From Denim-Blue Eyes to Deep Matte Lips: The Most Sophisticated Makeup Trends to Embrace This Autumn

      I've mentioned this before, and I'll express it again: Nothing excites me more than the arrival of fall makeup trends. While dewy, sunlit hues have their charm, my skin genuinely thrives with shades that reflect colorful leaves and comforting spiced beverages. (For those curious, I'm a warm autumn with a Scorpio rising.) Additionally, a blurred berry lip has become quite my signature; I can't envision anything more sophisticated than a velvety-matte finish. Thankfully, celebrity makeup artists Kelli Anne Sewell and Renny Vasquez confirm that dark matte lips (think mulled wine and oxblood) are very much in style right now, along with several other attention-grabbing trends. Explore all the autumn-inspired eye delights below, accompanied by essential products you'll need to achieve each look.

      Full-Beat Fall

      Here’s some exciting news for fans of full glam: Both Vasquez and Sewell foresee a trend toward more elaborate makeup—detailed eyeshadow, precise eyeliner, flawless coverage, and all. "Everyone will be experimenting more with makeup," Vasquez states. "This fall, more is more!" In fact, Sewell plans to embrace what she describes as a "full-beat fall," elevating her usual fresh, understated looks. "I’m leaning into airbrushed matte skin and having fun with smoky eyes and liner," she explains. "I realized how much I enjoy it all."

      Smoky, Sultry Eye Shadow

      "I believe everyone is ready for smoky eyes to officially return, and fall/winter is the perfect season for it," notes Vasquez. "Paired with fresh, blurred skin and a bold lip… it doesn’t get better than that." Sewell concurs, especially favoring a smoky eyeliner paired with satin metallic lids. If you're leaning towards a modern grunge look, team your smoky eye with a nude lip (just like Jenna Ortega!) for an added '90s vibe. "The contemporary twist resembles soft grunge, yet it has a touch of glam with blended edges and no harsh lines," Vasquez adds. Eye shadow sticks are great for this, as they're user-friendly and blend effortlessly with just a fingertip.

      Soft Blurs

      It’s the season when dewy glowy tints transition into matte, softly-blurred finishes across the board. "I’ve noticed that matte blushes are making a comeback for that effect, along with soft, luminous powders,” shares Sewell. "They’re matte but won’t dry out your skin, giving you that smooth look." There’s a delicate balance between a soft-focus appearance and one that appears overly cloudy, and both Sewell and Vasquez advise finding a happy medium. "There's vitality in the skin, but it’s matte and softly blurred," Vasquez explains. "Highlighter is subtly placed on the elevated parts of the face, more sheeny than highlight. This adds a bit of life to the matte skin in a controlled manner."

      Less Concealer

      Indeed, you read that correctly. According to Sewell, makeup enthusiasts will be (gasp!) using less concealer this fall—or at least much less than before. "People are concealing less, allowing their natural under-eye discoloration to be part of the look," she explains, suggesting a somewhat hollow-eyed grunge style (very Wednesday Addams, if you will). Should you feel uncomfortable revealing those under-eye shadows, consider using a touch of color corrector instead of a brightening concealer, allowing you to cover discoloration without sacrificing the dimension of natural shadows. Adding a hint of gold eyeshadow to the inner corners like Collina Strada can be a nice touch, if desired.

      "Blonzer"

      "I suggest putting down the bronzer!" exclaims Sewell. While a sun-kissed glow is always lovely, she encourages embracing the season with a more realistic, windswept appearance. "You can achieve a dual-effect by using a blush shade that has an equal amount of bronze and rosy tones," she explains. "This keeps the bronzed look confined to the cheeks for a more natural finish!"

      Denim Elements

      Rest assured, blue eyeshadow isn't going out of style—people are simply transitioning from bright cobalt and turquoise to deeper denim shades. (Think Dua Lipa during her blonde-hued Argylle phase.) "I’m noticing a lot of blue denim elements in makeup, such as blue mascara and eyeshadow," shares Sewell, specifically noting makeup artist Alexandra French's "double denim makeup" for a recent MAC campaign. Whether you opt for bold blue eyeshadow or just a swipe of navy mascara, it's an easy way to freshen up your daily glam with something more striking.

      Warm Browns

      Another perfectly autumnal color palette? "Lots of beautiful, camel-colored browns—think warm, terracotta shades," reveals Sewell. Brown monochromatic glam (some call it "latte makeup") effortlessly brings a luxurious vibe. From espresso to