TikTok's "Latte" Makeup Trend Is Perfect For Summer
"Latte Makeup" Is Celeb-Approved — Here's How to Do It
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For the last few years, Hailey Bieber has been the poster girl for everything glazed doughnut — skin, nails, and even hair — but it looks like she's giving a new trend her stamp of approval: "latte" makeup. The model recently shared her own take of the look on her TikTok feed, and we're betting she won't be the last celebrity to do so. For starters, the trend isn't terribly difficult to master, and the results are pretty stunning.
The term "latte" makeup was first coined by beauty influencer Rachel Rigler, and now the hashtag #lattemakeup has over 98 million views and counting on TikTok, with thousands of users trying it out for size. Although the bronzy makeup look is nothing new (in fact, the inspiration photos Rigler uses in her original TikTok video are from a look makeup artist Tanielle Jai created in 2018), there's no better way to make something old new again than by giving it a fun, catchy name.
Ahead, we chat with makeup artist Saffron Hughes, as well as celebrity makeup artist Melissa Murdick, who break down everything to know about latte makeup, including what it is and how you can achieve the trend at home.
What Is Latte Makeup?
Put simply, it's a makeup look that embraces the colours most often seen in a latte. "The latte trend is a monochromtatic look focussed on creamy browns on the eyes, lips, and cheeks," Murdick tells POPSUGAR. "You'll see lots of matte shades being used most, but I'm starting to see shimmery spin-offs too."
As Rigler says in her TikTok video, "It's warm and bronzy, milky and effortless." It involves minimal base coverage and heavily bronzed lids and skin using caramel tones.
Murdick says that this trend is ideal for medium to medium deep skin tones, but it can be customised to work for everyone. "For fairer skin, I would recommend tweaking the lip slightly because pure brown can make you look dead," she says. "For ultra deep skin tones, instead of using only matte brown shades on the eye, which might not pop as much, I'd suggest incorporating some shimmery bronzes."
Another note? Avoid tones that pull orange. Instead, you'll want to focus on soft matte browns — again, just like what you'd see in a latte.
Hughes also adds that while gentle brown tones work great on blue eyes, bronze and gold shades work best for those with brown eyes. "Green, amber, and hazel eyes, on the other hand, are beautifully enhanced by copper and bronze shadows. It's important to select eyeshadow shades that compliment your eye colour to create a striking effect," she says.
How to Do Latte Makeup
@rachelrigler LATTE MAKEUP ✨☕️ cheers :) #makeup #makeuptrends #beauty #lattemakeup #summermakeup #makeuphacks #greenscreen
♬ original sound - Rachel Rigler
Step 1: Prime the Skin
In order to make sure your makeup stays in place all day, start with a hydrating base like the E.l.f Hydrating Primer Serum (£10). "It's crucial you start this look off with a primer as it is key to helping your makeup last longer, as well as creating a flawless base for that latte-inspired look," Hughes says.
Step 2: Apply Base Makeup
Hughes suggests sticking with a foundation or CC cream that provides sheer to minimum coverage, which will help you achieve a natural look but still give you a summery glow. "For a seamless finish, set your foundation with a translucent powder to control shine and ensure longevity," she says. Our pick for the perfect base is the MAC Radiant Sheer Foundation (£32).
Step 3: Bronze It Up
Next, you'll want to apply a matte bronzer like the Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer (£27). "Using your matte bronzer and a fluffy contour brush, focus on adding warmth and definition to the hollows of your cheeks, temples, and jawline," Hughes says.
Step 4: Apply Eyeshadow, Eyeliner, and Mascara
This trend focuses heavily on eye makeup, so Hughes suggests starting out by grabbing an eyeshadow palette with bronze and caramel tones, like the Urban Decay Naked Half Baked Mini Eyeshadow Palette (£27). "Apply a medium-toned bronze shade all over the eyelids, ensuring a seamless blend into the crease, which serves as the base colour for your eye makeup," she says. "For added depth and dimension, use a darker bronze shade on a winged dense eyeshadow brush."
To give the look a brighter spin, Hughes recommends adding a shimmery gold eyeshadow to the inner corner of the eyes.
If you plan to add eyeliner, Hughes says you should stick with a brown shade (rather than black) which will help maintain the softness of the entire look. To finish things off, don't forget to swipe on a few coats of mascara. "Complete the look by reaching for a mascara that encourages length and volume on the outer corners [of your eyes]," Hughes says. Our current favourite is the Benefit Roller Lash (£26).
Step 5: Apply Lip Colour
Last, but certainly not least, make sure you add some colour to your lips. "Choose lipstick or lip gloss in shades like terracotta, caramel, or warm nude," Hughes says. "These hues beautifully complement the warm tones of the overall look." Our number one pick is the NYX Shine Loud High Shine Liquid Lipstick (£12) in the shade "Boundary Pusher," a warm brown.
Latte Makeup Inspiration
If you're ready to give the trend a try for yourself, keep scrolling for some inspiration.
