Temperature Dips, Berry Lips and Winter Beauty Tips

Brace yourselves lovers of summer, sunshine and sea – autumn time is upon us and before we know it, the Christmas songs will be blasting and we’ll be left fighting for that last green triangle Quality Street once again. However, if confirming the disappearance of sun and welcoming the autumn breeze doesn’t appeal to you just yet, the long awaited beauty trends that this time of year brings will surely bring a smile to your face (maybe even more so than your favourite Christmas chocolate treat!)

Gone are the days where it was all about the bronzed, beach-tastic glow that made us pale girls reach for the St. Tropez bottles – now the colder weather is here, it’s all about embracing our natural (if you’re like me, rather porcelain) beauty and getting that glow from dewy bases rather than bronzers. Start off your make up routine with a lovely glowy primer like the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in the shade Pearl to add the look of beautiful, healthy skin, followed by a foundation of your choice. My personal picks for this time of year, when the pale complexion has lured around again are the Georgio Armani Luminous Silk or for a more purse-friendly option, Rimmel Match Perfection – both of which offer good but not cakey coverage and a beautiful glow alongside the primer.

Now the base is sorted, your next autumnal addition will be through the help of some blush – that of the terracotta or berry variety will capture that seasonal glow and give you a gorgeous flush (to pretend you’ve been on a lovely winter walk and caught the rosy cheeks instead of staying in bed watching netflix, we know the drill). A dusting of MAC Powder Blush in ‘Fleur Power’, a soft terracotta-pinky shade or Sleek Powder Blush in ‘Flamingo’ if you’re up for a pop of raspberry pink blush will warm up the complexion nicely – even if the sun doesn’t. Highlight the tops of the cheekbones with a pearly highlighter of your choice (if you’re really ‘glowing’ all out!)

For the eye shadow palette that can do no wrong, this time of year is definitely the prime opportunity to crack out your Urban Decay Naked Palette, or any palette bursting with warm, bronzey neutral shades, like MUA Undress Me for a drugstore alternative. For everyday, a nice matte taupe through the crease with a little inner corner highlight will suit, or if your Christmas party is on the way, whack out the deep bronzey shades in the outer corners or just all over the lid. Don’t skimp on the glitter either – if there’s a time for the most shimmering shadows, it’s now. Also on the idea of eyes, the natural summer look of bare lashes is out for the season and it’s all about the doll-like look, so lashings of the blackest mascara will be your best friend to add more definition. Some great drugstore ones include Maybelline The Falsies for a serious false lash look, and if you’re up for the splurge, Diorshow Iconic Overcurl and Benefit They’re Real always tick the boxes for length, curl and a hell of a lot of volume.

Finally, my personal favourite trend for the autumn/winter months are the lip choices – berry, wine and deep red tones are finally acceptable and the darker the better! Keep it a matte formula and your lippy will be hanging around all throughout your Christmas dinner, and the possible under - the - mistletoe peck to follow. A few to try are MAC Russian Red for the perfect Christmas pout, or Rimmel Kate Moss 01 for those looking for a budget alternative (after spending a little too much on the presents). For berry tones, you may want to check out MAC Diva for a serious statement, or Rimmel Kate Moss 107 is a perfect dupe for this and packs just as much of a punch.

However, if bolds just aren’t your thing, fear not! The 90’s nudes are making a huge comeback this autumn/winter time, so pair a deep or mauve-toned nude with the rest of your makeup for a more toned down, yet still super seasonal look. A great pairing from MAC are Brave (more pinky toned) or Velvet Teddy (more brown toned) on top of Soar lip liner, or if you’re after more of a glossy look, go for Maybelline’s Colour Elixir in Caramel Infused for a girlier version of the trend.

This look has quickly become my go-to favourite, as the colder months are definitely when I’m in my element, so I love matching the look to the season – plus, why not have your eye shadow match the autumn leaves and your lippy resembling a holly berry?