The latest fall makeup trends of 2024
Fall 2024
A season that beckons a word perhaps best left unsaid, yet encapsulates an exhilarating shift that transcends the ordinary. There’s an unmistakable vitality in the air, one that ignites a sense of ecstasy. From the resurgence of pop star grunge to the anticipation of our first female president, the atmosphere is charged with the promise of change. It is a moment of liberation, empowering us to embrace our true selves and navigate life on our own terms.
As the self-proclaimed "blush boy," I feel compelled to highlight the intersection of beauty and this transformative era. Here, then, are my favorite trends for fall 2024. Shall we linger in the nostalgia of past styles, or boldly venture into the future? The choice, as always, is yours.
Cool Toned Makeup
Cool toned looks have come and go throughout the years. But our girl Gabriette may be the one we all have raged over as of recently. I actually passed her smoking here once in the city and she smized with her dead eyes and with my dead eyes I also grinned back. Goth girls girl if I say? Anyways, it’s safe to say the look is back. From presenting yourself as you just stepped off of another planet where there is only ice - the cool toned glam is all of the rage.
To achieve the coveted cool-toned glam, begin by crafting a frosted, icy lid with the r.e.m. beauty Midnight Shadows Lustrous Liquid Eyeshadow in "Lab Coat." This stunning shade imparts a luxurious iridescence, transforming your eyes into shimmering crystal-like reflections.
Next, define the hollows and lash line with cool gray matte shadows from the Morphe 18CT Matte Essentials Artistry Palette. This versatile palette is my go-to for cool-toned looks, offering a cohesive selection of whites, grays, and blacks all in one convenient collection.
Next, I reach for the Maybelline Tattoo Studio Gel Black Liner to achieve that effortlessly smudged, lived-in look, as if you’ve just emerged from a night of revelry. This liner is remarkably user-friendly, allowing for seamless blending to create that casual, yet chic, effect.
To perfect a muted cool-toned lip, I turn to my favorite MAC Lip Liner Pencils. If I had to recommend three essential shades for achieving this look, they would be “Stone,” “Greige,” and “Subculture.” I like to gently buff the liner with my finger or a pencil brush, ensuring it appears intentionally smudged and delightfully undone, rather than overly polished.
To finish off the cool-toned lip, apply a light layer of Kylie Cosmetics Tinted Butter Balm in “She’s Lovely.” These balms are a dream—luxuriously comfortable on the lips, delivering a high-shine finish that truly lasts.
As Charli would say, “Call me Gabriette, you’re so inspired.” With this look, you’ll embody the essence of cool-toned glam effortlessly!
Muted blush and lips
Embracing the lived-in aesthetic, muted, smudged blush and lips have become a hot topic in the beauty world. Product developers are now creating formulas specifically designed for that effortless “smudge” onto the skin, while makeup artists are opting for soft, matte finishes in their recent looks.
This trend is poised to endure, as it not only imparts a soft, timeless quality to the skin but also captures the true essence of one’s beauty in photographs—like a dream. Truly timeless, if I may say.
My favorite blush to create this smudged soft look is the Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick. I know I have talked about these before, but if I’m being honest - that means it’s really that good. My favorite shades are Garconne and Bichette. Bichette is a more warm berry red flush to the skin while Garconne is more of a mauve pinch to the cheek.
The formulations of these blushes truly distinguish themselves, especially from a makeup artist's perspective. They are versatile enough to be applied with fingers, brushes, beauty blenders, or even swiped directly onto the skin. This level of adaptability is often overlooked by product developers, which is why I greatly appreciate Westman Atelier's commitment to ease of use. Their meticulous attention to this detail ensures that their products are not only effective but also incredibly user-friendly.
One recent product I absolutely adore is the Maybelline Teddy Tint. I had the pleasure of working with these on set while assisting for the CFDA’s this week, and they deliver the most beautifully blurred, soft lip effect. With charming packaging and a delightful whipped formulation, I can confidently say these are a must-have for the fall season.
Shimmering shadow with no liner
Now, let’s delve into a more controversial look: a shimmering lid with no shadow. While this might seem daunting to the average makeup wearer, I assure you that with a touch of confidence, you can absolutely pull it off. Personally, I’ve always been a fan of a shimmery lid, and Lara Violette has truly mastered this aesthetic, making her my favorite creator to showcase this striking look. Embrace the shimmer and let your eyes take center stage! From crafting soft, ethereal looks to bold, alienesque goth styles, Lara Violette demonstrates the versatility of a shimmering lid with remarkable finesse. I would describe her aesthetic as elevated punk Parisian—an intriguing blend of elegance and edge that proves you can truly achieve it all with just a touch of shimmer.
Now, onto my favorite shimmers: none other than the exquisite formulas crafted by the incomparable Pat McGrath. Her eyeshadows are truly worthy of study, as there’s nothing quite like them in the beauty industry. From her pearlescent shades to the mesmerizing tri-chromes, each formula allows you to achieve a perfectly shimmering, dimensional eye with just one swipe. I consider this formula a national treasure in the makeup world—it is genuinely one of a kind. My personal favorite palette is the Venus in Fluers Luxe Eyeshadow Quad as it has 3 of the most stunning shimmers inside.
Next on my list of favorite shimmers are the Danessa Myricks Infinite Chrome Flakes and Twin Flames liquid shadows. Having used both on myself and others, I can confidently say they offer unparalleled hyper-metallic and multi-shift payoff compared to other products in the same category.
Not only do these come in stunning shades that perfectly achieve that shimmering look, but they are also incredibly user-friendly, allowing you to explore this aesthetic without hesitation. Remember to have fun with it—makeup is all about play and experimentation! As long as you own your look, it becomes your unique creation to embrace and enjoy.
Matte skin
Yes, you read that correctly: matte skin is making a comeback! According to trend forecasts, it seems poised to be the next big thing. While it may evoke memories of 2016, with 2026 just around the corner, it’s time for a shift in focus. After a couple of years dominated by the glowy, glass-skin trend, matte skin is ready to reclaim its place.
Whether it's your favorite celebrity gracing the red carpet or your best friend meeting you for happy hour, expect to see a resurgence of pressed powders. Personally, I have mixed feelings about this trend. While I appreciate the polished look matte pressed powders provide on my clients, I’m not particularly fond of the sensation most powders leave on my own skin.
With that in mind, I’d like to highlight my favorite matte powders that are truly blush-boy approved and don’t leave that chalky feeling behind. For those who crave an ultra-matte finish, I highly recommend the One Size Beauty Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder. I recently picked up the shade “Ultra Pink,” and I can confidently say it’s the most matte powder I’ve encountered. A little goes a long way, so if this is your aesthetic, you’re bound to love it.
My preferred method of application is to use a powder puff. Before applying to the face, I always press some product off onto the back of my hand. This technique helps prevent excess product from being used and ensures a smooth, flawless finish on the skin. I also enjoy baking with this powder—using a fluffy brush to dust it on and then gently sweeping it away for that perfect color payoff.
Next up is the beloved Givenchy Prism Libre Powder. I must share a little secret: they’ve unfortunately reformulated it. If you have an older version, cherish it and save it for your best glam days! In my opinion, it truly was the best powder formulation, and I’ve heard the same from many fellow makeup artists.
While the new formulation isn’t terrible, it simply doesn’t compare to the original due to the removal of talc in response to recent industry regulations. If you don’t already have this gem in your collection, I highly recommend the Makeup by Mario Surreal Skin Talc-Free Soft Blur Setting Powder. This is probably the closest you’ll get to the old Givenchy formula, and thankfully, it’s already made without talc, so no future reformulations are necessary. I would describe this powder as a lightweight smoothing and blurring option—think Laura Mercier Translucent, but even better!
I’ve been relying on this substitute when I want to conserve my original Givenchy powder, and it has been doing a fantastic job. Now, let’s move on to my favorite pressed powders: MAC Studio Fix Pressed Powder and KOSAS Cloud Set Baked Setting and Smoothing Powder.
The MAC Studio Fix is a classic product that I wholeheartedly swear by. In my opinion, it’s the best high-coverage powder for adding brightness to the high points of the face. However, I wouldn’t recommend it for touch-ups, as it does provide a noticeable color payoff.
For touch-ups, I’m absolutely obsessed with the KOSAS Cloud Set Baked Setting and Smoothing Powder. This powder is wonderfully sheer and works like magic, blurring imperfections and absorbing excess oil from the skin. I’ve used it on set recently, and I can’t rave enough about its performance!
Beyond that, we’ll have to wait and see what Fall 2024 has in store. Will we see a continuation of current trends, or does someone special have fresh innovations up their sleeve? I’m genuinely excited to see what brands will unveil as the new year approaches, and I’m sure there will be plenty for us to discuss.