October is in full swing. But, it's not just Halloween, cosy jumpers and pumpkin spice lattes we have to look forward to. Given October marks a change in wardrobe, it should also mark a change in beauty routines too. Read on for top tricks, tips and colours to work with for the autumn.
Colours to match the leaves changing:
I love an orange eye. This colour is particularly flattering for brown eyes, although you can't really go wrong with it whatever your eye colour. The beauty of orange shades is they blend well with pretty much anything. For a look that matches the changing leaves, I love to blend a pale orange with a light brown and a gold, to create a subtle smoky look. I use orange for the lid and then blend a brown into the crease to create a flawless finish. I choose to finish with a dab of gold shadow, blended from my inner eye outwards, to give the illusion my eyes are brighter than they are and to add a bit of sparkle. In terms of products, the Anastasia Beverly Hills 'Modern Renaissance' palette is perfect for this look. Equally, NYX's single shadows provide a good and cheaper solution if you don't have the ABH palette.
Dark lips:
I've come a long way since the dark reds, purples and even black (yikes) lipsticks I used to favour when I was sixteen years old. But, a dark lip is a necessity for autumn. For me, pinks and corals have always gone better with the summer weather, whilst autumn marks the time to pull off something darker. For a perfect dark lip, I always rely on Lime Crime's 'Matte Velvetines'. This matte formula is easy to apply and non-drying, so your lips don't look chapped at the expense of the colour. My favourites are shade 'Wicked' - a perfect dark red, and 'Salem' - a purply/brown tone. If you're not feeling the wait time (a lot of products have to be ordered from the US) just head to the Kat Von D counter in Debenhams for an abundant choice of dark shades.
It's time to line:
If your wardrobe takes a turn from pastels to darker colours in autumn, as it does for most people, it may be time to consider getting the eyeliner out. Wearing darker colours can make your face appear tired and washed out, so adding eyeliner ensures your makeup is as bold as you're clothes, and the two complement each other nicely. Whilst the iconic flick is always a look, there are other trends to consider if you fancy changing up your typical eyeliner look. Fashion house Chloé recently sent models down the runway sporting a black kohl liner look on the bottom lash line and the top lid. If this look sounds a bit bold for you, try blending out the eyeliner on the bottom corner of your eye to create a smokier and more subtle look. Equally, if liner really isn't your thing, try just applying liquid liner to the upper waterline, underneath your lashes. See it as a dot to dot - you gently dot the liner between each lash along your waterline. I do his every day, you'd be amazed how subtle yet totally transforming this look is.
Hydrated skin:
I'm a dewy over matte kind of girl. I always opt for lighter foundation, a subtle glow and a non-matte setting spray. And in autumn, the hydrated look becomes even more crucial. As the weather changes from hot to cold (sigh) it's oh-so-important to keep your skin from drying out. So, during autumn I always swap my normal primer (a pore minimising one from NYX) to a moisturiser. I incorporate this into my morning skincare routine. I opt for Botanics 'All Bright Radiance Balm' - available from Boots. I use this after my cleansing routine (which I use other Botanics products for, too) as a primer before applying my makeup. It keeps my skin beautifully moisturised, hydrated and protected from harsher weather. And, even better, if you're running late in the morning and don't have time for makeup, this product acts as a brightening moisturiser without makeup too, so you still feel and look fresh. Don't forget to always have Vaseline or Carmex in your bag as well to ensure your lips remain protected from the cold too.