With autumn just around the corner, it’s time to reevaluate your wardrobe and makeup routine. The changing leaves signal that it’s time to transition your summer brights to richer, warmer hues that complement both the season and your complexion. Choosing the right autumnal colors can really make your eyes pop, warm up your skin tone, and help you exude the cozy, sophisticated vibe of the fall season. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about finding your most flattering autumn color palette.
Determine Your Skin’s Undertone
The first step in finding your best autumn colors is determining your skin’s undertones. Undertone refers to the color underneath the surface of your skin and impacts which shades will look vibrant against your complexion or wash you out. There are three main undertone categories:
- Warm – yellow, peach, or golden undertones
- Cool – blue, red, or pink undertones
- Neutral – a blend of warm and cool undertones
Here are some ways to figure out your skin’s undertone:
- Look at the veins on your wrist – greenish veins indicate warm undertones, while bluish veins signal cool undertones.
- Think about how your skin reacts to the sun – those with warm undertones tan easily, while cool undertones tend to burn.
- Consider what jewelry flatters you – warm complexions look great in gold, while cooler tones shine in silver.
Once you’ve determined your undertones, you can start narrowing down the autumn shades that will be most harmonious and flattering.
Best Colors for Warm Undertones
If you have a warm skin undertone, you’ll look radiant in the warmer hues of autumn. These rich shades complement and enhance your natural golden glow.
Autumn Palette for Warm Undertones
| Color | Description |
|---|---|
| Terracotta | Earthy orange-red |
| Mustard | Golden yellow |
| Forest Green | Deep emerald green |
| Ruby | Jewel-toned red |
| Rust | Reddish orange brown |
| Olive | Muted green |
| Pumpkin | Golden orange |
| Spice | Warm cinnamon brown |
These colors range from vivid oranges and reds to earthy greens and browns. They beautifully complement and enhance warm golden skin. Try incorporating these shades into your clothing, makeup, and home decor for a coordinated autumn glow.
Best Colors for Cool Undertones
For those with cool undertones, the autumn palette shifts to cooler hues that align with your skin’s subtle blue and pink base. These colors illuminate your complexion and make you look lively and refreshed.
Autumn Palette for Cool Undertones
| Color | Description |
|---|---|
| Plum | Rich purple |
| Wine | Deep burgundy red |
| Emerald | Jewel toned green |
| Slate Blue | Greyed navy blue |
| Camel | Peachy tan brown |
| Mustard | Spicy yellow |
| Olive | Muted green grey |
| Navy | Deep blue |
These cool-toned shades of purple, blue, green, and red will make your skin glow. Look for deeper jewel tones rather than pastels for the most flattering effect. Incorporate these colors as accent pieces paired with your neutral autumn basics.
Best Colors for Neutral Undertones
If your skin has a more even mix of warm and cool undertones, you likely have a neutral skin tone. This gives you greater flexibility when choosing the most flattering autumn hues. You can select from both warmer and cooler shades and look radiant in most colors.
Autumn Palette for Neutral Undertones
| Color | Description |
|---|---|
| Camel | Golden tan brown |
| Olive Green | Muted green |
| Moss Green | Soft muted green |
| Cobalt | Vibrant blue |
| Burnt Orange | Reddish fall orange |
| Mustard | Spicy yellow |
| Brick Red | Subdued red |
| Oatmeal | Warm tan |
| Taupe | Grey brown |
Aim for rich, low-contrast colors like olive green, navy blue, mustard, and brick red. Neutral undertones allow you to experiment with both warm and cool shades to find your perfect fall look.
Most Flattering Makeup Shades for Autumn
Adjusting your makeup for autumn is just as important as updating your wardrobe. The right makeup shades can make your eyes dazzle, complement your skin, and give you a put-together fall look. Here are the best makeup colors for fall for each skin undertone:
Makeup Shades for Warm Undertones
- Eyeshadow – Metallic copper, terra cotta, forest green
- Eyeliner – Bronze, olive green, navy
- Blush – Peach, terracotta, deep pink
- Lipstick – Brick red, cranberry, spice brown
Makeup Shades for Cool Undertones
- Eyeshadow – Plum, slate blue, emerald
- Eyeliner – Dark purple, forest green, charcoal
- Blush – Mauve, rose pink, red-violet
- Lipstick – Bordeaux, ruby, magenta
Makeup Shades for Neutral Undertones
- Eyeshadow – Taupe, navy, olive
- Eyeliner – Brown, plum, slate blue
- Blush – Nude pink, mocha, rosewood
- Lipstick – Nude, mauve, berry
Choose eye shadows in metallic autumnal shades, blushes in earthy berry tones, and rich wine or nude lipsticks. Coordinating your makeup with your undertones and seasonal colors will give you a pulled-together, modern fall look.
Most Flattering Clothing Colors for Autumn
Bring the colors of autumn into your wardrobe for a seasonal style refresh. Certain shades and patterns are especially harmonious for fall.
Best Autumn Clothing Colors
- Olive green
- Mustard
- Terracotta
- Plum
- Emerald
- Cobalt blue
- Camel
- Gray
- Navy
- Wine
Best Autumn Color Combinations
| Color 1 | Color 2 |
|---|---|
| Olive green | Camel |
| Plum | Charcoal gray |
| Mustard | Navy |
| Cobalt blue | Oatmeal |
| Terracotta | Dark denim |
| Emerald | Black |
Rich autumnal colors like olive green, plum, and mustard look fabulous paired with fall neutrals. Don’t be afraid to mix some bolder hues together too, like cobalt and terracotta.
Best Autumn Prints & Patterns
- Plaid
- Herringbone
- Tweed
- Stripes
- Paisley
- Houndstooth
Incorporate classically autumnal prints like plaid, herringbone, tweed, and paisley into your fall wardrobe. Stripes and houndstooth patterns also complement the season’s colors.
How to Use Your Autumn Colors
Once you’ve identified the most harmonious autumn hues for your complexion, it’s time to work them into your wardrobe and decor. Here are some tips for making the colors really pop:
- Add pops of color close to face – scarves, jewelry, makeup
- Make bold colors focal points, pair with neutrals
- Introduce colors gradually rather than all at once
- Anchor an outfit with neutral basics like jeans, then layer on autumn colors
- Use autumn’s hues in home decor – pillows, blankets, table linens
- Display seasonal flowers and produce like mums, pumpkins, and apples
The key is balancing rich tones with plenty of neutrals so your look feels cohesive, not chaotic. Build a fall wardrobe capsule centered around versatile neutral pieces like black pants, white button-downs, and tan sweaters. Then mix in seasonal colors through cardigans, scarves, jackets, and jewelry you can swap out as desired.
Conclusion
Autumn offers the perfect opportunity to elevate your sense of style with a color palette inspired by the changing leaves. By determining your skin’s undertones and selecting the most harmonious shades, you can look radiant all season long. Remember to balance bold hues with plenty of fall neutrals. With the right colors, your makeup, wardrobe, and home decor will feel cozy and sophisticated as the weather cools.
