It’s safe to say that the fall 2021 makeup trends are looking pretty darn good. As we start to adjust to life beyond the face mask (whenever possible), we’ll see fall makeup looks deliver the glam with bold lips, loads of mascara and chiseled cheeks. There are some fun twists, too — that electric-colored eyeshadow a la Versace is here to stay as we enter sweater weather.
Below, find the upcoming makeup trends to make your own this autumn whether you’re looking to add a little tweak to your routine, or ready to try something bolder and brighter.
All About the Lips
According to celebrity makeup artist Robert Sesnek who has worked his magic on Hailey Bieber, Kristin Cavallari and Lucy Hale, this fall it’s all about the lips — expect to see bold colors like rich merlots, deep burgundies and classic reds. “A go-to technique when going with these deep tones is to apply the lipstick out of the bullet multiple times while blotting between applications — this ensures maximum opaque coverage,” he shares.
Makeup artist Geoffrey Rodriguez adds you’ll want to make sure your lips are hydrated and smooth before creating your lip statement — this will help avoid the lipstick settling into any dry flakes or cracks. Want even more oomph to your power pout? Rodriguez recommends applying a dab of your favorite highlighter to your cupid’s bow to really make the color pop.
Laminated Brows
The eyebrows will also remain front and center as we head into cooler weather. “We’ve evolved from using soap to create the brushed up ‘boy brow’ to the semi-permanent solution of ‘laminated’ brows which is a form of perming/relaxing the brows while brushing them upward so that they remain in place,” explains Rodriguez, who has worked with the likes of Gigi Hadid and Padma Lakshmi. The results are a more defined and slicked-up brow (which is where we imagine the term laminated comes into play). “There are at-home kits to achieve this look like Elevate Beauty’s Eyebrow and Lash Lamination Kit, but I do strongly recommend seeing a salon professional,” advises Rodriguez, adding that pairing a strong brow with the trendy bold lip is “extremely flattering, visually impactful and very accessible.”
Lash Lash and More Lash
“Whether it’s individuals or a strip, we’re going to have a lash moment,” predicts Sesnek. “One of my favorite techniques when applying mascara is to start at the root and apply many coats — building on the root extends the outer ends of the lashes for max length and volume,” he says.
Katie Mellinger, a fashion and celebrity makeup artist who has tended to the faces of Emma Watson, Sofia Coppola and Zosia Mamet, adds that clumpy lashes are back. “Before it may have been a faux pas, but spider lashes are in, and I am HERE for it,” she tells Sunday Edit. Feel like giving it a whirl? She says to reach for a volumizing mascara like Jones Road The Mascara, apply one coat heavily on each set of lashes (to both the top and bottom), and then before applying the next coat, wave the wand in the air for a second to allow it to dry just a touch. “Keep reapplying until you achieve your desired effect — it takes some patience, but you’ll get there eventually. You can even use the wand vertically to add more mascara to certain lashes which will help them clump together more.”
Eyeliner Goes Wild
Graphic eyeliner was trending last season due to all the mask-wearing and it’s here to stay with even more variations. “The Claudia Schiffer grunge liner from the ’90s that was recycled from Bardot is back and black — whether you want to go full-on a cat eye or the new thinner, flicked up the edge of the kitten eye, you’re spot on for 2021,” says Mickey Williams, NYC-based makeup artist. Tarte’s Double Take Eyeliner is one of Williams’ go-to’s here: “For a cat or kitten eye, I use the crayon side to line the upper lash line first and then draw with the liquid side over it — this just makes the line appear sharper.”If you’re up for going bolder, take some inspo from the more dramatic looks straight from the runways of Dior and Givenchy, shares Ashleigh Ciucci, who is also a seasoned NYC-based makeup artist. And if you are going to amp it up (I say why not), the key is to keep the rest of your makeup dewy and barely there.
Chiseled Cheeks
Get ready to take cheek color to the next level. “This fall, a stronger, more chiseled ‘blown back’ blush look swept from the apple to the temple will be all the rage,” says NYC-based makeup artist Lori Hamlin Penske. To create this slanted, chiseled look, she recommends layering and mixing any bronzer with your favorite fall blush shades — try Too Faced Face Palette in Sweet Peach Glow or Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush in Sparkling Bellini.
Breathable Skin
“As the weather cools, we’ll see a switch from barely-there complexion coverage to slightly fuller coverage with natural, satin-like foundation finishes,” notes Janeena Rumsey, global education ambassador and artistry lead for Glo Skin Beauty. “The key is to keep skin looking like skin, avoid product overload, and allow your complexion to breathe.” After prep, apply a very light layer of a buildable, cream-based foundation to the jawline, cheeks and T-zone, then blend. From here, Rumsey advises you’ll want to apply the same product to areas only in need of additional coverage and fuse into the foundation — this technique provides full and flawless coverage without looking overdone. “One last tip — it’s important to use a formula that provides a natural, second-skin finish for a perfect blend like Glo Skin Beauty’s HD Mineral Foundation Stick which is packed with hyaluronic acid, vitamins and antioxidants for nourishing protection.”
90’s Vibes
“As a 90’s teen, I played around with glitter, temporary tattoos, nude lips and dark eyes,” shares Ciucci. “While many designers touched on the trends of my youth for fall 2021 a la Victoria Beckham, Eckhaus Latta and Dries Van Noten, Blumarine’s butterfly embellishments swept me right back to the Swarovski crystal temp tattoos that I was no stranger to.” Make this trend your own by using INKED by Dani Temporary Tattoos (they offer tons of butterfly options big and small) and adorning them with glitter gel. “Urban Decay’s Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliners come in a slew of colors and are perfect for adorning your majestic insects — this may feel like a special occasion moment, but if I’ve learned anything in the past 16 months, it’s that there’s no time like the present to rock a glittery butterfly!” adds Ciucci (and we agree).
Pops of Color
While we normally think of spring and summer as the seasons to play with color (hello neons), Ciucci notes the fall/winter 2021 runways were chock-full of bold color moments including Giambattista Valli and Versace. “Use your fingertip to swipe a bold green shadow (like Fenty Beauty’s Money Snap Shadows Mix+Match Palette) across your lid, starting at the outer corner blending in and then the inner corner blending out,” she says. “Imperfect and fuzzy edges keep it cool and modern.”
Alien/Futuristic Vibes with Iridescent Skin
Here’s a fun one: makeup artist Caitlin Wooters predicts we’ll see what she dubs “alien/futuristic vibes” as a more unique trend (designers like Ferragamo and Prada played around with futuristic themes for their shows). If you want to get the sci-fi-inspired look, she says you’ll want to start with healthy, dewy-looking skin by applying a lightweight foundation all over the face. “Then, using a fluffy brush, dust on some iridescent pigment or highlighter to all the high points including the bridge of the nose, the brow bones, the eyelids and the cheekbones — you can even add it to the collarbone and lips!” To really mix it up, use different hues on different parts of the face. And, if you’re feeling extra daring, she adds you can start with a bleached eyebrow or finish off the look with “a neon winged linger or few neon dots on the brow bone/around the eyes.”
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