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My relationship to trends is always evolving. The microtrend mania of the past few years put me firmly in the anti-trend camp—I didn’t want to feel like I was playing into a “core” or an aesthetic every time I looked in the mirror. Trend fatigue has made a lot of us embrace minimalism as the ultimate chicness signifier, from skinimalism to French-girl inspired beauty. But amid the capsule closets and slicked-back buns, I’ve started craving fun again.
Instead of chasing trends, I’ve recently been following what feels inspiring. Instead of putting myself into a box, I’m craving beauty that feels expansive—different moods, different seasons, and yes, even trends, when they genuinely speak to me. Luckily, fall 2026 beauty trends aren’t about becoming someone else. They’re about looking like yourself, so-called flaws and all. According to trend forecasting platform Trendalytics, “looking like a working, tired human isn’t something to hide anymore. It’s the aesthetic.”
So what are the fall beauty trends actually worth trying? And how can you participate in a way that feels personal, not prescriptive? Read on to see how I’m inviting a little more curiosity into how I embrace trends—and how you can, too.
Featured image by Michelle Nash from our Wake Up Call with Sami Bernstein Spalter
What are the fall beauty trends worth trying?
There’s a difference between beauty trends that try to fake effortlessness—the clean, no-makeup makeup look of the past few years, for example—and an approach to beauty that actually looks lived-in. Instead of chasing a perfect canvas, this fall’s trends acknowledge that the most chic thing a woman can do is simply have a life.
“Having-a-life-core” is the anti-aesthetic aesthetic taking over this fall, in both fashion and beauty. People are embracing expression lines and taking cues from undone hair (thanks, CBK and French-girl hair). Trend platforms are even seeing a 214% jump in searches for “tired-girl makeup.”
And it’s not just the undone look making a comeback this fall—color is in, too. From nail shades to lip color, this fall dares you to dip a toe back into deeper hues without sacrificing the ease of swipe-on formulas and minimal routines.
Read on for the beauty trends genuinely making me excited about fall this year.
Not bronze — berry: Purple hues
When you think of fall, you probably think earthy tones, maple flavors, and bronzy makeup. But this year, instead of leaning into brown, we’re leaning into berry. Purple is the shade of the season, in both fashion and beauty, and oxblood and cherry are also on the radar. (Maybe it’s the dark, gothic influence of “Practical Magic 2,” coming this September?)
But don’t be intimidated—you don’t need bright violet in your makeup kit to participate. Swipe a berry-colored multi-stick across lips and cheeks instead of your usual bronzer, or opt for a berry lip color in place of your go-to clear gloss. Small touches in this bold color go a long way.
Kohl is coming: Smudged eyeliner
Trend forecasters have been calling the return of indie sleaze for years. I doubt we’ll ever fully get the vibe of that era back, but smudged eyeliner will always read “cool girl” to me.
This isn’t about manufacturing the look of a late night, though. It’s a bold, intentional alternative to your regular liner, without the rigidity. Kohl or kajal is imperfect but full of personality, and that’s exactly the vibe for fall. Bonus points for an unexpected color.
Featherlight foundation: Skin is in
Fall usually signals a return to a full face of makeup after a summer of tinted sunscreen and strategic self-tanner. This year, though, the name of the game is skin-like foundation.
A dewy, skin-like base under bolder color looks far more intentional than a perfectly covered face. This fall asks: How much of your skin can you show, not how much can you cover up? Freckles, dark spots, fine lines—all of it is fair game. Don’t hide your skin. Enhance it.
On-the-go glow: Purse-friendly products
Pinterest Predicts’ trend forecast says that after a summer of reapplication-ready sunscreens and balms, the portable-product trend is carrying straight into fall.
Need to swipe on bronzer? Want to mist and reset your makeup mid-day? Makeup is meant to be lived in. Don’t be fussy, and embrace a look you can touch up in minutes. It’s also a good excuse to invest in a chic compact!
Monochrome moments: One product for everything
Maybe purple isn’t your shade. Whatever color you gravitate toward this fall, try swiping it across eyes, cheeks, and lips alike. One wash of color is an effortless trend to try, and it works even better with little to no makeup underneath. Just swipe and go.
No-nonsense natural: Undone hair
Your hair can join the undone fun, too. Carry summer’s messy updos into fall with metal clips, or embrace your natural texture with a curly fall cut.
From a strategically tucked ponytail under a sweater to a fashionably frizzy blowout, this fall is about messy, healthy-looking hair—the kind that “just dried like this.” Since styling takes a back seat, your hair-care routine takes center stage: Focus on texture repair and lightweight leave-ins.