Latte Lips: How to Get the Viral Makeup Trend

May 21, 2025

Latte lips — a warm, coffee-toned lip look that sits somewhere between a nude and a brown — is one of the most viral and universally flattering makeup trends of recent years. Popularised on TikTok and embraced by beauty lovers worldwide, the latte lip is sophisticated, wearable, and endlessly versatile. Here's everything you need to know to get the look.

What Are Latte Lips?

Latte lips take their name from the warm, creamy tones of a latte coffee — think milky browns, warm taupes, soft caramels, and muted beiges with warm undertones. The look sits in the sweet spot between a classic nude lip and a full brown lip, creating a sophisticated, polished pout that works for virtually every skin tone and occasion. Unlike a stark nude that can wash out some complexions, the warm undertones of latte lips add colour and dimension without being bold or dramatic.

Why Latte Lips Work for Everyone

The genius of the latte lip trend is its universality. The warm, brown-adjacent tones complement virtually every skin tone:

Fair skin — a light, milky latte shade adds warmth without overpowering; choose soft beige-browns and warm taupes
Medium skin — caramel and warm nude-brown shades are incredibly flattering; the latte tones enhance golden undertones beautifully
Olive skin — warm terracotta-adjacent latte shades complement olive undertones perfectly
Deep skin — rich chocolate and deep caramel latte shades create a stunning, sophisticated look on deeper complexions

How to Choose Your Latte Lip Shade

The key to a perfect latte lip is choosing a shade with warm undertones — avoid cool-toned nudes or pinks, which will look more "your lips but better" than latte. Look for shades described as:

Warm nude, warm beige, or warm taupe
Caramel, toffee, or butterscotch
Milky brown or soft brown
Muted terracotta or warm mauve

The shade should have a distinctly warm, coffee-like quality — if it looks pink or cool-toned, it's not a latte lip shade.

Step-by-Step: How to Get Latte Lips

Step 1: Prep Your Lips

Exfoliate and moisturise your lips, then allow the balm to absorb fully. Latte lips look best on smooth, well-hydrated lips — any dryness or texture will be visible, particularly with matte formulas.

Step 2: Apply a Warm-Toned Lip Liner

Line your lips with a warm-toned liner — a soft brown, warm nude, or caramel shade. For the latte lip look, slightly overline the Cupid's bow and centre of the lower lip for a fuller, more defined appearance. Fill in the entire lip with liner to create a long-lasting base.

Step 3: Apply Your Latte Lip Colour

Apply your chosen latte shade over the liner base using a lip brush for the most precise, polished result. Build the colour in thin layers for the most even, long-lasting finish. For a matte latte lip, apply and blot; for a glossy latte lip, apply and leave.

Step 4: Add Gloss for the Latte Effect (Optional)

For the most authentic latte lip look — that creamy, coffee-with-milk appearance — apply a small amount of clear or lightly tinted gloss to the centre of the lips over your latte shade. This adds the luminous, dimensional quality that makes the latte lip look so distinctive and appealing.

Step 5: Clean the Edges

Use a small concealer brush to sharpen the outer edges of the lip line. This gives the latte lip a polished, intentional finish and ensures the warm tones look deliberate rather than washed out.

Latte Lip Variations

Matte latte — a velvety matte finish for a sophisticated, editorial look
Glossy latte — a high-shine finish for a more youthful, fresh appearance
Satin latte — a comfortable middle ground between matte and gloss; the most wearable everyday version
Dark latte — a deeper, richer brown-caramel for autumn and evening looks
Light latte — a barely-there milky beige for the most natural, effortless version

What to Wear with Latte Lips

The latte lip is one of the most versatile lip looks because its warm neutrality pairs with almost any eye makeup:

A warm bronze or copper eye for a fully warm, cohesive look
A classic smoky eye for a sophisticated contrast
Minimal eye makeup for a clean, effortless everyday look
A bold graphic liner for an editorial, fashion-forward combination

✨ Shop Latte Lip Essentials at Brittany Cosmetics

Get the perfect latte lip with these warm-toned must-haves:

Sparkle Lips – Beige — A warm, luminous beige gloss — the perfect latte lip in one effortless swipe.
Shade Me In – Liquid Matte Lipstick — Rich, velvety matte colour — choose a warm nude or brown shade for a sophisticated matte latte lip.
Pretty Pouts – Posh — A beautifully pigmented lip colour in a warm, flattering tone perfect for the latte lip look.
Sparkle Lips – It's Sheer — Layer over a warm liner for a barely-there, effortless latte gloss finish.
Lip Brush — Precision application for a perfectly polished latte lip every time.