It’s the coldest season of the year, but winter makeup couldn’t be warmer. In other words, we’re predicting the toffee makeup trend will take over the red carpet in 2026. After all, the end of 2026 saw everyone from Paloma Elsesser and Zoe Kravitz, to Laura Harrier and Sabrina Elba rocking the toasty look. That’s because “toffee makeup sits between natural makeup and glam makeup,” says Kelly Zhang, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Kelly Zhang Makeup. With warm tones predicted to dominate the new year, toffee makeup “feels elevated but still everyday.”
Ahead, Zhang breaks down how Black women can achieve the toffee makeup look—and best products to do it with.
Zoe Kravitz at the Fifth Annual Academy Museum Gala held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 18, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
What is toffee makeup?
“Toffee makeup is a warm, glowing makeup look inspired by caramel, honey, and golden brown tones—the kind of colors that make skin look naturally sun-kissed and healthy,” Zhang tells ESSENCE. “It’s the kind of makeup that makes people say, ‘You look really good today,’ without knowing exactly why.”
But we know why: It’s the warm bronzed skin, soft golden-brown eyes, caramel lips, and a sheerly effortless glow. Unlike bronze makeup, which is shimmery and dramatic, neutral makeup, which sometimes looks flat, or sunset makeup, which leans more into orange tones, Zhang says toffee makeup is softer and more wearable.
“The colors are warm, rich, and blended into the skin—not harsh, not overly contoured.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 03: Laura Harrier attends the 2025 CFDA Awards at American Museum of Natural History on November 03, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)
How Black Women Can Achieve Toffee Makeup
Although Black women have different undertones—from cool and neutral to warm—“toffee makeup actually looks especially beautiful on deeper skin tones because warm colors enhance natural undertones,” she says. To achieve the look, she suggests golden or amber bronzers instead of gray and rich brown, copper, or warm gold eyeshadows.
For blush, terracotta, warm berry, or deep caramel are the best shades for Black women, while gold or bronze highlighter (not silver) will enhance the makeup’s warmth. “The goal is warmth and glow,” Zhang says. “Everything should melt into the skin rather than sit on top of it.”
DOHA, QATAR – NOVEMBER 22: Sabrina Elba attends the Fashion Trust Arabia 2025 Awards Ceremony at the National Museum of Qatar on November 22, 2025 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images)
You don’t need anything complicated,” says Zhang. “Just focus on warm shades and creamy textures.” This blurring balm powder, especially in the warm brown “Spiced Latte” shade, adds the effortless flush toffee makeup is known for.Available at sephora.com
Warm, bronzed skin is the best finish to achieve a toffee makeup look, which means using a bronzer that melts into your skin. This one will give you sun-kissed warmth even in the dead of winter.Available at tower28beauty.com
Kelly Zhang Dream Gel Lip Liner in “Cinnamon Sugar”
A good, creamy lip liner is key to achieving the toffee makeup look. This one, for example, has a “Cinnamon Sugar” shade which is the perfect matte base for a caramel or glossy brown lip.Available at kellyzhangmakeup.com
Armani Beauty Eye Tint Long-Lasting Liquid Eyeshadow in “Wood”
“Cream or liquid products work especially well because they blend easily and keep the skin looking fresh,” she says, like this liquid eyeshadow in the deep brown shade “Wood” or warm tan “Cashew”.Available at sephora.com
Dior Backstage Glow Maximizer Face Palette in “Sunlit Amber Glow”
Soft, caramel brown eyes are what define the toffee makeup trend, so finding a palette that has a warm glow is a must. This one has copper and radiant shades to add more dimension to your toffee look.Available at sephora.com
