As the temperature drops and our wardrobes embrace richer colours, softer textures and a little more layering, our make-up bags deserve a seasonal rethink too. From complexion-boosting essentials to flattering autumn shades, here’s what to make room for this season.
Autumn brings a change in how we approach make-up, although it’s not simply a matter of exchanging summer pinks for deeper shades. The light is different; our skin behaves differently and the products that worked beautifully a few months ago might not be quite so flattering now. It’s a good time to reconsider what’s in your make-up bag, experiment with richer colours and find a few new favourites that will see you through the colder months. Of course, a seasonal refresh doesn’t mean replacing everything in your make-up bag. A handful of hardworking products, chosen well, can make all the difference. Think beautiful textures, colours that flatter rather than overwhelm and clever little additions that earn their place in your daily routine.
Style’s Autumn Make-up Bag Essentials
A Hydrating Base: Autumn can be a tricky time for our complexions. Colder mornings, central heating and changing humidity levels can leave skin feeling drier, which means the foundation that looked wonderful in July might suddenly seem less forgiving. Look for a hydrating skin tint or foundation that evens out your complexion without settling into fine lines or clinging to dry patches. The aim is skin that looks like skin, only on a particularly good day. POCO Beauty Skintuition Complex Protect Foundation combines medium coverage with a natural, radiant finish. Enriched with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, it helps hydrate and smooth the complexion, while the added SPF50 provides welcome sun protection even on those overcast autumn days. Available in 15 shades and new in at Selfridges.
A Cream Blusher: If there’s one product that can make a tired autumn complexion look instantly brighter, it’s a beautiful blusher. Cream formulas are particularly useful at this time of year, blending easily into the skin and giving cheeks a soft, natural-looking flush. Apply a little to the apples of your cheeks and blend upwards for that just-back-from-a-brisk-country-walk look, without actually having to leave the house. Lisa Eldridge Velatura Dewy Balm Lip & Cheek Stick has a creamy formula for a soft, dewy flush. We particularly love Cinnamon Bun, a great choice for the season, while the buildable colour makes it easy to achieve anything from a subtle hint of warmth to a more noticeable flush.
A Lash-Loving Mascara: When the mornings are darker and your eyes are looking a little less bright than you’d like, a good mascara can work wonders. Whether you prefer dramatic volume or beautifully separated, fluttery lashes, it’s one of those make-up bag staples that makes you look more awake in seconds. Brown-black is a lovely softer alternative to traditional black, particularly for daytime, while a waterproof formula might be worth considering when autumn weather becomes rather less picturesque. Lush Lashes Mascara delivers jet-black definition, volume and length without clumping. With conditioning coconut oil, protective acacia gum and fresh wheatgrass infusion, it separates lashes beautifully while helping keep smudging at bay.
A Warm, Wearable Eyeshadow Palette: This is the season to rediscover those lovely earthy tones that seem to work with practically everything. Think soft taupe, warm chocolate, bronze, copper and muted gold, with perhaps a little plum for evenings. A well-chosen palette should take you from a simple wash of colour for daytime to something a little more dramatic with the addition of a darker shade along the lash line. And while shimmer can be beautiful, a combination of matte and satin finishes often offers the most versatility. Laura Mercier Caviar Eyeshadow Quad in Golden Hour brings together four beautifully shades in matte, satin, shimmer and metallic finishes. The warm tones are particularly flattering for autumn, offering everything from a subtle daytime look to a richer, more glamorous evening eye.
A Berry Beautiful Lip Colour: Autumn and berry lipstick are a match made in beauty heaven. From soft raspberry and rosewood to richer plum and wine shades, there’s something wonderfully sophisticated about a deeper lip colour against an autumn wardrobe. If a full-on statement lipstick feels a little daunting, try a sheer balm or tinted lip oil instead. You’ll get a hint of seasonal colour without the commitment of a perfectly applied lipstick that needs checking every time you have a coffee. MAC M·A·Cximal Silky Matte Lipstick in Soar is a gorgeous choice for autumn. This flattering, cool-toned mauve-pink brings a little more depth to everyday make-up, while the silky matte formula delivers rich colour without leaving lips feeling dry. A modern classic that works just as beautifully with a simple daytime look as it does with a smoky eye. Available from MAC Cosmetics.
A Subtle Illuminator: As the natural light changes, a little radiance can make all the difference to how our skin looks. Forget anything overly glittery or metallic. Autumn calls for a softer glow. A liquid or cream highlighter tapped onto the tops of cheekbones can add freshness, while a small amount mixed with foundation can help revive a complexion that’s looking a little lacklustre. Fenty Beauty Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick in I Scream brings a beautiful touch of radiance to autumn make-up. The creamy, lightweight formula glides onto the skin and blends easily, while the shimmering finish catches the light beautifully across cheekbones, brow bones and the bridge of the nose. A lovely way to add a little glamour without going overboard. Available from Fenty Beauty.
A Lightweight Setting Powder: As the seasons change, a good setting powder can help keep your make-up looking polished throughout the day. Forget the heavy, chalky formulas of years gone by. Today’s finely milled powders can reduce unwanted shine, soften the appearance of pores and help foundation stay in place without leaving skin looking flat or overly matte. A light dusting across the T-zone is often all you need, particularly if your skin tends to become drier in autumn. Leave the cheeks a little more luminous for a fresh, natural finish that still allows your skin to glow. bareMinerals Original Mineral Veil Daily Dose Loose Setting Powder helps blur the appearance of pores, control shine and keep make-up looking fresh. It creates a soft-focus finish without feeling heavy on the skin.
Your make-up bag isn’t the only thing worth updating for autumn. As the seasons change, it’s also the perfect excuse to explore a new fragrance, perhaps something a little warmer, richer or more intriguing than your summer favourite. From woody notes to beautiful florals, discover the scents we’re loving in our Autumn Fragrance Edit: Notes for the New Season.
