The Best Tips For Transitioning Your Makeup Routine From Summer To Fall

It's time to say goodbye to BBQs and beach days and hello to pumpkin picking and crunchy leaf walks — and that means making some changes to the makeup we wear while doing it. As the weather turns cooler and oranges and browns become staples in our lives, there are a number of ways to make our cosmetics more suitable for the season. And they're pro approved. "I think it's always a great idea to update your makeup routine as the seasons change from summer to fall," professional makeup artist Jenny Lova exclusively tells Women.com.

From lightening up your foundation to reaching for deeper lipsticks and blushes that give off more of a cooler weather vibe, we've got the best tips for transitioning your makeup routine from the sunny season to the leaf falling months. Just remember while heeding our advice that it may be time to bite the bullet and throw away any summer beauty products you don't plan on using until the weather turns warmer again. Using expired makeup products can be dangerous, and your skin will thank you for starting fresh next year.

Many people find their skin gets drier in fall due to the cold and dry air outside and the return of heating inside, so a hydrating makeup primer is a must to keep your makeup looking its best. We've got you covered when finding the right primer for your skin type, but it's a good idea to look for a product with a dewy finish over a matte one for fall. Matte finish primers can often emphasize dry patches, which isn't ideal if your skin is already lacking moisture. The Hydro Boost Glow Booster Primer and Serum from Neutrogena combines makeup and hydrating skincare ingredients to help stop your skin drying out. E.l.f.'s Hydrating Face Primer also has hydrating properties to keep dry patches at bay.

If your skin tends to be oilier or you prefer a matte finish, don't fall into the trap of thinking a hydrating primer won't work for you. Hydrating makeup primers will help your skin look youthful and glowy, but you can then selectively matte down the areas that need it with a powder. Because radiant skin is the perfect blend of dewy and matte.

While heavy duty setting sprays and face powders are a staple in spring and summer to keep your makeup in place amid the humidity and heat, they're not as necessary when the temperature dips. When it's hot outside, your skin is more likely to still look luminous as you sweat through more intense powders and sprays. But that's unlikely to be the case when it's chillier.

"I don't reach for the heavy duty setting sprays as much in the cooler months and switch setting powders for more hydrating and luminous formulas," Jenny Lova tells us, exclusively. "I always love using a lighter setting powder in the colder months so the skin doesn't appear dry and I switch out the heavy duty setting sprays for more hydrating and dewy setting sprays," she adds. Charlotte Tilbury's Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray claims to be hydrating, as does Neutrogena Hydro Boost Setting Spray, so both will help your skin feel hydrated as you cozy up with a pumpkin spice latte.

Jenny Lova recommends using cream makeup products in the fall, which may mean transitioning from powders or liquids. "Cream products are a great way to bring more luminosity to the skin," she explains. As we already know, many people experience drier skin from September to November (and beyond) but cream foundations have a reputation for being more hydrating and buildable.

In early fall when there are still a few warm days, apply a light coverage of cream foundation that won't feel too heavy while the sun's still out. Then, as the season draws in, you can apply another layer (or two) for a more full-coverage look that's still hydrating when your makeup is less likely to be interfered with by heat and sweat. Covergirl and Olay's Simply Ageless Instant Wrinkle-Defying Foundation is ideal for more mature skin, but offers plenty of hydration in the chillier months no matter what your age. Ruby Kisses 3D Face Creator Cream Foundation also boasts buildable coverage and contains a cream concealer to help camouflage areas that need more coverage.

Another way to make your makeup more fall appropriate is to change up your shades. "Switching out brighter colors for more muted and deeper fall tones is also always a great idea to adjust your makeup to the changing season," Jenny Lova says, exclusively. There are a few ways to do that. When it comes to your skin, it's time to reach for a slightly lighter foundation. "Most people get a little bit of a tan in the summer or fake that tan by using deeper shades in the warmer months," Lova points out. How much lighter you go in fall will depend on how much of a tan you got over the summer, but a foundation one or two shades lighter will likely look more natural and blend in with the rest of your body as your tan fades.

When it comes to your lips and cheeks, try going a little darker and richer. "Add in some deeper and berry tones when it comes to blush and lipstick," Lova recommends. L'Oreal Paris' Colour Riche Lipstick in Blushing Berry is a color that screams fall and is infused with Argan Oil and Vitamin E to keep your lips hydrated in the colder weather. Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick also claims to be hydrating, and the shade 400 Berry Go is a deliciously fall-appropriate red-y purple that would feel too much in the hotter months.

In spring and summer, many of us are looking for that tan glow. But when fall comes around, overly heavy bronzer doesn't always work. Similarly to reaching for a lighter foundation, dialing back on the product that mimics a sunkissed glow and focusing on your blush is rarely a bad idea. As we already know, fall is the perfect time to experiment with deeper, fall-adjacent shades, like the berry-leaning Clinique Chubby Cream Blush Stick Cheek Colour Balm in Plumped Up Peony, which also has hydrating properties. The Camo Liquid Blush in Berry Well from e.l.f. is another ideal shade for getting in on the fall makeup action.

Putting the focus on deeper blush shades doesn't necessarily mean you have to totally ditch bronzer though. Bronzer can still have its place in your fall makeup routine, but to keep it natural and flattering, apply a lighter shade bronzer with a lighter hand. Try Wet n Wild's Fan Brush or the Docolor Fan Brush for a softer, barely there application.