Live Your Marie Antoinette Fantasy With the Rococo Makeup Trend

What Exactly Is Rococo Makeup?

The makeup trend is inspired by the indulgence of the Rococo Era, while the lavish look was often worn by the aristocrats or those of high status. But in 2025, everyone can play with the extravagant style. “Unlike the original Rococo aesthetic, which reflected a narrow beauty ideal, the new Rococo trend embraces a wide range of skin tones, facial features, and cultural influences,” Emmy-nominated makeup artist Amy Strozzi shares. “Looks often have a dreamy, fairytale quality, freshly embracing fantasy.”

Rococo makeup answers our call for escapism and play, but Strozzi shares there’s an even bigger reason why this trend is rising in popularity. “[It] reflects the chaos and heaviness of the modern political and global landscape, driving people not only towards escapism but using makeup as commentary for revolution.”

Though the style has been updated to fit the modern world, many of the essential elements of the 18th-century trend remain the same. “Rococo makeup today blends the opulence and whimsy of the 18th century with modern techniques, focusing on dramatic eyes, flawless skin, and pastel hues,” says celebrity makeup artist and hair stylist Shenise Sheena. Some defining characteristics of the look, according to Sheena, are “bold, porcelain skin, heavy use of blush, dramatic eye makeup, and soft, romantic color palettes like pinks, lavenders, and golds.”

During the Late Baroque period, many wore white paint as their base for the rest of their makeup, though Strozzi stresses you don’t need to go that light unless you want to. “Dewy, radiant complexions reflect but modernize the porcelain-like skin ideal of the era, while some opt to go more literal using foundation shades much lighter than their natural skin tone,” she says.

Ultimately, the trend is about “self-expression” and Sheena doesn’t want you to let your fear get the best of you. “Don’t be afraid to play with color and experiment with textures to make the look your own,” she stresses. 

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Achieve a Modern Rococo Makeup Look

Step 1: Start With Skincare

To start, Strozzi suggests you “apply a hydrating toner and moisturizer” to a clean face to achieve a luminous base. We find the combination of the FIRST AID BEAUTY Ultra Repair Wild Oat Hydrating Toner and Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer to be extra soothing on our skin, leaving us with a calm complexion that’s ready to take on any makeup look we try.

Step 2: Pick a Primer

Strozzi recommends a “radiant or illuminating primer to create a soft glow” when selecting your primer. The LAURA MERCIER Pure Canvas Primer Illuminating is our go-to because we haven’t met a foundation it didn’t help stay put on our face. And it provides an extra bit of glow.

Step 3: Foundation Time

Once your base is set, it’s time to go in with your foundation. “Apply a lightweight, dewy foundation to achieve a flawless, skin-like finish,” says Strozzi. “Focus on even coverage without looking heavy.”

Sheena recommends the FENTY BEAUTY Pro Filt'r Hydrating Longwear Foundation because it creates a “smooth, porcelain base.” 

Step 4: Go in With Concealer

Next, Strozzi says you should “brighten under the eyes and cover any blemishes with a creamy concealer.” What better product to use for this step than the TARTE™ Shape Tape™ Ultra Creamy Concealer? It never fails to cover our dark circles or breakouts.

Step 5: Set Shiny Areas

“Lightly set areas prone to shine (like the T-zone) with a translucent powder, but keep the skin’s glow intact,” notes Strozzi. “If using cream products for the look, wait to set the face until applied. Always remember: cream products before powder, and powder products after powder.”

Step 6: Build Your Blush

Blush makes this look so it’s important to not skip this step. Sheena is a fan of the NARS COSMETICS Blush in Orgasm and suggests you apply a heavy amount to the cheeks and temples “for that soft, rosy glow.”

For a more dramatic effect, Strozzi says you can “extend the blush lightly across the bridge of the nose and even onto the temples for a soft, flushed glow.” She continues, “When you think you’ve applied enough blush, add more!”

Step 7: Shape Your Brows

In the 18th century, brows were thin. While you can opt for the same style, you don’t necessarily have to for 2025. Sheena suggests you shape your brows “in a rounded, exaggerated form.” Strozzi echoes this, noting to “keep the shape soft and natural.” The TRESLÚCE BEAUTY Hello, Brows! Dual-Ended Micro Brow Pencil will help you fill in any sparse areas without your brows looking overdrawn.

Step 8: Prime Your Lids

The eye makeup is equally as important as the blush when it comes to pulling off the Rococo makeup look. So to ensure the elaborate style you create lasts all day, you want to start by priming your lids. The V KOSMETIK Eyeshadow Primer serves as the perfect base, allowing your eyeshadow to last longer and appear more pigmented.

Step 9: Start With a Pastel Eyeshadow

Now that your lids are primed, it’s time to go in with a pastel color of your choice. Whether it’s lavender, pink, blue, or green, Strozzi has the routine to follow to ensure you get the eye makeup just right. “Blend one shade across the lid and softly into the crease,” she says. “A neutral light brown or soft metallic applied with smudged edges and a watercolor effect can also look amazing with this look.”

Sheena relies on the DANESSA MYRICKS BEAUTY ColorFix Multi-Use Eye, Cheek & Lip Waterproof Liquid Pigment “for eyeshadow versatility.” For multiple pastel shades, we love the colors in the IBY BEAUTY Enlighten Eyeshadow Palette. 

Step 10: Add Shimmer to Your Lids

After the eyeshadow is set, Strozzi suggests you “add a shimmery champagne, gold, or pearl shade to the inner corners of the eyes and the brow bone for brightness.” We love the shades in the HALF MAGIC Glitterpill collection because they add the right amount of shimmer to any look.

Step 11: Amp Up the Ornamentation

Don’t stop with the shimmer—make the look extra opulent with designs and appliques using “pastel or metallic liquid eyeliner to draw swirls, dots, or delicate patterns around the eyes for a whimsical touch,” says Strozzi. The HALF MAGIC Face Gems are an easy way to add ornamentation without having to go the extra mile.

Step 12: Don’t Forget Your Lashes

Or do! No, really. Strozzi says you can “forgo mascara altogether for a more fashion forward look.” However, if you’d like to add a little something to your lashes, she suggests you start by curling your lashes and applying a lengthening mascara, like the ONE/SIZE Fantasize Lifting & Lengthening Mascara. She continues, “For more drama, apply wispy false lashes. Lightly coat your lower lashes with mascara for a wide-eyed effect.”

Step 13: Highlight

Give the porcelain look an extra glow with some highlighter. Strozzi suggests you “apply a champagne, pearl, or metallic highlighter to the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, the cupid’s bow, and the chin for a radiant finish.” The ESTATE COSMETICS Dew Me Baked Highlighter offers a pearly pink shine that dazzles on every complexion.

Step 14: Focus on Your Lips

Finish the look with a soft lip. Strozzi stresses to “exfoliate and hydrate your lips” before adding a hue to your pout. Then, go in with a subtle pink, peach, or nude hue in a glossy or satin finish to pull the Rococo makeup look together. We’ve found that the ITEM BEAUTY Ruled By Lip Gloss Duo provides a subtle pop of color to complete the style.

Step 15: Set It

You’ve done all that hard work to create this makeup trend so don’t you dare forget to set it. Strozzi recommends using a “dewy setting spray to lock in the makeup while maintaining a glowing finish.” For this final step, there’s no better setting spray than the ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Dewy Set Setting Spray.