From goth glam to pastel hues: 5 beauty trends taking over autumn

The start of a new season is the perfect time to switch up your beauty look and try something new. And these days, trends tend to come from three main places: the catwalks, the red carpet, and social media.

So whether you’re taking inspiration from autumn/winter beauty looks or influencers on TikTok, there are plenty of new ideas popping up to give a go.

These are some of the biggest make-up looks set to sweep autumn…

1. Soft goth

“TikTok’s obsession with Wednesday Addams this year has had many of us recreating a more grungy, gothic-inspired look. While a little daunting to some, ‘soft goth’ make-up can be more wearable than you think – and it’s looking to be big this autumn/winter,” says Irish make-up artist Aimee Connolly, who is also the founder of Sculpted by Aimee.

“Begin by creating a soft matte base using a translucent powder to remove unwanted shine and promote longer wear of your complexion products. Next, softly sculpt and contour to define your cheekbones.

“A darker, smoked out eye look is the star of the show for gothic make-up. For a more wearable version, line your eyes with a creamy black pencil liner (you won’t need to be precise!)” – and then “blend upwards and outwards using a blending brush,” Connolly adds. “Finish with lashings of black mascara to define the lashes and complete the eye look.”

2. Pastel eyes

Pastels for autumn might seem unusual, but the look stormed the autumn/winter catwalks. Models at Richard Quinn had soft lilacs and pale blues dusted around their eyes, in a look Connolly says is “the perfect break from the everyday neutral, bronzy eye”.

She adds: “Experimenting with colour doesn’t have to be daunting. Adding a pastel pop, such as a Y2K baby pink, will playfully brighten and open up your eyes. Even better, you should have a blush that will do the trick already in your make-up bag.”

Connolly’s top tip is to prime your eyes with a concealer, set with a translucent pressed powder “to make pastel shadows really pop”, and then “finish with a brightening liner in the waterline”.

3. Autumnal shades

“As we cosy up for autumn, expect to see more ‘pumpkin spice’ and ‘cinnamon swirl’ inspired make-up looks taking over BeautyTok,” Connolly notes.

This could mean creamy bronze tones on the skin, and the make-up artist adds: “For eyes, smoky looks and rust shades will rule the season.”

And for final touches, Connolly says: “Brown mascaras will complement an autumnal look”, as well as “rich brown and rouge glossy lips”.

Derry singer Nadine Coyle debuted bronzed, earth-toned make-up at the WellChild Awards 2023 in early September. The simple but glamorous look channelled the aesthetic of Nineties supermodels, which feels particularly appropriate ahead of the release of The Super Models on September 20, a docuseries tracking the rise of original ‘supers’ – Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington.

4. Matching lips, cheeks and eyes

Bridgerton actor Nicola Coughlan championed one of autumn’s coolest – and simplest – trends at the European premiere of Barbie: matching your cheeks, lips and eyes.

Coughlan dazzled in a custom Wiederhoeft gown dripping with Swarovski crystals, her hair in old Hollywood-inspired waves, and a beauty look that will no doubt be huge this autumn.

You can’t go far wrong with a smoky eye, and the star complemented it with a matching pink hue on her lips, cheeks and eyes. Her beauty look was done with Pat McGrath products, including the Divine Blush Legendary Glow Colour Balm in Paradise Peony (€28), the SatinAllure Lipstick in Venusian Peach (€29) and the Luxe Eye Shadow Quad: Passion Fleur (€59).

“Seeing the radiant Nicola, my divine muse and living doll, light up the pink carpet is truly delightful,” McGrath wrote of the look. “She emanates an iconic glow, embodying the multifaceted beauty of Barbie.”

5. Peach lips

While autumn traditionally brings darker hues, such as bold red lipstick, TikTok is making a case for a lighter, brighter approach to make-up when the weather turns.

The search term ‘peach lips’ has clocked up 42.2M views on TikTok – and you can see why. It’s all about pale pink, juicy lips – like former Love Islander Maura Higgins modelled at the National Television Awards on September 5.

Make sure to use a super shiny gloss to finish off the look, because the ‘glazed doughnut’ trend for ultra shine doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.