Now is the time to try a brown palette!
If you’ve ever been comforted by the sight or smell of a warm cup of coffee with just the right amount of milk, or if you’ve admired the delicate tones of milky chocolate, then you already get the vibe of mocha mousse. It’s not too deep like chocolate syrup, not too warm like bronze, and definitely not orangey. It’s that perfect, muted, soft brown that looks effortlessly chic on everyone.
But the real beauty of mocha mousse is that it’s incredibly versatile. Whether you’re easing into brown makeup for the first time or looking for a new way to level up your beauty routine, this trend has something for you.
‘Mocha mousse makeup is more muted and soft—something that reminds you of the airiness of mousse’
To break it all down, The Diarist PH had a chat with Ingrid Nieto-Pagulayan, an internationally-certified color analyst and image consultant based in Manila, and Verna Marin, a makeup artist with over 15 years of experience and who has done makeup on Coco Rocha and Allison Harvard (of America’s Next Top Model fame). They spilled all the best tips on why mocha mousse works, how to wear it, and how to make it your own.
“Wait, isn’t this just another version of the latte makeup trend?” you may ask. It’s true, the two have some similarities. Both are in the brown family, and both give off that natural, effortless beauty kind of vibe.
But according to Nieto-Pagulayan, mocha mousse has a different energy.
“Mocha mousse and the latte makeup trend are similar in the sense that they both move within the range of browns. But mocha mousse makeup is more muted and soft—something that reminds you of the airiness of mousse. It’s not transparent, but it’s light and airy.”
How about a brown smokey eye instead of black? Use brown liner and shadow instead of black.
For this generation that’s accustomed to seeing popping pinks on the face, thanks to the influence of J- and K-pop, brown makeup can feel a little plain, passé, or intimidating. Maybe it reminds you of the bold brown lips of the ’90s, or maybe you’re just not sure if brown will suit your complexion. But the beauty of mocha mousse? It’s all about softness.
Use brown eye makeup as the least intimidating way to ease into the brown trend.
If you’re not ready to go full-on brown, start small. Nieto-Pagulayan suggests swapping your black eyeliner for brown as an easy first step. “If you’re not into nude browns, the easiest and least intimidating way to ease into the mocha mousse trend is to use brown eyeliner instead of the usual black,” says Nieto-Pagulayan.
If you’re not ready to go full-on brown, start small, like swapping your black eyeliner for brown as an easy first step
That one little switch can make a huge difference. Brown eyeliner instantly softens the eyes, making them look more natural and inviting. You still get the definition, but it’s way less harsh. From there, you can start experimenting with brown eyeshadows. Think cool taupes, neutral browns, or soft chocolates—nothing too dark or dramatic.
Use your skin tone as your guide to the ideal hues.
One of the coolest things about this trend? There’s no one “right” shade of mocha mousse, as it’s totally customizable based on your skin tone.
“Mocha mousse color is not just one color when it comes to makeup, the same way that a nude color differs from one skin tone to another,” Marin explains. “If you want to wear the trending color, use your skin tone as your guide. The deeper your skin tone gets, the deeper the mocha or the browns you can use on your face. The lighter it gets, lighter browns will suit you.”
Even the brown lip color doesn’t have to be too intense.
Now, let’s talk about brown lipstick. For some, it’s an instant “yes.” For others, it’s a hard pass, and it’s totally understandable. But mocha mousse lips? They’re not your typical dark brown lip. Instead of going for an intense chocolate shade, think of soft, creamy browns that look natural and effortless.
“When you want to wear a lip color that’s on the more nude side, you can try pairing it with a statement soft smokey brown eye makeup,” says Marin. “However, for deeper brown lip colors, you may opt to wear it on its own or a maybe with a thin, sharp, brown winged liner for fun!”
Nieto-Pagulayan seconds this and also suggests that if a full-on brown lip still feels like too much, you may try a brown-tinted lip gloss instead. It gives you just a hint of mocha mousse without going all in.
At the end of the day, mocha mousse is a trend that works because it’s so flexible. There’s no one-size-fits-all shade, and there are no strict rules about how you have to wear it. It’s all about softness, warmth, and adapting it to suit your own beauty style.
Nieto-Pagulayan puts it best: “It is possible to use darker shades of browns and still be considered under the mocha mousse makeup trend because I believe there shouldn’t be a strict code about the exact mocha mousse color that everyone should wear. By honoring and celebrating your skin color, you can wear your version of mocha mousse confidently.”
Who says chocolate mousse can’t be dramatic?
So whether you switch to brown eyeliner, play with soft mocha eyeshadow, or find your perfect brown lipstick, the mocha mousse trend is totally yours to customize. It’s a shade that feels luxurious yet effortless, making it one of the easiest ways to look put-together without trying too hard.
Who doesn’t want that?
