The word 化妆品 (cosmetics) is formed through a logical, layered combination of ideas using individual characters. It begins with 化, meaning "to transform" or "change", combined with 妆, meaning "adornment" or "makeup", to create the core concept 化妆, the action of "making up" or "adorning oneself". The final character 品, meaning "article" or "product", is then appended, specifying that the term refers not to the action itself but to the physical items, the lotions, powders, and colors, used to perform it. Thus, the compound naturally builds from "transform" + "adornment" to form "adornment-product", or cosmetics.