Remember when James Charles had his Flashback Mary scandal in 2017? Or when Hailey Bieber’s viral strawberry makeup trend blew up and everyone wore a little too much blush (if that is even possible…)? Well, it’s time we stick with a makeup trend that people with both beginner and advanced makeup skills can rely on: latte makeup. Think of it as the advanced version of your everyday makeup look. Whether you’re going out to the pumpkin patch or staying in for a night of holiday movies and fall-themed treats, this look is perfect for you.
Unlike an actual latte, there is no exact formula to create this look. You can use your everyday makeup products or check out my recommendations below—both inexpensive and high end products are listed. Also, the order of the products below is the order I personally follow when applying makeup, but you can complete the look in whatever order you would like!
Primer
Inexpensive: e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer ($10)
High End: Rare Beauty Pore Diffusing Primer ($28)
While primer is not an absolute must to complete the latte makeup look, it will help your makeup stay on all day and give your skin a smoother look. Rub the primer evenly across your entire face.
Skin Tint
Inexpensive: e.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter ($14)
High End: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 ($48)
Since the latte makeup look is rather natural, I recommend using a skin tint rather than a heavy foundation—but if you prefer foundation, wear foundation! Apply an even layer of skin tint (or foundation) across your entire face. You can either use a brush or sponge to apply and blend the product—whatever you prefer. Also, make sure the skin tint matches your skin tone seamlessly. If you are unsure what your shade is, go to a cosmetic store such as Sephora or Ulta and ask an associate to get a shade match—they will help you!
Concealer
Inexpensive: e.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Camo Concealer ($7)
High End: Tarte Shape Tape Full Coverage Concealer ($31)
Now, it’s time to go in with concealer. Whether you want to cover up blemishes or under eye bags, this step will make your “base” appear more seamless. As a general rule, I recommend putting concealer on your “T-Zone.” Your “T-Zone” includes your forehead, nose, and chin. I also like to place a few dots of concealer under my eyes, too. Once you have applied the concealer, blend the product in with a brush or sponge.
Setting Powder
Inexpensive: e.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Setting Powder ($8)
High End: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder ($43)
After putting on so many cream products, it is necessary to “set” your face. Take a powder puff, sponge, or brush, and press powder on the areas you placed concealer. If you feel it is necessary, you can also place setting powder on other areas of your face (jawline, etc).
Now, it is time to get bronzy!
Bronzer and Contour
Inexpensive: L’Oréal True Match Lumi Bronze It Bronzer ($15.99) and/or e.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Contour Beauty Wand ($9)
High End: Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Powder Bronzer ($35) and/or Fenty Beauty Match Stix Contour Skinstick ($32)
Personally, I like to start by contouring my face to give it a lifted, chiseled look. To achieve this, place your contour product of choice on your jawline, cheekbones, sides of nose, and forehead. When you place the product on these areas, your forehead will appear smaller, your nose will appear skinnier, and your cheekbones/jawline will appear sharper.
Once you finish contouring, go in with bronzer! Place the bronzer over the same areas you contoured. You can also place bronzer a little bit higher on the cheekbones than where you contoured—this will set up a good bronzy base for your blush. At the end of the day, the goal of this step is to look warm and bronzed… just like a latte.
Blush
Inexpensive: Maybelline Fit Me Powder Blush ($7.49)
High End: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush ($23)
Unlike Hailey Bieber’s strawberry blush trend, blush in latte makeup is meant to add more bronzed, warm tones—not rosy tones. Rather than selecting a red/bright pink blush shade, use a more burnt orange/nude/brown blush. There are plenty of perfect latte blush shades in the two products I recommended above, but the perfect shade for you depends on your skin tone.
I recommend going to a makeup store and swatching the product on your face/wrist so you can see how it looks on yourself. Once you pick out the right shade, place the blush high on your cheekbones and over the center of your nose.
Eyebrows
Inexpensive: NYX The Brow Glue Laminating Setting Gel ($10)
Expensive: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer 3-in-1 Triangle Tip Precision Eyebrow Pencil ($26)
You can use a pencil, gel, or whatever type of eyebrow product works best for you. Draw and gel your eyebrows to give them a more thick and fluffy look.
Eyeshadow
Inexpensive: Pacifica Cocoa Nudes Eyeshadow Palette ($18)
High End: MAC Cosmetics Connect In Colour Eye Shadow Palette Unfiltered Nudes ($54)
We have finally reached the most important part of the latte makeup look: the eyeshadow. The two eyeshadow pallets I have picked out above contain a majority nude tones.
For a more simple, everyday look, place a bronzy brown shade across the entire lid, reaching almost up to your brow bone. Once you complete your brown base, place a gold glittery eyeshadow on your lid, spanning from your inner corner to the middle of your eyelid. Smudge the glitter out enough so that it spreads across the entire lid.
If you are feeling more advanced, go in with multiple bronzy shades on the lid. Start with a light brown all over the lid up to your brow bone, and slowly add darker shades of brown to the look, focusing on depth in the outer corner of your eye. Place a gold glitter shade on the inner corner of your eye and spread it to the outer corner of your eye—just like I explained with the simple makeup look. By applying glitter to the inner corner first and then spreading it to the outer corner, you will create a fade-out effect that looks seamless and less pigmented.
You can create either eyeshadow look using eyeshadow brushes or your fingers. Personally, I like to use a fluffy eyeshadow brush to apply the brown tones and then use my fingers to press glitter onto my lid.
Highlighter
Inexpensive: e.l.f. Cosmetics Halo Glow Highlight Beauty Wand ($9)
High End: FENTY BEAUTY Liquid Killawatt Fluid Freestyle Highlighter ($32)
Think of this step as the whipped cream on top of your pumpkin spice latte: the highlight. Just like I recommend with blush, use a warmer toned shade of highlight. Think warm, gold tones. Place the highlight on the highpoints of your cheekbones, tip and bridge of your nose, under your brow bone, in the inner corner of your eyes, and on the cupid’s bow of your upper lip.
If you feel like you placed enough glitter on the inner corners of your eyes when you did your eyeshadow, you can skip highlighting the inner corner of your eyes. And on that note, try to match your highlight to the glitter you used on your eyelids—this will make the look more cohesive. You can apply highlighter with your fingers or a beauty tool (brush or sponge)—whatever you prefer.
Lips
Inexpensive: NYX Professional Makeup Fat Oil Drip Vegan Lip Oil ($9)
High End: Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Plumping Gloss ($24)
The lips are up to your personal preferences. You can go with a gloss or a matte lip, but either way, try to pick a nude colored lip product—no bright pinks or reds. I recommend using a lip liner to add definition before placing a lipstick or gloss on your lips, but it is not necessary that you do so.
Setting Spray
Inexpensive: NYX Cosmetics Radiant Finish Long Lasting Makeup Setting Spray ($10)
High End: Urban Decay Cosmetics All Nighter Waterproof Makeup Setting Spray ($36)
Now, it’s time to put the cherry on top of the look…or rather the sprinkle of pumpkin spice on top of the whipped cream. Spray your entire face with setting spray and allow it to dry.
Now, you’re looking beautiful and bronzed, ready to take on whatever adventures Autumn brings your way!