The Best of Fall Beauty 2014

I’m not generally a slave to the seasonal beauty trends. I adore my go-to essentials like the eternally cheerful Jouer lipstick in Kate, the richly pigmented Eminence mineral bronzer and my all-time favorite eyeliner ever—Chantecaille Lasting Eye Shade in titanium. Go ahead, just try to pry them from my overly moisturized hands. You won’t get far. The force (of habit) is strong.

But I’ve been eyeing the 2014 beauty trends for fall and I’ll admit, I’m intrigued—not by the faddy stuff (lashes the size of caterpillars?), though. The trends I’m embracing are those that bring a freshness to our look while punctuating the season’s fall hues and styles. It’s a matter of tweaking our go-tos, not freaking out on fads. Cheers to these four fall pretty trends.

Ski Bunny Cheeks

This fresh-off-the-slopes look was spotted at the opening ceremony of New York Fashion Week and it’s so healthy and dewy, it’s got me reconsidering my bronzer addiction. The naturally flushed look is just the excuse I’ve needed to add Givenchy’s Hydra Sparkling Magic Lip & Cheek Balm to my shopping cart. This gloriously sheer rosy pink balm doubles as a cheek and lip tint and is apparently formulated with a pigment that reacts with your skin for a perfect punch of color. To pull this look together, I’m on the prowl for a faux fur winter white vest. How perfect, right?

Naturally Undone Updo

I’m not falling for the big bang theory again this year. Every other season or so, somebody yells “bangs!” and I spend the next year of my life growing out a mess of whacked-off wings. And don’t even get me started on the severely blunt cut spotted on the Marc Jacobs runway (they were wigs for a reason). I get that high fashion has to make a seasonal statement, but leave our tresses alone. The one style that roamed the runways that is positively practical is the loosely fashioned chignon. It’s not fussy and just requires a spritz of texturizing spray and bobby pins. Voilà.

Metallic Eye Candy

I love heavy metal. I have pearlized metallic wedges on right now (not kidding), and an incredibly soft Coach shoulder bag in metallic leather tops my list of fall must-haves. Love. It. From platinum shades to copper tones, metallic eye shadows can be adjusted from subtle to bold and are as versatile as they are pretty. Build depth with cream shadows like Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish. And don’t forget the golden rule of understated elegance—go easy on the lip and cheek shades, so your eyes get all the attention.

Bodacious Brows

A strong, structured eyebrow demonstrates a steely confidence. I’m not talking about the painted-on, high-arch crazy lady look (you’ve seen that lady). I’m referring to the browed beauties seen in Phillip Lim’s fall runway show who balanced minimal makeup with beautifully groomed, face-shaping eyebrows. Use a brow gel like Jane Iredale’s Better Brows Purebrow Brow Gel to give arches a touch of natural color and hold them in place.