What’s getting you excited about autumn? For us, it’s the chance to switch up our beauty bag and rock bright and beautiful skin all semester long. With gorgeous foliage, snuggly sweaters and all things pumpkin spice comes the chance for a whole new routine to match the season. In turn, we’ve got suggestions for all of your fall beauty needs and concerns (dangerously dry skin, anybody?), so sit tight, read up and start day-dreaming about your upcoming fall-inspired product haul!
Skincare
Nourish those lips!
Chapped lips are a girl’s worst enemy—they flake, they peel, they hurt and they make mastering a fall lipstick nearly impossible thanks to their inability to hold color. What gives, lips?
Avoid chapping from the onset by starting a lip balm routine as soon as the temperature drops. We recommend investing in a heavy-duty balm that protects and hydrates. We’re addicted to Vaseline’s Lip Therapy collection—in teensy-tiny portable jars, these lip savers pack a serious punch. Try one out and your lips will feel instantly better, brighter and poutier. Better yet, you can savor a sweet, richly fall scent all day long with the one-of-a-kind Vaseline Lip Therapy Lip Balm in Creme Brulee ($1.79, Walgreens). Seriously, we’re about to stockpile these!
Ready to start a great new habit? Slap on some balm as soon as you get out of the shower in the morning (when daily drying begins) and right before you fall asleep at night. That way, you’ll wake up with plump lips ready to take on the day—and whatever lipstick you’re flaunting. Also make sure to carry your balm around with you. Before class—or whenever your lips need it— add another swipe. That brisk fall air will have nothing on you.Â
Put a hiatus on alcohol-based products
Alcohol-based toners and cleansers are ridiculously drying, which is the last thing your skin needs when the leaves start falling. Therefore, it’s best to store those away for next summer and invest in creamier and more nourishing options. We love Pond’s Cold Cream, a rich and cool cleansing formula (at an unbelievably low cost) that swipes away even the toughest makeup instantly ($4.49, Walgreens). Other simultaneously cleansing, hydrating and skin-loving ingredients you should be aware of are jojoba oil and coconut oil, so look for these labels when inspecting your next beauty purchase!
With dead, flaky skin covering up your pores (and trapping oils and residue underneath!) thanks to autumn dryness, exfoliation is a must. But be careful, since many alcohol-based exfoliators can do more harm than good in terms of irritating already-dry skin. Stick solely to oil-based scrubs and exfoliators, like the deeply-hydrating Tsubaki Oil-Infused Exfoliating Powder from Boscia ($36, Sephora).Â
Double up on moisture
If you have never invested in a night cream, now’s the time to try one. Unlike during the summer, where night creams can add excess oil to an already-dewy face, fall’s the perfect season to add the extra oomph to your hydration routine. Anything infused with olive oil is great; we love Bobbi Brown’s Hydrating Intense Night Cream ($64 at Sephora). And if you can’t find an olive-infused formula, Burt’s Bees Intense Hydrating Night Cream ($17.99, Walgreens), The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Night Cream ($18, The Body Shop) and The Body Shop Vitamin E Nourishing Night Cream ($21, The Body Shop) are all good picks. And no matter what you choose, don’t be afraid of rich, heavy formulas that you’ve been shying away from all summer.
We also suggest investing in a morning moisturizer. This one, however, doesn’t have to be heavy, because we recognize that oily skin can still happen when it’s cold out. Choose a simple but sufficient gel formula that dries quickly and glides on smooth under makeup. We’re fans of Garnier’s Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel-Cream ($7.99, Walgreens).
Treat your whole body
Want to maintain your supple summer skin? Swap harsh soaps for lovely shower gels and luxurious body washes.
Also be sure to invest in a good daily body lotion. While lotions and creams can really weigh you down and make you terribly sticky when the weather gets warmer, there’s no such issue when humidity exits the scene. With so many options out there—be it firming, repairing, energizing or age-defying—we’ll leave the decision making up to you so that you can decide on a formula that meets your needs. But, if you’re really lost, you can never go wrong with some cocoa or shea butter!
Listen to your skin
Finally, recognize that your skin type may not be consistent. Reassess how your skin’s reacting to the new climate before re-purchasing your summer beauty staples. A girl who’s labeled as oily-skinned in the warmer half of the year may have “normal” skin in the colder months, while a girl with usually “normal” skin may need to switch to dry-skin products once fall arrives. Only you know what your skin needs, and never assume that your skin’s style is static.Â
Makeup
Eyes
With summer’s sweat and humidity finally gone, fall grants you the freedom to experiment with some new eye makeup without fear of creasing or melting. Invest in some new and adventurous eye shadow in some fall-themed color schemes (think jewel and earthy tones, metallics and smoky shades) while you have a climate that’s easy to work with! Overall, fall is the time for heavier, deeper and darker eye makeup. So while a light lid lining with a fresh or subtle eyeliner was perfect for the flirtier, natural-beauty vibe of summer, fall semester is the ideal time to bring back wings, cat-eyes and other bold looks.
Lips
Replace your corals, peaches, bubblegum pinks and summery nude glosses for plum, burgundy, brown and berry shades. We also suggest investing in a matte formula, which is fall’s best accessory.
Face
First things first: change your foundation color, because for many of us, that skin’s about to get a lot paler. And if you’re not in that boat, rejoice! You’ve got one less new beauty item to hunt down this fall!
Ready for another tip? Contrary to popular belief, BB creams and CC creams aren’t a summer-only beauty bag staple. You don’t necessarily need to make the swap to heavier foundation once fall hits—in fact, switching to foundation may actually dry your face out further! Additionally, sticking to tinted moisturizers doesn’t mean maintaining that dewy look you’ve reserved for summer. There are tons of matte formulas out there that’ll keep your skin from drying out or from shining out of season. Need a suggestion? We’re all about Rimmel London’s inexpensive matte BB cream ($6.99, Walgreens).
Nails
Last but not least, get your fix on fall nail colors. Summer’s all about vibrancy and shine, while fall favors deep, neutral, vampy and matte shades. Going with a dark red is never a bad choice, and neither is investing in some chic metallics. One color you can keep from your more summery repertoire is orange, although you should stick to burnt shades and foliage-inspired finds.
We know you’ve got tons on your back to school list already, but these fall swap-outs will up your semester style like no other. Besides, will another trip to Sephora really kill you?