Nothing against a good PSL or cozy sweater moment, but it’s fall makeup that really gets us jazzed for the change in seasons. After months sporting little more than tinted sunscreen and mascara, the post-Labor Day shift signifies that it’s time to breakout the makeup brushes, find some new lipstick, and start to play around with color cosmetics again. And, no, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to go full-on glam. This season’s top makeup looks offer a little something for everyone, from beauty minimalists to drama queens. Here, five fall makeup trends celebrity makeup artists say are going to be huge for 2021.
2021 Fall Makeup Trends
Underliner
While graphic liner looks and dramatic cat-eyes ruled in seasons past, underliner is the fresh new way to wear eyeliner. “It was all over the fall runways and is also something a lot of the celebrities are sporting,” says celebrity makeup artist Bryan Cantor. It’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like: Dramatic liner along the bottom lashline, with little or no liner on the upper lashline, he says.
What’s great about this is that it’s easily scalable from more neutral and wearable to super bold, simply based on the color liner you choose. A shimmery blue (as seen here) obviously skews more intense, but swap it out for a rich brown and you’ve got a fun new take on a more classic smokey eye. Either way, Cantor suggests using a gel-based pencil to create the line, then buffing it out using a small shadow brush.
Inner Corner Pop of Color
Also in the eye makeup department, anything and everything having to do with the inner corner of the eyes is huge, says Cantor. While it’s always been an area makeup artists call attention to with highlighter, now we’re seeing, “electric pops of color at the inner corner all over social media,” he says.
It’s also the perfect way to amp up an otherwise very minimal makeup look. Just dab on any bold shadow shade (liquid formulas work well here) in the inner corner, then blend in with your fingertip, suggests Cantor. Keep the rest of your lid bare, and finish the look with just a bit of black mascara.
‘90s-Inspired Lips
Bucket hats and toe rings aren’t the only ‘90s trends making a comeback. 2021 fall makeup trends are drawing inspiration from the grunge decade, too. “Lip colors like neutral-toned browns and earthy tones in flatter, slightly matte finishes will definitely be big this season,” says Robert Sesnek, a celebrity makeup artist and CATRICE Cosmetics Ambassador. “I also think you’ll see a return to slightly overdrawn lip liner as well,” he adds. (Major Beverly Hills 90210 vibes).
He suggests using a neutral brown lip liner to trace the outer edges of your lips, then filling them in with a feathering motion. Leave the center of your lips bare. Then, use a lipstick in a similar tone (though one that’s slightly lighter) to fill in the center of the lips, blending in as much or as little as you’d like.
Fresh, Monochromatic Skin
We know, we know, this trend has been around for some while, but Cantor says it really isn’t going anywhere for fall. (Makeup minimalists, rejoice!) “Fresh skin is trending because everyone is over being forced to wear masks for so long. The last thing people want now is mask-like foundation,” he says. And while radiance is still in, the layer upon layer of highlighter that has been popular in seasons past is out. Instead, Cantor says the way to keep this trend looking the most modern and current is to use a shimmery setting powder, lightly dusting on your cheekbones, cupid’s bow, and bridge of your nose.
Similarly, Sesnek points out that going matchy-matchy when it comes to eyes, cheeks, and lips–more specifically in taupe, nude, rosy pinks, and champagne tones—is also going to be big for fall. “The look is classic and will never go out of style. It’s great for anyone who doesn’t love super dramatic makeup,” he says.
Futuristic Metallics
On the opposite end of the spectrum, those who like to play and experiment with their makeup will appreciate this vibe. Metallics are somewhat of a perennial trend, but this time around, the emphasis is on foil-like pigments, specifically in shades of silver and gold, Cantor explains. It’s a look seen on both lips and lids — lids obviously being the slightly more approachable of the two.
And while you can find plenty of foiled shadows these days, Cantor says you can also create a similar effect with any metallic powder shadow you currently have. Dip a brush into the shadow, then spritz it with a makeup setting spray before applying; this transforms the effect from subtle shimmer to full-on foil. If you want to up the ante, you can also use some of the shadow as a liner under your lower lash line.
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