From Lips to Nails “Mocha Mousse” is Pantone’s Color of the Year

The Sophisticated and Lush hue is set to make an impact in both beauty and fashion in 2025. 

The color institute Pantone has set the stage for 2024 by declaring “Mocha Mousse” as the must-watch shade across various industries, including fashion, beauty, and interior design. This aspirational brown hue, reminiscent of rich chocolate and aromatic coffee, is poised to capture attention and inspire creativity. Following the success of last year’s “Espresso” trend, which gained popularity through its presence in nail art, home decor, and lip tints—driven mainly by influencers like Tate McRae, Kendall Jenner, and Hailey Bieber’s Rhode Beauty—Mocha Mousse is expected to take center stage in the new year. Fashion enthusiasts will find Mocha Mousse a versatile addition to their wardrobes, offering a neutral alternative to traditional blacks and dark browns. Its adaptability allows it to blend seamlessly with a spectrum of colors, making it ideal for layering and accessorizing. As the trend unfolds, expect medium brown bikinis paired with vibrant teal accessories, showcasing the hue’s potential for summer wear. This seasonless color invites experimentation, allowing individuals to express their style year-round. The trend is described as “Underpinned by our desire for everyday pleasures, Pantone’s ‘17-1230 Mocha Mousse’ expresses a level of thoughtful indulgence,” said Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, on the brand’s website. “Sophisticated and lush, yet at the same time an unpretentious classic, the shade extends our perceptions of the browns from humble and grounded to embracing the aspirational and luxe.”

The trend has already made waves on the runway, with Miu Miu and Marc Jacobs showcasing a range of shades from warm “chestnut” to “toasted almond.” These variations have been spotted in handbags and athleisure wear, particularly from brands like Skims and Alo. As Mocha Mousse gains traction, it promises to redefine contemporary aesthetics, encouraging designers and consumers alike to embrace this rich, inviting tone in their collections and everyday lives. I’ve rounded up the best Mocha Mousse products in beauty, fashion, and home decor. Shop our selection and revamp your staple pieces for timeless pieces that will keep you on trend all year. 

Editors Note: Hailey Bieber does the trend with toasted warm tones of brown on her lips, face, and eye makeup. Note that she has almost no signs of using black makeup; The results? A youthful, fresh face.

1. NAILS

The magic of this trend in nail form is in its ability to stand out on its own. Monochromatic nails are all you need to convey effortless elegance. Like the LBD, this medium brown shade can easily replace your go-to nail shade, which is safe for both work and pleasure. Matte or gloss, this nail trend will leave your nails looking stunning. You can achieve this gorgeous color using Money 4 Nails “Big bag” Nail color, which retails for about $8; shop here.

Photo: @thenaillologist

Photo:@thenaillologist

2. EYE-LINER

Your choice of eyeliner may be as important as your choice of which heels to wear. As the focal point of any makeup look, this season’s brown hue will complement your face’s features. Standard black eyeliner can sometimes be too harsh and even work against your foundation and blush; this brown hue will brighten up any sunkissed look. We love this warm-toasted eyeliner from Victoria Beckham, which retails for about $34; shop here.

Photo: Victoria Beckham, beauty

 

Photo: Rem beauty

3. MOCHA MOUSSE REPLACES BLUSH

Using a warm bronzer to softly sculpt the face under the cheekbones creates a subtle definition. The result? Sculpted, sunlit skin that looks fresh, polished, and ready for an endless night on the town. Hailey Bieber’s Rhode beauty creates the ultimate pocket-sized blush in these stunning shades of browns and reds that truly change your look. Rhode Pocket Blush retails for about $24; shop here. You can also achieve this look using Morphe’s Hot Shot bronzing drops for a sun-kissed glow, which retails for about $16; shop here.

Photo: Rhode beauty

Image: Morphe

Photo: Morphe

 

4. HANDBAGS

How can we continue last year’s “Office Siren” trend? A new handbag. Ditch multi-colored hues for this sophisticated brown hue that is not only a conversation starter but can work with almost any look, having the same duality as a black bag. You cannot think of brown-colored bags without thinking of Miu Miu’s classic tote handbags that made waves in the last 2-years, as seen on everyone from Rihanna to Kendall Jenner. The funny thing is that Miu Miu’s brown bag isn’t new; the bag has been reintroduced for nearly 20 years and has outlasted the test of time. We also love Coach’s classic teddy bag that had a colossal resurgence last year with Gen-Z and the power of TikTok.

Photo: Coach

Hailey Bieber in Aspen carrying a brown Miu Miu bag

Bag, Miu Miu.

 

Photo: Pinterest

5. LIPS

Enjoy a latte lip moment a la TikTok in this soft brown lip color that reads like a nude lip gloss. The liquid lip color is hydrating, full-coverage, and creates a plumper look. Pair it with a deeper-hued lip liner to create an on-trend dimensional look. A mocha-toned lip sits at the crossroads of 1990s nostalgia and modern elegance. Neutral enough to pair with bold eyes but rich enough to stand alone, Mocha Mousse brings a perfect combination of depth and polish. “A swipe of nude brown or caramel gloss can give you an understated, endlessly wearable, and polished look. But when the mood demands drama, a matte mocha lipstick delivers,” says make-up artist and Veus Cosmetics co-founder Daniela Santander. It demonstrates monochromatic power with just enough punch – bold but never overbearing.

Image: Hailey Bieber

Photo: Make-up by Mario; available on Sephora.com

 

 

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