The color of the year could either flatter or fall flat for Filipina skin. Will you work it or let it go?
It was just last month that the Pantone Color Institute hailed a decadent hue as the color of the year. Mocha Mousse, though safe and universal, has become a divisive color for a few. For morenas, this shade teeters between chic and ill-suiting, some saying it’s the perfect neutral while others think it washes them out. That said, can they make it work or is it better left untouched?
RELATED: How to Incorporate Mocha Mousse Into Your Beauty Look
A Closer Look at the Color
Mocha Mousse lives in the quiet corner of the neutral palette, somewhere between taupe and coffee. It’s not the usual warm caramel or rich chocolate that flatters deeper and golden undertones. Instead, it leans cooler—a soft brown that feels both earthy and luxurious.
This nuance makes it polarizing. On Filipina skin, it can either be your ultimate “my shade but better” or blur entirely into the background. It’s a tricky one, but certainly not something to dismiss entirely. Mocha Mousse doesn’t scream for attention, a whisper in a color wheel of shouts. And for those who know how to style it, that’s its strength.
When It Works, Make It Work Harder
The chorus of Mocha Mousse criticism can skew perception, especially when you see a lot of morenas speak against the trend. But truth be told, it has its place.
Beauty content creator Joize Frilles welcomes the shade with open arms. “I discovered that soft browns work well with my skin tone,” the morena shared with MEGA, revealing she’s undergone color analysis twice. “It’s an addition to my neutral wardrobe. I love neutrals, and Mocha Mousse pairs beautifully with them.” Filipinas with neutral or cool undertones like the influencer will find Mocha Mousse particularly forgiving. The warmth of the shade subtly balances the skin’s natural hues, offering a soft glow without clashing with the flesh.
To make it work harder, accentuate with different accents and strategies to break the stasis. In beauty, keep the eyes strong and commanding—think a bold brow or tightlined lids—especially when going for a nude lip. On the fashion front, we give leeway to cheating: gravitate towards variations with rosy or mauve undertones to avoid looking washed out and keep the warmth in check. It’s the ultimate seductress for those who know how to work it.
Not Your Color? Here’s How to Wear It
If it doesn’t work, don’t force it… says the queen of comfort zones. But daunting doesn’t have to be disastrous, because Mocha Mousse holds more promise than meets the eye. And while it does seem unflattering for those with deeper skin tones at face value, a hasty dismissal would be a missed opportunity. The key is in the layering.
Mocha Mousse doesn’t have to be the star of the show. Let it serve as the chic, understated anchor of more vivid accents—like a printed skirt, a statement bag, or a richer-hued shoe in trendy reds, blues, or pomegranate. The juxtaposition of a soft tone with something loud and unexpected creates harmony in contrast.
A monochromatic route can also be taken. Mocha Mousse marries well with sister tones of rich caramel, terracotta, or deep sienna. For those with medium to dark morena skin, this palette subtly enhances the skin’s undertones while keeping things smooth and refined. Add statement accessories like a chunky gold necklace or a structured belt to add depth to a look.
Love it or leave it? It’s easy to do the latter—too much, it fades into the background; too little, and it’s easily forgotten. But it’s a color better styled than worn, a test of how well you tread the line between muted elegance and looking like a faded photograph.
Featured Image and Photos: MEGA ARCHIVES, DEL CORE, DRIES VAN NOTEN, BOTTEGA VENETA, JOIZE FRILLES (via Instagram)
