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  3. Cosmetics, Beauty

noisette

English translation: small amount

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
French term or phrase:noisette
English translation:small amount
Entered by: Colin Morley (X)

11:57 Jan 27, 2012
French to English translations [PRO]
Cosmetics, Beauty / Hair Care Product
French term or phrase: noisette
In the instructions for use for a hair balm product whose consistency is a thick, pearlized liquid, the user is instructed to apply 2 or 3 "noisettes" to the palm of the hand before massaging into the hair. Dab is the best I can think of, but somehow that doesn't sound right for a thick liquid. Knob sounds a bit culinary (knob of butter, fat, etc.) and blob doesn't give an inviting text for selling this product. Should I go just with "hazelnut sized dab" or is there a more eloquent and inviting way of phrasing this? I've found simply "amount" in the KudoZ glossary (dentistry) which I guess I could also use "hazelnut sized amount". Just looking for the best option.
Colin Morley (X)
France
Local time: 01:14
small amount
Explanation:
"amount" is used quite a lot; "blob" and "dollop"sound more colloquial than is usually used on product bottles, I think

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 54 mins (2012-01-27 12:51:25 GMT)
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http://richardward.com/shop/intensive-1/kerastase-masque-vol...


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 hrs (2012-01-27 15:38:38 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------


Tame and smooth coarse, curly or fine hair and provide extra protection before blow drying with this wonderfully light, luxury styling cream. Dries instantly on your hair, leaving no hint of residue, for the perfect finish.
How to use: “Dispense a medium amount - the size of a bottle top - into your hand then evenly spread the cream between both hands. Apply to wet hair from the roots and smooth down to the ends. Gently blow dry in for excellent results. Your hair will feel product-free without stickiness or heaviness.”
(link as below)


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 days10 hrs (2012-01-29 22:34:47 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

Thank you - though can I suggest that if it concerns three of them it might be a medium amount-? :-)
Selected response from:

Rachel Fell
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:14
Grading comment
My thanks for all suggestions and comments on this question. As the term has re-emerged in other sheets and the number of 'noisettes' varies between one and about three I have decided it is best to play safe and go for small amount. Whew!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +1a walnut-sized amount
Sarah Bessioud
3 +2small amount
Rachel Fell
3 +1marble-sized
B D Finch
3 +1thimbleful
ormiston
5 -1squidge
kashew
3drops
Gail Clark
3the size of a five pence coin/piece
Laura Bennett
3dollop
cc in nyc
3about a tablespoon
Jessica Edwards
4 -1generous blob
Tony M
4 -2pea-sized dabs
Yellowstone
3 -1the size of a golf-ball
Catharine Cellier-Smart
4 -2palm-sized amount
Ladda McLaren
Summary of reference entries provided
noisette
Wendy Streitparth

Discussion entries: 10





  

Answers


4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
drops


Explanation:
http://www.redken.com/whats-hot/argan-6/

Gail Clark
Meets criteria
Native speaker of: English
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks, Gail


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  JMcKechnie
2 mins
disagree  Catharine Cellier-Smart: drops are too small here
10 mins
neutral  Tony M: To me, that goes with a liquid product OK, but suggests the (probably smaller) drops that would naturally fall from the neck of the bottle, if it didn't run out in a stream.
11 mins
neutral  cc in nyc: with Catharine – too small
3 hrs
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6 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
the size of a five pence coin/piece


Explanation:
This is what springs to mind, and a search seems to produce lots of results. Also for ten pence coin/piece if you feel that a hazelnut is a little bigger, although I think five is about right. Obviously this would only work if the intended audience is British English. HTH!

Laura Bennett
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:14
Meets criteria
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks Laura


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  cc in nyc: NG for us Yanks (and maybe for other non-Brits)
28 mins
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6 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
a walnut-sized amount


Explanation:
Now I know that a hazelnut is not the same size as a walnut, but I think that 2 or 3 hazelnuts might just equate to this amount. Walnuts are often used as a measure in hair products, and certainly sounds more inviting than a small blob!

http://jamesbrownlondon.com/james-brown-hair-styling-range
Apply a walnut sized amount to towel dried hair running fingers from root to tip. Blow dry as normal.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 8 mins (2012-01-27 12:05:24 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

http://beaut.ie/blog/2009/beautie-investigates-just-what-is-...
I couldn’t stop thinking about walnut-sized blobs of hair product. Would that be just-fallen-off-the-tree walnut now, I wondered? A mature walnut? A walnut sans its hard covering? I JUST DIDN’T KNOW! There’ve been times I’ve woken up in the night, pondering this extremely First World Problem.

So, like the proactive miss I am, I decided to do something about it. I contacted the Kerastase press office, to seek confirmation of my query. No doubt they pissed themselves laughing in the office, but they very nicely responded politely and solved my dilemma.

The answer is …

*drumroll*

You should be using a blob of product the size of a shelled walnut. I’m guesstimating that’s about two centimeters long and perhaps one and a half high?

Sarah Bessioud
Germany
Local time: 01:14
Meets criteria
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you for this most thorough, incisive, descriptive and highly amusing answer. You've made my day!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Tony M: But I think the whole point is, the product is too liquid to really sustain a walnut-sized blob, hence why they suggest 2–3 smaller ones.
7 mins
  -> I don't think size comes into it (here!) "Noisette" is a common term for a rough dollop in French, whereas the equivalent is "walnut" in English. I don't see why the balm can't hold a walnut amount if it can manage a hazelnut, otherwise it'd be a drop IMO
agree  NancyLynn: I've seen this on hair care products
13 mins
  -> Thanks Nancy
neutral  cc in nyc: sounds better than "hazelnut" to my American ears
3 hrs
  -> especially when caramelized ;-)
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9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): -2
pea-sized dabs


Explanation:
if it's thick, I'd go with dab, not drop

Example sentence(s):
  • Children under the age of 6 should use only a pea-sized dab of toothpaste on their brush and should spit out as much as possible.
  • Squirt a pea-sized dab of epoxy/PVC adhesive

    Reference: http://sweettoothpedo.com/brushing.html
    Reference: http://www.ehow.com/how_6606589_make-skeleton-clock.html
Yellowstone
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:14
Meets criteria
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in FrenchFrench
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks Yellowstone - think a pea is a bit smaller than a hazelnut, but I take your point.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Tony M: Yes, but a pea-sized dab is quite a bit smaller than a hazelnut. / Well, it's not actually obvious from your answer, and I don't see any justification for changing the number and size of the 'dollops' for the sake of the translation.
4 mins
  -> Obviously one would change the number of dabs accordingly
disagree  Catharine Cellier-Smart: agree with Tony, pea-sized is too small here // May be better to start off with brussel sprouts then :-) Colin would need to know how many 'noisettes' make a 'petit pois'
6 mins
  -> Obviously one would change the number of dabs accordingly
neutral  Colin Rowe: Would work if the peas in question were chickpeas... (that's "garbanzos" to US readers) :-)
24 mins
  -> yes, chickpeas would be perfect in terms of size, but perhaps hazelnut-sized dabs is the least ambiguous translation in the end...
neutral  B D Finch: I think of dabs as flattish.
2 hrs
neutral  cc in nyc: with Tony and Catharine – too small
3 hrs
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20 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): -1
the size of a golf-ball


Explanation:
exact translation will depend on your exact sentence but size-wise it's along these lines.

in colloquial language I'd call this a 'dollop' of something, but that doesn't really fit here.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 23 mins (2012-01-27 12:20:50 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

In French "noisette" is often used for the sort of product that expands when it comes out of its container.

"MOUSSE: A product for all hair types. If you have fine hair, consider using the size of a golf ball, if you have thicker hair, consider doubling that size."
http://barrington-il.patch.com/articles/how-to-use-hair-prod...

"Then apply a dollop of mousse the size of a golf ball from an inch below your roots all the way to the ends."
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/makeup/summer-hair

"Spray a quantity the size of a golf ball into the palm of your hand to start with, and then use more if you need it."
http://www.ehow.com/facts_5263033_hair-mousse.html#ixzz1kf0v...


Catharine Cellier-Smart
Reunion
Local time: 03:14
Meets criteria
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 12
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks Catharine - think a golf ball may be a bit on the large size though


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Tony M: Sorry, but a golf-ball is a heck of a lot bigger than any of the things mentioned to date; and anything as liquid as this product probably would just run off your hand if you tried to form a golf-ball.
6 mins
  -> this is a "thick pearlised" liquid not a runny liquid.
neutral  Colin Rowe: I can't help feeling that your hazelnuts must be gene-manipulated...
16 mins
  -> maybe because I live in the tropics. Everything is bigger here!
neutral  cc in nyc: with Tony – too big!
3 hrs
neutral  kashew: RA or American?
9 hrs
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29 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
dollop


Explanation:
That's what is sounds like to me.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 33 mins (2012-01-27 12:30:52 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Oops, I see now in Discussion entries that Catharine mentioned this and Tony thinks the register is wrong (but why? it sounds OK to me).

cc in nyc
Local time: 19:14
Meets criteria
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 22
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks for the suggestion, but I think I have to agree with Tony on this one. A good "dollop" is great in colloquial speak, but not sure it cuts the mustard in this particular arena.

Asker: Oh God - Now I'm thinking about cutting mustard - that would be an even more obscure term!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Tony M: It's a lovely word, and my Dad used it all the time; but I do really feel it is too down-register and colloquial for this sort of marketing text. Already, Asker has doubts about 'blob', and I think 'dollop' is if anything worse.
1 hr
  -> Not my take on dollop at all. ;-)
neutral  kashew: Ok, it ought to have been neutral, as your dollop seems a highly variable quantity. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dollop
8 hrs
  -> Who's vulgar? (Not vulgar in my dico and I'm using the real dictionary ;-) ) But I suppose tit for tat is fair enough. // Thank you for removing the allegation that my Answer was vulgar.
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56 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
about a tablespoon


Explanation:
I think the register is appropriate, and 2 or 3 'noisettes' can easily add up to a tablespoon in my experience.

Jessica Edwards
France
Local time: 01:14
Meets criteria
Native speaker of: English
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks for this. @ B D Finch - Using Tony's engineering logic, it would be hard to round or heap a teaspoon with this.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  B D Finch: Heaped, rounded or level?
1 hr
  -> Depends on whether you choose 2 or 3 'noisettes'! Plus, if it's a liquid, I don't see how you could get a heaped teaspoon ;-)
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
marble-sized


Explanation:
If kids still play marbles. I haven't noticed any recently, but gave up playing marbles some years back.

B D Finch
France
Local time: 01:14
Meets criteria
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 37
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks - Marbles were fun when I was back at school. Now with retirement approaching I think I'm starting to lose many of mine.


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tony M: Good thought, though like you, I wonder how many of the users of this product actually know what a marble is? Heaven forbid they should imagine it was the Elgin marbles! :-)))
6 mins
  -> Thanks Tony. Sending it back to grease?? ;)
neutral  cc in nyc: maybe a marble-sized dollop?
1 hr
  -> That sounds good, a "splosh" would probably be too runny.
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25 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): -1
generous blob


Explanation:
I don't see anything wrong with using 'blob', and rather than be pedantic about the exact shape, diameter, volume, etc. (otherwise why not say 5 ml or summat?), I'd just go for generous, meaning 'a bit larger than you might normally imagine a blob to be' — and if the worst comes to the worst, the manufacturer is going to sell more of their product, rather than less!

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 5 heures (2012-01-27 16:59:25 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Perhaps not lasting damage... but you can RUIN a hairstyle, dahrling!

Tony M
France
Local time: 01:14
Meets criteria
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 28
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks, Tony. There's certainly some logic in your assertion - and I must say I haven't heard of anyone suffering lasting damage from an overdose of hair balm


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  cc in nyc: IMO, "blob" is more colloquial than "dollop" (maybe a UK-US distinction?)
3 hrs
  -> Thanks, CC! Yes, perhaps: I've seen 'blob' used in technical contexts, rarely 'dollop' — though a 'dollop of crème fraîche' is highly acceptable even in snooty culinary circles!
disagree  Nikki Scott-Despaigne: Apart from the fact that I would consider a "generous" blob more than a 'noisette', I don't think blob is at all appropriate for a product label.
2 days 2 hrs
  -> Thnaks, Nikki! Well, you're more familiar than I with this sort of product, so I'll bow to your greater wisdom.
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6 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
thimbleful


Explanation:
Just thought I'd throw this in the pot - it is in my 'hygiège/beauté' glossary so I must have picked it up somewhere. Tony will probably say most of today's consumers have never seen one but there you are ! It does seem to indicate the right sort of volume though, no?

ormiston
Local time: 01:14
Meets criteria
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 37
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks ormiston


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  cc in nyc: Yes, "thimbleful" works for me!!! ;-)
2 hrs
neutral  Tony M: But more usually used for less viscous liquids than this apparently rather gloopy stuff
2 hrs
  -> the little squirt!
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8 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): -2
palm-sized amount


Explanation:
A possibility here. If you are to squeeze "deux ou trois noisettes" to fill your palm, perhaps you could say something like "apply a palm-sized amount to your hair". It seems fairly common on beauty sites on the web.


    Reference: http://www.ehow.com/how_6564233_manage-curls.html
Ladda McLaren
Local time: 18:14
Meets criteria
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in CroatianCroatian, Native in EnglishEnglish
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks Ladda - but like cc and Tony I think it gives the wrong impression (unless of course you have a very small palm) so we're kind of back to subjectivity


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  cc in nyc: way too big!
5 mins
disagree  Tony M: With CC! 2 or 3 small blobs in your palm is not quite the same as a whole palmful.
7 mins
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5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): -1
squidge


Explanation:
*

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 heures (2012-01-27 21:18:28 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

e.g. "Now add mayonnaise, a squidge of anchovy paste, some cream of horseradish (just a tablespoon) and chop up a pickled cucumber very finely diced."

kashew
France
Local time: 01:14
Meets criteria
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks, kashew - squidge for me is kind of derogatory - don't know why. PS - I love it that kashew is answering a question involving nuts!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  cc in nyc: Not in my dico! (Webster's New World College Dictionary, fourth edition) // Cute... so not in normative dictionaries. Not ready for "prime time" and certainly not ready for the hair balm bottle. ;-)
2 hrs
  -> http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=squidge
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50 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
small amount


Explanation:
"amount" is used quite a lot; "blob" and "dollop"sound more colloquial than is usually used on product bottles, I think

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 54 mins (2012-01-27 12:51:25 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

http://richardward.com/shop/intensive-1/kerastase-masque-vol...


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 hrs (2012-01-27 15:38:38 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------


Tame and smooth coarse, curly or fine hair and provide extra protection before blow drying with this wonderfully light, luxury styling cream. Dries instantly on your hair, leaving no hint of residue, for the perfect finish.
How to use: “Dispense a medium amount - the size of a bottle top - into your hand then evenly spread the cream between both hands. Apply to wet hair from the roots and smooth down to the ends. Gently blow dry in for excellent results. Your hair will feel product-free without stickiness or heaviness.”
(link as below)


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2 days10 hrs (2012-01-29 22:34:47 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

Thank you - though can I suggest that if it concerns three of them it might be a medium amount-? :-)

Rachel Fell
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:14
Meets criteria
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 35
Grading comment
My thanks for all suggestions and comments on this question. As the term has re-emerged in other sheets and the number of 'noisettes' varies between one and about three I have decided it is best to play safe and go for small amount. Whew!
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thanks Rachel


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Tony M: Quite agree, but then how do you say 2 or 3 small amounts? Sounds odd to my ears...
1 hr
  -> Yes, I agree, really - in fact, unless it comes in a pump, as sugg. by A MacG above, I'd say e.g. "a medium amount" http://www.electric-hair.com/products/electric-smoothing-cre...
neutral  cc in nyc: Indeed, how about "size of a bottletop" (or "bottlecap" for US audience)?
3 hrs
  -> maybe, yes, as they mention that in the link
agree  Nikki Scott-Despaigne: Agree 100%. Simple answer to what is after all a simple problem. DEpending on the amount of hair you have and the hair type, "noisette" is used quite ordinarily to mean small amount. No problem with 2 ou 3 either. A small amount for lots of hair may be 6!
3 hrs
  -> Thank you Nikki :-)
agree  Yvonne Gallagher: agree with Nikki's comments. Or else just a "few pumps of"...if this is a pump
5 hrs
  -> Thank you gallagy2 :-)
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Reference comments


3 hrs
Reference: noisette

Reference information:
http://www.proz.com/kudoz/french_to_english/medical:_dentist...

Wendy Streitparth
Germany
Meets criteria
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 16

Peer comments on this reference comment (and responses from the reference poster)
neutral  cc in nyc: must be big peas // Good point... but does it work here? (rhetorical question ;-) )
31 mins
  -> Just wanted to point out that we'd had this discussion before
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