Foods of all sorts have been dominating the beauty set. This year alone we have seen fruit- and coffee-inspired looks step into the spotlight and become viral. But the latest look has more in common with recent fragrance trends than makeup. Enter cinnamon roll makeup. Sweet, warm and frosted, it leans heavily into the gourmand scents we all love so much. Like your favorite vanilla perfume, it embraces warm and rich vibes with varying shades of brown, rust and of course, cinnamon. And though it may sound like something your teenage self would’ve worn, it can be delightfully grown up. Ahead, we chatted with three celebrity makeup artists for tips and tricks to nailing the cinnamon makeup trend.
Featured experts
- Donni Davy is the head makeup artist for Euphoria
- Monika Blunder is a celebrity makeup artist
- Molly R Stern is a celebrity makeup artist
Why is Cinnamon roll makeup trending?
As you can guess, the cinnamon roll makeup trend is all about warm and toasty shades of brown. “The look uses a mix of rich tones like cinnamon, caramel and chocolate, which are warm and universally flattering,” says Euphoria makeup artist Donni Davy. She notes that rust or earthy clay elements of cinnamon work especially well for eye looks because they can be grungy and sophisticated. The final element of this trend is the glazed finish, similar to the icing on the delicious treat. “Cinnamon roll makeup has a naturally radiant finish, with a hint of frosting-like shimmer in some strategic spots as well as flawless, dewy skin,” says celebrity makeup artist Monika Blunder.
While the food-themed makeup trends are seemingly endless, the pros note that this look stems from some of the other more general makeup trends. “Soft glam makeup styles often feature warm colors, and the cinnamon roll trend falls right in line with spiced-inspired shades like nutmeg and cinnamon,” says Blunder. Davy mentions that the focus on cool-toned makeup has also played a role in the growing popularity of this warm-colored trend.
How to do cinnamon roll makeup
The beauty of this trend is that it works all over the face, from the eyes to the cheeks to the lips. Blunder explains that you should be embracing the tonal look and monochromatic makeup. “Using the same warm-spiced shade will help unify your makeup and help make it look cohesive,” she says. To create the perfect cinnamon roll look, Davy suggests looking at your undertone, as it will be essential to finding the right shades.
Once you’ve found the right shades of brown eyeshadow, eyeliner, lip liner and lipstick or gloss, it’s time to apply them to the respective places. “Blending is going to be your best friend here,” says Davy. While you want the colors to be prominent, she notes that they shouldn’t be overdone. To create the signature glaze, the pros note you have options. “Hydrating products will give you a lit-from-within glow as opposed to highlighting products that sit on top of the skin,” says celebrity makeup artist Molly R Stern. However, if you really want to up the ante, Davy says a shimmery product—say a lip gloss, cream-based highlighter or reflective topper for the eyes—is ideal.
Products for cinnamon roll makeup
