How to Do Toasted Makeup—The Perfect Warm Winter Beauty Look (2025)

Meet the expert

Maria Gianno is a professional makeup artist specializing in beauty and creative makeup looks, working in New York City.

Choose Warm Tones

Once you've prepped your skin and applied your foundation and concealer, choose a warm-toned eyeshadow to blend on the lids as your base. I'm using Nars Total Seduction Eyeshadow Stickin a warm cinnamon shade to set the tone for my color palette. Gianno explained, "Since toasted makeup is all about utilizing warm shades and tones, you can get creative with the colors you choose as long as they are in the warm color family." Cream shadows adhere well to the eyelids, so you can wear them alone or follow up by blending powder shadows on top. I applied the cream shadow all over my lid and blended it with a fluffy eyeshadow brush to spread the color evenly.

Add Eye Definition

Once the warm eyeshadow tone was blended all over my lids, I followed up withthis dark brown eyeliner from LH Cosmeticsto the top and bottom lash line. Using the two tones of brown creates a nice contrast and a little more drama. Eyeliner is a fool-proof way to enhance your eyes instantly, I smudged the eyeliner with my finger in an upward motion to give it more of a lived-in look. Be sure to apply the liner between the eyelashes for maximum definition.

Start Bronzing

Bronzing powder is the key to creating a complexion that looks naturally toasted, and you can opt for a sheer, buildable powder to bring warmth without being too dark. I'm applying RMS Beauty ReDimension Hydra Bronzerwith this brush from Anisa Beauty along my forehead, cheekbones, and jawline to add contour and dimension. Gianno explained blending the bronzer softly on the skin will add a touch of warmth that looks sunkissed, "You can create a chiseled, sunkissed effect with bronzer and contour if you choose to use one or even both, enhancing your bone structure is never a bad idea."

Pop On The Cream Blush

Once your bronzer is in place, follow up by adding a pop of color to the apples of the cheeks. I'm using the shade "Nude-Atude" from theDanessa Myricks Beauty Dewy Cheek & Lip Palette. You can tap some cream shadow on the apples of your cheeks with your fingers and then follow up by blending it with a fluffy brush upward, building the color as you go if more saturation is what you're after. Opting for cream blushes with orange and brown undertones will continue to work well with your toasted makeup palette, finding the right shades for your undertones is key in executing this look. Want to create a simple look using one shade? Gianno mentioned, "You can also pull off toasted makeup looks that are monochromatic by using similar shades on the eyes, cheeks, and lips. If you have already warm-toned products, try creating a few different types of toasted makeup looks with them."

Touch of Shimmer

It wouldn't be a complete makeup look without some highlighter; I applied this Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlight Stick in a golden nectar shade to continue the theme of using warmer colors versus cool tones. Think highlighters that have gold, bronze, and peach undertones to add warmth versus ones that are icier pinks and champagne. The warmth of the highlighter brings a naturally warm glow to the cheeks; you can also apply this under the eyebrows to highlight the brow bone.

Shape Your Lips

Once I applied Nars Afterglow Sensual Shine lipstick in a warm red tone, I followed up with this Artist Color Pencil from Make Up For Ever in a warm, deep brown tone to shape my lips. For toasted makeup looks, you can opt for sheer lip colors or bold finishes; there are no rules. After lipstick has been applied, using a lipliner to shape your lips is an easy fix for any uneven lines or application mishaps.

Finish With Mascara

Voluminous eyelashes go with any makeup look, to complete your toasted makeup, apply a few coats of your favorite volumizing mascara for excess drama. I curled my lashes with an eyelash curler and followed up with this curling mascara from Dior Beauty, wiggling it at the base of my eyelashes and moving it up to the tips to ensure each eyelash is coated.

The Final Look

Voila! A toasted makeup look can be whatever you want it to be, which is what makes it so much fun. Whether you want to wear soft browns and light nude glosses, or enhance your eyes and lips even more for added drama, there's always room to experiment with this makeup trend that looks great on everyone.