Autumn does something to my beauty regimen. Beyond making me reach for barrier-restoring creams for my parched skin and weatherproof styling for my hair, my makeup bag has a complete switch-up, and I love to lean into autumnal colors. As the nights draw in and festive plans start filling our calendars, it's a good idea to have something of a capsule lip wardrobe in rotation. A good lip look is the quickest, most foolproof way to make a statement with makeup.
Knowing which hues work best for your skin tone will level up your glam game even further, so we spoke to makeup artist and brand founder Laura Geller about the shades she recommends for different skin tones. An important note before we delve in: as with all makeup looks, what you want to wear is up to you, and you alone! Laura says, 'There are no hard-and-fast rules with lip color. If a shade makes you feel beautiful and bold, wear it! But if you’re looking for a little guidance, your skin tone and undertone are a great place to start.”
The best autumn lip colors for deep skin tones
If you're constantly saving rich, red wine-like shades to your autumnal moodboard, then you're in the right zone for your complexion. “For deep skin tones, I love richer shades like berry, wine and warm red,” says Geller. “Deep complexions can carry those gorgeous, saturated shades beautifully.”
The best autumn lip colors for medium skin tones
Looking to add some glow back into your olive to medium-deep skin tone? Seek out warmer hues. “Olive skin looks gorgeous and golden in warm rose, terracotta, caramel nudes, and brick reds,” explains Geller, adding that the warmth really complements the golden and green undertones often found in olive and medium skin tones.
The best autumn lip colors for light skin tones
“On fair skin, I reach for soft rosy pinks, cool mauves, and blue-based reds,” says Geller. “They add beautiful color without overwhelming the complexion, and since winter can be an especially harsh light to work with for lighter skin tones, contrasting with a blue-toned red makes a statement, while rosy tones bring color back into the skin.”
The best way to wear nude lips in autumn
If you don't love making a statement, you can always reach for your trusty nude lip. Geller’s tip for autumnal nudes? “Remember that ‘nude’ doesn't mean beige or grey—it should complement your natural lip and skin tone,” she says. “Look for a shade with enough warmth, depth or contrast to bring your face to life rather than washing you out. At the end of the day, the best lip color is always the one that makes you feel confident when you put it on.”
Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.