If autumn was all about toasted makeup, then winter is all about toffee. The caramelized hue has been popping up on everyone from Zoë Kravitz to Laura Harrier to Emily Ratajkowski to Hailey Bieber.
When so many stars choose the same beauty look for the red carpet, it’s hard not to pay notice. The usual red lipstick, rosy blush, and shimmer? Not here. Everyone seems to be wearing softer shades of brown instead.
What is toffee makeup?
Toffee makeup instantly calls to mind the beauty looks of the 1990s, the golden era for brown makeup hues. Back then, iconic makeup artists like Bobbi Brown and Kevyn Aucoin sculpted faces with hazelnut, beige, and cinnamon shades, aiming for a glamorous, ultra-defined effect.
The current incarnation of toffee makeup, however, feels thoroughly modern thanks to updated products and shades. Now, the imperative is to look as natural as possible using watercolor-effect textures that blend easily and have a fresh, see-through effect. The viral toffee makeup we’re seeing online is warmer, with natural undertones that look gorgeous on eyes, cheeks, and lips.
How to do toffee makeup right
Because it’s so elegant and versatile, toffee makeup looks good with almost everything, making it an excellent option for the holidays. To get it right, start with a base that looks natural and bright—avoid a too-matte finish or cool tones. Aim instead for warm liquid and cream textures, which melt more easily into the skin.
To contour features, try underpainting, the technique made famous by Jennifer Lopez, Hailey Bieber, and Kendall Jenner’s makeup artist Mary Philips, which involves starting with contour on prepped skin and then applying foundation overtop for a sculpted yet transparent look.
Next, blend your chosen toffee shade onto both cheeks and eyes with a beauty blender for a blurred, monochromatic effect. If you have very pale lips, define the line with a pencil, then finish with a gloss in a matching hue for a toffee candy finish that’s sweet yet subdued. Finish with mascara to help the eyes pop.
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