Pack away the bronzer because autumn 2025 is dialling things up with a cooler kind of glam. This season, makeup isn't playing it safe; We're seeing bold statement eyes, icy finishes, and beauty heroes that multitask harder than you do. So, whether you're vibing with dark romance or living your best 90s comeback, the looks ahead are anything but low-key.
With five trend picks from makeup artist Joy Adenuga, consider this your cheat sheet to the trends spicier than your chai tea latte.
Power powder blush
"After years of cream and liquid blushers dominating makeup trends, powder blush is making a comeback," Adenuga predicts, and we couldn’t be happier – after all, they are super buildable! As autumn leans into vampy colour palettes, we’ll see more of an emphasis on powder formulations in strong, bold shades, such as plums, purples and burgundies.
Pro tip
Don’t rule out powders if you have dry skin – you can add hydration with hyaluronic-boosted skincare pre-makeup or post-makeup with a finishing mist.
Multi-hyphenate beauty
"With sustainability being such a hot topic, as well as the cost of living crisis showing no signs of letting up, beauty lovers will continue to be more discerning when it comes to their purchases and opt for multi-use products," Adenuga says. With that in mind, you might want to repurchase those space-saving lip and cheek tints from festival season.
Pro tip
Multitasking makeup doesn’t fall short at the lips and cheeks. Think: using bronzer as eyeshadow or a clear mascara as brow gel. Work smarter, not harder!
Bold statement eyes
After a wave of the social media girlies all, somewhat, looking the same (*cough* clean girl aesthetic *cough*), we’re predicting an 80s-inspired experimental approach to beauty is on the horizon. So, prepare for unapologetic more is more. "The maximalist trend will be most pronounced in eye makeup, specifically statement eyes. I’m talking: neon colours, graphic eyeliners and metallic shades of bronze, silver and copper, all of which will look incredible during the winter months," says Adenuga.
Pro tip
Amp up your look with 3D embellishments. We’ve got to get our serotonin from somewhere during these darker days!
90s frost
For many years, 90s makeup has reigned supreme, and this season is no different. The resurgence of some of the more daring makeup trends from the iconic era, such as frosted eye shadows and two-tone lipsticks, is on the horizon. Prepare yourself, Gen Z babies.
Pro tip
To recreate the frosted lip look, opt for a duo-chromed pigment that will reflect the light. Tie it together with a cool-toned fleck glitter eyeshadow on the lids, et voilà!
Autumn gloss
Seasonal chapped lips ain’t cute, so to prevent that, we’re dubbing gloss a winner for autumn (and throughout winter, too!). However, unlike the traditional gloss, Adenuga says to expect a more subtle iteration of the shiny lip trend with oil formulas. "They offer a more subdued shine, while keeping lips soft and nourished."
Pro tip
Look out for nourishing ingredients, such as shea butter and fruit oils, in lip formulas. Glossier’s Lip Glaze Hydrating Sheer Lip Oil is top tier when it comes to shine and hydration!
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Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
