Is it makeup or make-up or make up?

If you take a makeup test, is it correct to call it a makeup, make up, or make-up test?

I know that makeup is also what some people put on their faces to look different. I think that make-up is what is used when you "make-up something" as in do something late. I think that "make up" is when you create something. So if you take a "makeup quiz" what is the correct one to use?

Is the following a correct sentence:

You can make-up the makeup exam?

Solution 1:

You said:

You can make-up the makeup exam.

Unless it's a make-up exam about cosmetics, this wouldn't be what you're looking for, especially since "make-up" is a descriptor and "make up" is an action.

You can make up the make-up exam.

Would be a consistent, sensible convention. As noted by @J.R. below, it's not necessarily correct since Harvard lists both. However, this is the convention that I would use.

[Make up] as the action and [make-up] as the descriptor.

Makeup as a compound word used to represent cosmetics.

Solution 2:

1. Make up (verb)

   • Make up you mind. (to settle)
   • Twenty kids make up the class. (to constitute)

2. Makeup (noun, or attributive adjective)

   • The makeup of the diverse sample is reflective of the population at risk for diseases.

   • He wore makeup. (cosmetics, sometimes "make-up")

   • We will take a makeup test. (something that makes up for)