The 7 New Makeup Trends You Need to Know About This Fall

It's almost time to put away our flip-flops, shorts and sundresses. Oh summer 2016, you were way too short! 

But let's look on the positive side. With fall's imminent arrival comes some fresh new looks to try—so if you're wondering how to update your makeup bag for the season, I've got you covered. 

As you know, these trends usually start on the runway, but I've also spotted them on a few of my favourite famous faces, who are already wearing them on the red carpet. I've included both in this guide (because we all know celebs are just a little more relatable than flawless 15-year-old models!). 

Here's the lowdown on all the new makeup looks worth knowing, from Gothic lips to glitter shadow: 

The biggest, most important makeup trend for fall is dark lips. VERY dark lips. Sure, we've seen oxbloods and berries before, but this year, the colours are much more blackened, and almost purplish instead of reddish. The finish is creamy, neither glossy nor matte.

The first celeb who comes to mind when I think of this trend is Lily Collins. She's been doing the Goth lipstick thing for quite some time:

Notice how she isn't wearing much blush, which is key when your mouth is this dramatic. Dark brows balance out the lips, and all that's needed on the eyes are long lashes. Liner optional.

Lucy Hale also wears this look really well:

This is the same formula as Lily: precise lips, big dark brows, barely-there blush and long lashes. I love how her flat-ironed hair adds polish.

Then there's Rihanna:

Her lipstick shape is so perfect, I could stare at it all day! She compliments the deep grape colour with a warm brown shadow and black liquid liner. This would be gorgeous for evening.

A few of the best dark lipsticks to try:

• Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Rouge Berry, a blackened berry
• Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Blackmail, a deep berry wine
• Dior Rouge Dior Lipstick in Poison Matte, a deep aubergine

2. Glitter Eyeshadow

The second biggest trend—and by far the most surprising one!—is glitter. Yes, for grown-ups. The runway version is definitely exaggerated: designers dusted it all over the lids, cheeks and even brows. But for real life, it can translate into a super-pretty nighttime eyeshadow look that's so much more interesting than matte smokies.

Well, first I'll show you how Elle Fanning wears it:

Okay, most of us probably won't want to go this far—she stays very true to the catwalk interpretation, placing the glitter in a messy way all the way around her eyes. This is one of my favourite creative makeup looks of 2016!

Kendall Jenner has a much more restrained version:

See, it's just a light sprinkling of gold glitter at the inner corners of the eyes. So pretty with long lashes, peach lip gloss and matching eyeshadow. Love this!

If you're feeling a little more adventurous, try what Rose Byrne is doing:

She went for an iridescent lilac glitter and applied it in a more concentrated way all around the inner corners of her eyes. It's unexpected but still extremely wearable, with soft peach lips and cheeks. 

A few of the best glitter shadows to try:

• Make Up For Ever Glitters in Sand 11, a tan
• Bobbi Brown Sparkle Eyeshadow in Silver Lilac, an opal pink lavender
• Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Cosmetic Glitter in Slate, a silvery grey

3. Smudgy Black Liner

If you're going to wear eyeliner this fall, make it a black one. Designers showed it both graphic and smudgy, so there wasn't one specific application technique. Personally, I think smudging is far easier and more wearable. Just grab your smudger brush (such as Make Up For Ever's) and you're good to go.

Here's how Margot Robbie wears this trend:

As you can see, she concentrated the black liner underneath her eyes for almost a reverse smoky eye effect. Lashes are natural, and lips and cheeks are soft and pinky, so the focus stays on her gaze.

Priyanka Chopra did a very glam version:

Let's ignore the lashes (they're a bit much!) and instead focus on her black liner, all the way around in her waterlines. It's smudged out to create a smoky effect—this always looks impressive, but is actually a super-easy technique.

If you like things a bit more precise, here's Hailee Steinfeld: 

Her liner goes along the upper lash lines, and just a third of the way in on the lower lids. Again, it's all nicely blended, but not as sooty or “rock 'n' roll” as the others. I love how this looks with pretty pink lips and cheeks.

A few of the best black liners to try:

• Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kôhl Liner in Raven, a black
• Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner in Aqua XL M-10, matte black
• Yves Saint Laurent Dessin du Regard Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in 01 Black, a black

4. Brights

Traditionally, bright makeup has been a summer thing. But now, it's more than okay to wear it all fall. It doesn't matter where you place your pops of colour—eyes or lips—nor which shade you choose. From blues to oranges to magentas, anything goes!

Here's your most low-risk option, on Holland Roden:

She's wearing a vivid orangey-red lipstick with barely any other makeup—just lashes, soft brows and a nude blush. Getting in on the bright colour trend couldn't be easier.

Or, you could do liner. One of the best examples I've EVER seen is this blue on Jessica Biel:

Is this not amazing?! It's all about the electric shock of colour, which is actually framed by a black liner closer to her lashes. (That's a good little trick to “ground” the bright blue.) Everything else is soft and fresh. 

Another idea is Emma Stone's liner look:

It's just a flirty “V” of teal liner at the outer corners of her eyes. With this one, you can get away with a slightly more intense lip colour.

A few of the best brights to try:

• Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Lipstick in Tell Laura, a vibrant orange-red
• Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner in Ody(Sea) 62, a teal green
• Lancôme Drama Liqui-Pencil Longwear Eyeliner in Macaron, a pink

5. Twiggy Lashes

This fall's lash look is all about super-defined, borderline chunky eyelashes. As someone who loathes most false lashes, I'd be so happy to see this take off! Compared to past seasons, one major point of difference is that the bottom lashes are just as important as the top ones—think Twiggy eyes.

Here's Paula Patton showing us how it's done:

I'm not crazy about the white liner along her lower rims, but the rest, I love. Every single lash hair is coated in product to make her eyes pop.

Keri Russell also did chunky lashes with beautiful results:

There are multiple coats on both the top and bottom lashes to produce a thick, doll-like fringe. Who needs false lashes, huh?

But if you prefer a softer look, try what Phoebe Tonkin is doing:

She's got these big Bambi lashes going on—so pretty! The lower lashes are well defined but not clumpy, and pair perfectly with her rosy lips and cheeks.

A few of the best new mascaras to try: 

• Lancôme Grandiôse Extrême Mascara in Black
• Burberry Cat Lashes Mascara in No. 1 Jet Black
• Kevyn Aucoin The Expert Mascara in Black

6. Glowy Skin

After a few seasons of extreme contouring and extreme strobing, we're back to skin that looks more like skin. (Thank goodness!) Your complexion goals for this fall should be a slightly dewy texture with soft flushed cheeks, and subtle, non-shimmery highlights.

Nobody does it better than Lupita Nyong'o:

The way the light reflects off her skin—especially her cheek—is beyond gorgeous. Notice the lack of detectable contour. It's really just the blush and the slightly iridescent luminizer.

I also love this look on Karlie Kloss:

This is go-anywhere makeup. Everything is super-fresh, but that little shine on her cheek takes it to the next level. 

Brie Larson is another example:

Once again, the light reflects off the cheeks—never underestimate the power of illuminator! The rest of her makeup is peach perfection, with a little graphic black liner to bring out her eyes. 

A few of the best highlighters to try:

• RMS Beauty Living Luminizer
• Tata Harper Highlighter
• Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder

7. Natural Brows

The last trend you need to know pertains to eyebrows. While big brows are still “in,” exaggerated arches are over—so no more filling them in with extra-dark pencil and over-drawing the shape. The message for fall is to simply embrace what you have naturally, without doing too much shaping or filling at all.

Alexa Chung has one of the best pairs of brows in the biz:

She has a naturally feathery shape, so the only grooming required is just brushing them up with a bit of gel for hold.

Jamie Chung has recently let her brows grow in:

Hers are naturally bushy, and all she added was a light shade of brow powder to emphasize the shape. They're still very soft.

If you don't have full brows, not to worry. Check out Rosie Huntington-Whiteley:

Even though her brows aren't super-thick, they have this lovely soft and natural effect, thanks to the brushed-up fans. They're not over-trimmed.

A few of the best brow products to try:

• Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Brow Mascara
• Yves Saint Laurent Couture Brow
• Benefit Gimme Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel

Conclusion

Now you're all up to date on the makeup of the season! I'm looking forward to trying out a darker lip—well, maybe just for evening—and my inner five-year-old cannot wait to bust out the glitter. I'm also thrilled to see the end of contouring and heavy, drawn-on brows. Let's hope these trends catch on real soon! Tell me:

Which makeup trend is your favourite?
Have you tried any of these looks?