I'm not quite ready to say goodbye to summer, but September is around the corner, which means fall makeup is officially in the conversation. And I have to say, the Fall 2026 makeup trends are very me.
Skin-first beauty is sticking around, as it should! But this season we're adding a little more personality with statement lips, softly smudged eyes and strategic pops of colour (color).
Even better? Nothing feels overly complicated or overly done. The overall look is polished but relaxed, which is exactly how I like my makeup.
And whenever my usual makeup style becomes a trend again, I'm happy. It means I can call my laziness being on trend. The header photo is from 2020, so Iāve worn the same eye makeup for awhile!
So, what are we wearing this fall?
Face and cheeks: healthy skin, not heavy makeup
The intentional glow
The ultra-glossy, almost wet-looking complexion is taking a back seat this fall. In its place is something much more wearable: soft, velvety, healthy-looking skin with an intentional glow.
Think less shine everywhere and more strategically placed luminosity.
Keep your base lightweight so your natural skin shows through, then add a little highlighter where you naturally want dimension, like the tops of your cheekbones, for example, rather than covering the entire face in shimmer.
For mature and evolving skin, I especially love this approach. A softer finish lets your natural skin texture show, while strategically placed glow can bring dimension back to your complexion.
Pink and rose blush is staying
Good news for anyone who loves pink blush; it's not disappearing anytime soon. Cool pinks and beautiful rose shades are carrying us into fall, but placement is important.
Instead of relying on heavy contour to sculpt the face, try sweeping your blush higher along the cheekbones and slightly toward the temples. It gives the face a subtle lifted effect while adding freshness and colour.
Cream blushes are perfect here because they can melt into the complexion rather than sitting on top of it.
Lips: this is your moment to vamp it up
If you've been waiting for an excuse to pull out your deeper lip shades, this is it. Fall 2026 is bringing back wonderfully rich shades like:
- Oxblood
- Deep burgundy
- Wine
- Black cherry
- Cherry-cola brown
- Deep berry
The blurred lip isn't going anywhere
One of my favourite lip trends is sticking around for fall: the blurred, just-kissed lip. Instead of a sharply outlined, heavily matte finish, apply your lipstick and gently soften the edges with your fingertip. You can even concentrate slightly more colour toward the centre of the lips.
The result is softer, easier and much more forgiving. It's also a beautiful way to wear deeper shades if a full burgundy or wine lip feels a little intimidating. You still get that gorgeous fall colour without it feeling overly formal.
Eyes: a little '70s rock-and-roll
Here's where Fall 2026 gets a bit moodier.
Smudged eyeliner
This season's liner has a slightly undone, lived-in feel inspired by '70s rock-and-roll makeup.
Try black, deep brown or charcoal kohl liner along the lash line and gently smudge it rather than creating a precise edge. A little colour underneath the eyes can give you that relaxed, slightly smoky effect without committing to a traditional smoky eye.
Black + metallic accents
This is the trend I'll need to practise. Instead of a traditional full cat-eye, add concentrated touches of black or metallic colour around the outer corners of the eyes for a little unexpected drama.
Think of it as an accent rather than an entire eye look. Gold, bronze and pewter can make this particularly wearable for fall, especially when the rest of your makeup stays understated.
Natural shadows are still in
If experimental eye makeup isn't your thing, don't worry. Soft, natural eyeshadow isn't going anywhere.
Muted browns, taupes and other skin-enhancing neutrals can be applied over the lids, with a little soft pigmentation underneath the eyes to create definition without obvious lines.
Pair it with mascara, a lightweight base, and a deeper lip, and you're done.
My Fall 2026 makeup verdict
Other than practising those little pops of colour around my eyes, I'm ready to go.
- Healthy-looking skin? Yes.
- Rose blush? Absolutely.
- Smudged eyeliner that doesn't have to be perfect? Even better.
- And a wine or burgundy lip that I've worn since high school. Yes please!
Fall 2026 might be my makeup season. Now I just need summer to stick around a little bit longer.
