Makeup
Autumn Makeup Trends 2023

The Top 10 Makeup Trends to Try in Autumn 2023

With the heat waves over, autumn finally feels like it's on its way and we couldn’t be more excited. Call us summer scrooges but this is our favourite time of the year. Not only is it socially acceptable to drink buckets of hot chocolate and pumpkin spice lattes, but we also get to pull on our big coats and wear autumnal shades. Best of all, we’re no longer sleepy and lazy from the summer heat and are re-energised and ready to try out new makeup looks!

Taking inspiration from the autumn look-books, catwalks and celebrity social media pages, we've put together the ten best makeup trends you’re going to want to try this autumn. From fun and bold to dark and dramatic to understated and elegant, there's something to suit every aesthetic (and the amount of time you're willing to put into your makeup every morning).

Without further ado, here are our ten best autumn makeup trends for 2023.

1. Face Makeup: Glowing Skin

Glowing skin has been tied to the clean-girl aesthetic in the past, but this autumn it's sticking around, serving as the perfect base for all manner of makeup looks - not just the minimal, slicked-back ones we're used to seeing it paired with.

Create a luminous complexion and healthy, glossy flush to the cheeks with hydrating foundations, cream blushes and hybrid skincare makeup products that are also incredibly in right now.

Foundations, concealers and BB creams will definitely help achieve this look, but it'll work even better with a naturally radiant complexion. Check out our blog on the Best Hybrid Skincare Makeup Beauty Products to create a canvas for all your autumnal looks.

Kevyn Aucoin Stripped Nude Skin Tint

£38.01

This sheer foundation from Kevyn Aucoin will give you a natural, even complexion. You'll look and feel like you're wearing next to nothing!

Exuviance Skin Caring BB Fluid SPF 50

£38.40 £48.00 (20% off)

Or you might like to try a tinted SPF BB cream, perfect for those of you that forget to put on your daily SPF as soon as the clouds come out! With a universally flattering tint, this Exuviance mineral sunscreen shields you from ageing UV rays while evening out your complexion, and the added vitamin E and green tea extract give extra antioxidant protection against free radicals. Even better, the PHAs in the formula gently exfoliate for a long-lasting glow.

e.l.f. Cosmetics Luminous Putty Blush

£7.04

Although pink blush is super in right now thanks to the Barbie movie, you can pick your favourite from the gorgeous shade range of e.l.f.'s Luminous Putty Blush. With corals, berries and everything in between, this cushiony blush builds up to your desired coverage and gives you all the glow.

You might also like to check out our other Top Cream Blushes for Healthy Glow to keep your collection stocked through the winter!

2. Face Makeup: Cloud Skin

If you prefer a matte finish or heavier coverage, don't worry - a runner-up for makeup bases this autumn is soft focus skin - sometimes called cloud skin - created with blurring formulas that hide imperfections for a subtler version of airbrush makeup.

Benefit Hello Happy Soft Blur Foundation

£18.57 £29.20 (37% off)

Benefit's buildable, medium coverage foundation with a semi-matte finish blurs imperfections and blemishes but doesn't give you a cakey look, remaining natural and wearable all day long.

SOSU by SJ Face Focus Loose Setting Powder

£13.23

SOSU by SJ delivers a soft focus effect with this setting powder, which helps set and mattify your makeup while giving it a natural, sheer finish.

If you want to take the blurred skin autumn makeup trend to the next level, check out the Best Airbrush Makeup Products for Flawless Skin.

3. Smudged, sooty eyeliner

Still staying strong from its popularity last year, smoked out, almost-messy black eyeliner or eyeshadow is a look you’ll want to try this autumn. Purposely imprecise with a worn-in look, this is a great, moody look for those days when you don’t have the time or motivation to create intricate eyeshadow or eyeliner looks. But don’t allow the ease of creating this look make you feel like it isn’t luxe—tons of models and celebrities are sporting this grunge meets glam makeup look.

Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner

£16.28

The unique formula of the Stila Smudge Stick eyeliner means it can be easily smudged with your fingers to create a lived-in look just like this one. It's also waterproof, meaning it won't smudge any more than you want it to!

SOSU by SJ Eye Voltage Kohl Pencil Eyeliner

£8.81 £9.95 (12% off)

A kohl eyeliner like the Eye Voltage pencil by SOSU is another great option for creating fierce definition. The creamy pencil blends and melts like butter and is perfect for using on your waterline too.

4. Eye Makeup: Abstract Eyes

Graphic eyeliner has had a glow up! While the super precise, sharp lines of graphic eyeliners were hot this year, now we're seeing more funky, organic shapes like blobs and spirals that are sure to brighten up your mood as the days get darker.

Use coloured eyeliner or eyeshadow to create fun and bold shapes around your eyes that bring out your artsy side. A little concealer won't hurt either, to clean up the edges after you're all done with your design.

Bellápierre Cosmetics Shimmer 9 Stack

£22.50 £45.00 (50% off)

Choose from nine hues in your favourite colourway. Bellápierre's shimmering shades are just the tool you need for getting creative with abstract eye makeup this autumn.

SUVA Beauty Hydra FX

£12.00 £15.00 (20% off)

The vibrant, opaque colours of SUVA Beauty's Hydra FX are another amazing option for getting your abstract eye makeup just right.

blinc Precision Eyeliner Brush

£13.50 £16.50 (19% off)

Use a small, pointed eye brush like this one from Blinc to get your shapes just right.

5. Eye Makeup: Glitter Eyes

Whether it's our Euphoria-induced glitter obsession that refuses to die or the annual return of metallics the closer we get to Christmas and New Year's, glitter eye makeup is definitely in for autumn 2023. You can go for a classic silvery shadow like Gigi Hadid wore to this year's Met Gala, or try golds or jewel tones to suit your skin tone (and outfit).

Stila Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow

£25.49

For a super opaque and vibrant finish, you'll want a liquid eyeshadow like these Stila Glitter & Glow ones, which have a lovely range of multi-dimensional sparkling shades with a holographic effect.

Bellápierre Cosmetics Cosmetic Glitter

£10.00

Or try this Cosmetic Glitter, an ultra-fine loose glitter that can be used on the face, body, hair and even in your bubble bath. You'll be sparkling your way straight through to New Years with this gorgeous stuff!

6. Lipstick: Blood Red Lip

A statement lip never goes amiss come autumn, when the cooler weather makes us crave the bolder, darker lip choices that felt too heavy for summer. This autumn, vampy lips are back (just like every year; they're that much of a classic). Choose from blood reds to deep berries and wine shades to suit your skin tone and aesthetic, and if full coverage, matte lips feel a tad too dramatic for you, not to worry - try a lip stain, tinted gloss or satin lipstick with buffed out edges to make deeper colours more wearable.

Kevyn Aucoin Unforgettable Lipstick

£26.50 £31.20 (16% off)

Despite being full coverage and fade-proof, the Kevyn Aucoin Unforgettable Lipstick is weightless, comfortable and hydrating, with a moisturising formula that glides on smoothly.

Bellápierre Cosmetics Super Gloss

£14.00

We also love this wine-red Super Gloss from Bellápierre Cosmetics, which gives you high coverage but also plenty of hydration and shine from the beeswax and natural minerals in the formula.

7. Lipstick: '90s Brown Lip

Nostalgia has fuelled so many trends lately, and the 90s brown lipstick trend isn't going anywhere soon. With so many cosy hues of brown to choose from, it's the perfect colour for autumn, whether you want to wear it matte, glossy, sheer or opaque - or as a lipliner with a glossy top for that true 90s look taken from Black and Latino cultures that we've seen in recent years on the likes of Euphoria's Alexa Demie and Megan Thee Stallion.

theBalm Liquid Lipstick Meet Matte Hughes

£15.00

For a long-wearing liquid lipstick, the Balm's Meet Matte Hughes is the one for you. The gorgeous brown shade Trustworthy is matte yet comfortable, so you enjoy all the hot cocoas you want without having to worry about smudging or peeling.

Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick

£49.00

The rich pigmentation and lightweight, comfortable feel of Pat McGrath's MatteTrance Lipstick can't be beat. This brown matte lipstick's creamy formula also contains optical diffusers to blur fine lines in your lips!

8. Full Face: Latte Makeup

Transition this TikTok-viral summer makeup trend to autumn—with its layering of brown shades, it’s a perfect fit for the warm, cosy tones of autumn. It's also the perfect trend for those of you that prefer a more minimal or monochrome look and aren't about to try abstract eyes any time soon.

For more tips on recreating this celebrity-approved trend, check out our blog all about how to get the latte makeup look.

Benefit Hoola Toasted

£35.40

Plenty of bronzer is key to this look, so layer it under your foundation, over it and even try multiple shades. Benefit's Hoola bronzer is a cult-classic you'll want in your arsenal for latte makeup.

Sigma Beauty Warm Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette

£22.50

In addition to the brown lips we already covered (generally a gloss is preferred for this look), you'll also want to layer on the brown-toned eyeshadows.

This Warm Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette from Sigma Beauty is just the thing, with its collection of coffee-like colours that allow you to mix and match to your heart's content.

9. Full Face: Soft Goth Makeup

For a spookier autumn look, you'll love the soft goth makeup trend, inspired by Jenna Ortega's character in Tim Burton's Wednesday. In real life, you'll see this on the likes of celebrities like Billie Eilish. The soft goth look features clean, minimal face makeup with smoked out eyes or dark eyeliner, nude or glossy lips and, if to pizzazz it up, a wash of sparkle on the eyes.

This look is perfect for getting in the Halloween mood without the harshness of many gothic makeup looks, and we're so here for it.

L.A. Girl Fanatic Eyeshadow Palette

£11.23 £17.65 (37% off)

The dark shades of this L.A. Girl eyeshadow palette are perfect for smoky or smudged out eyes, with a variety of shimmery colours to choose from if you want a pop of colour.

Kevyn Aucoin Molten Gems Lip Gloss

£30.93

You can always opt for a clear, nude or even black gloss, but we love the dimension and shimmer of Kevyn Aucoin's Molten Gems Lip Gloss in the shade Blue Amethyst for making our makeup looks slightly edgier while maintaining the softness that's key to the trend.

10. Brows: Faux-Laminated Brows/Fluffy Brows

If you've already got unruly brows, then you're in luck. If you don't, don't worry - there are plenty of ways to mimic the fluffy brow aesthetic with eyebrow products. This autumn make up look is inspired by brow lamination, but without having to sit for the treatment or have such a 'glued-on' look as lamination creates.

More effortless and natural, this brow trend just requires you to brush up your brows with powerful brow gels and fill in gaps with a brow pencil. For sparser brows, you might also like to use a brow powder or pomade to get a thicker, darker result. Check out a couple of our favourite brow gels below and then read up on the Best Eyebrow Pencils for Creating Full Brows.

Benefit Gimme Brow+ Volumising Eyebrow Gel

£27.43

A cult-favourite the Benefit Gimme Brow gel gives you instant thickness and texture with its tinted, water-resistant formula. Sculpt your brows to your desired shape for gorgeous definition and volume.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade

£17.01 £23.00 (27% off)

Another bestselling brow product, the Dipbrow from Anastasia Beverly Hills gives you plenty of shape and definition with its smudge-free, waterproof formula in a wide shade range.

And there you have it! The ten hottest autumn makeup trends for 2023. To make it easier to get that clean, natural-looking base that'll make all these looks pop, we recommend starting with a great skincare routine. Check out our roundup of our favourite skincare sets, or if you've already got a great routine and want to give it a little boost, check out our blog on the best skincare supplements.

And with Halloween just around the corner, you're probably going to want to prepare by checking out these Top Easy Halloween Makeup Ideas.

Written by Gabriella Buckner

Gabriella is a junior content writer with a background in creative writing, content marketing and journalism. She’s passionate about all things makeup and skincare, but especially vegan and cruelty-free beauty that is effective and inexpensive.