2024 is all about peach down. No, we’re not talking about fluffy strands of baby hair, but rather the Pantone color of the year, an adaptable neutral that’s sure to soften your daily makeup routine.
“PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz evokes a new modernity,” says color expert Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute and founder of the Eiseman Center for Color Information and Training. “It’s a clean tone with a vintage vibe, reflecting the past, but reformulated to have a contemporary vibe. Pantone’s latest pick follows 2023’s Viva Magenta, which Eiseman describes as a welcome dose of adrenaline after isolation, and 2022’s Very Peri, a color of comfort. “Peach Fuzz encourages us to reach out to others with kindness and tenderness and also allow ourselves some quiet time for ourselves.
It’s also a universally flattering makeup shade, which communicates those same feel-good vibes.
“What I love about a peach makeup palette is that it feels familiar and warm,” says makeup artist Fara Homidi. “I really loved the idea of ’cozy makeup’ and peach makeup looks exactly like that, soft and achievable.”
“Peach is one of the few colors that can be used on eyes, cheeks, and lips,” says makeup artist Melanie Inglessis, who relies on the shade for monochrome looks and pops of airy romance. “I think a monochromatic look using peach tones on the lips, cheeks, and eyes can look elevated without looking like you’re wearing a lot,” agrees Homidi. “It’s counterintuitive that using color all over the face looks less makeup-y, but somehow applying the same color ties it all together and softens the overall look.”
Inglessis favors daily touches of peach for its potential for subtle radiance, a quick pick-me-up for weakened complexions. “I almost always finish my makeup with a coral or peach gel-cream blush on the apples of the cheeks, this keeps the look fresh regardless of night or day makeup,” she says. “I also love the shimmery peach cream eyeshadow in the center of the lid to open up the eyes.” In addition to its application options, Eiseman notes that the delicate, buildable shade suits most skin tones, calling it “natural without pretension.”
While peach works as a covetable neutral, its bright, youthful nature—and its versatility, lending itself to both matte, glitter, and glassy finishes—also make it perfect for playful moments. “Peach is a great color if you want to make a statement, like bright peach eyes or bold lips,” says Inlessis. “You can also create bold smokey eyes and use peach as a setting color, then build around it.”
So why not warm up the winter months with a touch of peach? Figuring out how mutable shade works in your personal palette is a great way to prepare for a brand new year in style.r eye-colored eyeshadows