3 autumn eye makeup trends to know
It’s around this time of year that beauty brands start releasing their autumnal makeup looks, deepening the summer colour palette and laying the groundwork for party season.
"Autumn is a great season to test new makeup, in particular for eyes," says MAC global makeup artist and judge on BBC Three’s Glow Up, Dominic Skinner. "This is the time when definition helps in darker, low-lit days – plus party season means sparkle."
Here’s what you need to know about the biggest autumnal eye makeup trends expected to dominate this season...
Cranberry cravings
Trailing on the heels of Hailey Bieber’s blush phenomenon this summer, pinks and plums are staples for this autumn.
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"Warmer tones are always hot for autumn/winter, but this season things are getting richer with cranberry being a popular colour of choice," reveals Skinner.
"Instead of the usual copper and rust, cranberry has a brighter quality. It’s more directional and enchanting, and it also works on all skin tones and eye colours."
"This warm-toned trend allows for creative expression with autumnal hues," adds beauty expert Katie Walker.
Studio 54 statement jewels
"This season it’s all about jewel tones – think emerald greens, sapphire blues, and rich amethysts," says Walker.
"We’re seeing a throwback to the Seventies with bold statement shades being used on the eye," explains Skinner, "However, it’s understated due to it being just a single shade and not a full carved crease."
Skinner says it's all about applying a single bold shade over the eyelid and blending it softly toward the browbone. Then pop a little white eye pencil in the waterline and finish with lashings of mascara. "It’s such a simple but sexy trend that brings a little Studio 54 to your look," he adds.
Smoky grunge
The slow encroachment of indie sleaze has led to some more dramatic eye looks reminiscent of Nineties grunge icons like Winona Ryder and Drew Barrymore.
"Instead of the glossy, shimmering eyes we’ve seen this summer, tight-lined matte smoky looks are big this autumn," reveals Oriflame’s beauty expert, Lydia Smeds, "It creates a more understated yet sultry vibe."
A more subtle twist on the iconic smoky eye this season is the Quiet Grunge look. "This is a more sophisticated version of the Nineties classic," Skinner points out, "It’s about using softer shades to smoke out the eye like grey or mushroom brown. We saw this look in spring/summer 2025 shows like Prabal Gurung and Patrick McDowell."
Read TheIndustry.beauty's feature on 5 beauty trends from London Fashion Week SS25.
