:quality(85):upscale()/2025/10/20/948/n/1922153/190b00ad68f6ad78357338.15358736_.jpg?ssl=1 "Latte Makeup Is Back For Fall 2025")
Like most trends, the “makeup latte” is making a comeback this fall. The trend first gained fame two years ago thanks to a beauty influencer. Rachel Rigler whoever coined the term, of course, went viral (the hashtag #lattemakeup had 443 million views on TikTok at the time). Riegler even used inspirational photos from a look makeup artist. Taniel Jai created in 2018. Celebrities love Hailey Bieber also joined the conversation by sharing her own insight into her TikTok feed.
Bronze makeup with creamy brown shades on the eyes, lips and cheeks simply references the current “cafe” aesthetic that dominates the design industry. It has become more beautiful in recent months, inspired by the charm of your favorite coffee shop. Once again, several stars have unofficially signed off on its revival with their recent glamorous performances – from Kim Kardashian Zendaya during Paris Fashion Week.
Next, we meet three makeup artists who tell you everything you need to know about latte makeup, as well as some of our favorite cafe-nuclear finds this season.
What is a latte makeup?
Simply put, it's a makeup look that combines colors that are most commonly found in lattes. “The latte trend is a monochrome look with an emphasis on creamy brown shades of the eyes, lips and cheeks,” – celebrity makeup artist. Melissa Murdick tells POPSUGAR. “You'll see a lot of matte shades being used most often, but I'm starting to see shimmery side effects as well.”
As Rigler says in her TikTok video, “It's warm and bronze, milky and light.” It involves minimal base coverage and heavily bronzed lids and skin using caramel tones.
Murdick says this trend is ideal for medium to deep skin tones, but can be customized to suit everyone. “For fairer skin, I'd recommend touching up your lip slightly, because pure brown can make you look dead,” she says. “For super-deep skin tones, instead of using just matte brown shades on the eyes, which may not be as eye-catching, I would suggest adding some shimmery bronze shades.” One more note? Avoid tones that pull out orange. Instead, you should focus on soft matte brown shades—again, similar to those found in lattes.
Visagiste Saffron Hughes also adds that while subtle brown tones are great for blue eyes, bronze and gold shades work best for those with brown eyes. “Green, amber and brown eyes, on the other hand, are perfectly highlighted by copper and bronze eyeshadow. To create a striking effect, it's important to choose eyeshadow shades that complement your eye color,” she says.
Meanwhile, Hannah Jacqueline who has worked with the likes of Miley Cyrus and Tate McRae, notes that the café-core trend is marked by varying shades of brown, neutral sizing and wearable warmth.
How to do latte makeup
Step 1: Prime the leather
To ensure your makeup lasts all day, start with a hydrating foundation like Elven Moisturizing Serum ($13). “It's important to start this look with a primer, as it's key to making your makeup last longer, as well as creating a flawless base for the latte-inspired look,” says Hughes.
Step 2: Apply foundation
Hughes suggests using a foundation or CC cream that provides minimal coverage, which will help you achieve a natural look but still give you that summer glow. “For a flawless finish, set your foundation with a translucent powder to control shine and ensure longevity,” she says. Our choice for an ideal base is MAC Radiant Sheer Foundation ($44).
Step 3: Book it
Next you will need to apply a matte bronzer such as Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer ($38). “Using a matte bronzer and a fluffy contouring brush, focus on adding warmth and definition to the hollows of your cheeks, temples, and jawline,” says Hughes.
Step 4: Apply eye shadow, eyeliner and mascara.
This trend is heavily focused on eye makeup, so Hughes suggests starting with an eyeshadow palette in bronze and caramel tones, like ColourPop Golden Hour Eyeshadow Palette ($24). “Apply a mid-tone bronze shade all over your lids, blending into your crease as a base color for your eye makeup,” she says. “For added depth and dimension, apply a darker bronze shade with a winged, dense eyeshadow brush.”
To give your eyes a brighter look, Hughes recommends adding shimmery gold shadow to the inner corners of your eyes.
If sophisticated eyeshadow eludes you and you're more of a solitary person, Murdick suggests using eyeshadow sticks like ColourPop Shadow Styx ($9). “The shade Walnut Ave is perfect for this look, but it also has lighter and deeper shades of brown depending on your skin tone,” she says.
You can also take Jacqueline's take on the trend, which she calls “cappuccino caps.” This is easily achievable with Cream Eyeshadow Pencil Pencil Play ($27). “Apply directly to the crease and blend all over with your finger; the creamy formula makes it super easy,” she says.
If you're planning on adding eyeliner, Hughes says you'll want to stick with a brown shade (rather than black), which will help keep the overall look soft. To complete the process, be sure to apply several coats of mascara. “Complete the look by applying mascara to add length and volume to the outer corners. [of your eyes]” says Hughes. Our current favorite is Benefits of Roller Eyelashes ($29).
Step 5: Apply Lip Color
Last but not least, be sure to add some color to your lips. “Choose lipstick or lip gloss in shades like terracotta, caramel or warm nude,” says Hughes. “These shades perfectly complement the warm tones of the entire look.” Our number one choice is NYX Shine Loud Liquid Lipstick ($13) in Boundary Pusher, a warm brown.
Jacqueline's take on this trend? Latte lips. “To create a discreet look in coffee tones, I recommend combining Jouer Tinting Lip Oil ($25) in the shade Jolie, with Jouer Long Wear Cream Lip Pencil ($21) in Fawn,” she adds.
Latte and Café-Core: Makeup Inspiration
If you're ready to try this trend for yourself, keep scrolling for inspiration.
