How to Nail the Toasty Makeup Look on Filipino Skin Tones

Makeup artist Angeline Dela Cruz shares her tips for achieving a warm, sun-kissed complexion without going overboard.

When Coco Chanel accidentally got sunburnt during a yacht cruise to the French Riviera, little did she know that she was about to start a trend among high society. Since then, it’s evolved into the golden tan we vie for today—a sign of leisure, travel, and luxury.

These days, however, you don’t have to bake under the sun to get a warmer complexion. On TikTok and YouTube, the “toasty” or “toasted” makeup has become popular, as seen on celebrities such as Hailey Bieber, Tyla, Kendall Jenner, and Emma Stone. The style takes cues from the warmth of caramel, brown sugar, and toasted bread, achieved by applying bronzer and earthy-toned blushes.

For makeup artist Angeline Dela Cruz, the trend takes on a different meaning in the Philippines. “I believe that it’s the recognition that we Filipinos are finally embracing that our skin tone is beautiful and we look great wearing a sun-kissed look,” she says.

Below, she shares her expert tips for achieving the “toasty” makeup style.

The difference between bronzy, sun-kissed, and toasty makeup

While the three makeup styles highlight warmer tones, Dela Cruz describes a bronzy look as more of a “golden tan” and sun-kissed makeup as a “soft, natural glow with a peach-pink or rosy tone.” The toasty makeup look, however, has a richer copper or terracotta tone.

Start with the eyes

For Dela Cruz, a toasty makeup look begins by drawing attention to the eyes, then working on the complexion. “If I’m doing a rich, bronzy look, I start with skincare that has a subtle bronzy tint to it,” she says. “I use cream bronzers and powders on the eyes as eye shadow, too. Something that I learned from Ate Anthea [Bueno].”

Apply bronzer lightly and with care

When applying bronzer, Dela Cruz advises placing it where the light hits: the sides of the face, some on the cheeks, a little on the forehead, and on the nose. Her expert tip: “Don’t go heavy-handed with this because it’s easier to add than to take off products.”

Bronzer shades for Filipino skin tones

For her, a neutral bronzer is always a safe, beginner-friendly choice. But for morenas, Dela Cruz prefers to use a rosy or medium peach blush, while cherry cola shades are her go-to for deeper skin tones. However, she advises avoiding shades that are too red or orange when applying or blending.

Her bronzer favorites include Gucci Beauty, Estée Lauder’s Bronze Goddess, and Hourglass. For a sun-kissed look, she recommends Valentino Beauty blushes in the shades 115R, 134R, and 200A. And if you’re looking for a bronze complexion, she recommends Rhode Highlight Milk in shades 03 and 04 as part of your skin prep.