Fall makeup looks are one of the best things about the change in season. A burgundy blush, a moody berry lip, a sultry smoky eye… who could resist?
What I especially love about these easy makeup looks is that you can make them as complicated or as simple as you like. Add a zing of color with just one product like a long lasting lipstick, or get playful with new, intricate eyeshadow looks. In case you hadn’t already guessed, I am a certified fall fan. Sure, I enjoy summer makeup looks just fine, but hot sticky days and Monica Geller-style frizzy hair from the humidity? No.Thank.You. Catch me in October, contentedly sipping an overpriced latte and digging out my best winter boots to pair with a dark new lipstick.
These fall makeup looks are the perfect accompaniment to cozy chunky jumpers and your best leather jacket. To put it simply, fall is the most wonderful time of year – for makeup, clothes, and of course, that ‘back to school’ energy to try something new.
Top fall makeup looks to try for 2022, according to pro makeup artists
Not sure where to start? I spoke to two top MUAs to get their take on the newest trends for fall – Aimee Connolly (opens in new tab), and Ruby Hammer (opens in new tab), both founders of their own (quite brilliant) eponymous makeup brands.
- Swap your smoke: “Smokey eyes don’t have to be just deep, dark black”, says Hammer. “Why not opt for a jewel or bronzey colored smokey eye, to better suit your complexion.”
- Try a berry lip: “For a proper Autumnal makeup look, you really can’t beat a berry lip”, muses Connolly. “The beauty of a berry lip is that you don’t need to do too much else with it. A polished complexion, some blush, and lots of mascara are all you really need to make it work.”
- Change up your base: We tend to swap to a higher coverage at this time, but this isn’t always necessary. Instead, consider texture. “As we move into the cooler months, the weather can play havoc on our skin causing dryness and irritations,” Connolly advises, “I would always suggest keeping your base makeup hydrating and if possible, opt for something a little creamier.”
- Master metallics: “You can’t go wrong with those warm bronze tones in fall,” says Connolly. “Incorporate more rust and orangey tones into your usual browns and beiges.”
- Start small: “Don’t be afraid to start with a small change”, urges Hammer. “If the trend is for bold lips opt for a sheerer texture first, find your comfort zone, and work your way up. Makeup is a tool to enhance your confidence by making you feel your best. If you follow a trend without adapting it you, you may find your confidence is knocked rather than bolstered!”
23 fall makeup looks and buys we love
1. Very cherry lips
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As a self-confessed addict of the best red lipstick, it can be hard to drag me away from the world of fiery reds and onto pink tones (even deeper, more autumnal ones) But Reese’s bright cherry tone is really swaying me. The cool tone helps her blue eyes look brighter, and it’s the perfect pop of color to make a bright, beautiful statement.
2. Amethyst eyes
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It’s so easy to get into a rut with your makeup – I’m definitely guilty of reaching for the same brown eyeshadow every morning. I’m determined this season to try something a bit bolder and brighter, and a jewel-toned eye look like Freida’s could be just the thing. Use the darker tones on the eye line, blending out to lighter on the rest of the socket.
3. A peek of lilac
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If amethyst feels a bit out there, go for a lighter lilac. It’s an especially lovely eyeshadow for blue eyes, but it also helps brighten up hazel eyes as Andie has. Adding some depth with a kohl liner helps give the color a grown-up twist, and nude lips are the perfect pairing.
4. Soft sheer base
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Some may think that the best tinted moisturizers are only suitable for summer, but that’s just not true. A flattering sheer base has a place in fall too, for those days you want your complexion to have that ‘your skin, but better’ finish. A light, even base is the perfect way of showing off natural freckles (and a punchy lippie) just like Maya has here.
5. Raspberry gloss
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The best lip glosses don’t always have to be nude. Get playful with deeper, autumnal berry colors like raspberry and blackberry, as a more flattering take on fall makeup looks. Glossy finishes tend to be more forgiving than full-blown mattes, so this is the ideal way of trying out darker lip colors if you’re tempted to swap out your pinks and corals.
6. Retro Cat Liner
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Fans of the retro ’60s vibe will love this smoky cat eye – in fact, it’s probably one of the most sought-after fall makeup looks of the season. Striking, effective, and stylish, the feline flick is on the tricky end of makeup application, but once you’ve mastered how to apply eyeliner, you’ll feel invincible. This looks like a combination of kohl and liquid liner, to really deepen the look. Pair with nude lips, just like Penelope has, to let the eyes do the talking.
7. The not-so-smokey eye
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If dramatic, dark eyeshadow looks intimidate you, opt for a lighter take on the smoky eye. Swap charcoal for dove grey with some shimmer, incorporating different tones of metallic to add extra dimension. Not only will this be an altogether more flattering look, but it’ll also pair nicely with brighter lipsticks, as Natalie shows above.
8. Bronze monotone eyes
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Sticking to just one eyeshadow shade is the easiest way of styling out fall makeup looks. Just swipe on, add your best mascara, and voila! You can’t really beat bronze when it comes to this time of year – it’s so flattering, neutral without being boring, and will suit all eye shades and skin tones. It looks especially stunning against Jessica’s trademark hair color (one of our top red hair ideas of the season, incidentally)
9. Sleek matte base
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If a sheer, shimmering base isn’t your thing – or, if you’re oily-skinned and conscious of shine, rejoice at the return of a matte base. Fall makeup looks like Priyanka’s plum lipstick pair beautifully with a matte complexion and matte doesn’t have to be flat, especially when you add a subtle bit of glow with the best highlighters. If you’re wondering how to apply foundation that’s fuller in matte pigment, use a brush for maximum coverage, or a sponge for a sheerer look.
10. Barely there makeup
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Solange, also a fan of a matte base – adds another dimension to the look by adding a glossy sheen to her lips. I’m a huge fan of this barely-there beauty look, compromising a natural-looking matte base, brushed-up brows, and clear gloss. There’s something so stylish about going minimal with makeup – especially if your outfit’s a bit busy.
11. The stand out power pout
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Another way to go for a minimal style when it comes to fall makeup looks is to focus on one area, then leave the rest relatively bare. This is one of my favorite ever makeup looks – just a simple red lip, maybe a swipe of the best mascara, and that’s it. This lets the bold, bright lip do the talking. Of course, the queen of cool, Kate Moss is a master of this genre of high-impact, low-effort beauty look.
12. Bye bye, bronzer
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We wouldn’t say you must only wear bronzer in the summer, but if you do have pale skin there’s something nice about embracing a fairer look during the colder months. It can only be a good thing to embrace your natural skin tone. This looks especially gorgeous when you add a pretty flush of color to your cheeks. Try Anne’s take on a dark pink blush.
13. Silver sparkle
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Gemma’s subtle smattering of silver is one of the fall makeup looks I’m most excited to try. A little peek of metallics in the corner of the eye adds an element of sparkle. Eyeliner flicks help add extra depth and stop it from looking too sugarplum fairy (save that for your Christmas makeup looks).
14. Golden touches
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As I said, sparkly eyes have a space all year round, but gold shimmer is especially effective with the switch of seasons in fall. It’ll pair beautifully with lip shades, from deepest blackberry gloss to simple nude lipstick, and will work with all eye shades, complexions, and outfits. It’s pretty much an elevated version of your best neutral eyeshadow. I especially like how she’s taken the gold underneath her bottom lash line, to open the eyes up.
15. Upside down eyeliner
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A great way of getting playful with eyeliner looks is to flip it upside down and focus on the under-eye area instead of the lid. This is especially effective if you’re looking for makeup for hooded eyes, as it’ll open them up and stop that annoying top shadow smearing and smudging. I love this gorgeous teal tone, which works so well with a peachy, sheeny lip.
16. Sharp liner flicks
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17. Slip into neutral
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Browns and beiges don’t have to be boring. Sticking to one family of neutral colors, Sofia keeps things cohesive while looking chic and understated. I love the wing shape on her eyes, to add some extra interest with a graphic shape. The matching lipstick is the perfect finishing touch too – the ultimate in fall makeup looks.
18. Blackberry bite
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This is the epitome of those fall makeup looks I was gushing about in the introduction of this piece. This moody berry lip is so striking and impactful, and really helps offset a girly outfit. Of course style queen Sienna is the master of high-low style, so she knew the power of contrasting this gothic lip with a frilly, feminine outfit. Ten out of ten.
19. Frosted berry
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For a more pretty, less intimidating take on the berry look, opt for something more shimmery and radiant, like Catherine Zeta-Jones. The frosty lip shade is a pretty, autumnal makeup look, while the matching eye color pairs beautifully. This is as striking on the red carpet as it would be for drinks with friends, or a Sunday sipping on lattes.
20. In The navy
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If berries and bronzes don’t float your boat, try something different with a navy eye look. It’s a grown-up take on bright eyeshadow looks, and looks so gorgeous with Lupita’s deep complexion and warmer undertones.
21. Full-blown pinks
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We’re all a bit pink-obsessed over here, thanks to the Barbiecore trend that’s kicked in early in anticipation of the release of the Barbie film next year (who’d have thought that a platinum blonde Ryan Gosling would be so ground-breaking?) If you’re wondering what is Barbiecore, it’s about embracing an all-pink look in a grown-up way, as Mindy has here. Pink eyeshadow makes her hazel eyes really pop, and it’s perfectly matched with that deep raspberry lipstick.
22. Brighened up blush
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A good blusher can work wonders – helping your complexion look fresher and adding a bit of zing to gloomier fall mornings. Helen loves a bright pop of color on her cheeks, to add a youthful flush. The best cream blushers are especially flattering on older skins, too. Dab on with your fingers to give your face an instant zhuzh.
23. Bring on Brusher
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Brusher, the act of combining your bronzer and your blusher for a warmer, bolder cheek look, comes into its own in the fall. It’s a great way of warming up your complexion without looking too bronzed while also lifting your cheekbones and brightening up your face. Zooey’s the epitome of fall makeup looks here – kohl, some false lashes, and a warm blush moment to add some life to her pale complexion.
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