Coral, peach, pink, bronze, and sunset-inspired tones are the standout shades defining the spring-summer beauty season. They lit up countless runways, and celebrities have been spotted rocking these hues at premieres and red-carpet events alike. But the real conversation isn't just about which colors are trending — it's about how they're being applied.
A-list makeup artists including Patrick Ta, Hung Vanngo, Monica Blunder, and Lisa Eldridge are embracing the monochrome approach more than ever. Thanks to their influence, both A-listers and beauty bloggers have followed suit, keeping monochrome makeup firmly in the spotlight well into 2020.
View this post on Instagram A Messika Moment In PARIS @gigihadid 💍 A post shared by Makeup Artist Patrick Ta (@patrickta) on Feb 28, 2019 at 8:45pm PST
What Is Monochrome Makeup?
A monochrome look is built using either a single product across the eyes, lips, and cheeks, multiple products in one shade, or several tones from the same color family. The result is a beautifully cohesive, well-balanced finish — which explains its skyrocketing popularity.
View this post on Instagram A Messika Moment In PARIS @gigihadid 💍 A post shared by Makeup Artist Patrick Ta (@patrickta) on Feb 28, 2019 at 8:45pm PST
Color choice combined with a minimalist technique (blending tones into a soft, diffused wash on the eyes, lips, and cheeks) makes all the difference: sandy browns and sunset shades lend a soft, romantic touch; corals and peaches add warmth and complement a sun-kissed glow; red hues make a bold, passionate statement; and the pink spectrum brings a sweet, romantic feel to the overall look.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Makeup Artist Patrick Ta (@patrickta) on Aug 17, 2018 at 11:09am PDT
How to Create a Monochrome Makeup Look: Step-by-Step Guide
The beauty of monochrome makeup is its simplicity — you can pull it off with just one product, whether it's blush, lipstick, bronzer, or eyeshadow. Each of these staples is surprisingly versatile and can be used in multiple ways beyond its original purpose.
That said, a smooth, even base is essential. At its core, all you really need is a foundation and one of the products mentioned above. But feel free to layer in as many extras as you'd like — the only real rule is keeping the same shade family on the eyes, lips, and cheeks.
Coral, pink, and brown tones are the most on-trend for monochrome looks right now, and the easiest way to achieve them is with a lipstick, cream blush, or bronzer. Here's a step-by-step breakdown to nail the look.
- Hydrate your skin and apply a sheer layer of light foundation, fluid, or tinted balm for a natural-looking base. Spot-conceal any blemishes with a dedicated concealer to keep the skin looking fresh and effortless.
- Create a soft, smoky haze across both the upper and lower lids. You can reach for powder eyeshadow or blush, or go with cream-based products like lipstick, cream blush, or bronzer. Optional: add a subtle liner flick and coat the lashes with mascara.
- Groom and define your brows with your go-to product — pencil, eyeshadow, felt-tip pen, or brow gel all work.
- Sweep blush (or bronzer/lipstick, matching what you used on the eyes) lightly over the high point of the cheekbones, blending quickly. Concentrate the pigment on the cheekbones, just beneath them, and a touch on the apples of the cheeks.
- Finish the lips with the same shade used on the eyes and cheeks. If you used powder products, slick on a layer of lip balm first, then tap a bit of powder shadow or blush onto your lips with your finger. If you used cream blush, bronzer, or lipstick on the eyes and cheeks, dab a small amount onto your finger or a fluffy brush and blend gently, staying within the lip line.
- Set everything in place with a light dusting of powder or a few spritzes of setting spray to lock in the look.
