The Perfect Fall Color Palette

As the weather begins to cool and your back-to-school shopping is underway, you might’ve been too busy to think about your own look this fall. Take a stroll through the mall and you’ll notice that retailers are advertising fall clothing, accessories, and makeup must-haves in every window. While some trends are going to pass us by in the blink of a three-month period, never to return, there are some good old standbys to stock into your makeup bag for this fall and many beyond.

When you do finally get a moment to treat yourself to a new look for the fall, stick to these colors for a timely look that never goes out of style. (And no, there are no specific brands you have to buy. Choose the brands you trust, just trade in your boring old color palette for something more seasonal.)

Navy & Gold

Disco is dead, so be careful of light blue shadows on eyeliners. Those aren’t in anymore, ladies. Instead, you can choose a deep navy eyeshadow or liner, paired with a glitzy gold.  Lots of companies are making cream shadows in gold, a great way to sparkle without losing your sheen to facial oils throughout the day. This look is ideal for all those holiday parties you’ll be attending later this season, so keep it handy for special occasions! This look is especially gorgeous on brown eyes, says Allure.

Peach Blush

For a warm, neutral look this fall, choose golden peach tones for your blush. Save the purples, pinks, and corals for another season and look for names like "bronze peach" or "warm apricot." Instead of looking overly made-up, this natural tone will make you look like you just came in from playing in the leaves. Simple and natural is in for daytime wear during the fall, so this will have you covered.

Pearly Lips

Usually when matte eyes are in, shimmery lips go with them. Fall 2011 makeup trends stick firmly to this general guideline, just like many falls before, so neutral shades of pearly lip gloss are all the rage. Choose muted colors close to your own lip shade with a little shimmer. The closer the color is to your natural lip color, the better. Opt for eye-catching eye makeup and quieter lip tones for a balanced look.

Magenta Lipstick

If you do want bold lips, choose a nice magenta shade for fall. Pair it with more neutral eyes (think warm browns and golden tones) so your lips do all the talking. Magenta is a perfect pink-and-purple blend that has very versatile wear throughout the season. It works surprisingly well on almost every skin tone, says Allure, so pick your perfect shade and enjoy!

Whichever of the top colors you choose to add to your makeup stash, you’ll get plenty of use from them season after season.  Avoiding “trendy” tones is an easy way to make sure your look is always modern, relevant, and “in.” Use these as a basic guideline, but as always, feel free to express yourself in your look. Makeup is about having fun and feeling beautiful, so enjoy it!