The Trendiest Brown Lipstick of Fall 2025 Is Inspired by Ancient History

As the leaves turn, we too fall for darker lip combos. And as expected, brown lipstick is a go-to every season. While we saw BLACKPINK's Lisa rock the trending milk tea lips earlier this yeah, the latest variation of this trend is terracotta. The shade is having a resurgence, since it similarly gained a lot of popularity in the '90s. The perfect mix of burnt orange, toffee, and maybe even hints of rose, it's versatile and flatters everyone.

Lancôme's Global International Artist Sheika Daley tells Teen Vogue, “Terracotta brown is one of those timeless tones that never really leaves us… it just reinvents itself every few years. It has this warm, sun-kissed undertone that flatters every complexion, especially deeper skin tones. What I love about it is how it instantly adds depth and sophistication without feeling heavy. It gives that effortless warmth we all crave in the fall… like a cozy sweater but for your lips.” This trend isn’t about deep drama, but rather about an earthy pout – exactly as Daley says, it adds warmth and depth that lands right between cozy and confident. It's classic yet brings a cool edge this season.

Who wouldn't love a trend where your lips look like they've been kissed by autumn light? The burnt-rose-meets-toffee hue feels like it's everywhere right now including across TikTok and celebrity red carpets. So, if you’re feeling inspired and want to join the terracotta trend, we've compiled what you need to know about it below.

When someone says terracotta, our minds naturally travel to historical art pieces created with the fired clay. The terracotta brown lipstick trend is inspired by that rich hue. It blends light brown tones with subtle red or orange tints, making the trend customizable for every skin tone. It's all about finding the right shade for you.

One of the earlier sightings of the terracotta comeback was on none other than trendsetter Zendaya at Paris Fashion Week at Valentino's Spring/Summer 2023 show. Then, Leni Olumi Klum kickstarted the trend this year by fully committing to the shade with a color-coordinated look at the Michael Kors Spring/Summer 2025 show during New York Fashion Week. Selena Gomez made it earthy but flirty on a date night with Benny Blanco back in March. Last month, TWICE's Momo opted for a lighter, glossy version of the trend at Milan Fashion Week for the Onitsuka Tiger show. Plus, she went for a monochrome look and matched it to her blush and hair, going all in on the fall vibes.