How To Recreate TikTok’s Viral Espresso Eyes Look
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3 weeks ago
That's that me espresso
It’s no secret that the standout shade of the season is brown. It’s our autumnal go-to – one that can be toned down for light everyday wear or amped up for out-on-the-town evening plans. So it’s no surprise that TikTok has taken notice. And the app, a well-known treasure trove of beauty trends, has turned its attention to one makeup trick in particular: espresso eyes.
What Are Espresso Eyes?
‘The espresso eyes trend is a makeup look inspired by the rich, deep colours of (you guessed it) espresso coffee,’ explains Sophie Vongkhamsao, an in-house beauty and content specialist at Fresha. ‘It’s characterised by using various shades of brown and dark hues to create a dramatic, sultry eye makeup effect.
‘In terms of social media popularity – and TikTok specifically – the espresso eyes trend is really versatile,’ she continues. ‘It compliments a wide range of skin tones and can be adjusted for both daytime and nighttime wear.’
@makkeupyourmind fav eyemakeup #espressomakeup #lattemakeup #fy #makeuptutorial ♬ PAINT THE TOWN RED – DojaFantasy (fan account)
And with colder weather setting in, Sophie can see why the trend has suddenly kicked off. ‘The time of year really influences trends,’ she notes. ‘Darker, warmer shades are often favoured in winter makeup looks, and “espresso eyes” fits perfectly with the seasonal shift towards the deeper, rich colours we see.’
Many of us will also find the look pretty familiar, having first seen renditions of the trend in the 90s and 00s. ‘There is such a nostalgic element to this trend,’ agrees Sophie. ‘There’s a big revival of grunge makeup that the espresso eyes trend really plays into.’
Espresso vs Latte Makeup: What’s The Difference?
This isn’t the first time coffee has taken over the makeup colour wheel, either. Beauty enthusiasts will remember last summer’s latte makeup trend, which similarly bases its palette on the rich roasted hues of a good cup of coffee. But don’t be fooled; they aren’t the same thing.
As Sophie explains, espresso makeup is a much darker take on coffee-inspired makeup, while latte makeup sticks to lighter, creamier tones. ‘It uses deep, rich brown colours to create an intense and dramatic look – think chocolate and chestnut tones. A smoky eye look is a signature for the espresso eyes trend, with dark brown or black eyeliner used to define the eyes.
‘The latte makeup trend on the other hand uses lighter, warmer shades such as soft browns, beiges and caramel tones to create a softer look,’ she continues. ‘The eyes are much more natural and softly defined using light brown eyeshadow and shimmer.’
How To Get The Look
Like what you see? Sophie has shared her step-by-step guide for recreating espresso eyes, so you can give it a go at home:
- Prime The Skin: Start off with an eyeshadow primer to help the eyeshadow stay in place. This will also help the colours pop.
- Apply Eyeshadow: Use either a liquid eyeshadow, or an eyeshadow stick, and apply a medium to dark brown shade all over the lid. Use a fluffy blending brush to work the colour in and slightly wing the eyeshadow out too. (Tip: using a liquid eyeshadow or an eyeshadow stick means you don’t get the product fall out from a regular powdered eyeshadow.)
- Add Dimension: For extra dimension you can apply a shimmery bronze or gold shade to the centre of your eyelid and the inner corners of your eyes using a flat eyeshadow brush.
- Apply Eyeliner: Next, take a dark brown or black eyeliner and line your waterline, take a fluffy brush and then smoke this out.
- Finishing Touches: Finish with a coat black mascara or a pair of false eyelashes for an extra dramatic look.
@victorialyn Espresso Eyes☕️ My favorite fall makeup trend! I wear this look so often & these are some of my most used products. @Armani beauty @Hard Candy @revlon @Lilly Lashes #makeup #makeuptips #fallmakeup #emrata ♬ som original – ‘ – ‘
Can Espresso Eyes Be Adjusted For Different Skin Tones?
As Sophie mentioned, the espresso eyes trend really complements a range of skin tones. The key is finding the right shade for the individual. ‘On a lighter skin tone it’s important to make sure the eye makeup is balanced by adding bronzer to the cheeks so the eye makeup doesn’t look too heavy,’ she explains. ‘Whereas on medium to deep skin tones you may find you need to use a dark brown eyeshadow instead of a medium brown to ensure there is contrast between the complexion and eyes.’
Featured image: MAC
