Smudged eyeliner is a chic, easy way to achieve a graphic look that’s perfect for fall in makeup look. Pair this look with a soft lipstick and blush for an autumn-ready makeup style that’s sure to turn heads.
Soft green eyes look gorgeous when blended up into the crease, especially when paired with peachy cheeks and nude lips. This look is totally photo-ready and gives off major glam mermaid vibes!
Warm Coppers
Fall is all about embracing warm, earthy tones and moody hues. But that doesn’t mean you have to put away your summer makeup! The transition to cooler weather is the perfect time to play with metallic eyeshadows, rusty red lipstick, and a dark smoky eye look.
The best thing about copper makeup is that it looks good on everyone. “Copper is a great option for any skin tone, because it has an orangey undertone that complements most complexions,” cosmetics expert and Byrdie contributor Alyssa Kaplan tells Allure. “If you’re looking to try out the shade this season, I suggest opting for a matte formula that has rich pigmentation and blendability.”
One of our favorite ways to wear this seasonal color is to use it as an allover lid shade. To get this simple yet statement-making look, simply apply a neutral copper shade all over your eyelids and blend out any harsh lines. You can also add some drama by creating a V shape at the outer corners of your eyes and adding a few coats of mascara for an extra eye-catching finish.
If you’re not a fan of a dramatic eye makeup look, you can also experiment with a metallic copper in your crease. To get this look, start by applying a neutral brown eyeshadow that has a bronzed undertone, then dust a shimmery copper on top. For a finishing touch, you can also dust some black eyeshadow in your crease to create a more smoky effect.
A metallic copper can be a stunning accent to any fall outfit, and this beauty editor-approved look is perfect for a family function or upcoming holiday event. To create it, apply a shimmery copper shadow to the center of your lids and then blend out a smoky liner in a dark brown shade that coordinates with your outfit. For this look, we recommend the Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Lip & Pencil in Graphite ($24).
Shimmery makeup isn’t just for summer music festivals or winter events. It’s a chic fall makeup trend to try that’s perfect for date night. To try it, apply a light gold or silver eyeshadow to the center of your lids, then layer a more metallic copper shade over it. You can even add a bit of brown or black eyeliner to your waterline and lash line for added definition. Finally, a few coats of volumizing mascara will give you a voluminous finish that’ll turn heads.
Terracotta Tones
While summer bronzer and pumpkin spice lattes may be a thing of the past, earthy shades like cinnamon, terracotta, burnt orange, and red ochre are back and ready to take center stage this fall. These warm hues are ideal for bringing out your autumn-inspired glow, or creating a captivating terracotta smoky eye.
A single-shade eyeshadow is the easiest way to get in on this trend. Unlike palettes that offer an array of shades, a single-shade option lets you test out a specific color and determine whether it’ll suit your complexion and eye shape. It’s also great for experimenting with bold colors that would typically be too heavy for a full look, as you can see how it might work for your style and whether you’d like to add any additional layers.
If you want to go all-in, try a powder formula with a natural matte finish. It’s easy to apply with a flat brush, or you can blend it in with your favorite cream shadow for extra dimension and a pop of color. A pressed powder eyeshadow will also last all day and is a great choice for oily skin types.
Another popular pick is a shimmery single-shade eyeshadow. The metallic pigment is ideal for adding a bit of drama to your look, and the formula offers a soft sheen that will complement most complexions. The Bodyography Eyeshadow in Terra Cotta is a beautiful example of this trend, as it features a rich orange-tinged shade that instantly upgrades any look.
Nail polishes are also a great place to try out the terracotta makeup trend. Using a gel nail polish that’s made with precious rose, camellia seed, and lotus flower ingredients (like the Lavis Dip Systems LDS 235 Terra Brun), you can create a glossy, high-impact mani that will look perfect all season long.
You can even use a terracotta-red hybrid nail polish to achieve a chic, feminine vibe. The vibrant hue is a great alternative to the traditional pink and white options we normally see during fall, as it will make your nails look super glamorous without being too loud or overbearing.
Smokey Eyes
The classic smokey eye is a fall beauty essential. Featuring a gradient of color that fades from dark at the lash line up to a light shade on the brow bone, this look is a perfect way to add drama and allure to any outfit. It can also help make your eyes appear larger. The best way to achieve a smokey look is to start by applying a medium-tone neutral eyeshadow to your eyelids and blending it out with a brush. This will provide a blank canvas for the darker shade you want to apply next. Then, apply the darker shade to your crease and outer corners and blend upwards with the lighter color you used on the base of your eyes.
You can also try a more unique take on this beauty trend by mixing in some earth-toned colors like forest green, rust, and gold. The rich, earthy tones of these shades will look amazing when paired with a bold lip shade such as a deep red or brown-toned peach.
For a dramatic finish, try adding some black eyeliner to your upper and lower lash lines. This will instantly make your eyes appear bigger and more striking. You can use a gel liner that will produce a bold, black look or a pencil that will create a more smudged and subtle appearance.
If you’re not into black, try a dark purple or even an electric blue. The brighter hues will help to contrast the darkness of your smoky eyes and bring a pop of color that is sure to get heads turning.
Lastly, complete your look by adding some mascara to your upper and lower lashes. It will help to define your lashes and make them appear fuller. You can also add a strip of false lashes if you want to create an even more dramatic effect.
Smoky eyes are an easy and elegant makeup look that can be adapted to suit any eye shape or color. To ensure the perfect look, it’s important to use quality products and to master the art of blending. If you’re not happy with the result of your blending, try wetting your brush a little bit first to help intensify the pigment and create a smoother transition.
Monochrome
Unlike the beachy hues and summertime sweat-proof makeup we’re used to wearing all season long, fall is the time to swap out your light pink lip glosses and shimmery eyeshadows for richly pigmented single shades. A one-and-done eyeshadow is easy to apply with a single swipe and can be worn alone or as the base for other shadows or glitters. The formulas we’re loving this season come in a variety of finishes, from velvety mattes to iridescent and duochrome finishes that add some drama to your look.
If you’re in the market for a single-shade eyeshadow that’s as smooth and high-performing as a full palette, the OFRA Cosmetics Millennium White shade is a beauty editor favorite. It’s super soft and ultra blendable and has a full coverage formula that stays on all day. It comes in a magnetic palette with four pans, which means you can mix and match shades to create different looks. The formula is also refillable, so once you hit pan on a color you can replace it without buying an entirely new palette.
Another versatile and must-try fall shade is a deep green. Forest green is a captivating and alluring color that can be worn as a subtle eyeliner or blended into the crease for a more dramatic look. It’s the perfect color for autumn and will instantly make you feel cozy as the temperature drops.
A cobalt blue might not be the first shade that comes to mind for a natural eye look, but it can be a show-stopping addition to any smoky or neutral eye look. You can use it as a base for other shimmery pigments or blend it with black and biege hues for a more muted effect. The beauty content creator behind the look above used it as a highlighter under her eyes, and we think that would be a beautiful way to wear the color.
Corazona Makeup is an underrated makeup brand that offers some of the most stunning duochrome eyeshadows in a range of colors. The American makeup company founded by two best friends offers Galaxy Shadows in a wide range of hues from green to blue, purple to gold, and more. Lethal Cosmetics is another great option for a liquid duochrome that offers some inventive colors like ice pink to blue or red to gold and olive green.
