How to Choose the Best Fall Lipstick for Your Seasonal Color Palette
As September rolls in, many of us are already shifting our mindset toward fall, even if the weather hasn’t quite caught up yet. While “sweater weather” might still be a few weeks away, there are easy little tweaks that can help us feel more in step with the season. Think about swapping that straw tote for a sleek leather bag, or reaching for a lipstick in a richer, more saturated shade. If you’ve ever felt stumped about which colors are most flattering, you’re not alone. Today I’m sharing the best fall lipstick shades for every seasonal color palette: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.
Let’s find your perfect fall lipstick shade
I turned to my friend Brian, a professional makeup artist with his own line of skincare and makeup to help me swatch and compare lipsticks. (He also offers makeup classes in person and online, see his website HERE.) We selected three shades for each seasonal color palette that will flatter skin tones and work in harmony with your wardrobe.
All of these shades are from Brian’s makeup line, By Brian. (He’s having a great Labor Day sale…details to follow.) We swatched everything so you can compare the colors. These formulations are sheer to creamy, and can be built up.
Spring Palette: Fresh & Bright Fall Lip Colors
Springs, your color palette is warm, bright and splashy. So for lipstick, think peaches, warm pinks, corals, and orangey-reds. Stick to lip colors with a warm/yellow undertone, and avoid those that are too cool, dark, or muddy. Here are our Spring lipstick picks:
1. Tara – this is a warm & bright coral.
2. Lyra – a warm pink, almost a perfect match to Geranium Pink in our Spring palette
3. Dulce Amore – the lightest and softest, a warm peachy pink, best for Warm Springs (also works for Autumns). It’s what I’m wearing in the videos.
Summer Palette: Soft, Cool & Sophisticated Shades
Summers, your best colors are cool, soft and smoky. Roses, soft pinks, plums, and soft berry shades will work best for you. Avoid warm or overly-bright colors. Brian has some lovely Summer shades in his collection:
4. Sangrita – a cool rosy-berry pink, some Winters can wear this one too.
5. Jubilee – a gorgeous rose pink with a slightly blue undertone. If you lean toward rose shades, you’ll LOVE this one!
6. Syrupy – though it looks dark in the tube, it wears like a soft, smoky plum.
(If you prefer more of a soft, “stained” look, just blot any of these down with a tissue.)
Autumn Palette: Warm, Rich & Earthy Lipsticks
The Autumn palette is warm, soft, rich, and earthy. Your best fall lip shades will range from copper-peaches to soft corals to spice tones and brick reds. Avoid any colors with a blue undertone, or bright, splashy pinks. Here are the Autumn shades we chose:
7. Dulce Amore – makes another appearance here, this is an easy-to-wear daytime color for Autumns. Also great for Soft Autumns.
8. Fall Crush – I can’t rave enough about how sensational this color looks on Autumns!
9. Sombrerra – for something deeper and a little more dramatic, this is an elegant brick red. (I think this one will be really smashing on Blue Autumns!)
Winter Palette: Bold, Cool & Dramatic Lip Colors
Cool, bright, clear, and dramatic are the hallmarks of the Winter palette. Your best lip colors for this season will be wine and berry shades. Avoid anything soft, muddy, or with a warm/yellow undertone. (Winters can often rock a stronger lip in daytime without looking overdone, so don’t be afraid to go bold!)
10. First Squeeze – a berry-wine color that isn’t too heavy or dark. Buildable for a more dramatic look. This one is always lovely on my Winter color clients.
11. Ballroom – a pinky-berry shade, this is a good one for daytime.
12. Royale – a deep, luscious berry shade, perfect for evenings.
Here’s another tip: if you’re not used to wearing a bolder lip color, rather than apply straight from the tube, swipe the tip of your finger over the product and then press onto the lips for a more subtle, stained look.
More Lip Tips (& a Super Sale!)
To help your lipstick go on more smoothly and stay in place, I highly recommend Brian’s Re-Creation Lip Treatment. It’s a lip serum/treatment that moisturizes, plumps, reduces fine lines, and conditions. I used to always have flaky, peeling lips no matter how much balm I used, but once I started applying this 2 to 3 times daily, my lips stay smooth with no dryness or flaking. Apply 15 minutes before lipstick and allow to absorb. Also apply around the outside of the lip line to minimize fine creases.
A new season is a great time to try a new lipstick! For a limited time, you can save on all of Brian’s products and workshops!
- 30% off Lip Favorites & Mascara
- 20% off all Skincare, Blush, Eye Shadow, Powder, Foundation & Workshops
AND, get a Skincare Travel & Experience set as a special gift with any purchase of $125 or more. (This is such a great promotion!)
Find Your Fall Lipstick Confidence
Updating your lip color is such an easy (and fun!) way to tap into the new season, no matter what the thermometer says. The best fall lipstick shades are the ones that are in harmony with your coloring and feel like you. Try a few, play with the options for your seasonal palette, and don’t be afraid to step a little outside your comfort zone…you might discover a new favorite that instantly elevates your fall look.
And if you’re not sure of your seasonal color palette or best colors, I can help! I offer Personal Color Analysis, Style Analysis, Travel Wardrobe Planning and other style services.
What’s your lipstick preference…barely-there or bold?
Before you go…
J.Crew just dropped their Labor Day promotion: 40% off sitewide with code WEEKEND.
“Trouser” jeans – $94.80 (with code WEEKEND)
Though some of you took exception to calling these “trouser jeans,” many of you took a closer look. They’re now 40% off, in Regular, Petite and Tall sizes, several washes.
Lady Blazer in 4 Season Stretch – $154.80
This little blazer is SO good! The fabric is refined, it’s fully lined and has inside pockets too! I tried the 6 but thought it was a little large, have the 4 on order. Also available in Black and a color they call Peach Petal, which looks more like a Summer pink to me. Sizes 00-24.
I also have my eye on those Slim-Wide corduroy pants…
I’m seeing loads of good stuff for fall at J.Crew, so don’t miss the opportunity to save 40%!
Bon weekend!
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didn’t get the discount from Brian’s
Hi Kathy, when you add an item to the cart, then go to cart, a button/popup will appear saying “choose your discount or gift” and if you click that button, it should apply.
Hello! Do you have suggested lip liners to go with the suggested colors of lip sticks? I am an autumn. Thanks!
Hi Susan, I’ve asked Brian to pop in when he has a moment to answer your question and offer some suggestions.
Hi Susan, for autumns I recommend Neapolitan Lip Liner, it works well with Fall Crush, Dulce Amore, Canela and Lavish Oxide. Two other lip liners which are more brown and darker and beautiful Lady Godiva.
Brian
Thanks Susan and Brian—-I just placed my order—-excited for a new lipstick for fall!
Hi Kathy, It is an automatic discount. No code is needed.
Great recommendations! I ordered all 3 for autumn! Thank you;)
Does the lipstick by Brian have any scent?
Not that I’ve noticed.
I ordered all 3 for Summer. Can’t wait to get them, thank you for the post!
Really nice videos. I couldn’t wait to watch all 4. And removed any doubt I am a Summer when I saw all those colors on skin.
Went to order 2 fall colors but they were already sold out
I was in the process of ordering two Winter lipsticks but had not clicked on any place order. Something happened and I got a warning about the site. Looked in my email and saw the order had been placed. Checked my credit card and found site has been paid the correct amount. Hoping I get the lipsticks.
Thanks,
Greta
I looooove lipstick. Thanks for the temptation!
I don’t care much about make-up stuff. I know what suits me and I’ll stick to that for at least 7 years. Never vary. And I have 4 lipsticks: 1 soft pink, 1 bright pink/fuchsia, 1 bright red and one a bit orange without making my teeth look yellow. I am fine.
Greetje
Thank you for the Summer lipstick suggestions. I have soooo much trouble finding the right shades–and wear my lipsticks forever, going. right down to the bottom of the tube until not a shred is left. I was getting desperate this year, dreading the search and discard process I knew was coming. So when I saw the Summer choices here, I took a deep breath and ordered all three. All work perfectly with my various Summer-colored outfits. Merci beaucoup! Susan and Brian are The Best!!
Just adding to my comment of five days ago on the Summer shades: I make sure my lips are moisturized, then apply the lipsticks with my finger, as if they were lip gloss in a pot. Then blot a little with a tissue. A perfect look! Thank you again. Maybe you and Brian could suggest some blush shades, too–that would be helpful.