The flip of the calendar into autumn stirs something in the air, and suddenly you start to see your makeup in a whole new light – literally. ‘To me, early autumn is the sweet spot,’ says makeup artist Hannah Martin. ‘It’s riding on the coattails of radiant holiday skin, but you often have the beauty bonus of Indian summer light, which is so flattering. Subtle, light-reflecting products stand out in a way that they don’t under high summer sun.’
To bask in this diffused glow, Hannah recommends ‘rose-gold hues that mimic early evening light but also work beautifully in daytime. And if it’s a cloudy or rainy day – this is Britain, after all! – they’ll add brightness.’
Using a primer with rose-tinted warmth will enhance, not smother, summer’s lingering lustre. Try Sculpted By Aimee Beauty Base in Rose Golden, and Clarins SOS Primer in Radiance/Pink.
Speaking of base, this is a good moment to settle into a halfway house between summer skin tints and party-season velvet foundation. ‘As the weather cools, my skin can take a little more coverage,’ says makeup artist and Sculpted By Aimee founder Aimee Connolly.
‘I switch to our buildable, medium-coverage Second Skin Foundation, which comes in matte and dewy finishes. If you love a radiant look, stick with it! Makeup is all about doing what makes you feel good.’ e.l.f. Cosmetics Soft Glam Satin Foundation is a bargain buildable alternative with a glossy finish.
Talking of perfecting your canvas, this is also a good moment to act on any post-summer sun spots. Try SkinSense’s new Anti-Pigmentation Perfecting Serum plus La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Anti-Dark Spots Moisturiser SPF30. (Yes, you still need a daily SPF.)
Lean further into the autumn mood with tones and textures that amplify the season’s nuanced glow. ‘I always return to muted, cooler, earthier tones to match the natural flush of colour in autumnal weather,’ says Aimee. Dusky rose blushers and latte bronzers are especially lovely, and even more so when delivered in textures as strokable as new-season suede. Revlon Illuminance Gel Serum Blush and Kiko Milano Gloss Supreme Layering Matt&Glow Duo Blush are ones to fall for.
For autumnal eyes, forage for mink or nut shades with a dew-like sheen, advises Hannah. Perfect picks include Hildun x Hannah Martin Silk To Set Kajal in Spiced Pecan and Zoeva Velvet Love Eyeliner Pencil in Metallic Taupe. Swapping jet-black mascara for brown adds a new-season softness, too.
Finally, autumn’s light plays happily with the satin lipsticks that act as a staging post from summer’s glosses and oils. As Hannah says, ‘A shade such as Makeup By Mario SuperSatin Lipstick in Bronx Baby is gorgeous until we’re ready for a crisp matte red lip for Christmas.’
Sculpted by Aimee Second Skin Foundation Dewy Finish
Hildun Spiced Pecan eye pencil by Hannah Martin
