2 Quick Ways to Transition Your Makeup for Fall

Here in Alabama, it's still really warm, and I wistfully walk by the cozy sweaters and buttery leather boots that have been in stores for weeks now.  I long for the crisp autumn mornings in Utah and California.  It's hard to get in a seasonal mood when it's hot and sticky by 9 AM!

But, that will not stop me from enjoying September, and the beginning of this season.  I'm OVER my summer staples.  I've been wearing hot corals and neon pinks on my toes all summer.  I'm longing for the richer hues of berry and bordeaux and I decided I don't have to wait!  I'm sporting a dark wine mani and shiny cherry toes right now!





I'm using this Pantone Fashion Color Report as my inspiration.

Fall 2013 Color Report

What gets me so excited about fall makeup?  I guess it's that we all go bare bones in summer.  We wear as little as possible in the heat.  Which is great, we want to look all minimal and beach-y.  But fall makeup signals the return of more color, more coverage--more makeup I guess. Some would say more is not better, but as someone who has always been enthralled by color, I love it! Bring on a berry stained lip and a smudgy eye.

I wanted to share with ya'll what I think to be the 2 quickest ways to instantly "fall-ify" your makeup.

1.  Stain the lips. Choose a rich berry, red, plum or wine colored hue.

Start with soft lips.  Exfoliate them with a warm washcloth while you are washing your face in the morning.  Apply a lip balm and allow it to soak in while you are getting ready.  Then, right before you head out the door apply your lipstick.

For an effortless look, use your finger to pat the color onto your lips until they are fully stained.

For a more dramatic look, apply the lipstick straight from the tube.  Blot once.  Then apply again for lasting color.

Keep the rest of your makeup simple.  Stick with neutral colored or bronze-y eyes.

Bobbi Brown Desert Plum Lipstick

One of my favorite examples of this look is Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada.  Stunning!

2.  Jewel-toned eyeliner.   Pick a hunter or emerald green, rich navy, or eggplant eyeliner. Choose a shade that complements your eye and hair color.  Also, pick a shade that has a black base to it, so it's not as obvious you are wearing a colored eyeliner.  We want it subtle.  Not Bozo the clown.

Smudge the liner in between your lashes, using short strokes, until you fill in the entire lash line.  It's up to you if you want to wear the liner on the bottom of the eye.  I usually leave it off the bottom for a cleaner look.

Then take a smudge brush dipped in a similar toned eyeshadow and go back over the liner to "fade" the line onto your lid.

Laura Mercier Smudge Brush

Finish with a few coats of your favorite mascara.  I love how Emma Stone does it here:

Photo: Steve Granitz/Getty Images

Let's not complicate it ladies.  It's makeup--it should be fun!  It washes off!

I'm currently working on some makeup tutorial ideas.  What part of your makeup do you need help with?  What sort of tutorial would you like to see?  Let me know, I would love your input!