When it comes to makeup trends, there have been some standouts — glowy skin and barely there makeup are great. There have also been some regrets, to say the least. Heavy raccoon-style eyeliner and micro-thin eyebrows, we’re looking at you. But every once in a while, a trend comes along that you know you’ll love forever. Latte makeup is just that.
With a focus on bronzy, glowy shades of brown, this look is warm and almost effortless. Its focus is on accentuating the best attributes of your face in a subtle but simultaneously dramatic way. It’s truly a contradiction that works. With a few tips, you too can master this coffee shop-like makeup aesthetic.
1. Get Your Base in Place
Any good makeup look relies on a solid base to build upon. That’s why before you get into the rich shades of latte makeup, you need to get your skin in check. Prepping the face and applying skin care religiously are crucial steps to ensuring your makeup looks its best.
Get in the habit of applying your skin care products every single day. While the exact products should be tailored to your skin’s needs, everyone should wear SPF daily. Those who are acne-prone should prioritize using their acne treatment regularly, too. Make sure you also allow enough time after applying for your products to soak in before moving on to makeup. You’ll typically want to allow at least 10 minutes, but thicker products may require longer than that.
From there, you’re ready for makeup prep. This may be applying a thin layer of powder all over your face to set your sunscreen and cancel out oil. You could also apply color-correcting products and primer to give you the best base possible. After that is applied, you’re ready to dive in head first to the latest makeup trend.
2. Choose the Right Coffee-Like Shades for You
Getting the “latte” look is more than just throwing some brown shades on your face. A crucial component is finding the right shades for your skin tone. This may take some trial and error, but remember the focus is on creating a well-blended, effortless glow.
If you’re fair-skinned, look for cooler undertones that don’t come off as red or orange. These typical bronzer undertones may look great for other looks but will read too warm for latte makeup on your skin. Instead, find options that have yellow or olive undertones. This will help you achieve a cohesive look that doesn’t come across as a bad fake tan.
If you have a darker complexion, you’ll want to seek out deeper shades. A cool or neutral-toned bronzer with a bit of shimmer will bring the glow that the look calls for. Rich chocolate browns will complement your skin tone beautifully and stay on-trend, too. Get creative with how you combine products to get your ideal tone. Mixing two shades or setting cream products with a darker powder may be useful to hit the nail on the head.
3. Add Dimension to Your Look
One of the goals of this style of makeup is to add dimension to the face. Think of your face as a blank canvas. It’s flat and in need of something to give it shape. Your bronzer and eyeshadows in an array of latte-like colors are your palette.
Start with a contour shade that has cool undertones. Apply a small amount of it just above the hollows of your cheeks. This creates a more emphasized shadow and accentuates the angles of your face. Add to the cheek look with a bronze-toned blush or take a lighter hand with your bronzer in place of blush altogether. Complete your cheek makeup with a liquid highlighter for a more natural ‘glow from within’ appearance.
Then, move onto your eyes. With a fluffy crease brush, pick up a light matte brown shadow. Using a circular motion, apply it to the crease of your eyes. Slowly but surely add deeper shades of brown to the crease and shimmery brown shades to the lids. Top it off with some smudged dark brown eyeliner and matching brown mascara. Before long, you’ll have chiseled cheekbones and bronzy eyes that can only be described as latte-like.
4. Don’t Forget Your Lips
Once your face is bronzed and beautiful and your eyes are a subtle but impactful smokey brown, you’re nearly done. However, you can bring the latte trend to your lips, too. This trio really drives home the trend and ensures your makeup is monochromatic.
The beauty of lip products is that they come in so many formulas, finishes, and shades. Find a brown or nude color that is a bit darker than your skin tone. It can be a lip liner, lipstick, lip stain, or lip gloss formula. Carefully apply it until you’ve built up the color for a shade that complements the rest of your makeup.
Before heading out of the house, make sure you bring your lip products along. Check in on your makeup throughout the day, reapplying when you need to. If that feels too high maintenance, pick up a nude-tinted lip balm. You’ll get the benefit of moisture and stay consistent with the latte makeup trend without the maintenance.
Latte Away
This beautiful brown and nude makeup look is great for any occasion, day or night. It’s really just about finding the right products and shades to complement your skin tone. From there, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your effortlessly put-together face.