How to Transition Makeup from Summer to Fall

Here’s exactly how to transition your makeup from summer to fall.

Is anyone else excited when summer ends, and you start to feel that first crisp hint of fall in the air? Fall is my favorite season, especially for makeup!

As the seasons change to the cooler fall days, it’s time to embrace softer skin, berry lips, and autumn-inspired eye looks. We still love to keep things fresh and natural—no heavy mattes here—but the fun part is introducing deeper tones, warmer tones, and rich textures that capture the essence of the fall season.

8 Tips to Help You Transition From Summer to Fall Makeup

Here are our top tips for seamlessly transitioning your makeup bag from the sunny days of summer to the cozy vibes of fall, along with some favorite products to help you get the perfect autumn look.

This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you purchase a product through my link at no extra cost to you. All items are carefully curated by me and reflect my honest opinion.

Tip 1: Perfect Your Skin Care Routine

Great makeup begins with healthy, hydrated skin; as the temperature drops, it’s the perfect time to switch to richer moisturizers and hydrating serums to maintain that glow.

Your summer skincare routine of lightweight gels and lotions may not be enough, as your skin craves more moisture to combat dryness. For a flawless base, it starts with optimal skin prep. 

The good news is you don’t necessarily need a primer—a hydrating moisturizer will do the trick.

Or, consider incorporating this hyaluronic acid (my personal fav) into your beauty routine for a smooth canvas. Just don’t forget your SPF! Those UV rays can still cause sun damage even in the fall, so opt for broad-spectrum formulas that provide hydration and sun protection.

Best Hydrating Moisturizers for Glowing Skin:

1. Any moisturizer from this post: The Best Korean Moisturizers For Dry Skin (I Tried Them ALL)
2. SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
3. Bobbi Brown Face Base

Tip 2: Choose a Satin Finish Foundation

As you move away from your summer staples, consider switching from your lightweight foundation or tinted moisturizer to a fuller coverage formula better suited for the colder months. 

The products you use to keep your skin light and breathable during the hot weather may not provide enough coverage as the temperature drops.

Dewy summer skin is beautiful, but as the weather cools, opt for a satin finish foundation that’s not too dewy but not drying. Something that still provides a luminous glow. Your skin, but better.

Best Satin Finish Foundations: 

1. Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
2. E.L.F. Soft Glam Foundation
3. L’Oreal True Match Foundation

Tip 3: Add Subtle Warmth & Contour

You don’t need to completely give up your summer glow, but it is that time of year when you should transition your all-over bronzed glow to a more subtle glow and contour. 

TBH, I’m pale, and there’s no way I will omit my bronzer, but I love to tone it down a notch as we shift seasons. 

Instead of applying bronzer all over, focus on contouring your cheekbones and jawline for a more defined look. This helps create a sculpted appearance while still adding warmth to your complexion. 

Best Bronzers for Fall: 

1. Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer
2. NARS Laguna Bronzer
3. Rimmel London Natural Bronzer

Tip 4: Go For a Rosy Glow

Even more than bronzer, a rosy glow on the cheeks can instantly refresh your look and give you that cozy fall vibe.   For summer makeup, we tend to focus on bright pops of pink and coral blushes. 

For your fall makeup routine, reach for blushes that bring life to the skin – rosy pinks, warm peaches, and deep nudes, depending on your skin tone. 

Cream blushes provide a nice, dewy finish for more mature skin that still provides a healthy glow. 

Best Fall Blushes: 

1. Lawless Make Me Blush- Desert Rose
2. Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush – Exposed
3. Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick – Dou Dou

Tip 5: Finish with a Luminous Setting Powder 

Complete your look with a luminous setting powder to lock in your makeup and add a soft, radiant glow that lasts all day. For skin over 40, I recommend powders with a subtle luminosity for that candle-lit effect without heavy mica or glitter. You can also finish with a highlighter on the high points of your face and a setting spray if needed.

Best Luminous Powders: 

1. Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder
2. Physicians Formula Butter Glow Pressed Powder Translucent Glow
3. E.L.F. Halo Glow Setting Powder

Tip 6: Add Depth With Eyeshadow

In the summer, I like to keep it simple with a wash of bronzer on my eyelids, but in the fall, I like to embrace richer, deeper hues and warm tones. 

Fall is the perfect opportunity to experiment with a more defined eye look. Think earthy tones: warm browns, forest greens, deep plums, and burnt oranges that reflect the changing leaves and the cozy vibe of the season.

Copper lids and jewel tones can also add a pop of color for a more dramatic look.

For added impact, blend a deeper shade into the crease or outer corner to create depth, and use a subtle touch of shimmer on the lid to catch the light just right. 

Best Fall Eyeshadows: 

1. Anastasia Beverly Hills – Modern Renaissance Eyeshadow Palette
2. e.l.f. Bite Sized Palettes (Any Color – so good!)
3. IT Cosmetics Superhero No-Tug Waterproof Eyeshadow Sticks

Tip 7: Define Your Brows

Don’t underestimate the power of well-defined brows to frame your face and complete your fall look. 

As you transition into richer, deeper makeup shades, strong(er), sculpted brows can help balance your features and bring your entire look together. 

Use a brow pencil, pomade, or powder to fill in sparse areas, and finish with a brow gel to keep everything in place.

Best Brow Products: 

1. Anastasia Dip Brow Pomade
2. Anastasia Brow Powder Duo
3. NYX Brow Pencil

Tip 8: Wear a Bolder Lip Color

It wouldn’t be fall without a new lip color to tie the look together. Cooler weather is the perfect time to embrace richer, more pigmented lip colors.

This season calls for deep berries, warm reds, and sophisticated plums, adding the perfect finishing touch to your autumn makeup look. If you like a low-maintenance look, a berry lip gloss or hydrating tinted balm works well, too. 

Choosing the Right Shade

When selecting your lip color, consider your overall makeup and outfit. If you’re wearing heavier eyeshadow, opt for a more neutral lip to balance things out. 

However, if your eye makeup is minimal, a bold lip can add drama and intensity to your look.

Tips for choosing the perfect shade:

• For fair skin, Soft roses, and classic reds can beautifully enhance your complexion. My personal favorite is a berry lip for a pop of color. 
• For medium skin: Warm shades like brick red, rosewood, and deep pinks will complement your skin tone.
• For deep skin: Rich tones like berry, plum, and classic deep reds are stunning and eye-catching.

Best Lip Products for Fall: 

1. Maybelline Super Stay Vinyl Ink (Not drying! “Coy” and “Unrivaled” are my favorites)
2. e.l.f. O Face Satin Lipstick
3. e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil

Best Fall Makeup Products

You probably already have plenty of makeup in your stash. However, if you’re looking for a fall pick-me-up, these are products that I’ve tried, tested, and continue to use. They’re among the best for achieving the perfect fall makeup looks for the cozy season.

If you’re considering picking up any of the products listed, my top recommendations are the Maybelline Super Stay Vinyl Ink, the Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick, and the e.l.f. Bite Sized Palettes.

What are you favorite fall makeup routine products? Let me know!