With summer slipping by and autumn well underway, your makeup–like your outfits–is soon to undergo a change of its own. Comfort and breathability were the theme for Summer 2024, with foundations swapped out for Skin Tint, lip oils instead of matte lipsticks, and a focus on easy, skin-loving looks with lots of color and glitter to catch the sunlight.  

Like the changing leaves, autumn brings a shift to your makeup routine, replacing those bright summer hues with cooler, moodier shades that fit the season just as beautifully. From bold burgundy lips to autumn-inspired espresso tones, here are six must-have makeup looks for fall!

Bold Lips & No Mascara Look

Though many of us fell head over heels for those easy, breezy summer makeup looks, fall is all about juxtaposition. The influence of French-girl beauty is everywhere, and that’s readily apparent in the surge of bold red matte lipstick shades that pair perfectly with a light coverage concealer. Bold lips also pair especially well with a no mascara or minimal mascara look, which serves to highlight the exaggeration of your red lips to not-so-subtly steal all the attention. 

Speaking of attention stealers, burgundy is also set to dominate this autumn, and nothing says “fall flair” like a sea of oxblood-stained lips. A burgundy lip paired with fresh skin is a great way to embrace bolder looks while still making them wearable. Best of all, it’s a juxtaposition that feels very French coded, aka very on trend. 

Brown Mascara

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve likely seen the viral stir brown mascara has caused over the last couple of years. While it owes its viral status to beauty trends like “latte makeup” and the “clean girl” aesthetic, it remains a fantastic choice for everyday wear, especially during the cooler autumn season where brown, burgundy, and other darker, bolder colors really steal the show. 

The trick to brown mascara is to embrace its versatility. If your itinerary for the day is something more casual, you can apply brown mascara without any other makeup for a more natural finish. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a warmer, more put-together look, you can pair brown mascara with a brown eyeliner or bronze eyeliner. You can even layer brown mascara for depth. The process is easy, and you start by adding a coat of lighter brown, then adding a second deeper brown coat for more volume and dramatic effect. This is especially striking if you have hazel or green eyes. 

With that said, it’s important to note that brown mascara works especially well for people with fairer skin and those with blonde or red hair. The softer shade will really bring out the color of your irises, and it’ll warm your skin tone for an added boost of fall-flavored flair. 

Espresso Tones

Latté makeup was all the rage last summer, and when it morphed into espresso tones for the cooler seasons, no one seemed to mind. It’s a look that screams fall, with darker, richer shades of brown, chocolate, and mocha taking center stage. It’s also incredibly versatile, whether you’re going for a statement lip, a bronzed glow, or something bold for the eyes. Not only that, but it’s easy to recreate, meaning you can likely use makeup you already own to achieve any of these looks rather quickly. 

Fresh off the heels of Sabrina Carpenter's signature summer bop, espresso tones are a fun way to add something exciting to your seasonal routine. While it might be a departure from black, it still looks chic, classic, and sophisticated. You can pair it with latté nails in brown or nude for a look that fully captures the cozy feel of the season, and the breakdown is simple:

Step 1. Start with your base, where the goal is to clean and moisturize your face, then apply an even layer of foundation or Skin Tint that matches your skin tone. 

Step 2. Next up are the eyes, where your goal is to use darker black or brown eyeshadow to create a sultry smokey eye look. From there, use a black eyeliner pencil to line your eyes, especially along the lower lash line.

Step 3. For your cheeks, you want to use a matte bronzer in an espresso shade to add warmth and dimension to your complexion. You can also add a bit of tawny or rose brown lipstick to your cheeks for added effect, though this is optional. 

Step 4. For your lips, a rich espresso-colored lipstick will look fabulous, though you can always opt for an espresso-colored lip gloss. 

Step 5. Moving on to the brows, you’ll want to try to define and fill your brows with a brow pencil or powder in a shade that’s somewhat lighter than your natural hair color. 

Step 6. With everything else out of the way, set your face with a setting spray to ensure your makeup look stays in place. That’s all there is to it!

Smoked Out Eyes

Anyone who’s ever rocked the smokey eye knows how easy it is to love. Not only is it a classic look that’s been around for decades, but it’s universally flattering, helping women of all ages make their eyes appear more defined and more intense with very little effort. 

It’s also perfect for the fall season, featuring warm undertones of red, rust, gold, and brown that complement the colors of the season beautifully. While crafting the perfect smokey eye takes a bit of practice, it’s not overly difficult. Here’s how it’s done:

Step 1. Start by adding your eye primer to the base of your entire lid. 

Step 2. Grab your eyeshadow crease brush and favorite deep brown eyeshadow (we highly recommend Red Aspen’s Fulfilled Artistry Eyeshadow Palette), then brush it over the crease and blend. 

Step 3. This is where you add a darker shade of eyeshadow, so go for something espresso-colored. Focus on the outer corner to add more depth, blending the two colors together. 

Step 4. For the center of your lid, the goal is to add a little bit of shimmer. Use copper or gold to give your smokey-eye a warm highlight. 

Step 5. Now it’s time to apply eyeliner to your upper lash line. A solid black eyeliner can work well here, but brown eyeliner fits the vibe of the season and provides a softer look. Smudge or blend. It’s purely preference here. 

Step 6. Last but not least, finish up your fall smokey eye with some mascara or faux lashes. If you have average to longer-length lashes, a standard mascara like Red Aspen’s Pump it Up, Maggie mascara will help them to appear thicker and longer. 

On the other hand, if you’re someone who needs a little help in the lash length department, you might want to reach for a tubing mascara, as this kind of mascara is especially suited to lifting, lengthening, and defining your lashes with a formula that wraps around each individual lash.

Boyfriend Blush

While summer is usually the time to try out different color combos for your blush, autumn is all about the “boyfriend blush.” Nicknamed after the flushed way men look after exercising, it was inspired from photos of Princes Harry and William of England after their rugby games. 

That said, it’s a technique that’s exploded on TikTok, and the idea is simple: you flood your lower cheeks with blush, from the ear to the nose. The end result is a natural flushed look that’s both ruddy and sporty, and this technique can make your skin look more youthful and outdoorsy, adding shape to your cheeks without the need for contouring. Win-win! 

Pink Cheeks and Mauve Lips

Speaking of cheeks, autumn is the perfect time of year to play around with another fun makeup combination: pink cheeks and mauve lips. As a pink/purple tone, mauve looks great with any type of glam look, and when paired with a terracotta or apricot shade of blush, your lips will really stand out. Not only that, but it looks especially great with a sultry smokey eye, so you can use the pointers in the section above to create something truly eye-catching. 

This look is also incredibly easy to achieve. Just grab your favorite lip liner (we highly recommend Red Aspen’s Mauve Lip Liner) and add a matching lipstick before blotting. This will help to remove some of the color, creating a more natural look that’ll quickly turn heads. 

Elevate Your Fall Makeup Experience with Red Aspen! 

And there you have it, six must-have makeup looks you’ll be itching to try this fall! Whether you’re a seasoned makeup artist or you’re just starting to play around with your makeup a bit more, we hope the info above helps you find your new favorite fall looks even faster. 

As a leading beauty company, Red Aspen has all sorts of amazing makeup and skincare products to help you achieve your best-ever looks. From mascara to eyeliner, faux lashes, and more, reach out to a Red Aspen Brand Ambassador or visit our website to learn how you can elevate your fall makeup experience with Red Aspen!