With the first crisp breeze that signals summer’s gentle departure, a collective shift in mood and aesthetic begins. We trade our linen dresses for cozy knits, our iced coffees for steaming mugs of spiced tea, and our bright, sun-kissed makeup palettes for something altogether richer, deeper, and more introspective. Autumn is not just a season; it’s an invitation to transform. It’s a time for moody romanticism, cozy comfort, and a renewed focus on the artistry of makeup, where every shade and texture tells a story.

As we look to Fall 2025, the landscape of beauty trends is a captivating tapestry woven from threads of nostalgia, modernity, comfort, and drama. Drawing inspiration from the viral trends of TikTok and the curated aesthetics of Pinterest, this year’s looks are all about duality. We see the evolution of cozy, monochromatic warmth in the "latte makeup" family, now deepened to richer espresso tones. This exists alongside a powerful resurgence of 90s soft grunge and the unapologetic boldness of vampiric, glossy "cherry cola" lips. It’s a season that encourages you to be both the poet in a cozy café and the main character in a dramatic film noir.

This guide will serve as your ultimate inspiration board for the season, a deep dive into 20 distinct fall makeup looks that capture the spirit of 2025. We will go beyond simple descriptions, offering insights into the vibe of each look, the key products needed, and how to make them your own. Whether you’re looking to subtly update your daily routine or make a dramatic statement, consider this your permission slip to play, experiment, and fall in love with the transformative power of autumn's palette. The ritual of creating these looks is a beautiful act of self-love, a way to connect with yourself and the changing season, a theme beautifully explored in these daily self-care habits.

Part I: The Café Cozy Collection (Warm & Monochromatic)

This family of looks is inspired by the comforting, aromatic warmth of your favourite coffee shop. It’s all about embracing a harmonious palette of browns, beiges, and caramels to create a look that is sophisticated, sculpted, and effortlessly chic.

1. The Classic 'Latte' Brew

• The Vibe: The trend that started it all, "latte makeup" is the epitome of warm, understated glamour. It’s a sun-kissed bronze glow, softened and refined for the cooler months. It feels effortless, polished, and universally flattering.

• How to Achieve It: Focus on a warm, matte bronzer swept across the high points of the face where the sun would naturally hit. On the eyes, use this same bronzer as a wash of colour in the crease. Add a pop of champagne shimmer on the lid. The key is a seamless blend of creamy, coffee-with-milk tones.

• Key Products: A warm-toned matte bronzer, a champagne shimmer eyeshadow, and a creamy nude lipstick.

2. Espresso Noir

• The Vibe: This is the deeper, more dramatic evolution of the latte look. It swaps the creamy beiges for rich, dark chocolate and espresso tones for a smoldering, monochromatic effect that’s both intense and sophisticated.

• How to Achieve It: Build depth in the outer corners of the eyes using a matte espresso-brown shadow. Use the same shade to smudge along the lower lash line. Cheeks are sculpted with a cooler-toned contour or a deep brown blush. Lips are defined with a dark brown liner and filled with a slightly lighter taupe or chocolate lipstick.

• Key Products: A deep, cool-toned brown eyeshadow palette, a contour powder, and a chocolate brown lipstick. This intense, moody look is perfect for a special evening, perhaps before settling in with a decadent dessert like some Double Chocolate Chip Cookies.

3. Caramel Glaze

• The Vibe: A warmer, sweeter take on the monochromatic brown trend, this look focuses on rich caramel and terracotta tones with a glossy, dimensional finish. It’s healthy, radiant, and reminiscent of golden hour on a crisp autumn afternoon.

• How to Achieve It: Use a warm, terracotta-toned blush on the cheeks. On the eyes, sweep a caramel shadow across the lids and finish with a pop of gold glitter. The defining feature is the lip: a caramel-nude lipstick topped with a high-shine, non-shimmery gloss to create a luscious, glazed effect.

• Key Products: Terracotta blush, a gold glitter eyeshadow, and a high-shine nude lip gloss.

4. Pumpkin Spice Everything

• The Vibe: Is it even fall without a nod to pumpkin spice? This look embraces the iconic colours of the season—warm oranges, spicy cinnamons, and rustic terracottas—for a look that is cozy, festive, and undeniably autumnal.

• How to Achieve It: This look is all about warmth. Use a matte orange or terracotta eyeshadow as your main lid colour, blended out with a softer cinnamon brown in the crease. A burnt-orange blush on the cheeks and a matte lipstick in a corresponding pumpkin or brick shade ties it all together. The only thing missing is an actual warm drink, and for that, we have the perfect Pumpkin Spice Mug Cake recipe.

• Key Products: A warm-toned eyeshadow palette featuring oranges and reds, a burnt-orange blush, and a matte terracotta lipstick.

Part II: The Romantic Noir Series (Dark & Dramatic)

This category is for those who see fall as a season of mystery, romance, and drama. It’s defined by bold, saturated colours, particularly on the lips, creating a look that is powerful, confident, and unforgettable.

5. The 'Cherry Cola' Lip

• The Vibe: One of TikTok's biggest beauty trends, the "Cherry Cola" lip is a modern take on 90s glam. It’s defined by a dark liner, a rich red centre, and a super-glossy finish, mimicking the colours of its namesake soda. It’s edgy, playful, and incredibly alluring.

• How to Achieve It: The magic is in the layering. Start by lining your lips with a deep brown or burgundy lip liner. Fill in the lips with a cherry-red or deep-red lipstick, gently blending the edges into the liner. Top it all off with a thick, glassy clear or red-tinted lip gloss.

• Key Products: A dark brown lip liner, a cherry red lipstick, and a high-shine clear gloss. The confidence this look inspires is perfect for a first date, perhaps one that could turn into a story as romantic as the one reviewed in "Only Between Us."

6. The Matte Vampy Burgundy

• The Vibe: Timeless, elegant, and a little bit dangerous. The classic vampy lip is a fall staple for a reason. A deep, velvety matte burgundy or oxblood lip exudes confidence and sophistication. It’s a look that requires minimal other makeup to make a massive impact.

• How to Achieve It: Precision is key. Exfoliate and moisturize lips first. Use a lip liner that perfectly matches your lipstick to create a sharp, defined shape. Apply the matte lipstick carefully with a brush for control. Keep the rest of the face clean and perfected: groomed brows, a touch of mascara, and subtle contour. For a guide on finding the perfect shade for your skin tone, Byrdie offers a great breakdown.

• Key Products: A long-wearing matte liquid lipstick in a deep burgundy, a matching lip liner, and a good lip scrub.

7. Glossy Oxblood

• The Vibe: This is the more modern, high-fashion sister to the matte vampy lip. A glossy, almost patent-leather finish in a deep oxblood or blackberry shade feels luxurious, edgy, and daring. It’s less about perfection and more about a bold, wet-look statement.

• How to Achieve It: Apply a deep oxblood lipstick or a dark lip stain as a base. Then, layer a thick, pigmented gloss in a similar shade over the top. Because gloss can travel, it’s best to keep the rest of the face relatively matte to create a beautiful textural contrast.

• Key Products: A dark berry lip stain and a pigmented, non-sticky blackberry or wine-coloured lip gloss.

8. The Smoked-Out Wing

• The Vibe: For those who prefer their drama on the eyes, the smoked-out wing is the perfect fall alternative to a classic cat-eye. It combines the lift of a wing with the moodiness of a smoky eye for a look that is both sultry and soft.

• How to Achieve It: Start by drawing a wing with a black or brown kohl pencil. Before it sets, use a small, dense brush to smudge and smoke out the line, dragging the colour slightly upwards. Go over the wing with a black or brown eyeshadow to set it and diffuse the edges further, creating a hazy, gradient effect.

• Key Products: A blendable kohl eyeliner pencil and a matte black or dark brown eyeshadow.

Part III: The 90s Revival (Grunge & Smudged)

Nostalgia continues to be a powerful force in beauty, and this fall, the 90s are back with a vengeance. But this isn't the heavy-handed grunge of the past; it's a softer, more romantic interpretation that’s moody, effortless, and undeniably cool.

9. The Soft Grunge 'Lived-In' Liner

• The Vibe: The cornerstone of the new grunge movement. This look is all about eyeliner that looks like you might have slept in it—in the chicest way possible. It’s anti-perfection, focusing on a smudged, diffused line around the eyes that creates a sultry, mysterious gaze.

• How to Achieve It: The hero product is a soft kohl pencil. Line your upper and lower waterlines tightly. Then, draw a thin line along the lash line and immediately smudge it with your finger or a brush. The goal is a hazy halo of colour right at the root of the lashes, not a full-on smoky eye. For more on the history of this look, check out Vogue's exploration of 90s beauty.

• Key Products: A creamy black or brown kohl eyeliner pencil.

10. The Plum Haze

• The Vibe: A colourful, more romantic take on the grunge eye. Using shades of dusty plum, mauve, and deep purple creates a smoky eye that is less harsh than traditional black but just as moody and impactful. It’s particularly stunning on green and brown eyes.

• How to Achieve It: Follow the same steps as a classic smoky eye, but use a palette of plums. Apply a mid-toned matte plum in the crease, a deeper, almost-black plum on the outer corner, and a shimmery lilac on the centre of the lid for a pop of light. Smudge the deep plum along the lower lash line.

• Key Products: An eyeshadow palette with a range of purple and plum shades. This moody, thoughtful look is perfect for a quiet night in, perhaps while contemplating a poignant movie like "About Time."

11. The Gunmetal Grey Lid

• The Vibe: Moving away from the warm tones of bronze and gold, a wash of cool-toned gunmetal or silver provides an edgy, futuristic feel that still feels appropriate for the moody season. It’s a simple statement eye that feels both tough and glamorous.

• How to Achieve It: This look is best achieved with a single, high-impact cream or liquid eyeshadow. Swipe a gunmetal grey shadow across the entire lid, blending the edges into the crease with your fingertip. The imperfect, lived-in application is part of the charm. Pair it with clean skin and a nude lip to let the eyes stand out.

• Key Products: A metallic gunmetal grey cream eyeshadow.

Part IV: The Ethereal Glow (Soft & Luminous)

This family of looks proves that fall makeup doesn’t have to be dark and heavy. Inspired by the soft light of an overcast autumn day, these looks focus on luminous skin, soft textures, and delicate touches of light.

12. 'Cloud Skin' & Fluffy Brows

• The Vibe: The ultimate "your skin but better" look for fall. As detailed in our introduction, Cloud Skin provides a soft-focus, luminous matte base. Paired with brushed-up, feathery, and natural-looking eyebrows, the effect is effortlessly polished, healthy, and refined.

• How to Achieve It: After creating your Cloud Skin base, brush your brows upwards with a clear or tinted brow gel. Instead of filling them in harshly, use a fine-tipped brow pencil to draw in hair-like strokes only in sparse areas. The goal is texture and airiness, not a sharp, sculpted arch.

• Key Products: A satin-finish foundation, a translucent setting powder, and a strong-hold clear brow gel.

13. The Frosted Inner Corner

• The Vibe: A simple trick with a massive impact. Adding a pop of icy, frosted shimmer to the inner corner of the eye instantly brightens and awakens the entire face. It’s a touch of ethereal magic that can elevate an otherwise simple makeup look.

• How to Achieve It: After completing your eye makeup (or on an otherwise bare lid), take a small, precise pencil brush and dip it into a white, silver, or icy-blue shimmer eyeshadow. Press the colour firmly into the inner corner, blending slightly towards the upper and lower lash lines.

• Key Products: A highly reflective, light-coloured shimmer eyeshadow.

14. Monochromatic Mauve

• The Vibe: A cooler-toned cousin to the Espresso Haze, this look uses shades of dusty rose, mauve, and muted lavender for a romantic, cohesive, and incredibly chic effect. It’s a sophisticated way to wear colour that feels soft and autumnal.

• How to Achieve It: Use a matte mauve eyeshadow in the crease, a dusty rose blush on the cheeks, and a satin-finish lipstick in a similar muted pink-purple shade. Keeping all the tones in the same colour family creates a look that is harmonious and elegant. The subtle romance of this look feels fitting for someone who loves heartfelt stories, like those found in these must-read romance books.

• Key Products: A mauve-toned eyeshadow palette, a dusty rose blush, and a matching lipstick.

15. Golden Hour Glow

• The Vibe: This look aims to capture the fleeting, magical light of golden hour on a crisp fall day. It’s all about warm, liquid-gold highlights, bronzed skin, and a healthy, radiant finish. It’s less about glitter and more about a believable, lit-from-within sheen.

• How to Achieve It: Use cream products for this look. Apply a cream bronzer to warm up the perimeter of your face. Use a peachy-pink cream blush on the apples of your cheeks. The star is a liquid gold or bronze highlighter, tapped onto the high points of the face (cheekbones, brow bone, bridge of the nose) and blended seamlessly.

• Key Products: A cream bronzer, a peachy cream blush, and a liquid gold highlighter. Brands like Rare Beauty are famous for their blendable liquid blushes and highlighters.

Part V: The Bold & Artistic Touch (Creative Accents)

For the makeup lover who sees their face as a true canvas, fall is a great time to experiment with small but impactful artistic details. These looks are about adding a touch of the unexpected.

16. The Graphic Micro-Liner

• The Vibe: A minimalist take on graphic eyeliner. Instead of a thick, bold wing, this trend focuses on thin, sharp, geometric lines—a floating crease line, a sharp inner-corner flick, or a disconnected wing. It’s futuristic, edgy, and high-fashion.

• How to Achieve It: You need a liquid liner with a very fine, precise tip. Keep the rest of the eye bare to let the line be the focus. Map out your shape with a soft pencil first if you’re nervous. This look is about clean, confident strokes.

• Key Products: A fine-tipped black or coloured liquid eyeliner.

17. The Gilded Gold Leaf Accent

• The Vibe: Pure luxury and artistry. Applying a small fleck of cosmetic-grade gold leaf to the eye—either in the inner corner, at the centre of the lid, or at the tail of a wing—is a stunning special-occasion look that mimics the beauty of golden autumn leaves.

• How to Achieve It: Apply a tiny dab of eyelash glue where you want the gold leaf to adhere. Wait for it to get tacky. Using tweezers, carefully pick up a small piece of gold leaf and press it onto the glue. This is a showstopper, perfect for a holiday party or a milestone celebration where you want to shine, a feeling that resonates with the idea of celebrating your own personal growth.

• Key Products: Cosmetic-grade gold leaf and a safe-for-skin adhesive like lash glue.

18. Draped Berry Blush

• The Vibe: This technique, popularised in the 70s and 80s, is back in a big way. "Draping" involves applying blush in a "C" shape from the temples down to the cheekbones, creating a more lifted, sculpted, and dramatic effect than traditional application. In a deep berry or plum shade, it’s the perfect autumnal flush.

• How to Achieve It: Using a fluffy blush brush, sweep a deep berry blush from the apples of your cheeks upwards along your cheekbone, blending it into your hairline at the temple. You can learn this technique from makeup artists like Wayne Goss on YouTube.

• Key Products: A highly pigmented powder or cream blush in a berry shade.

19. The "Boy Beat"

• The Vibe: A term for a type of minimalist makeup that focuses on looking naturally handsome and rugged rather than traditionally "pretty." It involves strategic concealing, faux freckles, bushy brows, and a clear, hydrated lip. It’s the ultimate no-makeup makeup look.

• How to Achieve It: Spot conceal only where needed. Use a cream contour to add subtle definition. Brush brows up, but don’t fill them in perfectly. Tap a reddish-brown cream colour onto the cheeks and bridge of the nose for a "just came in from the cold" flush. Finish with a simple lip balm. For a fun twist, try a sweet, edible lip product like the one in this Vegan Chickpea Cookie Dough recipe.

• Key Products: A cream contour stick, a brow pomade, and a sheer cream blush.

20. The High-Shine Vinyl Lip

• The Vibe: Maximum impact, maximum shine. The vinyl lip trend takes gloss to the next level with an opaque, lacquer-like finish. In a deep fall shade like chocolate brown or black cherry, it’s an incredibly bold and modern statement.

• How to Achieve It: These are best achieved with a specific product: a liquid lip lacquer or vinyl lipstick. These formulas are highly pigmented and deliver an intense, wet-look shine in one swipe. Line the lips first to prevent bleeding.

• Key Products: A liquid lipstick with a vinyl or lacquer finish. For a truly decadent night, pair this bold lip with an equally decadent homemade dessert, like these Chocolate Lava Cakes for Two.

Conclusion

The landscape of fall makeup for 2025 is a rich tapestry of moods, textures, and eras. It’s a season that celebrates duality—the quiet comfort of a monochromatic brown look and the fierce confidence of a glossy vampiric lip can coexist beautifully. It proves that there are no hard and fast rules, only invitations to explore. From the soft, romantic haze of a grunge-inspired eye to the sharp, artistic precision of a graphic liner, there is a look on this list for every version of yourself.

Ultimately, makeup is a powerful tool for self-expression and a joyful ritual that can help us connect with the spirit of the season. Use these looks as a starting point, a well of inspiration from which to draw. Mix them, match them, tone them down for day, and amp them up for night. Embrace the colours, play with the textures, and create something that makes you feel beautiful, confident, and ready to welcome all the cozy magic that autumn has to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I make my dark lipstick last all day? Start by exfoliating and moisturizing your lips. Use a lip liner to create a base and prevent bleeding. After applying the first coat of lipstick, blot with a tissue, then apply a second coat. For extra staying power, you can place the tissue over your lips and dust a little translucent powder through it.

2. What's the best way to transition my makeup from summer to fall? Start by swapping out your textures and tones. Switch from sheer, dewy foundations to more satin-finish formulas. Trade your bright coral and pink blushes for deeper rose, terracotta, and berry shades. Replace your light nude lipsticks with richer, warmer nudes and bold berries.

3. How do I do a smoky eye without looking like I have a black eye? The key is blending. Use a clean, fluffy brush to diffuse all the edges so there are no harsh lines. Also, make sure to bring a little bit of the shadow along the lower lash line to balance the look. Finally, using a concealer to brighten your under-eye area is crucial.

4. What are the best foundation types for dry fall/winter skin? Look for foundations with a hydrating, satin, or luminous finish. Liquid and cream formulas are generally better than powders for dry skin. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin in your foundation can also provide an extra moisture boost.

5. Can I wear bright colours in the fall? Absolutely! While deeper tones are traditional, a pop of unexpected colour—like a bright cobalt liner or a fuchsia lip—can look incredibly chic and modern against a backdrop of cozy fall neutrals.

6. How do I choose the right nude lipstick for my skin tone? Look at your skin's undertones. If you have cool undertones, look for nudes with a rosy or pinkish tint. If you have warm undertones, peachy or golden-beige nudes will be more flattering. For deep skin tones, rich chocolate and caramel nudes are stunning.

7. What is "draping" (for blush)? Draping is a technique where blush is applied in a "C" shape, sweeping from the apple of the cheek up along the cheekbone to the temple. It helps to lift and sculpt the face in a more dramatic way than a traditional application.

8. How do I keep my makeup from rubbing off on my scarf or coat? Setting your makeup is key. After applying your foundation and concealer, lightly press a translucent setting powder all over your face. Finish with a generous spritz of a long-lasting setting spray, like the popular Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray.

9. Are glossy or matte lips more in style for fall? Both are incredibly stylish for Fall 2025! The trend cycle is embracing all textures. Matte lips offer a classic, long-wearing elegance, especially for deep vampy shades. Glossy lips, particularly for the "Cherry Cola" and high-shine vinyl looks, provide a modern, edgy, and luscious finish.

10. What's one makeup product everyone should have for fall? A versatile, high-quality kohl eyeliner pencil in a dark brown or black. It can be used to create a sharp line, a tightline for thicker-looking lashes, or smudged out for the popular soft grunge and smoky eye looks.