Trying out some new autumn makeup looks is one of the best things about the change in season, like buying a new winter coat or binning off your summer highlights for a deep, rich and glossy tint. But be warned: whether it’s a moody merlot lip, cosy velvet skin or smouldering eyeliner wing, these looks are so captivating, you’ll want to wear them right now.
What I especially love about these easy makeup looks is that you can make them as complicated or as simple as you like. A vampiric, burgundy lip is made wearable and workplace-appropriate by paring back the rest of your look, save for a little mascara. Then at the other end of the seasonal spectrum are those labyrinthine, graphic eyeliner looks, so sharp they could cut.
Makeup artist, Lan Nguyen-Grealis sums up this high-low season perfectly. “We are seeing lots of washes of colour with a nod to the ‘90s supermodel era. It’s glam but with soft brown tones, like latte, chocolate or taupe colours with a contrast to almost white, frosted and pale tones paired against liner and plenty of mascara.”
To put it simply, this season you decide how much you dial up or play down the trends. But given all that residual ‘back to school’, fresh start energy, it seems like the perfect time to try something new. So embrace the seasonal shift with these autumn makeup looks, from grunge eyeliner to power pouts and diamond skin.
24 autumn makeup looks to try for 2023
1. Very cherry lips
Reese Witherspoon
For an autumnal lip that’s super wearable, consider a cherry red tone a la Reese Witherspoon. Softer than your average best red lipstick, this particular shade is, according to the experts, especially well-suited to anyone with cool undertones – as it will add some warmth to your complexion.
2. Purple reign
Beyonce
Shake things up this season with a wash of grapey eyeshadow. Purple is having a major moment this autumn, so incorporate amethyst, orchid and plummy tones into your smoky eye look. If you're wary of bright eye shades, dip a proverbial toe in the water with a soft veil of lilac shadow, which is surprisingly wearable and flattering.
3. Jewel of my eye
Andie MacDowell
It may be a little early for party season, but Andie MacDowell is making a strong case for crystal-encrusted eyes on the Christmas circuit. If you want to dial down the eye candy, add a single jewel to the outer corner of each eye for a subtle flash of sparkle.
4. Peekaboo skin
Maya Rudolph
Some may think that sheer foundations and even the best tinted moisturisers are only suitable for summer, but that's just not true. Proof that skin is always in, a flattering sheer, radiant base has a place in fall, too, and pairs well with a punchy lippy like Maya has on here.
5. Latte look
Maya Jama
Taking inspiration from your morning coffee order, rich cocoa colours, from deep espresso to creamy latte and mocha, are flavour of the month. The good news? These warm, nude hues suit all skin tones. Make like Maya and pair shades from the same coffee palette across the eyes, cheeks and lips to create a monochromatic look.
6. Retro liner
Michelle Yeoh
Fans of the retro '60s vibe will love this smoky cat eye – in fact, it's probably one of the most sought-after autumn makeup looks of the season. Striking 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. Smoke it out with a charcoal shade along the upper lashes and wing up towards the outer eye. Go over with a liquid liner to crisp everything up.
7. The soft smoky eye
Natalie Portman
If dramatic, dark eyeshadow looks intimidate you, opt for a lighter take on the smoky eye. Switch out heavy charcoal, silver and steel shades for soft, hazy browns. It’s office-friendly, super flattering and really speedy.
8. Bronze eyes
Priyanka Chopra
When it comes to autumnal eyeshadow, you can't really beat bronze. It's so flattering, neutral without being boring, and will suit all eye shades and skin tones. Top tip – opt for cream textures that can be pressed and smudged along the lids with zero faff.
9. Cosy complexion
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
If a sheer, radiant base isn’t your thing – or, if you’re oily-skinned and conscious of shine – rejoice at the return of a matte base. A soft, velvet finish creates a cosy skin look for the season ahead. Autumn makeup looks like Rosie's statement red lip pairs beautifully with a soft matte complexion, for a gorgeously retro Hollywood glam feel.
10. No makeup makeup
Cindy Crawford
On the other end of the makeup spectrum is the au natural, or seemingly au natural, look. With all the moisture-sapping central heating, freezing temperatures and bitter winds to contend with, the last thing you want to do is overload your skin with layers upon layers of makeup, especially if you belong in the dry skin camp. One of our favourite day-to-day autumn makeup looks involves a light wash of foundation or tinted moisturiser, with groomed brows and a neutral glossy lip. The contrast in texture looks minimal, effortless, and seriously chic.
11. The merlot lip
Gemma Chan
If you're nervous about bold, statement colour, try isolating it to one area, then leave the rest of your face relatively bare. Of all the autumn makeup looks, the one that comes up year after year without fail is a wine-stained lip. Gemma Chan wears an elegant merlot shade in a suede finish, letting her pout take centre stage against a low-key backdrop of beautiful skin and mascara. To apply, go straight from the bullet and clean up the edges with a little concealer using a small makeup brush.
12. Golden eye
Margot Robbie
For the most fitting autumn makeup looks, take your cues from the changing leaves, in shades of gold, rust, bronze and copper. A swoosh of metallic liner will instantly brighten the whites of your eyes – it's the perfect antidote to those dark mornings.
13. Snowy lids
America Ferrera
Frosted eyeshadow is set to be a big trend this season. Pop a sparkling white or silver shadow into the inner corner of each eye to brighten your eyes and widen your gaze. Alternatively, you can use these pale and interesting shades to enhance a dark smoky eye. Once you've applied your dark shades, tap your pale shimmer onto the centre of the lid to make your eyes look bigger and rounder. As well as being perfect for autumn, this is a great Christmas makeup look too.
14. Diamond skin
Kate Moss
According to Marco Antonio, CHANEL Makeup Artist, “Diamond skin is a jewel-inspired technique that elevates your complexion to whole new heights of radiance. With a touch of shimmering products strategically placed, your face comes to life with an ethereal shine that captures every hint of light.” Kate is the perfect canvas for diamond skin, with a luminous base and ethereal highlight that enhances her high cheekbones.
15. Upside-down eyeliner
Rochelle Humes
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 will open up your eyes without having to worry about eyeshadow on your lids from smudging and smearing.
16. Playful lashes
Janelle Monáe
Don't let summer have all the fun by giving your lashes a dopamine hit for autumn. Dress them up in teal, green, cobalt and even the best pink mascaras. If you want to dial down the look slightly, start with a layer of your favourite black mascara then go in with your coloured top coat on the very tips of your eyelashes.
17. Grown-up glitter
Gal Gadot
This is the epitome of those autumn makeup looks we were gushing about in the introduction of this piece. This subtle swipe of silver glitter is striking and impactful on its own, and proves that glitter isn't just for tweens. A flash of shimmering silver under the lower lashes creates a grown-up, elegant look perfect for an evening on the town.
18. Frosted lips
Catherine Zeta-Jones
It's not just frosted eyeshadow that’s trending, frosted lips are a must-try this season, too. Glossy lips with a touch of metallic shimmer will take your look from daytime to disco in no time. Better yet, it will keep lips nice and protected from the elements as the weather turns nippy.
19. Icy eyes
Rihanna
If berries, burgundies and bronzes don't float your boat, try an icy eye look, reminiscent of early noughties Britney Spears. Cut to 2023, and this washed denim shadow is given a modern flourish by restricting it to above the crease. The good news is you don't have to be pin-neat – just coat a finger in eyeshadow and swipe over the crease. It's a grown-up take on bright eyeshadow looks, and looks so gorgeous with Rihanna's warm undertones.
20. Think pink
Marion Cotillard
We’re all a bit pink-obsessed over here, thanks to the Barbiecore trend that’s taken over our social media feeds. If you're wondering what is Barbiecore, let Marion's statement eyeshadow provide a visual guide. Wearing it across the eyes makes the whites of your eyes appear brighter and more awake – a bad night's sleep saviour!
21. Fresh flush
Emily Blunt
A good blusher can work wonders, helping your complexion look pretty and perky on those gloomy autumn mornings. Emily has successfully achieved the kind of dewy flush that comes with a long walk on a crisp autumn day by using one of the best cream blushers, which are especially flattering on drier skin types. Dab on with your fingertips, concentrating on the apples of your cheeks to give your face an instant zhuzh.
22. Brushed-up brows
Rather than the gappy, wispy laminated brows we've seen over the last few seasons, brows take on a softer, fluffed-up looks this autumn. Start by filling in gaps with a matching powder then use a good tinted gel to brush the hairs upward, creating a fuller-looking brow.
23. Grunge glam
Those who lack the dexterity (or confidence) to tackle those more intricate liquid liner looks will rejoice at the return of smudgy, grungy kohl-lined eyes. It's the sort of makeup look you really can't go wrong with. The more lived-in and slept-in-looking, the better. Pencil over your lash line, fill in the waterline and smudge it out, adding lashings of mascara.
24. 90s lips
Kim Kardashian
"Taking inspiration from the '90s supermodel eras, we are seeing the resurgence of strong and deliberate lip liners paired with natural lip tones," says Nguyen-Grealis. Choose a dusky rose or taupe liner and trace around your mouth, before adding a nude lipstick in the centre. Plus as a perk, the ombre effect makes lips look fuller.
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