As autumn approaches, makeup artists are predicting a shift towards richer, polished looks that feel effortless. Jenny Ventura, a prominent makeup artist, emphasizes the importance of beautiful skin, softly sculpted cheeks, and warmer eye tones this season. She suggests that classic autumn hues like berry and earthy browns will dominate, but an emphasis on sheer, fresh finishes will keep the looks modern. "It’s more about enhancing your natural beauty and making it feel elevated," Ventura states.
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Melissa Hurkman, another leading makeup artist, echoes this sentiment, favoring soft definitions, flushed cheeks, and diffused lips that maintain a natural appearance. According to Hurkman, the focus is on creating dimension rather than striving for perfection.
Among the standout trends is the blurred lip, which continues to gain popularity. Nina Park popularized this technique, characterized by subtle contouring and a pillowy finish. Leah Darcy notes that this trend will persist with an emphasis on warm, earthy tones like rich cinnamon.
Additionally, classic brown and burgundy tones are expected to make a return, worn as sheer washes or glossy finishes. Micol Melani predicts that eye makeup will focus on enhancing natural eye color, utilizing complementary shades for maximum contrast. For example, blue eyes look best with warm browns and terracotta, while green eyes benefit from plum and wine tones.
For those who prefer a different eye look, Melissa suggests a stark contrast with tight-lined waterlines and minimal mascara, creating a statement with skinnier liners. Expect to see an increase in spidery lashes alongside this trend.
Frosted details, such as shimmering eyeshadow washes and light sparkles on lips, will also be in vogue as a nod to cooler weather. Makeup artist Tyron Machhausen recently used a sheer balm on model Bhavitha Mandava, demonstrating a modern take on this look.
Blush remains key this season, with high placement on cheekbones and soft blending towards the temples emphasized by Melissa. The trend of transition blush—using a lighter shade to seamlessly blend into the under-eye—is gaining traction, as explained by Micol.
Conversely, some makeup artists predict a move towards minimalism, with anti-blush looks featuring soft sculpting instead of vibrant colors. Vanessa Nicole Stern notes that this trend is a response to the recent prevalence of bold blush applications.
To conclude, as temperatures drop, the focus will shift to soft, comfortable skin textures that maintain a radiant finish, moving away from overly matte looks. Leah suggests favoring soft matte and pillowy finishes that provide life and luminosity without appearing overly polished.