Hailey, Sadie and Kaia All Agree That This Is the Coolest Way to Wear Your Lipstick Right Now
Our take
The shift in beauty focus from blush to lips this autumn isn't merely a seasonal change; it’s a recalibration reflecting a broader movement toward understated elegance. After a summer saturated with vibrant, often maximalist, makeup looks, a return to lip-centric artistry signals a desire for polished restraint. This echoes the current fashion landscape, where quiet luxury reigns supreme, favoring impeccable tailoring and subtle details over overt displays of branding. We’ve observed this inclination towards refined aesthetics in other areas, such as the resurgence of the French manicure, with 6 French Manicure Trends That Will Be on the Most Elegant of Hands This Autumn showcasing a similar commitment to timelessness. The prominence of Hailey Bieber, Sadie Sink, and Kaia Gerber – figures synonymous with modern sophistication – endorsing this trend further solidifies its appeal within the aspirational sphere. It's a move away from the playful, sometimes fleeting, trends of recent seasons and toward a more enduring, considered approach to beauty.
The ‘coolest’ way to wear lipstick, as highlighted in the article, appears to be one of precision and intentionality, rather than bold saturation. This aligns perfectly with the current mood, where a ‘bare minimum energy’ approach – a concept we’ve championed – is increasingly valued. Think meticulously lined lips, a subtle stain, or a single, expertly applied coat of color. It's about enhancing natural features, not masking them. This isn’t about abandoning color entirely, but rather utilizing it with a discerning eye. The article’s emphasis on lip liner, while seemingly simple, speaks to the growing importance of detail and technique. The rise of events like the Emmys After-Party, where stars like Kaia Gerber and Sarah Pidgeon were observed All the Emmys After-Party Looks You Haven't Seen, further underscores the demand for polished, camera-ready looks, with lips taking center stage.
This evolution within the beauty space isn't entirely unprecedented. We’ve seen cyclical shifts between bold experimentation and understated refinement throughout history. However, the current iteration feels particularly significant due to its intersection with broader cultural trends. The emphasis on quality over quantity, the rejection of overt displays of wealth, and the appreciation for timeless style are all contributing factors. The move towards lip-focused makeup also allows for greater versatility. A well-chosen lipstick can effortlessly elevate a simple outfit, acting as the finishing touch to a curated ensemble. It's a powerful tool for self-expression that requires less effort than a full face of makeup, further supporting the notion of effortless chic. It’s about a quiet confidence communicated through subtle, intentional choices.
Ultimately, the resurgence of the lip as the focal point of beauty routines suggests a shift towards a more sophisticated and discerning consumer. The focus is no longer on chasing fleeting trends, but rather on investing in quality products and mastering techniques that enhance natural beauty. This development implies a greater demand for precision tools, long-lasting formulas, and expert guidance. As we head into the colder months, expect to see an increase in tutorials and products that cater to this refined aesthetic, further solidifying the lip’s position as the ultimate symbol of modern elegance. The question becomes: how will brands adapt to meet this demand for understated luxury and precision, and will this trend extend beyond autumn into the broader cultural conversation around personal style?
When it comes to this year's makeup trends, summer was all about the blush. However, as a beauty editor and makeup artist, I have a feeling that lips are about to take centre stage this autumn. When it's warm outside, the last thing I want to do is reach for my lip liner and lipstick, but now that there's a chill in the air, I'm very ready to amp up my makeup and try one of this season's biggest lip trends.
One look on Instagram and you'll notice the likes of Hailey Bieber, Sadie Sink and Kaia Gerber all sporting this autumn's biggest looks, from high-shine lip glosses to blurred finishes and grungy '90s lip colour shades. But how can we get the look at home?
Below, I spoke with expert makeup artist Annabella Brayn about this season's most sought-after lip trends, including the best products to have in your makeup bag. So, what are you waiting for? Keep scrolling and let your lips do all the talking...
6 Biggest Autumn Lip Trends, Straight From an Expert
1. Blurred Lines
I love a sharp lip liner look as much as the next person, but this autumn is all about blurred finishes. "Lip edges will be blurred and diffused, creating softness and a romantic finish, stepping away from structure," explains Brayn. "Textures will be really lightweight, balmy, hydrating and super comfortable. The Hourglass Phantom Blur Balm is a perfect choice to create that blurred effect. It comes in five gorgeous autumnal shades that feel weightless and feather-light."
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Brayn tells me this product blurs and smooths your lips, and after testing it myself, I wholeheartedly agree.
If you still want to use a lip liner but want a diffused finish, this Rhode pencil is perfect.
2. Butter Me Up
As someone with constantly dry lips, this trend is right up my street. "Lip oils and butters will be a really popular choice, as lips tend to dry out towards autumn and winter and need more nourishment and care," explains Brayn. "They create a glossy, dimensional finish that keeps lips looking fresh and effortless while adding immediate impact. Beauty Pie Wondercolour Glossy Peptide Lip Butters are a firm favourite for me this autumn. They’re packed with nourishing ingredients that give a beautiful wash of colour and a luminous sheen to the lips."
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Combining a high-shine finish with a nourishing formula, I can see myself reaching for this lip balm all through autumn.
I love this Summer Fridays shade.
3. Bouche Mordue
I'm always taking makeup inspiration from stylish French women, and this season, we're taking inspo from "bouche mordue" lips. "[It's that] just-bitten lip, with a soft, pretty and effortless finish, says Brayn. "Violette’s Lip Nectar creates the look with a hydrating, high-shine finish that wears well, leaving the lips looking softly stained."
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This striking red hue gives me all the autumn vibes.
As the name suggests, this chic lip tint adds a gorgeous flush of colour.
4. Soft Grunge
If there's one look cool girls can't get enough of this season, it's what we're calling "soft grunge" lips. Think cool-toned, '90s brown shades. According to Brayn, this will be a huge autumn trend. The key? "Keeping dimension but making sure the lip is still softly blended," Brayn explains. "With the newest textures on the market, I think this is going to be a really good choice this season."
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The matte finish, the deep brown shade...I love everything about this Nars lipstick.
Cool Spice is the ultimate cool-girl lip liner for autumn.
5. Meet Me in the Middle
As a beauty editor, one thing I've noticed in the last few months is brands launching hybrid lip products that sit somewhere between a lip balm, a gloss and a wash of colour. Maybe it's our collective desire to achieve a high-impact makeup look in as little time as possible, or maybe it's that we no longer want to carry multiple lip products in our handbag. Whatever the reason, I'm certainly not complaining about the do-it-all nature of these formulas, and I have a feeling more and more of us will be reaching for them this autumn.
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Feels like a lip balm, looks like a lipstick. Westman Atelier's Hydrobalm ticks all the boxes.
Allies of Skin's plumping lip treatment delivers a sheer wash of colour and a high-shine finish.
6. Glossy & Glassy
"The glossy, glass-like finish associated with the clean-girl aesthetic will be really popular," says Brayn. "One of my go-tos is the Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil. It creates an incredible glass-like, mirror finish on the lips that lasts and provides a sheer wash of colour. The shade range includes lovely browns and berries, which are perfect for this season."
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I'm also a huge fan of Dior's lip oil for autumn.
The ultimate high-shine lip gloss.
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