From Dark Lips to “Tired Girl” Eyes, Fall’s Biggest Makeup Trends Are So Moody

Full Metal

Celebrity makeup artist Vincent Oquendo anticipates a strong return to metallics for Fall 2026. And FYI, you’ll be seeing them everywhere.

“I don’t just mean metallic on the eyes. I mean frosted blush and I suspect frosted lipstick might have its day in the sun,” says the artist. “Think of Angelina Jolie in Hackers as a reference.”

Dark Lips, Back Again

Kenya Alexis, a celebrity makeup artist trusted by the likes of Keke Palmer and the ladies of Love Island, is thinking dark lips will make a comeback for autumn.

“I love a matte brown or deep burgundy lip paired with a brown smoky eye,” she notes. “It gives me very 2016 vibes, but in a way that feels fresh again. There’s something about a deeper lip and a softly smoked eye that feels so effortlessly sexy and perfect for fall.”

Thinking Pink

On a brighter note, Alexis says that pink has been having a moment. (It really has, from lychee everything to Adela hair and milky baby pink shades of lip gloss.) “I don’t see it slowing down anytime soon,” she shares.

Celebrity makeup artist Erika La Pearl agrees. “I’m still not mad at baby pink all year around,” she adds.

An Optimized Base

Oquendo thinks we’re going to see minimal complexion products used this fall: “Maybe just a little bit of concealer, cream blush, and highlighter.”

Or maybe our bases are just going to be so good they only look minimally touched?

“I love starting with a really good base because it helps everything stay in place while still looking like skin. I’ve been loving the Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder to help blur and extend the wear of makeup throughout the day,” adds Alexis. “For foundation, I love the Haus Labs by Lady Gaga Triclone Skin Tech Foundation because it gives great coverage while still looking incredibly natural on the skin. I also like keeping the tops of the cheekbones luminous while keeping areas like the under-eyes, forehead, and smile lines more matte. I find that this creates a beautiful blurred effect while still keeping dimension and glow where you want it.”

It’s True—No Mascara

Like many of us, Oquendo is also noticing an absence of mascara and foundation.

“I think this is exciting aesthetically because it’s so different from what we’ve seen in recent years. I really love the idea of this look, but if you have very minimal or even blonde lashes I would recommend incorporating natural falsies like my go-to, the Impress Lashes Clusters Kit,” explains the artist. “These are no [other] glue cluster lashes that look so natural, and they give your eyes lift and definition.”

Spiky Lashes

If you are a mascara girlie (full respect), there are some lash trends to pay attention to.

“Right now I love wispy lashes or the spiky lashes. I love a natural lash look but for a bold look, [I love] the cat eye spiky lash look,” says La Pearl, who recommends i-Envy Flick’d lashes. “This trend is definitely here to stay.”

“Tired Girl” Eyes

Celebrity makeup artist Lila Childs feels the return to twee and indie sleaze-era makeup and fashion in her bones.

“Think lived-in, smudgy eye makeup, flushed-blurred skin, bitten lips. It seems that society is still obsessed with coming off as nonchalant when it comes to our physical appearance, even if it is highly manufactured behind closed doors,” she explains. “This type of makeup maintains that effortless appeal while still being very flattering and sexy. I also think it just pairs well with the overall styling of fall/winter.”

If you want to create a more sleep-deprived look, Childs loves an eyeshadow pencil.

“Rose Haze from Bobbi Brown will create that effect due to the pink tones. All you need to do is roughly rim one or two of these shades around the lash line and use your finger to blend—it’s not supposed to look precise,” says the artist. “After that I would add a dark brown or black eyeliner to the outer and inner corner for some more definition and softer mascara formula, like the Westman Atelier Eye Love You Mascara, to the top and bottom lashes.”

Thoughtful Blur

We already know blurry makeup is one of 2026’s biggest trends, and this fall it’s being harnessed in some pretty particular ways. Actually, it fits right in with the tired girl look Childs mentioned above.

“In terms of trend catalysts, Annie’s ‘makeup’ in Sterling Point has garnered some attention,” the artist explains. “I put makeup in quotes because I truthfully don’t think they really put anything on Ella Rubin. The shading around her eyes and lips is blurry but makes those features really stand out, especially against her more muted complexion.”

When it comes time to get the look yourself, Childs recommends Violette FR’s Bisou Balm for the perfect blurred, just-kissed lip. Finish the look off with “a good powder like the Hourglass Ambient Pressed Powder and the KJH Brand Nano Set Brow Gel.”

Time to Decorate

Oquendo notes that more adventurous color choices have been popping up as eyeshadows and used around the face as “decoration” of sorts. A quick glimpse at any Zara Larsson x Sophia Sinot look quickly proves his theory.

“I’m seeing a lot of makeup used in unconventional ways, sort of on the bridge of the nose, around the eyes, and the perimeter of the face,” he says.

This fall, we can probably look forward to equal amounts of pizzazz—just maybe a little less summer-y of mood boards.

Berry Blush

“Fall is my favorite time of the year. I’m looking forward to more darker lip tones and berry blushes or warm undertones,” notes La Pearl. “As of now we’re into pastel colors like soft pinks and soft yellows and bright light blues. But for the fall, [we’ll see] a lot more stained or red lips and darker blushes.”

Berry girl autumn, anyone?