As this summer slowly but surely comes to an end, it’s time for us to put away the soft shimmers and bring in those rich autumn mattes! For the chick who’s looking for that sexy fall look that doesn’t take 2 hours to achieve, we’ve got just the products for you. Bye-bye summer eyes, hello statement lips! We will only be using eight (yes, eight) products! And of course, some essential tools that every beauty bombshell needs in their life! So let’s get started…
The first step in my beauty routine is primer, which smoothes the skin and provides an even surface for your face makeup. I’m still in love with Benefit’s Porefessional oil free, silicone pore minimizer, but NYX Pore Filler or Maybelline Baby Skin primers are great drugstore dupes. I only use a pea-sized amount on the tip of my finger and I smooth it onto my T-zone. I have dry skin, so this really helps to soften up the texture B-E-A-YOU-tifally! This step, however, is optional and not 110% necessary.
Next, for my skin I like to keep it nice and light with a tinted moisturizer. My new love is the Too Faced Tinted Beauty Balm in the shade Snow Glow–because I am white as a ghost no matter what the season. This product is incredibly full coverage so you don’t need to worry about discoloration peeping through. For this step, feel free to use your favorite foundation for your flawless base! I like to squeeze out a blot of product on the back of my hand to warm it up and make it look more natural. Then, I dab it all over my skin with a damp beauty blender. If you have yet to invest in a beauty blender, what have you been waiting for!? Seriously, go pick up one for $3 at Marshalls; it is so worth it! It blends the product into the skin so smoothly and absorbs the excess so your skin looks super natural. No one likes cake face! On that note, I usually like to set with a translucent powder. Maybelline’s Fit Me translucent powder is a great drugstore option. Just make sure you don’t go in too heavy handed!
For concealer, I stick with Too Faced and use the Born This Way concealer. Maybelline’s Instant Age Rewind concealer is an awesome product from the drugstore that will achieve the same look. I use the lightest shade, in Very Fair, and apply it directly under my eyes, down the bridge of my nose, and a smidgen on my chin. I also like to spot correct blemishes and go back in with that same damp beauty blender! I am a HUGE fan of non-touring (non-contouring) which is when you add a light shade of concealer to the high points of the face and avoid using a cool-toned bronzer to carve out your cheekbones. It’s gorgeous, natural, and incredibly quick! Perfect for those hectic school mornings.
Now for eyes, I use the Too Faced Natural Matte eye palette. Are we sensing a theme here? Too Faced is one of my favorite brands! I only use two of the shades to create a super natural smokey eye, so you can use any palette with a variety of neutrals to achieve this look. A drugstore palette that beginners may like to add to their collection is the Maybelline The Nudes eyeshadow palette. I like to use a warm brown shade all over the lid and blend it thoroughly. I try to avoid the inner corner and the brow bone because we want to keep those sections light to keep the eye looking open! Then, I take a darker, taupey shade and smudge it along the upper and lower lashline. Now, if you want you are welcome to tightline with a sharp black liner. My personal favorite is the Marc Jacobs ultra skinny gel liner pencil, but Rimmel also makes some great eyeliners. Again, that is optional! For mascara, I use the Too Faced Better than Sex mascara because it is the most gorgeous jet black, and adds that extra umph to your lashes that keep you looking fresh and awake! To get a similar dramatic lash on a drugstore budget, try Rimmel’s Scandaleyes mascara!
The one thing every girl frets when they’re in a rush is their eyebrows, but with the Anastasia Beverly Hills pomade, creating that sharp, naturally undone brow is a sinch! I use Anastasia’s double ended brow spoolie to comb and define my brows. This is probably the most time consuming part, but it’s what really pulls in the entire look! If the idea of a brow pomade intimidates you, try using a brow pencil. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz is always reliable, but you can also try the Nyx Microbrow pencil. Make those brows do the work, girl.
Finally, for lips, I’ve been falling in love with the Kylie Jenner Lip Kit in the shade “Kristen”. Now I know this is technically one of her summer shades, but trust me when I tell you it is PERFECT for fall! This creamy liquid lip is an absolute stunner, but surely there are plenty of dupes out there that could help recreate this look for college kids like us on a budget. A lot of people will go for the Milani liquid lip in the shade “Allure” because it’s $9 versus the $29 for the lipstick/lip liner duo. I’d say that is a no brainer! Statement lips are huge for fall; everyone is looking for those rich maroons, sultry purples, and fierce browns, so for whatever makeup look you go for, it’s go big or go home in fall!
And that’s it! Your fall face is complete! Just to recap: go for a lightweight, natural looking foundation to keep your face hydrated and glamorous, but don’t go for anything too glowey. Matte is a must for fall, so keep that in mind when you want to reach for your shimmery bronzer, and stick with the non-tour trend. If you really want to apply a highlight, I would suggest just keeping it on the top of the cheekbone, close to the eye, and a smidge above the brow in a C formation. And if you feel like popping it on the cupid’s bow, I’ll never be opposed! A sultry smokey eye kills, but it doesn’t have to be difficult to create. And when in doubt, go for a statement lip – you won’t regret it!