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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.
-------------------------------------------------- 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)
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
Why not be more technical? Because that is not what you find on this type of product. (OK, I guess someone somewhere can and will, but in real life, that's not classically what you will read on a product label).
If it's a pump thing, you can simply say : press on the pump a few times... quite frankly anything to do with finding a parallele fruit, nut or anything else is just not natural in English at all. "A small amount..., press on the pump a couple of times..." This is an everyday practical thing which requires an everyday practical solution. There are a numbe rof possilbe solutions of course. Rather than translating directly the original, get what it's saying, then take a blank page and write as if you were describing this part ab initio.
And likewise, I guess, how large is a hazelnut? This question has provoked some great response, and I am most grateful. Tony - you clearly come at this with an engineer's brain, reasoning that with a liquid you can't really hold a spherical shape in your hand. I think golf balls seem too large and peas and 5p coins a little small. @Alison - The photo of the container I have isn't very clear, but the description of a "flacon non airé" does rather suggest a pumping action - this could be the way to go for safety.
LOL! Yes, that would fit perfectly, pity it's off register here!
I really don't see anything wrong with 'blobs' myself; since a hazelnut-sized blob is probably larger than most people would naturally make it (and we are after all trying to sell more of this gunk!), I'd go for something more noncommittal like 'generous'.
The translation workplace 
