How to Create the Fall Makeup Trends of 2022

If you live for summer’s golden hour of glowing skin, you’ll be pleased to discover that “dewy, glazed dolphin skin isn’t going anywhere,” says makeup artist Ehlie Luna. “I think we’ll see more of that as people find their holy grail complexion products, perfect their technique, and continue to devote themselves to skincare.”

To achieve this look, Luna recommends investing in and committing to a skincare routine that prioritizes hydration. “Good skin prep in relation to any skin type is key,” she says. “I find that you can’t go wrong with a moisturizing serum like Caudalie SOS Hyaluronic Serum.”

Another summer makeup look that you’ll continue to see fall is a copious amount of blush. “This trend will continue to rise and is a quick way to bring the face and cheeks back to life,” says makeup artist Dominique Lerma. When recreating this look, reach for a cream blush formula, as it blends easier than powder and “looks more radiant,” says Lerma.

One of her favorite products is the Ogee Sculpted Face Sticks, which she says is a multipurpose stick that’s buildable, easy to apply, and offers a natural, dewy finish.

We weren’t kidding when we said Rouge will have a big moment this season. This rosy look is all about having fun with placement. “I love that burnt blush moment we have — those freeze-burned cheeks that look like you just got in from the cold,” says Sir John, a famous makeup artist whose work graced the faces of Beyoncé and Gabrielle Union.

Instead of applying blush to the cheekbones, Sir John recommends applying it slightly higher on the cheeks and up to the temples. “We always think blush is applied directly to the apples, but it’s okay to go a little higher,” he says. “I think it’s really charming to look at and also an old-school classic. In the ’70s we called it blush draping.”

To create this look, try the ONE/SIZECheek Clapper 3D Blush Trio Palette with its beautifully pigmented blushes, available in cream, matte and glow finishes.

Big makeup brands like Maybelline, Urban Decay and Haus Labs have recently created lip products that promise extra shine, suggesting vinyl lips will be all the rage this fall, Luna says.

“Full lips have a way of accentuating the texture of the lips and the tone around the mouth,” she says, which is why it’s best to invest in a lip balm to get the best application results. “First exfoliate the lips. If there is discoloration around the mouth, correct the color. Next, use a lipstick to map them [the lips], as this contributes to precision and durability. Finish with a lipstick of your choice, using a lip brush if necessary. These tips will help you achieve a professionally applied lip look,” she explains.

“I see so much graphic, fun liner,” says Sir John. “Graphic eyeliner is great, [and] It’s a really nice way of shooting an old-school classic.”

Besides experimenting with your eyeliner shape, bright eye colors also add a fun, playful touch to your look. “I see many colors, from pastel to blue to violet,” says Sir John.

If creating a graphic eyeliner look feels intimidating, rest assured that even the most novice makeup lover can handle it as long as you have the right tools. “Invest in a thin brush and a gel liner, but if that’s too technical or too professional for some, just have fun with pens,” says Sir John.

When shaping your eyeliner, consider elongating the silhouette of the eyes for a more elevated look. “Play around with the shape of your eye, but don’t be afraid to go beyond the shape and pull the liners out a little more, but always upwards, which is a lifting technique,” says Sir John. A great pencil option that’s creamy, easy to use, and available in multiple bright and neutral colors is the Tresluce Beauty Intenso Liner Gel Color Pencil.

For those who love a darker, sultry fall makeup look, you’ll be pleased to know that smudged eyeliner is another option — and it requires less precision than a graphic eyeliner look. To achieve this chic, quirky and smoky look, apply a black or brown eyeshadow to your eyeliner and blend with a small smudge brush to create soft edges, says Naseeha Khan, a professional makeup artist and co-founder of CTZN Cosmetics. “This will help achieve that less-than-precise, lived-in makeup look,” she says.

Flashing silver, chrome, and gunmetal eyeshadow colors are an edgy alternative to light or neutral shades. You can customize this look to your liking and apply it to the inner corners for a subtle accent, mix and match shades for a smoky eye, or swipe a shade across the lid for a pop of color, says Luna. You can also just add a touch of eyeliner like the Fenty Beauty Flypencil Pencil Eyeliner, which comes in a metallic finish.

According to Khan, less will be more this season. Sir John agrees: “I see we’re going into the fall with less foundation than before the pandemic.” It’s a sensitivity, but it’s also looking better this time of year. Wearing thick layers of makeup can accentuate uneven skin texture, which is exacerbated when the changing temperature dries the skin.

Reach for lightweight formulas to keep your skin tone even and comfortable. “Using cream products or a tinted serum will help keep your skin hydrated and feeling great throughout the day,” says Khan. Tula Radiant Skin Brightening Serum Skin Tint with SPF 30 is perfect for light coverage, enhanced radiance and a real skin finish.

“I see a return to sultry eyes in ’90s grunge, but instead of going with black eyeliner, this trend takes a twist with shades that accentuate beautiful eye hues. They give a fresh approach to sultry eyeliner looks,” says Lema. Try jewel-toned hues like rich blues, violets, and golds that add depth and dimension but aren’t overwhelming.

Try the Pat McGrath Mothership IV: Decadence Palette, which features creamy, buildable shades in metallic, pearlescent and glitter finishes.

In addition to playing with different colors for fall, Sir John recommends trying different textures at once, “whether it’s super-matte ’90s lids paired with shiny skin, or matte skin paired with a shine on the lids,” he says.

For glossy eyelids, consider applying a touch of cream blush or eye gloss. Just pay attention to how you highlight the rest of your face. “Highlight flattering areas of your face. Concentrate on the sides of the face, not the middle or under the eyes,” explains Sir John.

This look isn’t for the faint of heart, it’s for people are try it. Luckily, “no one wants to over-brown the brows like we did in the ’90s, so instead we bleach them or use concealer to cover them,” says Sir John. “I find it fashionable to play around with the structure of your brows and the shape of your face.”

For a hassle-free way to change the shape of your brows, try a nude-colored concealer (we love the KosasRevealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer). Apply to brow hairs to make them appear thinner or lighter overall. Then use a setting powder to ensure the concealer doesn’t move throughout the day.

It doesn’t become more of an issue than a brown lipstick for fall. Whether you prefer a minimalist or maximalist approach, brown lipstick pairs well with any makeup look and is flattering on all skin tones.

For best results, “use a brown liner and a darker nude lipstick than you normally wear for the perfect fall lips,” says Khan, who also recommends trying the CTZN Cosmetics Nudiversal Lip Duo in Rome.