” is a universal activity, the emphasis on 卸妆 (xièzhuāng) in China reflects the country's massive and sophisticated skincare and cosmetics market. It's not just a mundane task; it's considered the foundational step for healthy skin. A key cultural practice to understand is “double cleansing.” In the West, removing makeup might be a single step with a wipe or a cleanser. In China (and much of East Asia), 卸妆 is the first step, typically using an oil-based or balm cleanser (卸妆油 / 卸妆膏) to dissolve cosmetics, sunscreen, and oil-based impurities. This is then followed by a second step, 洗脸 (xǐliǎn), using a water-based cleanser to wash everything away. Therefore, 卸妆 isn't just a synonym for “washing your face” at night. It's a specific, dedicated, and almost non-negotiable part of a meticulous routine (护肤 - hùfū) that values thoroughness and prevention. This reflects a modern cultural value placed on self-care, wellness, and presenting one's best self—both with makeup on (化妆) and with a naturally healthy bare face (素颜 - sùyán).

卸妆 (xièzhuāng) is a high-frequency word in daily life, especially among younger, urban populations.

• In Daily Conversation: People use it to talk about their evening routine. “I'm so tired, but I still have to 卸妆.”
• When Shopping: You will see this term everywhere in drugstores and cosmetics shops on products like:
  • 卸妆油 (xièzhuāng yóu): Makeup remover oil
  • 卸妆水 (xièzhuāng shuǐ): Makeup remover water (e.g., micellar water)
  • 卸妆膏 (xièzhuāng gāo): Makeup remover balm/cream
  • 卸妆巾 (xièzhuāng jīn): Makeup remover wipes
• On Social Media: Beauty influencers (美妆博主 - měizhuāng bózhǔ) on platforms like Douyin (TikTok) and Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) frequently post videos of their 卸妆 routine, reviewing products and demonstrating techniques.
• Figurative Meaning: While less common, 卸妆 can be used figuratively to mean “to unmask” or “to reveal one's true self,” stripping away a public persona or pretense.

• Example 1:
  • 我每天晚上回家第一件事就是卸妆。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ měitiān wǎnshàng huíjiā dì yī jiàn shì jiùshì xièzhuāng.
  • English: The first thing I do every night when I get home is remove my makeup.
  • Analysis: A simple, common sentence describing a daily habit.
• Example 2:
  • 你睡觉前别忘了卸妆，对皮肤不好。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ shuìjiào qián bié wàngle xièzhuāng, duì pífū bù hǎo.
  • English: Don't forget to take off your makeup before you sleep, it's bad for your skin.
  • Analysis: A common piece of advice or a reminder between friends or family.
• Example 3:
  • 这款卸妆油很温和，而且卸得很干净。
  • Pinyin: Zhè kuǎn xièzhuāng yóu hěn wēnhé, érqiě xiè de hěn gānjìng.
  • English: This makeup remover oil is very gentle, and it removes makeup very thoroughly.
  • Analysis: This shows how 卸妆 is used as an adjective to describe a product type (卸妆油). The phrase “卸得很干净” (removes very cleanly) is a very common way to praise a remover.
• Example 4:
  • 即使只涂了防晒霜，你也需要卸妆。
  • Pinyin: Jíshǐ zhǐ túle fángshàishuāng, nǐ yě xūyào xièzhuāng.
  • English: Even if you only put on sunscreen, you still need to remove it properly (with a makeup remover).
  • Analysis: This highlights the specific skincare context. In Chinese beauty culture, sunscreen is considered something that needs to be “unloaded” (卸) just like makeup.
• Example 5:
  • 她卸妆以后，我差点没认出来。
  • Pinyin: Tā xièzhuāng yǐhòu, wǒ chàdiǎn méi rèn chūlái.
  • English: After she took off her makeup, I almost didn't recognize her.
  • Analysis: A colloquial and slightly dramatic sentence, often used humorously.
• Example 6:
  • 你平时用卸妆水还是卸妆油？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ píngshí yòng xièzhuāng shuǐ háishì xièzhuāng yóu?
  • English: Do you normally use makeup remover water or makeup remover oil?
  • Analysis: A typical question when discussing skincare products and preferences.
• Example 7:
  • 我的眼妆太浓了，不好卸。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de yǎnzhuāng tài nóngle, bù hǎo xiè.
  • English: My eye makeup is too heavy, it's not easy to remove.
  • Analysis: Here, just the character 卸 (xiè) is used as a shorthand for the full word 卸妆, which is common in casual speech when the context is clear.
• Example 8:
  • 我需要买一瓶新的卸妆液。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xūyào mǎi yī píng xīn de xièzhuāng yè.
  • English: I need to buy a new bottle of makeup remover liquid.
  • Analysis: Shows another common product type, 卸妆液 (liquid makeup remover).
• Example 9:
  • 演员表演结束后，要去后台卸妆。
  • Pinyin: Yǎnyuán biǎoyǎn jiéshù hòu, yào qù hòutái xièzhuāng.
  • English: After the performance, the actors have to go backstage to remove their makeup.
  • Analysis: This example applies to stage makeup, which is often very heavy and requires thorough removal.
• Example 10:
  • 媒体的报道终于给这位“完美”的政客卸了妆。
  • Pinyin: Méitǐ de bàodào zhōngyú gěi zhè wèi “wánměi” de zhèngkè xiè le zhuāng.
  • English: The media report finally unmasked this “perfect” politician.
  • Analysis: This is the figurative use of 卸妆, meaning to expose someone's true nature by stripping away their public facade.

The most common point of confusion for English speakers is the difference between 卸妆 (xièzhuāng) and 洗脸 (xǐliǎn).

• 卸妆 (xièzhuāng): To remove cosmetics, sunscreen, and oil-based grime. This is Step 1. It targets things that water alone cannot easily wash away.
• 洗脸 (xǐliǎn): To wash the face. This is Step 2 (or the only step if you aren't wearing makeup). It uses a foaming or gel cleanser to wash away sweat, dirt, and the residue from Step 1.

Common Mistake: Using 洗脸 (xǐliǎn) when you specifically mean removing makeup.

• Incorrect: 我需要洗脸我的口红。(Wǒ xūyào xǐliǎn wǒ de kǒuhóng.) - Lit. “I need to wash-face my lipstick.” This sounds unnatural and is incorrect.
• Correct: 我需要卸掉我的口红。(Wǒ xūyào xiè diào wǒ de kǒuhóng.) - “I need to remove my lipstick.”
• Correct: 我需要卸妆。(Wǒ xūyào xièzhuāng.) - “I need to remove my makeup.”

Think of it this way: you can 洗脸 without having to 卸妆, but if you 卸妆, you almost always follow it with a 洗脸.

• 化妆 (huàzhuāng) - The direct antonym: to put on makeup.
• 护肤 (hùfū) - Skincare. 卸妆 is a critical step in any 护肤 routine.
• 洗脸 (xǐliǎn) - To wash one's face. The cleansing step that often follows 卸妆 in a double-cleansing routine.
• 素颜 (sùyán) - A bare face with no makeup on. This is the state you return to after you 卸妆.
• 化妆品 (huàzhuāngpǐn) - Cosmetics; makeup products. The items you apply when you 化妆 and remove when you 卸妆.
• 卸妆油 (xièzhuāng yóu) - Makeup remover oil. A specific and very popular type of product for 卸妆.
• 卸妆水 (xièzhuāng shuǐ) - Makeup remover water (micellar water). A lighter alternative to remover oil.
• 美妆 (měizhuāng) - A broader term for the beauty and cosmetics industry.
• 卸货 (xièhuò) - To unload cargo. Shares the character 卸 and helps you remember its core meaning of “to unload.”
• 卸任 (xièrèn) - To step down from a position/office. Another example of 卸 meaning to “remove” a responsibility.