Between spring’s soft pastels and winter’s frosty hues, everyone has a palette preference, seasonal shades that suit them best. For many, it’s the rich hues of fall — crisp apple, pumpkin spice and caramel espresso.
And while adding these colors into your wardrobe may be as simple as swapping vibrant sweaters for moody, more autumnal-toned ones, altering your makeup routine can be tricky.
If a color analysis said you’re a “warm autumn,” makeup artist Selena Graham suggests leaning “complementary.” Think terracotta, copper, sunflower yellow, warm browns and deep olives.
“When I think of makeup designed around ‘warm autumn,’ I’m thinking about how we make it pop,” she said. “A wash of taupe across the eyelid, a muted blush and a lip topped with a neutralizing gloss sounds daunting when your color profile is so warm, but you may find that it accentuates your features in an unexpected way.”
Alexa Persico, founder of her eponymous makeup line, believes the best way to embrace the seasonal tones is to enhance the natural warmth of your complexion rather than compete with it. “The key is don’t confuse warmth with heavy makeup. You can embrace rich autumn colors while still keeping your complexion fresh, luminous and youthful,” she said.
For the eyes, Persisco recommends playing with the dimension, using bronze and chocolate brown shades as well as olive tones. “l love using a deep brown eyeliner instead of a harsh black because it defines the eyes while maintaining softness and warmth,” she added.
When it comes to your complexion, celebrity makeup expert Robin Schoen to find a foundation with golden or yellow undertones. “You have found the right shade when the color of your face blends seamlessly with your neck and chest, ensuring they all tell the same cohesive color story,” Schoen said, noting that you should spot conceal with a creamy, yellow-based formula, too. “Finish the skin with a light dusting of translucent powder around the T-zone to set the makeup and remove excess shine.”
The apples of the cheeks should be touched with the a similar shade of bronze that may be kissing the eyelids, and layered under a fresh peach or tangerine, Schoen said. A coral, peach or cinnamon lip should finish the look and “leave a lasting impression.”
The most important note to remember when achieving “warm autumn” makeup is that there are no rules. “Color analysis can be a very helpful tool when you genuinely don’t know where to start, but don’t get completely locked in to the point where you feel like you can’t try something outside of your color wheel,” Graham said.
Here a closer look at the celebrities who’ve taken to the new hair color trends this season.