The Best Autumn Makeup Trends 2026 and How to Actually Wear Them
Guys, it’s Autumn! Devo’d because we’ve had the best summer EVER in the UK, but thrilled for my winter wardrobe.
There’s something about the change of season that makes me want to reach for the browns, berries and deeper tones, and generally make my makeup feel a little more grown-up. But the good news for 2026? Autumn makeup isn’t about piling on layers or creating a super-heavy, matte base.
Instead, this season is all about soft-focus skin, deliciously chocolatey eyes, statement blush, berry lips and a gorgeous return to 90s-inspired makeup. Think polished but not perfect, sexy but not overdone, and makeup that looks like yourather than a full face of trends.
So, here are the autumn makeup trends I’ll be wearing and creating this season and, more importantly, exactly how to make them work in real life.
Blurred, Soft-Focus Skin
The days of ultra-matte, completely flat skin are firmly behind us. For autumn 2026, skin is looking soft, diffused and perfected without appearing heavily made up. There’s been some great foundation and concealer launches recently that will help you achieve this
The trick is to keep your base relatively light and focus your coverage where you actually need it. I love using a hydrating skin tint or a lightweight foundation, then applying concealer strategically rather than covering every inch of your face. For that gorgeous blurred effect, use a tiny amount of finely milled powder through the centre of the face, particularly under the eyes, while leaving the high points of the face fresh and luminous.
Base products that are great for this look
Brown & Espresso Eyes
Move over black smoky eye; brown is having a BIG moment. From creamy coffee shades to deep espresso, chocolate brown is arguably the easiest way to make your eyes look instantly more expensive this autumn.
I love a wash of warm brown across the lid, blended softly around the socket and then intensified along the lash line. You can keep it sheer for daytime or build it up for evening. And don't be afraid to take your brown shadow underneath the eye. A little smudged chocolate shadow along the lower lash line gives you that gorgeous lived-in, slightly undone effect.
How to wear it: Pair your espresso eyes with softly brushed-up brows, fresh skin and a nude or berry lip. Don't overcomplicate it; the brown should be the star.
Some key products I love when creating this look
3. Statement Blush
Blush is still BIG, and I'm absolutely here for it. But rather than a tiny pop of colour sitting neatly on the apples of your cheeks, autumn 2026 is seeing blush become much more of a statement. Think flushed cheeks that almost look like you've just come in from a gorgeous walk in the cold.
Berry, rose, plum, terracotta and burnt peach are all beautiful autumnal shades. Cream and liquid formulas are particularly lovely if you want that skin-like finish, while powder blush is perfect if you want more intensity. Try sweeping your blush slightly higher towards the temples rather than keeping it directly on the apples of your cheeks. It instantly lifts the face. And if you’re unsure of positioning, I have a blog on that! The Best Cream & Powder Blushers (Tested by a Makeup Artist)
Top Tip: If you've gone slightly too far with your blush, don't panic. Take your foundation brush with whatever is left on it and gently tap over the edges. It will melt everything together.
Some great blushers
Danessa Myricks Beauty | Yummy Skin Flushed Blurring Balm Powder
4. Berry Lips
If there is one lip colour that screams autumn, it's berry.
And this season we're moving beyond the predictable deep burgundy lip. Think raspberry, blackberry, mulberry, cherry and wine-stained shades.
The beauty of berry is that you can make it as dramatic or as effortless as you like.
For daytime, tap a berry lipstick onto your lips with your finger and leave the edges slightly blurred. For evening, use a matching lip liner and apply the lipstick properly for a much more defined, polished look.
And please don't feel that a dark lip has to be perfectly precise. One of my favourite ways to wear a deeper colour is slightly diffused around the edges — it makes it feel much more modern.
Metallic Eyes
And now for something a little more fun...Metallic eyes are back. Well, in my world they never went away! But we're not talking about covering your entire eyelid in glitter. This is much more sophisticated. Think molten bronze, antique gold, pewter, champagne and soft copper. Cream eyeshadows are brilliant for this because you can tap them onto the centre of the lid with your finger for a gorgeous wet-looking metallic finish.
For an easy evening look, keep everything else understated; soft skin, brushed-up brows and a nude lip and let the eyes do the talking.
Top Tip: Tap a little metallic shadow onto the centre of the lid after you've finished your eye makeup. It catches the light beautifully and makes the eyes look bigger.
My fave products for this
Deeper Lip Colours
If you've been living in nude lipstick territory all summer, autumn is your excuse to go darker. Deep reds, oxblood, plum, chocolate brown and wine shades are all back on the menu. But here's the thing: you don't need to wear a super-dark lip in a super-precise way.Try applying your lipstick directly from the bullet and then blurring the edges with your fingertip. Alternatively, use a lip brush to build the colour gradually.
A deep lip looks particularly chic with minimal eye makeup. Think curled lashes, lots of mascara, groomed brows and beautiful skin. Effortless but very glamorous.
Some great deep lip products
Luminous Skin But Make It Autumn
I'm pleased to report that glowy skin isn't going anywhere. However, autumn's version of luminosity feels a little more sophisticated than the glass-skin trend we've seen before. Rather than looking wet or overly shiny, we're talking about skin that looks healthy, hydrated and lit from within. Use a luminous primer underneath your foundation, add cream blush and finish with a subtle cream highlighter on the tops of the cheekbones. Keep the glow strategic. Cheekbones, temples and perhaps the cupid's bow are enough. You want people to think “her skin looks amazing”, rather than “wow, that's a LOT of highlighter.”
Great Glowy Primers
The 90s Are Back Again
Honestly, did the 90s ever really leave? This autumn we're seeing that 90s makeup influence come through in a big way; brown liner, defined lips, neutral eyes, matte-ish cheeks and those gorgeous deeper nude shades. Think supermodels, but with a 2026 update.
The easiest way to embrace it is with a brown-toned lip liner. Line your lips slightly outside your natural lip line if that's your thing, then fill them in with a nude lipstick or gloss. Add brown eyeliner, lots of mascara and softly sculpted cheeks. The key to making 90s makeup feel modern is not doing every element at once. Pick one or two references rather than going full time machine.
Fave brown lip liners
So to summarise, Autumn is basically makeup that feels sexy, sophisticated and slightly undone. And I am VERY into it. Let me know what you think.
Love,
Lisa xx
As always, I only ever recommend products I would use myself. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. This is mostly spent on repairing the shoes Diddy keeps chewing.