KEY TAKEAWAYS
- •Patrick Ta predicts soft sculpting, monochrome color and barely-there blush will define winter 2027
- •Brightening concealer paired with cream contour creates definition without harsh lines
- •Warm gingerbread, burgundy and soft rosy shades lead the monochrome palette
- •Muted blush in dusty pinks, soft roses and nudes replaces bold, high-pigment color
- •Ta says where makeup is placed matters as much as the products used
Celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta says winter 2027 belongs to soft sculpting, matching monochrome color and barely-there blush, a clear break from heavy contour and loud cheek color.
Ta, whose clients include Gigi Hadid, Adriana Lima and Priyanka Chopra, laid out the forecast in an interview with Who What Wear. He also runs Patrick Ta Beauty and has a combined social following of about 6.7 million, which gives his predictions extra weight among beauty fans heading into the new year.
Soft Sculpting Replaces Heavy Contour
The first shift moves away from harsh, carved-out contour. Ta favors soft, seamless definition built with two steps instead of one. A brightening concealer lifts and adds dimension to targeted spots, a method he compares to reverse contouring, and a cream contour stick then adds gentle shadow. The finish still looks sculpted and glamorous, he says, but no harsh line shows anywhere on the face. He even uses the same contour sticks on the eyelids to keep the look cohesive.
Light and shadow, not one heavy contour line, create the new sculpted look.
Monochrome Makeup Gets a Warm Winter Palette
The second trend is monochrome makeup, where cheeks, eyes and lips share the same or similar shades so the entire face feels connected. For the colder months, Ta points to warm gingerbread tones, burgundy and soft rosy hues. Playing with textures keeps the effect from looking flat, and layering cream and powder formulas gives more control over the finish. His brand’s limited-edition Something Spicy blush, a warm gingerbread shade, is designed to mimic a flush from time spent out in the cold.
Blush Turns Down the Volume
The third prediction may surprise anyone who has watched bold, high-pigment blush dominate social media and runways for the past couple of years. This winter, Ta expects softer, diffused color in dusty pinks, soft roses and subtle nudes, applied as a light wash rather than a statement. The shift echoes New York Fashion Week, where makeup artists favored muted, earthy shades, including cinnamon tints, over bright pinks and reds. Ta suggests blending blush so it melts into the skin and flows naturally into the under-eye area.
One TikTok Habit to Try, One to Skip
Ta backs one popular TikTok technique that he says professionals have used for years: letting concealer sit on the skin briefly before blending. A short pause gives lighter coverage, while waiting up to a minute builds more, so less product is needed overall. He is far less enthusiastic about using lubricant gel as a makeup primer. Instead, he recommends products formulated to prep and hydrate skin.
The Pro’s Top Tip: Placement Beats Product
Asked for his single best piece of advice, Ta pointed to placement over product. Small changes, such as setting blush slightly higher on the cheeks, brightening select areas with concealer or adding a touch of definition around the eyes, can transform a look. He recommends working in light layers and building gradually. In his words, “it’s so much easier to add than take away.” Ta also encourages people to find what suits their own features rather than chasing every trend.
What the Shift Means for Everyday Makeup
Taken together, the three trends point in one direction: makeup that enhances features instead of covering them. Heavy contour and high-intensity blush have had a long run, and the new approach swaps them for blended, tonal and lightly layered color. It is a lower-effort style that should translate easily from the runway to a regular morning routine.
How to Try the Looks at Home
Start with light layers. Dab brightening concealer where you want lift, then add soft shadow with a cream contour and blend until the edges disappear. Choose one tonal family, such as gingerbread or rose, for cheeks, lids and lips. Finish with a diffused wash of blush placed slightly higher on the cheeks. If concealer needs more coverage, let it rest for a minute before blending.
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Natalie Avery covers the full spectrum of modern beauty — from lab-backed skincare breakthroughs to the cultural conversations driving clean and conscious wellness. Her writing brings both scientific grounding and genuine enthusiasm to every story she tells.
