Mocha Make-Up: The Beauty Trend We’re Warming Up To

Go softly into spring with mocha and beige for a modern twist on a 1990s beauty aesthetic …

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We’ve never been convinced that brown is the new black. If you lived through the 1970s, brown needs some rehabilitation from a horrid hinterland of corduroy and polo-necks. But beauty is different. Brown is warm and forgiving, softening harsh lines. Shades of toasted hazelnut, molten caramel, soft nutty browns, creamy mocha and beiges are often called “nude” in make-up, depending on skintone.

Consider switching your staple black for warm base tones, as exemplified in the ’90s when we all copied Kate Moss and co’s earthy tones on lips, eyes and cheeks (MAC’s original Spice lip pencil is back, €24). We won’t be revisiting those wafer-thin brows, though.

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There’s a proliferation of lip butters in edible shades of creamy hot chocolate and toffee. Chanel’s new Rouge Coco Baume in Honey Bliss, a caramel beige, and Hermès’ new Brillant Silky in Beige Halo (landing in March) are two luxe examples of “tender and comforting” lip colours – “the kind you can apply without a mirror, from morning to night,” says Gregoris Prypylis, Creative Director of Hermès Beauty. Pair with nails the colour of smooth mocha.

Some spring catwalks made a case for “greige”, that cold-toned blend of grey and beige that flatters no-one. Influential make-up artist Pat McGrath used concealer as eyeshadow. Take from this that a soft and worn-in look is in.

In scent, too, our taste for warm nutty notes continues, as we continue to crave sweetness in a bitter world. Arquiste’s Almond Suede features nutty wafts of honeycomb and vanilla, while Diptyque’s almond candle is inspired by delicious frangipane-filled cake. Soft, warm and delicious. @sarahhalliwellbeauty