lighteners
Things that pale
Lighteners are substances or agents that make something lighter.
Hair lighteners bleach or lift color from hair.
In baking, lighteners like baking powder or whipped eggs add air to batters.
The word also applies to anything that reduces weight, darkness, or emotional heaviness: The joke served as a lightener in an otherwise tense meeting.
Notable moments emphasized
- balayageFreehand hair-painting technique
- bleachChemical stain and germ killer
- peroxideOxygen compound, disinfectant
- tonerImaging powder or facial astringent
developer · ammonia · foils · lowlights · ombre · lift · color correction · brassy
Making something lighter
- hydroquinoneAromatic compound, two OH groups
- kojic acidFungus-derived skin lightener
- vitamin CEssential water-soluble antioxidant
- niacinamideB3 vitamin variant
Humor easing dramatic tension
- levityLack of seriousness
- humorAmusing quality
- jokeHumorous statement seeking laughter
- witClever, inventive humor
laughter · cheerfulness · uplift · brightness · amusement · whimsy · playfulness · distraction
Source of brightness
- primerPreparatory coat or guide
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- concealerCosmetic for hiding flaws
- powderFine dry particles
bronzer · contour · blush · tinted moisturizer · BB cream · CC cream · beauty blender · strobing
Coffee-lightening additive
- half-and-halfMixed dairy for coffee
- milkMammalian nursing fluid
- oat milkPlant-based dairy alternative
- almond milkBlended nut liquid
soy milk · coconut milk · nondairy · whitener · powdered creamer · froth · condensed milk · evaporated milk
highlights
Notable moments emphasized
- balayageFreehand hair-painting technique
- bleachChemical stain and germ killer
- peroxideOxygen compound, disinfectant
toner · developer · ammonia · foils · lowlights · ombre · lift · color correction · brassy · ash blonde
whitening
Making something lighter
- hydroquinoneAromatic compound, two OH groups
- kojic acidFungus-derived skin lightener
- vitamin CEssential water-soluble antioxidant
comic relief
Humor easing dramatic tension
wit · laughter · cheerfulness · uplift · brightness · amusement · whimsy · playfulness · distraction · respite
illuminator
Source of brightness
- primerPreparatory coat or guide
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- concealerCosmetic for hiding flaws
powder · bronzer · contour · blush · tinted moisturizer · BB cream · CC cream · beauty blender · strobing · shimmer
creamer
Coffee-lightening additive
- half-and-halfMixed dairy for coffee
- milkMammalian nursing fluid
- oat milkPlant-based dairy alternative
almond milk · soy milk · coconut milk · nondairy · whitener · powdered creamer · froth · condensed milk · evaporated milk
- brightening agentsbleach, whiteners, bleaching agents, optical brighteners
- hair colorblonde, brunette, auburn, red, brown
lightenersweights
Heavy objects for lifting
burdens · loads · ballast · anchors · encumbrances
lightenersdampeners
Things that lessen force
downers · depressants · buzzkills · killjoys · wet blankets
- lightened upBecame less serious