Autumn makeup

Whether you’re glad for the summer heat to be gone or not, it’s the time of year to bring out the chunky scarves, cute knitted jumpers and darker lipsticks. Everything feels that bit cozier, more aesthetic and all wanting to feel like Rory Gilmore every October. Brown smokey eyes and nude lipsticks will always be a staple, yet each year, new ways to switch up your autumnal makeup looks emerge.

2026 is about makeup that is ‘sheered out, softened, and smudged’. While this is a contrast to the heavier makeup we usually associate with the winter months, it might be perfect for the quicker looks that can up looking a bit on the messier side.

Zendaya’s mascara-less appearance at the Odyssey highlights one of this year’s key looks

Now, if you’re someone who has fallen victim to blush blindness in the past, this autumn might mark the end of this! Cosmopolitan is claiming that less blush is more, suggesting that almost invisible blush which melts seamlessly on your skin might be the better option – even opting for slightly cooler tones. Yes, I know this might seem like a rogue concept, but think how more subtle face makeup will allow your lips and eyes to pop!

Sticking with Cosmopolitan, Zendaya’s mascara-less appearance at the Odyssey highlights one of this year’s key looks. ‘Ghost lashes’ give you the free license to opt out of mascara entirely. I know having naked eyelashes may seem like a rogue concept, but the professionals are assuring us that it will make our eyes stand out even more. Remember, if this concept feels a tad too foreign, a bit of an eyelash curl and some clear mascara is always an option.

I know I’m not the only one who thinks of Zoella when someone mentions clear mascara (we all watched those back-to-school makeup looks), but you really cannot go wrong. For £2.69, Collection’s clear mascara is the perfect addition to your autumn makeup bag!

2026 will see: cashmere eyes, cool-toned lips, weathered cheeks, soft-focus skin and two-toned lashes

If cooler makeup looks and mixing up mascara shades is your thing, ‘Who What Wear’ have the perfect makeup predictions for you. They’re telling us that 2026 will see: cashmere eyes, cool-toned lips, weathered cheeks, soft-focus skin and two-toned lashes. As someone who loves to dabble in a bit of brown and burgundy mascara, I know that mixing up your mascara colour adds a unqiue dimension to an otherwise ‘normal’ look. Choosing a brown pencil or eyeshadow liner, with burgundy mascara is perfect for this time of year! For this, we can turn to Collection yet again for a very cheap option, or Studio London’s Lash Icon mascara for this (£5).

It is about mixing up our stable Autumnal nudes and creating contrasting looks

For inspiration we turn to Pinterest, I know I’m not the only one. After a quick search, I have picked out some of my favourite details. Blended liner on the waterline, no matter the shade, is the perfect quick addition to a look, whilst a dab of green eyeshadow on the lids can be transformative.  It is about mixing up our stable Autumnal nudes and creating contrasting looks, such as trying a bit of green eyeliner with no eyeshadow. This may be white powder on the eyelids with dark satin lips, or slightly smudging our black pencil eyeliner.

It is easy for me to sit here and suggest fun new ways to mix up you’re a makeup looks, but this can get expensive. We are students on a budget, and trying new makeup looks shouldn’t mean making a dent in that student loan. Makeup Revolution perfectly shows this in their collabs with various makeup artists. We all know their eyeshadow pallets are a go-to, and their new ‘Revolution Reloaded’ range is no different. Named ‘Light it Up’, ‘No Signal’ and ‘Retro Pop’, the three pallets contain all what is in trend this autumn. Simply pop over to their Instagram to see the fun things they are doing.

Vogue is urging us to embrace the ‘bold and thrilling’ season we are in

It appears that this year will be a contrast between experimenting with pops of colour, and going as neutral as possible to make the ultimate no-makeup makeup look. Vogue is urging us to embrace the ‘bold and thrilling’ season we are in – emphasising the black eye-liner and red lipstick duo, and the bright colours which become the statement piece that brings the whole look together. Magazines are reminding us that the colder months can be about having more fun with makeup, without the fear of it melting off our face. We are university students after all, and university is about exploring styles and aesthetics you never have before.

A philosophy we could all be reminded of is that a ‘good’ makeup look doesn’t have to look perfect

Viva la Diva’s tagline ‘less perfection, more personality’ surmises this makeup ethos perfectly. I specifically love their claim that ‘slightly smudged eyeliner’ and more natural lips are key aspects of the ‘burred’ makeup look that is trending this year. As someone who never gives herself enough time to get ready, the idea that my eyeliner doesn’t have to be pristine is a blessing; no one wants to have to redo their eyeliner five times when they are already running late. A philosophy we could all be reminded of is that a ‘good’ makeup look doesn’t have to look perfect.

Whether you are a first-year student, or returning, we have enough to be worrying about 24/7. The imperfections we see in our makeup don’t need to be remedied, but can be part of the look!