Fall is my favorite season, and yes, it has everything to do with trying out new beauty trends. Once September rolls around, I’m ready for a new haircut, another way to do my nails and some fresh makeup looks. To get ahead of the game, I tapped a few makeup artists and manicurists to share their predictions for the top fall beauty trends that are to be everywhere soon. From ‘Soft Grunge’ to ‘Smokeshow Nails,’ here’s what you can expect to see in the months ahead.
9 Fall Beauty Trends I’m Excited to See This Season
I’m here for the smokeshow nails
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Updated Aug 21, 2024
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Getty Images/Juli Russell/Danessa Myricks
Meet the Experts
- Emily Gray is a celebrity makeup artist who specializes in bold glam, editorial and clean, natural makeup. Her work has been featured in photo shoots, on red carpets and in commercials. Her clients include Mickey Guyton, Lily Aldridge and Maren Morris.
- Jeanine Lobell is a celebrity makeup artist and founder of Neen, a clean makeup brand featuring lip, cheek and eye products. Lobell has over two decades of experience in the beauty space. Her work has been featured in publications such as Vogue, W and Vanity Fair. Her clients include Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett and Nicole Kidman.
- Juli Russell is a manicurist and DIY nail expert for Sally Beauty. She specializes in trendy nail looks and intricate nail art and educates others on nail care via Instagram.
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Makeup
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1. Douyin Makeup
Douyin makeup is a popular Chinese aesthetic that utilizes lots of shimmer, glitter and pops of color to give the illusion of doe eyes. Gray believes the look will become more popular here in the U.S. soon, too. “Douyin makeup brings out a lot of fall colors with the reds and corals,” she says. To achieve this trend like actress Ouyang Nana above, Gray suggests starting with rose matte shadows at the outer corners before balancing the look with the same matte shadow on the lower lash line. Then, top the look off with a chrome eyeshadow on the center of the lids, inner corners and lower lash lines. She adds, “The result is very ethereal looking doll eyes.”
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2. Pink Eyeshadow
Blue eyeshadow was all the rage this summer, but we’re shifting gears and stepping into our Galinda the Good Witch era come September. “Pink is such a fun and happy color. It’s not something you normally see during the colder months, which makes it perfect for brightening up dark fall days,” shares Lobell. “When paired with a heavy mascara, pink eyeshadow gives a modern nod to the ‘60s.” Plus, the color is versatile for all skin tones. Lobell suggests those with fair skin try paler pinks, and those with darker skin reach for deeper fuchsias.
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3. Soft Grunge
I first predicted the rise of grunge makeup in 2022, and it looks like it’s making a comeback this season. As Lobell shares, “Soft grunge blends edgy and feminine elements together to create a rebellious look. Think smudged eyeliner, muted smokey eyes, natural brows and dewy skin.” To get your grunge on, the main focus should be on the eyes. Lobell recommends applying dark brown eyeshadow all over the lid before going over the lash lines with a black (or brown) eyeliner. Blend and buff everything together with a brush. Finally, finish the look with a few generous coats of mascara for extra voluminous lashes.
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4. Bare n' Blurry
Whether you prefer a smokey eye or bold red lips, Anthony says a soft base will complement any fall look. “People typically wear deeper shades during the fall, so this soft base gives a clean, beautiful backdrop for any dramatic changes,” he explains. Start with a gripping primer before going in with a lightweight foundation and setting the look with a loose powder for the diffused, blurry finish. He adds, “This will gives your complexion a filter-like appearance in person or on camera. Think of it as baking, but with less product and time.”
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5. Blonzing
You heard it here first: ‘Blonzing’ will be huge this fall. The technique calls for warm blush in areas where you’d typically apply bronzer. As Dresher explains, “It’s going to be popular for fall because warm terracotta tones are always trending for the season. It also minimizes steps in our routine since you’re applying a warm-toned blush where blush and bronzer is applied.”
Nails
Courtesy of Juli Russell
If you’re searching for a spooky manicure for Halloween, this latest nail trend should be on your radar. “Smokeshow nails are a striking and dramatic look with dark, vampy colors that fade into smoky black tips. This gradient effect creates a mysterious vibe that’s perfect for the season,” explains Russell.” Start with a deep hue polish (like burgundy, plum or navy) for the base before using a makeup sponge to gently dab black nail polish onto the tips of your nails. Russell recommends blending the color towards the center for an ombré effect and sealing the look with a top coat to finish.
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Courtesy of Juli Russell
7. '70s Croc Nails
This manicure is giving ‘70s autumnal vibes—and I’m here for it. “This trend combines funky ‘70s color combinations with neutral shades that are perfect for fall. When using blooming gel, a clear gel polish used for nail art, it creates a crocodile-like pattern on the nails that looks sophisticated.” Start with a neutral (or muted) color base before applying the blooming gel over your nail and using a nail art brush to drop a second gel in. Once the gel-polish combo spreads, Russell says it will create the chic croc pattern. Just remember to finish the mani with a top coat to extra shine.
8. Greek Goddess Nails
According to Pinterest’s Autumn Trend report, the search for ‘Greek goddess nails’ has surged by 1,975 percent (and no, I’m not exaggerating). The ethereal manicure features golden decals, oceanic-hued polishes (like seafoam greens and iridescent blues) and bold designs inspired by Greek mythology. Try your hand at creating this intricate nail art—or simply decorate your manicure with stickers to channel your inner Aphrodite.
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9. Short Funky Nails
Longer, glazed donut nails are a thing of the past. Pinterest predicts short funky nails will rise this fall, as we lean towards bolder nail choices. A quick scroll through the search page and I saw plenty of vibrant hues and eye-catching patterns on shorter nail lengths. This latest nail trend proves that you can still have plenty of fun with shorter tips this season.
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Additional Experts
- Michael Anthony is a celebrity makeup artist who specializes in bold and soft glam looks. His work has been featured on magazine covers, red carpets and music videos. His clients include Ariana Grande, Doja Cat, Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton.
- Natalie Dresher is a celebrity makeup artist who has 10 years of experience in the makeup industry. She is originally from New York City but is now based in Miami. Her clients include Jessica Vestal, Remi Bader, Gia Giudice and Dylan Mulvaney.
