If we’re going to do our makeup, we want to do it once, and we want it to look as good in the office as it will later that night over a candlelit dinner or on the dance floor. If you’re like us, then the answer is the latest trend taking over the makeup world: Teddy Makeup.
Embodying the softer side of luxury, we’re thinking warm coats, soft edges and sexy neutrals. Embrace each angle of Teddy Makeup, the comfort item, the runway statement piece and even the silky lingerie all in one look that can easily go from day to night.
Featured Experts
- Michelle Clark is a Senior National Artist for MAC Cosmetics
- Natalie Dresher is a makeup artist based in Miami
- Sam Gen is a makeup artist based in New York
What is Teddy Makeup?
Let’s talk names.
A reference to the luxurious neutrals dominating the runways right now, Teddy Makeup is leaning into the over-sized teddy coat look. A mix of soft comfort and expensive elegance, the teddy coat is a plush, lush play in both worlds, bringing the cozy to expensive.
According to MAC Cosmetics senior national artist, Michelle Clark, the look gives a rosy blush to familiar neutrals. “Teddy makeup is the level up to latte makeup we saw in 2023,” Clark says. “It’s all about cozy pinky-browns and bronze shades with an added element of soft glam. It is the trend that looks good on every complexion and can be worn for almost any occasion.”
These days, soft is the name of the game, says makeup artist Natalie Dresher. “Soft glam is so in, and the perfect way to achieve it is Teddy Makeup,” Dresher explains. “Think browns on the eyes and pink on the cheeks! It’s wearable and transitions amazing from the office to the club!”
If you’re like us, the first thing you probably thought of was the warm, soft and adorable in life. While the teddy bear isn’t exactly a beauty icon, there’s something to be said for the mood a comfort item evokes. But that doesn’t mean the trend is only suited for night in or a daytime neutral.
“The Teddy Makeup trend can be worn for date night or red carpet,” explains New York makeup artist Sam Gen. “It’s a soft timeless look for all occasions. You can control the mood you create through choices like eye shadow; the eyes can be matte for a daytime look or shimmery neutrals to create a sexy eye.”
How to Get the Look
The key to this look is the marriage of soft neutrals and rosy accents to create a pretty and put-together look. “It can pass as sexy or as subtle depending on how you style it,” Clark explains. “No matter how you choose to rock it, I like to think of it as the makeup look that will have everyone complimenting and saying ‘what are you wearing, it’s so pretty.'”
To start, you’ll want your skin to retain a fresh, radiant look. “The skin should be clean,” says Gen. “You’ll want a soft bronze and a nice pink or peach youthful cheek. I would use NARS sheer glow as the foundation, LYS contour sticks is a great choice and Makeup By Mario Cream Blush to give a soft color to the cheek.”
If you’re looking to lean into the coquette-ish side of this look, Dresher recommends reaching for a tubing mascara for a big impact. “Coat the lashes with Tarte Tartlette Tubing XL mascara for a doll like, teddy bear-esque lashes,” Dresher explains.
You can lean into warm browns and rosy rogues to create a an eye look that embodies soft. Make sure to blend out the edges to get rid of any harsh lines.
“As for the lip,” Dresher says. “I like using a One Size lipliner in Rent Due, MAC’s Silky Matte Lipstick in Honey Love and Buxom Cosmetics Plumping Gloss for a beautiful shine to pull the look together.”
Teddy Makeup Products
