Fall Makeup Trend: Why Terracotta Is the Must-Try Colour for Fall Beauty

Some makeup shades are so timeless and iconic, they need no introduction. (See: true red lipstick—’nuff said.) But every now and then a new It colour comes along that we can’t believe hasn’t caught our eye before. This fall, the hype-worthy makeup trend we can’t wait to rock is terracotta—the surprisingly flattering love child of orange and brown.

Shades of terracotta (Italian for “baked earth”) include everything from cinnamon to rust to burnt orange to red ochre. This colour family is so versatile, you can rock it on your lids, tips and lips. As a fresh alternative to nude lipstick and shimmery summer bronzer, terracotta makeup is the perfect transitional colour trend for fall: It has a warm and cozy appeal that feels just right with autumn leaves and pumpkin spice lattes.

As well, terracotta makeup suits a wide range of skin tones, without the potential muddiness of dark brown or the quirkiness of outright orange. If you haven’t tried this beauty must-have, here are just a few ways we’re loving it.

Beauty Tips for Terracotta Eyeshadow

For the express way to sport this colour trend on your eyes, just apply a soft wash of terracotta all over your lids, match it with a polished brow and you’re good to go. If you favour an eyeshadow look with more dimension and depth, reach for a palette that’s already done all the heavy lifting by curating complementary shades for you.

For instance, with the ultra-creamy L’Oréal Paris La Petite Palette in Maximalist, you’ll get a bright pop of terracotta that reminds us of orange sunsets, plus four other shades, including a champagne nude and a dark brown—all tucked inside a purse-friendly mini case.

Beauty Tips for Terracotta Nails

For a sophisticated fall mani, go for a deeper terracotta-red hybrid hue. One current beauty must-try is L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Oil-Infused Nail Polish in Carmin Parisien, which is made with precious rose, camellia seed, lotus flower and argan oils, so you get a big dose of shine and saturated colour. With such a glossy statement shade, you can keep your nail shape short and classic. Want a little extra embellishment? Just leave a thin, empty stripe in the middle of your nail for a quickie graphic touch.

Beauty Tips for Terracotta Lipstick

If you want something bolder than nude lips, consider terracotta your new nearly neutral. We can’t resist the shade in a soft-matte liquid lipstick that feels like a super lightweight stain, like L’Oréal Paris Rouge Signature Lipstick in I Amaze. And remember, once you’ve applied your lipstick, you can always customize the pigment intensity by blotting it a bit to soften it. After all, the best thing about any beauty trend is making it your own—and wearing it just the way you like it.