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25 BEST FALL MAKEUP LOOKS TO TRY THIS SEASON

With the crispness of fall in the air, we’re greeted by an array of new beauty inspirations straight from the fashion week runways to carry us through the colder months.

It’s that time of year when you sift through galleries of runway looks, saving screenshots of models adorned with glitter accents, rosy cheeks, and more. The fall 2024 beauty trends are particularly exciting, offering plenty of opportunities for those eager to experiment with their makeup.

Ready to explore? We’ve compiled insights from the runways and consulted with top makeup artists to bring you the most anticipated fall 2024 makeup trends. Plus, we’ve included expert tips and must-have products, making it easy for you to stay on trend and recreate these looks yourself.

RED LIPS

“Per brands like Thom Browne, Molly Goddard, and Richard Quinn, punchy, bright red lips are back in full force,” says celebrity makeup artist Tomy Rivero. “Women now feel empowered to wear a red lip throughout the day, leaving behind the idea that a bold red lip should be reserved for evening wear or special occasions. Plus, the accent fits right in with the trendy mob wife aesthetic.” This fall makeup idea is perfect for those who want to make a statement.

SOFT LIPS

For a soft, ethereal look, begin with a mattifying primer to create a dewy, blurred canvas. Complete the look with a lipstick that complements your natural lip color.

RASPBERRY POUT

A raspberry lip and muted gray eyeshadow create a cool-toned makeup look that’s perfect for fall. A raspberry lip and muted gray eyeshadow create a cool-toned makeup look that’s perfect for fall. A bold red lip and a subtle shimmery eyeshadow create a glamorous and sophisticated look that’s perfect for special occasions.

GLITTER PLAY

Glitter eyes add a touch of fun to any look. We love the playful combination of glitter and liquid liner. Silver is a versatile choice that complements almost any outfit.

GRANNY SMITH GREEN

For a unique fall makeup look, try soft, iridescent green eyeshadow with a touch of gold. Pair it with peach blush and nude lips for a stunning, unexpected combination.

SUBTLE CAT EYE

One of the standout makeup trends from fall 2024 was the subtle cat eye. This look was often paired with minimal makeup for a refined and feminine effect. At LovesShackFancy, Bobbi Brown Global Pro Artist Amy Conway embraced the coquette girl trend by using soft pink tones and creating a delicate winged eye with gel liner.

CHRISTIAN COWAN

For a high-glam look, emphasize your eyes with sleek eyeliner, voluminous lashes, and face gems, inspired by the models at Christian Cowan. Makeup artists Lori Taylor Davis and Doniella Davy used Half Magic’s decals at the inner corners of the eyes to create a dazzling, three-dimensional effect.

LUXE LINER

The flawlessly blended eyeliner in this look is incredibly satisfying. The peachy-nude shadow and lips create a perfect fall makeup combination that you’ll want to wear again and again. Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Satin Kajal Liner is easy to apply and provides long-lasting results.

BRONZE BEAUTY

Smoky bronze eyes, shimmering glossy lips, and smoky eyeliner are the perfect combination for a fall makeup look. To keep your skin looking fresh and radiant all day, mist your face with Evian’s Brumisateur.

MOD METALLIC

For fall, metallic silver eyelids, generous coats of mascara, and nude lips are the perfect combination. Add a touch of black liner to your lids to craft an abstract shape if you’re feeling adventurous.

DOUBLE WING

A radiant complexion combined with black and purple winged liner demonstrates the stunning impact of layering eyeliners and experimenting with wing shapes. And let’s not forget those flawless brows! For a glowing finish, try Armani Beauty’s Neo Nude Foundation, which offers a lightweight, dewy look while keeping your skin hydrated.

NATURALLY DEFINED

A defined black eyeliner paired with a subtle highlight on the cheeks is a perfect everyday look. Adding a touch of highlight to the inner corners of the eyes enhances the effect beautifully. Finish with a soft, neutral lipstick, and you’ve achieved a chic, fall-ready makeup look that’s perfect for any day of the week.

BOLD AND BLUE

Bold colors can be a year-round staple, and this striking blue on the lids is a perfect example. For a stunning effect, keep the application simple while ensuring the color payoff looks expertly crafted, as if you spent hours perfecting it.

PURPLE SMOKE

Vivid, deep violet and purple shadows create a smoky eye that truly stands out. When paired with soft, natural skin and lips, this eye-catching look complements any fall wardrobe beautifully.

MAUVE LINES

Matte mauve lipstick combined with delicate liquid eyeliner on the inner corners introduces fall hues and a fresh twist on eye makeup. Lining the inner corners not only defines your eyes but is also surprisingly simple to achieve.

EMERALD FRAME

Enhance your fall eyeshadow look with a jewel-toned shade like emerald green for a bold and vibrant effect. Adding a smoky touch to the lower lashline elevates the look, while dewy skin and a soft lip provide a perfect balance. For flawless coverage, apply concealer under the eyes and blend with a brush like Anisa Beauty’s Angled Concealer Brush for optimal results.

OLIVE SMOKE

Give the classic smoky eye a fresh twist by blending three earth-toned shadows for a fall-inspired look. The combination of forest green, rust, and gold creates a vibrant and stunning eyeshadow effect that captures the essence of the season.

BERRY SHARP

Berry lips, glowing skin, and razor-sharp winged eyeliner—this look exudes major fall vibes. The precise liquid liner pairs beautifully with the softer lip stain and highlighted skin, creating a stunning seasonal effect.

Diffused Shadows

For a more toned-down version of the ’90s grunge aesthetic, Allen recommends a ‘messy, textured eyeshadow’ trend. This look, achieved by applying wet or dry shadow with a brush or fingertips, creates a smoldering, slightly undone effect that adds a touch of coolness and attitude to the eyes.

PINK CHEEKS WITH MAUVE LIPS

While summer and spring often feature a flushed cheek, this fall version offers a fresh twist, especially when paired with mauve lips. Start by lining the lips, then apply a matching lipstick. Blot to remove some color, achieving a more natural, understated effect.

SUN-KISSED AND SMOKEY

We adore this lighter, sun-kissed twist on the smoky eye, featuring smudgy lids and radiant skin. For choosing the right bronzer, Jamie Greenberg (a celebrity makeup artist based in California) suggests: “The best rule is figuring out if you have cool or warm undertones. That’s how you choose what kind of bronzer you use. You should like go 2-3 shades darker than your skin.”

ALLOVER TAN

We love a monochromatic makeup look, especially for fall. This one features bronzer concentrated on the apples of the cheeks, with matching bronze tones highlighting the lids and lips for a cohesive, seasonal effect.

Son Jung Won

According to Marc Reagan, Bobbi Brown Global Pro Artist, ‘Son Jung Won’s latest look pays homage to the ’60s with a modern twist. By combining a radiant, natural base with a striking, elongated eye, we’ve captured the essence of new-wave French style.’

All Dolled Up

This fall, long, flowing lashes are getting a dramatic upgrade. Inspired by the iconic looks of Diana Ross and paper dolls, veteran makeup artist Diane Kendal layered black nail polish onto Duo false lashes to create an ultra-thick, glossy fringe for Marc Jacobs’ show.

L’Agence

If you prefer a darker, more dramatic lip, deep, vampy scarlet was a popular choice during New York Fashion Week, including at L’Agence.

CONCLUSION

From bold red lips to smoky eyes, the possibilities are endless. Experiment with different colors, textures, and techniques to find your perfect fall aesthetic. Remember, the key to a great makeup look is confidence. So embrace the season’s beauty and step into fall with style.

7 BEST BIRTHDAY NAIL SET IDEAS WITH LASTING QUALITY

Calling all birthday nail enthusiasts with a birthday coming up! Ready to ditch the chip worries and rock a stunning manicure that lasts? Look no further! We’ve curated 7 of the best birthday nail set ideas specifically designed for birthday nails, ensuring both eye-catching designs and long-lasting wear. Get ready to celebrate your special day with fabulous nails that won’t quit!

OUR TOP PICKS

BEST POLISH: ESSIE GEL COUTURE LONGWEAR NAIL POLISH + TOP COAT KIT

If you’re aiming for a gel manicure look without the UV drying light, Essie Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish is an excellent choice. This polish, which has a thick, non-dripping formula, applies like regular polish and dries to a hard, glossy finish that mimics a professional salon manicure. We wore these nails for over two weeks and experienced minimal chipping, comparable to professional gel manicures. Removal is straightforward with acetone, leaving your nails healthy and undamaged.

While lamp-cured gel polishes dry faster, Essie Gel Couture takes about 15 minutes to fully dry. However, its staying power is impressive, and we loved the vibrant colors and the well-preserved condition of our nails after removal. If you want a gel-like manicure without the need for a UV lamp, this polish is the best option.

  • Shades: 1
  • Dry Time: 15 minutes
  • Lamp Included: No

BEST FOR TRAVEL: LE MINI MACARON LE MAXI DELUXE GEL MANICURE SET

The Le Mini Macaron compact kit is ideal for on-the-go manicures. We gave it top marks for ease of use, drying time, finished appearance, and nail health post-removal. Despite gel kits often being intimidating for beauty newbies, this kit from Le Mini Macaron is user-friendly and fun, even for beginners. The gel lacquer dries quickly with the included LED lamp, leaving nails glossy and hard in just one minute. However, the travel-friendly lamp is small, so you’ll need to dry your thumb separately.

While we loved the quick-drying, glossy finish, the polish began peeling within a few days and was completely gone soon after. Longer-lasting results might be achieved by using a nail-prepper product, applying thinner coats, or drying nails for a longer time. Despite the short staying power, our nails were not damaged, making this kit an excellent travel choice.

  • Shades: 2
  • Dry Time: 1 minute
  • Lamp Included: Yes

BEST VALUE: GELLEN GEL NAIL POLISH KIT

For a more comprehensive option, the Gellen Gel Starter Kit is a great choice. We awarded this kit perfect scores for ease of use and were impressed with the 12 included bottles of polish, various nail embellishments, grooming tools, and UV lamp. The instructions recommend drying each coat for 60 seconds under the light, but we found our nails were still tacky after a minute. Extending the drying time to 90 seconds yielded better results.

Once painted and dried, we loved the appearance of our gel manicures. The colors were vibrant, and the polish dried smooth with a glossy finish. However, the lacquer began to chip around day six and was completely peeled off by day eight, making soak-off removal unnecessary. While we wish the polish lasted longer, this feature-rich kit offers great value.

  • Shades: 12
  • Dry Time: 90 seconds
  • Lamp Included: Yes

BEST FOR BEGINNERS: SALLY HANSEN SALON PRO GEL STARTER KIT

If you’re new to gel nails, Sally Hansen’s beginner-friendly Salon Starter Kit is perfect for you. This kit earned a perfect score for ease of use, thanks to its simple three-step process and lightning-fast drying time. Curing your nails with the included LED lamp takes only about 30 seconds.

Once dried, our nails were smooth, super shiny, and hard without any stickiness. Although the kit comes with only one color, additional bottles can be purchased separately. Despite the promise of up to two weeks of wear, our manicures didn’t last very long. The gel began to peel when we cleaned around the house, even with gloves on. This kit may not be ideal for those who work with their hands, but it’s a great option for anyone looking to try gel nails at home.

  • Shades: 1
  • Dry Time: 30 seconds
  • Lamp Included: Yes

BEST BUDGET: SENSATIONAIL GEL STARTER KIT

Looking for a budget-friendly option? The SensatioNail Gel Starter Kit is a solid choice. The instructions can be a bit confusing, so we recommend reading through them thoroughly before starting. While this kit wasn’t the easiest to use initially, the process should be smoother the second time around. We were pleasantly surprised by how quickly the lacquer dried with the included LED lamp, but for the best results, we suggest applying thinner layers of paint and taking your time.

The brand claims up to two weeks of wear, but we noticed chipping after about a week—slightly longer than regular polish but not as durable as a professional gel manicure. Although this affordable kit comes with only one polish color, you can purchase additional bottles individually to expand your collection.

  • Shades: 1
  • Dry Time: 3 minutes
  • Lamp Included: Yes

BEST FOR NAIL CARE: RED CARPET MANICURE PRO 45 STARTER KIT

If you prioritize skincare, it’s important to care for your nail beds and cuticles too. This comprehensive kit includes everything from cuticle oil to sealing top and base coats, along with cleansers, foil wraps, cuticle pushers, and more. The gel hardened into a shiny gloss on our nails in just 45 seconds and stayed smooth with minimal chipping for nearly two weeks.

We did notice that the brushes were a bit uneven and frayed, making it challenging to cover all the edges perfectly. However, with a steady hand, we applied the glossy shades, confident that our nails and skin were protected. After removing the polish two weeks later, we were pleased to find our nails as strong as ever.

  • Shades: 1
  • Dry Time: 45 seconds
  • Lamp Included: Yes

BEST OVERALL: MOROVAN NAIL KIT

Morovan’s Poly Gel Kit earned perfect scores for drying time, finished look, staying power, ease of removal, and nail integrity post-removal. We only marked it down for ease of use due to a slight learning curve. However, the instructions were thorough and easy to follow, and the illustrated how-to booklet was very helpful.

This set includes everything needed for a professional-level manicure, plus some fun embellishments and extras. It comes with eight polish shades, including six solid opaques and two ombrés. The kit also includes a primer, a dehydrator, a base coat, a top coat, an LED lamp, and various tools for grooming your nails and cuticles.

The most challenging component was the nail extensions, as the kit includes extension gel and shaping foil to help you create your desired length and shape. Once the gel was applied, the drying process was smooth and straightforward.

After two weeks, only two extensions had fallen off, and the stunning color and shine remained. When it was time to remove the polish, the gel came off easily with the help of a scraping tool. If you’re up for the challenge of DIY gel extensions and want a long-lasting manicure, this kit is an excellent choice.

  • Shades: 8
  • Dry Time: 2 minutes
  • Lamp Included: Yes

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING AN AT-HOME GEL KIT

STAYING POWER

One of the main attractions of at-home gel nails is their promise of professional-level longevity. The products, tools, and formulas should provide similar results to what you’d get at a salon. However, many kits we tried didn’t last more than a week. Various factors can influence this, including improper use of the kits, daily wear and tear on your nails, and not thoroughly removing natural oils from your nails before painting. For best results, carefully read all instructions and follow the manufacturer’s nail care suggestions, and consider wearing reusable gloves when cleaning and doing dishes.

INCLUDED SHADES

While some at-home gel kits come with multiple polish shades, many starter sets only include one or two. However, additional colors are often available for individual purchase, allowing you to gradually expand your collection with shades you’ll actually use. An extra bottle of white nail polish is great for classic French manicures and the trendy “glazed donut” nails.

CURING LAMP

Most kits come with a UV or LED lamp, which is essential for curing and drying gel polish. As celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein explains, “Gel polish needs a UV light to cure/dry and provides a chip-free manicure that lasts much longer than regular nail polish.” Depending on the lamp’s bulbs and wattage, each coat will take anywhere from 30 seconds to three minutes to cure. Most of our top picks, except for Essie’s Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish, include an LED/UV lamp.

REMOVAL

Gel manicures typically require soak-off removal. This involves soaking 10 cotton pieces in pure acetone, placing them on your nails, wrapping them in foil, and letting them sit for about 15 minutes. After soaking, the polish usually scrapes off easily. If you prefer not to make multiple trips to the store, consider the Red Carpet Manicure Pro 45 Gel Starter Kit, which includes foil wraps, gel polish remover, and more.

CONCLUSION

So there you have it! With these seven fantastic nail set ideas, you can celebrate your birthday with stunning nails that last. Whether you crave a classic French manicure, a touch of playful glitter, or a bold, eye-catching design, there’s a perfect option for you. So go forth, embrace your beautiful nails, and rock a birthday mani that shines as bright as you do!