Maybe you have a lot to spend, or maybe a little — but there are a bunch of ways this fall to get into the season’s darker, richer cosmetics colors. This week, think about investment pieces, going natural and livening up your lips; next week: drugstore finds, all about eyes, the best blushes and premium palettes.
Transitioning out of summer and into fall can be a challenge, especially in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, which was pushing it into the humid 90s until last week, when temperatures plummeted into the brisk 60s. A jarring drop like that can hit your wardrobe hard — “Where are my sweaters?!” I wondered last week as I tore apart my closet — and can also make you realize that those bright and neon colors you were sporting during the hotter months must now make their exit.
It’s pretty standard practice that darker reds, browns and purples dominate makeup looks during the colder months, and fall is the right time to catch up on both what classics work for you — do you have a specific lipstick or eyeliner you always turn to, something you should buy a few backups of? — and what new products will be trendy during the coming coldness. During this week and next, I’ll suggest a few rules for your buying this fall; don’t be afraid to experiment, even if you have a set rhythm for your go-to day or night looks. It never hurts to play around, especially when makeup is basically just finger-painting for adults. Let’s be real here.
+ If you can afford it, don’t be afraid to make an investment. Spring and summer are typically the time to wear bright colors, like lipsticks, eyeliners and nail polishes that match the brightness of the seasons. But when fall rolls around, think about spending a little bit more for a product that will last you through winter, into the next year and beyond. Clé de Peau Beauté, a brand owned by Japanese company Shiseido, has a beauty line that is seriously pricey, but each piece will last you forever. (First photo, top row, items from left to right): Consider staples like a nude lipstick, such as Extra Rich Lipstick in T4 ($60, Nordstrom) or Extra Silky Lipstick in 119 ($52, Nordstrom), or the super-pigmented Satin Eye Color in creamy white ($45, Nordstrom) or shimmery brown ($45, Nordstrom). Core shades like nude and brown can make soft looks perfect for work and play.
+ Consider going all-natural. When the weather gets cold and your skin feels tight or dry, it may be a good idea to let go of some of the chemicals in your makeup routine. Think about switching to some more natural products that can give your skin a chance to breathe. Whether it’s lip balm or eyeshadow, there are a lot of mineral-based and organic products that may be just what you need. (First photo, bottom row, items from left to right): For your lips, look into Laura Geller Lip Strip, a sugar scrub you can use to exfoliate ($19, Beauty.com); Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Tiger Lily, a sheer peach, or Rose, a soft red ($7, Burt’s Bees); or Intelligent Nutrients USDA Certified Organic Lip Delivery Antioxidant Gloss, which is non-toxic, in Clear Frosting or Purple Maize ($24, Intelligent Nutrients). For your eyes, consider Sue Devitt Hydrating Marine Minerals Eye Palette, with natural sea salt concentrate, in Kilimanjaro ($37.50, Sue Devitt); or Jane Iredale Eye Steppes Eye Shadow, which is not tested on animals, in GoBrown, with forest, licorice, blue sky, tan and sea green, or GoBlue, with smoke, Swiss chocolate, taupe, rosy and oyster ($56, Jane Iredale).
+ Get lippy. Swiping on some lipstick or lipgloss is super-simple, isn’t it? If you keep your lips hydrated during the brisk winter, lipstick and lipgloss will go on smoother and won’t chap your pucker. And remember that you can go the typical route for winter, with darker red and purple colors, or fight against the cold with lighter pinks or peach options.
(Second photo, left and right items in top row): Lip stains will last you the whole day, no matter what you eat or drink. Former model Josie Maran offers a Magic Marker Lip Stain with Argan Color Stick, a lip balm, in the purple shade Quickstep ($21, Josie Maran), and other balm-free shades, like the neon pink Jitterbug and soft pure pink Tango ($19, Josie Maran). If you want more options, look into cheaper drugstore brand NYC New York Color’s Smooch Proof 16H Lip Stain, which comes in 10 shades like Forever Mine Wine, Forever Fuchsia and Champagne Stain ($4.99, search for retail locations at NYC’s website), or Pixi Succulent Lip Twin, which comes in five shades, like the new Opal Orchid ($18, coming soon to Target).
(Second photo, middle items in top row): Full coverage also comes, of course, in the form of lipstick. You may have to reapply throughout the day, unlike most lip stains, but opaque lipsticks usually offer a shine most lip stains don’t. BareMinerals recently launched Pretty Amazing Lipcolor, with 12 liquid shades like pink nude Free Will, warm strawberry Courage and straightforward red Strength ($16, BareMinerals); each gives you complete color with just one go-round. Cheaper are the items from the new Target Red Collection by L’Oreal, with Riche Lipstick in a shade just like the company’s bulls-eye logo ($5.99, Target). (Second photo, first item in bottom row): Full Most expensive, but most hyped, is the new brand Exude, endorsed by celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe, which offers nine shades — including Plum — in a gel texture with a minty scent. Each tube clicks up to offer a drop of product that should be just enough to coat your lips ($29, Exude).
(Second photo, items second-from-left and onward): It’s a crazy thought, but you don’t have to be in middle or high school to keep a lip gloss or two in your purse. Whether you want a supremely bold color or one that’s still work appropriate and eye-catching, look for something that isn’t too glittery — too much ostentatious shimmer can look childish. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics designs colors that can be worn alone but are meant to be mixed together to create your own custom shades; cherry red Harlot, violet Katricia and brick Red Iron Oxide are nice either way ($13, OCC). More demure are ybf lip lights, ultra shiny gloss in softer shades like Vivid Violet, Glimmering Grape and Luminous Lilac ($19.80, ybf), or drugstore brand L’Oreal’s new Colour Riche Le Gloss, in 16 offerings like Golden Splash, Red Ravishing and Nude Illusion ($7.95, L’Oreal). And if you just want to hydrate, you can’t do better than Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm, which uses sunscreen and natural flavors to create a supremely successful product in flavors such as Natural Mint & Shea Butter ($7.50, Jack Black).
EDITORIAL NOTE: The product/s reviewed in this post were provided to Chesapeake Family’s About Face blog by the manufacturer or their public relations company for review. Chesapeake Family’s reviews are inspired by personal experience and opinion, and are not paid for or influenced by the manufacturer, PR company or any other organization unless mentioned.
Product photos by Adam Fried.
In middle school, Roxana Hadadi was a cosmetics-scorning tomboy; in high school, a glitter eye shadow- and black nail polish-loving trend kid; in college, obsessively committed to dying her hair unruly colors that upset her mom. Now a bit older and a bit more mature, she’s trying to figure out what hair, body and cosmetics products will work for her, you and your family in About Face, Chesapeake Family’s new beauty blog — and she’ll leave the sparkle makeup and neon highlights in the past. Roxana also writes movie reviews for Chesapeake Family’s Popcorn Parents blog.
