One-dimensional browns are chic, but this year, we’re getting specific–say hello to Mocha Mousse brown. This warm hue is spreading its embrace across fashion, furniture and makeup, leaving a trail of cosy elegance in its wake.

Neutral glamour is certainly having its moment this year, with brown making a bold return to style history. That rich café latte brown? Now that’s fashion. 

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Why Is Pantone the Authority on Defining the Colour of the Year?

Ever wondered who Pantone are and why they hold the power to choose the colour that reigns over all others each year? 

Once annually a room brims with colour experts–let’s call them the Pantone panel–who are recognised as the global authority on colour standards and digital solutions. Together, they select the hue that will define the aesthetic pulse of the year ahead. This year, they’ve chosen Mocha Mousse–a sumptuous neutral that radiates warmth and comfort in an increasingly digital world. 

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Why We’re Obsessed

Last year was Peach Fuzz–a pink cool tone that’s bold though not shouting in neon. The end of the year skips beats to a warmer tone (if you have noticed), entering a serene close of nurturing nude shades. This arrival of brown hues in 2025 reflects a refined sense of luxury and authenticity and, for many, this return of tan has never left.

Brown tones, especially the deeper nudes, have become the ultimate comfort blanket in colour form. Mocha Mousse is the epitome of this trend, as it’s versatile and grounded in nature’s timeless neutrals. Its true brilliance probably lies in its ability to blend style with everyday wearability, as well as making a statement without feeling over the top. Let’s have a quick glimpse at Mocha Mousse in clothing.

Loungewear Luxe: SKIMS has made its mark with an array of collections, all sticking to neutral colour palettes, from soft nudes to rich brown shades–and Mocha Mousse falls into SKIMS’s signature, of course. Brown hues are undoubtedly a signature of the brand, flowing through their collections of fitted tops, bodysuits and bodycon dresses.

Designers: Valentino’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection was essentially a love letter to Mocha Mousse. On that runway we got to see rich espresso and creamy café au lait.

We also see brown tones in Fendi’s Spring/Summer 2025 showcase. They took Mocha Mousse and played with textures like velvet that reflects light. The collection suggests the brown’s stance in this year’s fashion. 

Loewe’s Puzzle bag also returns to the runway this season in the form of light nappa leather and a dangling leather tag, of course, in brown shades.

Mocha Mousse Makeup Must-Haves: Step into Neutral Glam, One Product at a Time

1. Eye Makeup

Makeup By Mario’s The Original Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette

Mario, the renowned Hollywood makeup artist, now brings you his own line of products. Inspired by natural skin tones, this custom matte pressed powder palette offers a featherlight, creamy texture with buildable, blendable coverage. 

Featuring 12 shades in black, lighter nudes and browns, they align with this year’s Pantone-recommended Mocha Mousse indeed. This versatile eyeshadow palette lets you use lighter hues as a base or blend them with darker browns for a packed finish. Plus the bold black shades let you create striking looks, all in one compact.

2. Contour

Rare Beauty’s Soft Pinch Liquid Contour

Sculpt and define with a single dot! Rare Beauty’s latest release delivers striking dimension in an instant–blend it over or under makeup for a buildable pop of colour. As contour shades range from brown hues, some can be too greyish or even reddish for certain skin tones. This new product is available in six shades to flatter every complexion: Gentle (cool taupe-brown) for fair skin, Mellow (cool brown) for fair to medium skin, Solace (cool taupe-brown) for medium skin, Serene (brown) for medium skin, Tranquil (cool brown) for tan to darker skin and Peaceful (natural brown) for darker skin–all falling in line with the Mocha Mousse territory.

3. Bronzer

Charlotte Tilbury’s Beautiful Skin Sun-Kissed Glow Bronzer

You can’t skip a good bronzer in this Mocha Mousse movement! This cream bronzer is for both face and body, delivering a sun-kissed beachy glow with a radiant healthy finish. Whether you’re after a warm natural look or the perfect bronzed boost, choose accordingly from their four shades tailored to your skin tone: Fair, Medium, Tan and Deep. It’s sweat-proof, humidity-resistant and easily blendable.

4. Blush

Bobbi Brown’s Slopes Powder Blush Matte

For that sun-kissed mocha glow, this is the perfect partner to your contour and bronzer. With a matte finish, it’s your must-have for Thailand’s tropical heat. The shade to reach for? Slopes: a lush, deep warm brownish plum that adds a touch of pink to your apples while blending into the earthy brown Mocha Mousse vibe we’re all about.

5. Lips

Vatanika Beauty’s Very Vatanika Ultimate Glam Hero Lipstick No.01

The Thai designer has just launched her own beauty line and it’s already turning heads. One standout is her glossy finish lip product in a deep, rich brown–the perfect iced coffee hue. Known for her signature brown-toned looks, Miss Vananika herself is slipping us her beauty secret in the full glare of daylight. A single swipe is all it takes to slip into the chicest Mocha Mousse mood.

” For a laid-back vibe that still keeps the Mocha Mousse moment alive, a swipe of glossy brown liner topped with clear gloss is a lover’s kiss.“

Rhode’s Stretch Peptide Lip Shape + Peptide Lip Treatment

Hailey Bieber’s Rhode Peptide Lip Shape debuted amidst the rising popularity of mocha tones, offering a palette of 11 shades. Among them Stretch stands out as a neutral mocha brown. This innovative lip contouring tool also features a rounded tip for application and a built-in silicone smudger to blend and define.

While you’re at it, snag this unmissable duo on your shopping spree! Complement your mocha-sculpted lips with Rhode’s Peptide Lip Treatment–an untinted balm that hydrates, plumps and leaves your lips moisturised. Available in four scents–Rhode Vanilla, Salted Caramel, Unscented and Watermelon Slice–pick your glossy flavour and let your lips do the talking!

“We can also go Mochamatic with another lip combo.“

Fenty Beauty’s I Woodn’t Trace’D Out Lip Liner + Chocolit Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer 

For that “off-duty model” look, start by lining your lips with I Woodn’t, then softly blur with your finger before finishing with a glossy sweep of Chocolit. For full-on glam, go bold by lining and filling with I Woodn’t, adding Chocolit to the centre and defining the corners with more liner.

I Woodn’t gives that rich, dark mocha brown precision, offering a creamy, smudge-proof formula. Meanwhile Chocolit brings a luscious dark chocolate hue with a touch of mocha shimmer, all wrapped in a vanilla-peach scent. The XXL wand ensures smooth, easy application, while the shea butter formula leaves lips feeling soft. 

6. Highlighter

Hourglass’ Diffused Light Ambient Lighting Powder 

For the final touch to this decadent Mocha Mousse, we’re opting for a subtle, sophisticated highlight that complements the brown tones without overwhelming them. Instead of introducing any more pink hues, we’ve chosen a delicate, light brown-yellow accent that adds just the right amount of warmth and elegance to this warm-toned makeup look.

Mocha Mousse: The Bottom Beauty Line

Mocha Mousse is the colour to know this year, reigning supreme in the world of fashion and beauty. This rich earthy brown palette brings a refreshing mood of understated sophistication, offering an elegant alternative to brash colours and stuffy styles. 

It’s a shade that’s chic yet not necessarily basic; it’s versatile and adds a natural grounded touch of fun to your look. Whether you’re going for a full-on glam transformation or just want to add a subtle zhuzh to your daily routine, Mocha Mousse is your trusty sidekick.

But makeup rules are so last year, right? This is never about rigid makeup rules–the only rule now is to rock it with confidence and make it your own. What’s truly genius about Mocha Mousse is its versatility across different skin tones. On olive skin it leans more towards a warm caramel; on fair skin it gives off a creamy cappuccino vibe; and on darker complexions it delivers rich espresso shades. Whatever your undertone, it’s impossible to go wrong–Mocha Mousse just works.