Almost everyone can agree that fall is the best time of year for a style overhaul. Like clockwork, September rolls around and brings with it a sharp awareness of our daily routine that was much more relaxed during the blissful months of summer. The weather grows colder, the days shorter, and we suddenly find ourselves reevaluating our closets and beauty routines. We’re not just trying to adjust to the new season—we’re also looking for ways to reset ourselves.
This isn’t surprising—our obsession with “out with the old and in with the new” can be traced all the way back to our first days of school. Who didn’t look forward to shopping for new clothing and school supplies in secret anticipation for a new semester? Rebirth is typically associated with the New Year or springtime, but fall is the actual best time of year to reinvent yourself.
The hallmarks of autumn usually include sweaters, boots, and pumpkin spice lattes, but there’s no denying the influence and importance of fall beauty. Besides the fact that everyone seems to want to change their hair this time of year, your beauty products also need a revamp. Chilly weather and autumnal color palettes call for richly hydrating moisturizers and hand creams, heady perfumes that evoke cozy comfort, and makeup in moody shades of mauve, aubergine, and nude.
To help you get started with your fall beauty shopping cart, we asked glamor editors to share the products they consider essential to their autumn routines. Ahead, the 10 must-haves to add to your rotation for October and beyond.
Fragrance
Dries Van Noten Fleur Du Mal
$280.00 Saks Fifth Avenue
Dries Van Noten, Fleur du Mal
I’ve never smelled anything like Fleur du Mal before and there’s a reason—the heart note is osmanthus, a rare flower native to eastern Asia. It’s similar to jasmine but has a more musky, woodsy feel that is both appropriate for the cozy vibes of fall and won’t get lost in the shuffle of the season’s usual fragrance suspects. The gorgeous refillable glass bottle features two tones in violet and tortoiseshell, which will not only sit beautifully on my vanity but also give me the fall oufit inspiration I afternoon need. I always use fragrance as my style north star: How you smell informs the clothing and makeup you wear, which informs the person you present to the world. Fleur du Mal goes beyond just helping me smell good—it’s going to define the rest of my Q4. —Ariana Yaptangco, senior beauty editor
Eyeliner
Glossier No. 1 Pencil in Rococo
$16.00, Glossier
Glossier No. 1 Pencil in Rococo
I have to admit, I never had a dark eyeliner phase while growing up in the shadow of the emo and scene era. Smudged black liner has always looked cool from a distance, but it always seemed a little too unapproachable. Instead, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve opted for color alternatives like brown and eggplant to maintain that same cool air of mystery without looking like a raccoon at the end of the day. Now that fall is here and my closet is creeping closer toward black turtleneck and jeans, Glossier’s rich purple liner is in my rotation. It’s dark and sultry without being too dramatic on my waterline—perfect for days in the office or strolling around Central Park with a maple latte in hand la Taylor Swift (without the Jake Gyllenhaal–related trauma). The formula is rich and creamy, and doesn’t budget after wearing it for eight-plus hours. —Ana Escalante, assistant editor
Lipstick
Armani Beauty Lip Power in Intimate
$39.00, Sephora
Armani Beauty Lip Power in Intimate
My makeup routine is extremely pared back, so lipstick isn’t just the finishing touch to my look—it is my entire look. I particularly love nude-rosy shades to give my face color in the fall (I’m quite pale with freckles) and gravitate towards wearable hues that work for day and night. Giorgio Armani’s lippie goes on smooth and saty, and lasts all the way through lunch before needing touch-ups. It’s a classically good formula, with a range of pink to red hues that anyone can appreciate. It’s living in my coat pocket this season. —Talia Abbas, senior commerce editor
Foundation
Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Foundation
$68.00, Sephora
Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Foundation
Foundation is, without a doubt, my desert-island product. It drives me crazy that there’s still such a stigma around it, with so many women saying they only use tinted moisturizer. With foundation, it’s all about the formula. It doesn’t have to look cakey, people! This version by Pat McGrath is living proof of that. The texture truly is sublime. It’s thin—almost a bit watery—but creates the most flawless amount of coverage while also giving off a noticeable healthy glow. I like to apply mine with a damp Beautyblender sponge, but I’ve also used a brush and my fingers, and it works well either way. A little does go along way, so I can justify spending that much every couple of months. It also comes in a wide range of shades to suit almost every skin tone. —Perrie Samotin, digital director
blush
Keys Soulcare Sheer Flush Cheek Tint in Grace
$22.00, Ulta
Keys Soulcare Sheer Flush Cheek Tint in Grace
Now that it’s fall, I can really start dressing…my face in high-intensity pigment without sweating it off. And Keys Soulcare’s Sheer Flush Cheek Tint is the only product I’ll use for the job. Formulated with nourishing sunflower seed oil and plumping safflower seed oil, this show-stopping blush is perfect for anyone (read “me”) seeking both a gorgeous pop of color and luminescent finish without compromising their skin’s well-being. So whether I’m headed to work, a party, or a beauty event this autumn, I’ll definitely have my Sheer Flush Cheek Tint on hand—and on my cheekbones. It’s versatile enough for daily wear but buildable and glamorous, so people perpetually stop and ask what I’m wearing. Pro tip: I love using it as makeshift eye shadow too. —Danielle Sinay, associate beauty editor
Hand Cream
Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm
$31.00, SkinStore
Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm
This hand cream frequents just about every beauty best-of list for a reason—it works. While you can use it year-round, and should, I find that it starts becoming a main staple of my beauty routine come September. As the leaves start to dry out, so do my hands, and this cream always leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated but not greasy. The scent is especially good for fall too; the notes of cedar, mandarin, and rosemary leaf give it a woodsy vibe that’s perfect for sweater weather. I keep it in my tote bag and apply throughout the day just so I can get that rush of autumnal essence again. —Anna Moeslein, deputy editor
Mascara
Jones Road The Mascara
$28.00, Jones Road Beauty
Jones Road The Mascara
As a minimalist makeup, I find mascara is the most important product in my bag. So naturally I’ve tried a lot of them—and when I say I was impressed with Jones Road’s at first swipe, that’s an honest statement. The curved shape of the brush makes it really easy to apply, and I didn’t have to put in too much effort to get an immediate lift and curl. The formula is highly pigmented, doesn’t flake or smudge, and comes off easily with an oil-based cleanser. Although it’s on the pricier side ($26), the clean, cruelty-free formula is worth every penny. —Leilani McQuay, commerce producer
Lip Balm
Westman Atelier Squeaky Clean Liquid Lip Balm
$38.00, Violet Grey
Westman Atelier Squeaky Clean Liquid Lip Balm
When my lips are dry and chapped, I can’t concentrate—unless it means concentrating very hard on an errant lip flake that must be peeled up into the surrounding area of skin. A great lip balm can not only help avoid a truly painful experience, but it can deliver a subtle wash of color to your complexion without having to wear anything else. Of course, you can go for a sheer balm to enhance the natural color of your lips, but I love this mauve from Westman Atelier. These Squeaky Clean lip balms have an uncompromising “clean” ingredient list that includes jojoba and argan oil for hydration, shea butter to soothe, and seed oil to give sheen without a sticky residue. For me, it completely nixes the need for lipstick and protects my pout from the autumnal elements. Biting wind and dry air? They’re simply no match. Plus, treating myself to a luxe beauty product works wonders for battling fall ennui; no matter how dreamy the weather gets, it’s hard to be in a bad mood when enrobing my lips in this dreamy formula. —Shanna Shipin, contributor
Moisturizer
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
$21.00, Ulta
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
I started using this face cream because my friend recommended it (she’s obsessed with skin care, so I trust her judgment), and I instantly fell in love. I appreciate that it’s affordable, easily accessible, and effective. It claims to offer 48-hour hydration and works on all skin types. However, the sunscreen component is the feature that makes this product a keeper for me. I’ve started to become more aware of the effects UV rays have on my skin—no matter the season—so I know this product will work for me all year-round. My skin is normal to dry, but when I smooth on this hydrating moisturizer, I don’t have to worry about my skin flaking up. —Monique Wilson, assistant editor
Concealer
Kosas Revealer Concealer
$28.00, Sephora
Kosas Revealer Concealer
I’ve never been faithful to a concealer before, but I can’t quit this Hailey Bieber–approved formula from Kosas. The consistency is so thin and creamy that I often find myself swiping a small amount all over my face in lieu of foundation. It layers effortlessly for areas that need a bit more coverage and dries down to a cozy natural finish that never transfers, even when I’m pulling on my chunkiest turtleneck sweater. The days might be get shorter as summer transitions to fall, but this concealer will let you make the most of those crisp autumn nights—no touch-ups required. —Hana Lustig, staff writer
Ariana Yaptangco is the senior beauty editor at glamor. Follow her on Instagram @arianayap.
Originally Appeared on Glamor