As fall rolls in, sweater weather makes its long-awaited return. Even in Singapore—where the closest we get is an air-conditioned café—the autumn palette casts its unmistakable spell. Beauty follows suit this season, with ‘toasty make-up’ taking over social media—a universally flattering trend that captures the snug, cozy spirit of autumn. True to its name, this look leaves you glowing with firelight-kissed warmth, perfectly in step with the food-inspired craze sweeping the beauty world: think lightly roasted marshmallows, caramelised apples, and mugs of hot cocoa.
With its viral popularity, there are countless ways to pull off toasty glam. We’ve had a wave of celebrities pioneer this trend, like Kaia Gerber and Selena Gomez. Even Hailey Bieber has joined the trend, sharing her own tutorial using Rhode products. Key elements include a bronzed base for a sun-kissed, luminous complexion, a warm blush lightly blended across the cheeks, and finishing touches of nude lips paired with complementary eyeshadow.
@haileybiebertoasty glam using no brushes fingers only 🫣 now you try! Hehe♬ naughty girl sped up – swxell
The secret lies in choosing the right shades. The goal is to look toasted, not burnt—achieving a soft, sultry effect.
For those wanting to capture that cozy autumn glow, make-up artist Rolana Lim shares her tips on the best shades and techniques to nail the toasty look.
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How do I achieve this look?
To get the look, I always start with hydrated, glowy skin—a light serum or cream before base really helps the glow. I go for a sheer, luminous foundation, then build warmth with a cream bronzer, followed by a warm-toned blush lightly across the cheeks (sometimes over the nose for a sun-kissed effect). Eyes and lips stay soft—think nude or warm brown tones—to keep everything effortless and natural.
Is there a way to choose shades that are warm but won’t make me look burnt?
To choose shades that are warm but not “burnt,” I stick to peachy, terracotta, or rose-beige tones and layer gradually. Some of my go-to products are Makeup by Mario Soft Sculpt or Chanel Les Beiges Bronzing Cream for bronzer, and Charlotte Tilbury Peach Pop, Rare Beauty Love, or Nudestix Sunkissed for blush.
Do you have any tips for people who tend to lean cool toned?
If someone leans cool-toned, I recommend rosier browns or beige-peach shades instead of golds. Neutral bronzers like Fenty Amber or Mario Light Medium pair beautifully with soft, rosy blushes.
Lastly, do you have any hacks for make-up novices wanting to try this look?
For beginners, my tips are to blend bronzer and blush lightly, use fingers or a damp sponge for a soft finish, and always finish with a hydrating mist to melt everything into the skin. The goal is a soft, warm, sun-kissed glow—not heavy or harsh—that feels effortless and alive.
