To me, autumn feels like a new term in beauty. The seasonal shift calls for a clean slate for our beauty routines, whether it’s switching up our skincare or choosing an autumn perfume, aligning with the moment we begin to pull our coats, jumpers and boots out of hibernation. And who can resist the allure of a new haircut, or even a fresh hair colour to experiment with at this time of the year? As as the dark nights draw in, I’m intrigued to know which autumn beauty trends will be big this year.
When I ask experts about what’s trending in beauty, the idea is sometimes met with reservation. And rightly so. As a beauty editor, I can’t help but notice the trend cycle speeding up. After seeing a number of different aesthetics over summer (I’m looking at you; tomato girl, strawberry girl and latte girl), trends have gone into overdrive, with something new surfacing almost every week, repackaged with a catchy name that reflects the current zeitgeist, and usually kicked off on social media. Celebrity makeup artist and brand founder Lisa Eldridge summed this up perfectly in a recent TikTok video. She explained how, in ancient Egypt, trends would last for hundreds of years. Fast-forward to the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, and trends would last a decade. The momentum hasn’t stopped, and with the rise of technology and social media, it’s perhaps unsurprising that new trends are coming up every month—or even every week—in 2023.
So, where do we go from here? After speaking to experts about what beauty trends will be big in autumn 2023, one thing became very clear. It’s about making the trends work for you—not the other way around. Everyone is unique, and broad trends aren’t one size fits all. Instead, it’s a level of personalisation, whether it be a haircut that allows your hair type to shine in its natural state, or perhaps a lipstick you adore that will see you through an entire year. It’s new innovations that make your skincare work smarter, or fragrances that help you radiate confidence.
Ahead, you’ll find the beauty moments that will help you be the very best version of yourself on the inside and out this season.