The low-effort makeup rule that instantly elevates any look

I've gotten so many compliments, I'm now legally obligated to reveal it

Permit me to confess that I’ve had a lot of compliments on my makeup lately –which is perhaps my favourite form of aesthetic endorsement. I couldn’t quite figure out why, as I’d been cycling through a totally different set of products each time, but then I looked back at a few photos and realised that most of my recent makeup looks were monochromatic.

This is where I suggest that the uninitiated or uneasy can unclench, because monochromatic makeup doesn’t mean painting your whole face one shade. This simple trick — sometimes called tonal makeup or colour drenching, if you’re into interiors — is about choosing a single colour family to visually tie your features together in harmonious tones across cheeks, lips and eyes.

It’s also the undercurrent within TikTok’s churn of makeup micro-trends, including ‘tomato girl makeup’, ‘latte makeup’ and various other gastronomic beauty moods. At their core, they’re all just creative ways of coordinating your cheeks, lips and lids with a cute seasonal name.

Images via Pinterest

The deified nomenclature changes every few months, but the technique stays the same – pick a colour and diffuse it across multiple parts of your face to instantly elevate your makeup. It makes your routine so much faster, your face looks more cohesive and everything feels intentional, as opposed to a chaotic palette based purely on proximity (speaking for me and my ADHD).

I guess I’ve been gravitating towards it lately because I’ve been on deadline and travelling frequently for work. Going monochromatic requires far less mental expenditure, and I’ve now had so many people make nice comments when I do it that I’m addicted to the praise, and now struggle to do anything else lol.

Quick tangent, but surely that’s a recognised condition? Like when the compliments are just persuasive enough that you graft something new onto your established personality or aesthetic in a flagrant bid to keep the intoxicating stream of approval coming. Nope? I’ll see myself out, and back into my psych’s office.

It’s adaptable to any skin colour or undertone because it’s not about finding an exact match – it’s about choosing shades that feel related, but aren’t identical:

• Pick your base colour: Choose a tone you’re naturally drawn to — it might be taupe, peach, berry or slate. Don’t overthink it; if it looks good on your cheeks, it’ll probably pop everywhere else too.

• Tone it down: Use the same shade in different intensities across your cheeks, lips, and eyes. Keep the strongest concentration on your cheeks (where it looks most natural), a sheer iteration on your lids and a soft, related tone on your lips.

• Keep the finish relaxed: We’re going for sheer layers, diffused edges and minimal precision. Think less of a statement and more of a gentle echo.

There’s also more than one way that you can experiment with monochrome makeup, which is one of the reasons it’s perfect for even the most primitive of routines.

Use one product everywhere

The truly lazy way (always preferable). Tap the same cream blush or lip tint across cheeks, lids and lips with your fingers. Done in under a minute.
Try: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Matte Bouncy Blush (this texture is unlike anything I’ve tried) or Nude By Nature Hydra Stick Lip & Cheek Colour (these are so affordable and so slept on).

Images via Pinterest

Play with textures, not just tones

Make it feel more dimensional by mixing matte, glossy, and satin finishes across the face, even if the shades are similar. Think dewy cream blush, a diffused matte lip and lid lacquer – it still reads cohesive, just richer.
Try: YSL Beauty Make Me Blush Bold Blurring Powder Blush (pigment is on point) with MERIT Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil (the new sheen finishes are perfection), ISAMAYA Lip Liner (super creamy, my fave is Au Lait), Gucci Beauty Éclat De Beauté Effet Lumière Face Gloss (an all-over instant glassy sheen).

Layer different products in the same family

Pick a blush, a lipstick and an eyeshadow that live in the same tonal neighbourhood. They don’t have to match exactly, they just have to feel related – so for pink, that could translate to a dusty rose blush, a berry stain and soft pink shimmer lid.
Try: Armani Eye Tint Liquid Eyeshadow (this mess-proof tint launched several years ago, but it feels like everyone I know is talking about it right now), Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Beauty Soulmates Lip & Cheek Kit (the Love Effect Lipstick in Dream Talk is now my go-to matte mauve).

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Speaking of Charlotte…

Makeup legend Charlotte Tilbury is heading to Australia for the first time, and naturally the entire nation is sat. Since its 2021 launch, the brand has become one of MECCA’s biggest, but until now the Queen of Glow herself hadn’t made the trip.

Tilbury will be visiting Melbourne in June for a series of celebrations, including a one-night-only masterclass event that will offer cover her most iconic makeup techniques, with the British makeup artist herself leading the session.

MECCA are also offering up the chance to win tickets to the event and meet Charlotte. To win 1 of 8 Glowing Tickets, buy any Charlotte Tilbury product in store or online at MECCA between 29 April and 6 May with your Beauty Loop details.

Head here for the details.