Dark Autumn: Lipstick

Dark Autumn lipsticks are deep and warm with a hint of softening grey. Such intensity would be overpowering on other Autumn subtypes and seasons but, on these individuals, they look natural. Due to this ability to tolerate depth, there are a wider range of colours available to them than other Autumn subtypes and seasons.

In this article, we’ve used a variety of red, pink, orange, purple and brown lipsticks to demonstrate which colours we’d advise for Dark Autumn as well as those you should avoid. Affiliate links have been used to provide additional visual examples.  These products have been swatched on clients to ensure accuracy - online images may vary. As with the lipstick chart, you are encouraged to sample these products on your wrist prior to making any purchases.

Please note, this advice is generic for all Dark Autumn individuals and recommendations will vary based on your unique colouring. Some trial and error may be required in order to find the best shade for yourself. For personalised advice, we suggest purchasing a Colour Analysis package with the makeup option.

Dark Autumn lipsticks are taken from the reds, oranges, pinks, purples and neutrals on the colour chart.

This subtype belongs to a season influenced by muted chroma so colours are softer than those we'd see in Dark Winter.

Where those who lean closer to Dark Winter will need neutral coloured products, those who flow towards Warm Autumn must prioritise the warmer, lighter products due to having a slightly lower contrast level.

Red Lipstick

When it comes to red lipstick, Dark Autumn individuals need to select the orange-based variations. 

Example one shows a brick red, which lights up Hazel’s appearance. Her eyes sparkle and her teeth are whitened by this colour. This is due to its depth as well as its orange hue. You could try 3INA Makeup Lipstick in 270 Dark Red.

Another good option is a tomato red, as shown in example two. This is lighter than the previous example and would be suitable for a Dark Autumn individual leaning towards Warm Autumn. For Hazel, it isn’t quite deep enough so she would need to balance this with darker eye makeup and jewellery in order to create balance. A good option would be L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Magnetic Stones Matte Lipstick in 358 Lava.

We also see a rich wine variation in example three, which leans towards purple. It may be likened to L'oréal Paris Color Riche Lipstick in 335 Carmin Saint. This colour has the depth but it neutral-warm and looks effortlessly natural on Hazel. Note that we see her face before we see the colour, which indicates colour balance. 

Reds that Dark Autumn need to avoid are those which are light, cool and/or bright such as the coral red in example four. This vibrant colour reflects white on Hazel’s skin - she looks pale. 

The blue red in example five is also too bright but leans cool. Here, her golden glow is diminished and she looks heavily powdered. This is because the bright chroma emphasises her muted colouring rather than balancing it. 

In example six, we see a deep burgundy colour, which would be better suited to Cool Summer. Whilst it is soft and deep, it contains too much blue for an individual with warm leanings. Hazel’s eyes are flattened here - she has no sparkle. 

Pink Lipstick

Pink lipsticks can be too cool for warm seasons but Warm Autumn individuals can opt for yellow-based, dusty variations in order to maintain balance. 

Rose pinks are a strong candidate as they contain a hint of warming yellow. This can be seen in example one where Hazel’s image is visibly lifted. It also had a moderate depth making it suitable for those flowing towards Warm Autumn. A good option would be Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Moisturizing Lipstick in Rose Petal.

Another option is geranium pink, which is shown in example two. This colour has more depth than the previous example and sharpens Hazel’s appearance - note how clear cut her features are and that are eyes are sparkling. You could try Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstick in 5 Rosy Pink.

Neutral pinks can also be effective but they must have some depth. as seen in example three. This beige pink also has a touch of warming yellow, which balance Hazel’s golden hue. A product such as Max Factor Velvet Mattes Lipstick in 5 Nude may be suitable. 

Dark Autumn individuals should be cautious about light, cool and bright pink lipsticks. The hot pink in example four, for example, is far too vibrant for Hazel’s intensity. This colour throws white on her face and looks overdone. It would be better suited to a Bright Winter. 

Similarly, the magenta pink in example six is too cool and bright for her. It leans towards purple but the colour qualities are all wrong. She needs depth, warmth and dustiness. 

The candy pink in example five is also unsuitable due to its light value and cool hue. This is almost lost on her. It would be better suited to a Light Spring individual. 

orange Lipstick

As a neutral-warm subtype, orange lipsticks can be incredibly flattering for Dark Autumn. They must be careful to select the deep, muted variations rather than the vibrant colours which are recommended to Spring. 

The burnt orange in example on has some depth as well as grey pigmentation to soften it. This looks effortlessly natural on Hazel. Her eyes sparkle and her golden glow is visible. You could try Revlon Super Lustrous Matte Is Everything in Rise Up Rose.

Similarly, the brown orange in example two lights up her appearance. This is a darker variation than the previous example so is far more suitable for a Dark Autumn, especially for a glam occasion. A good option would be Oulac Matte Liquid Red Lipstick for Women in Orange Tone Red.

Peachy lipsticks can also work well for Dark Autumn individuals provided they have some depth and softness. Example three can be likened to Revlon Super Lustrous Matte Lipstick in Smoked Peach. This colour works well for Hazel as we see her face before we see the colour. It would be suitable for everyday wear as it hits the “my lips but better” objective. You can compare this to the light variation in example six. This colour is lost on Hazel as there is no depth and it has some vibrancy. It isn’t terrible but doesn’t create any interest, which is what is needed for such an intense subtype. 

Again, orange lipsticks Dark Autumn must avoid include the vibrant variations seen in the bright orange in example four and the tangerine in example five. Each of these colours overpower her image as they are too bright against her soft influence.

purple Lipstick

Purple lipsticks are not usually recommended for warm seasons as most readily available variations lean cool. However, Dark Autumn can handle deeper colours so there are a variety of suitable options. 

In example one, we see a soft plum colour. This deeper variation has some warming yellow - it almost looks orange or brown. It lights up Hazel’s image and makes her eyes sparkle. There is a slight lustre finish to this particular product, which can be tolerated by certain Dark Autumn individuals due to sharing a border with Winter. If you opt for a shinier finish, you must ensure the colour has some grey pigmentation to maintain balance. A good option would be NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream in Copenhagen.

We can compare this example to the cool dark plum in example five. This is a colour which would be better suited to Dark Winter as it has the required depth for Hazel but has a blue undertone and is therefore too cool for her.

Another purple which is suitable for this subtype is a dusty mauve. We recommend these across Autumn and Summer but the crucial difference for Dark Autumn is the depth. Hazel’s soft influence is refined by the colour in example two. Note that her complexion is flawless here and her golden glow shines through. You could try L'Oréal Paris Color Riche Satin Smooth Lipstick in 138 Paris Society.

Dark Autumn individuals can also make use of pinkish plums such as L'Oréal Paris Color Riche Satin Smooth Lipstick in 255 Blush in Plum. A similar colour is demonstrated in example three. Hazel’s image is visibly lit up by this colour due to its warmth and softness. It is slightly lighter so would also be suitable for a Warm Autumn individual. 

The purples that Dark Autumn need to avoid include the electric violet colour shown in example four. We see this colour before we see Hazel, which indicates a colour imbalance. It is too cool and too bright for her individual colour qualities and would be better suited to a Bright Winter individual. Similarly, the lavender colour in example six is too light and cool. It would work for a Light Summer individual.

Other Lipsticks

Browns, nudes and neutrals can be tricky for other Autumn subtypes and seasons. However, the combined depth and warmth of these colours make them an excellent choice for Dark Autumn.

In example one, we see a dusty caramel colour. This looks natural on Hazel due to both its depth and warmth, and would be suitable for everyday wear. It lights up her image and makes her eyes sparkle. A good option would be Maybelline Superstay 24 Hour Dual Ended Lipstick in 611 Creme Caramel.

A similar colour is the dirty nude in example three. This has a slight rose tinge, which gives it warmth. It has a similar effect as the first example and draws out Hazel’s golden glow. You could try NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream in Leon.

We also see a warm chocolate colour in example two, which can be likened to Bourjois Rouge Fabuleux Lipstick in 16 Rêve Tonka. This colour is intensely deep with a subtle warm undertone and would be ideal for glam occasions. Due to its depth, it would work for a Dark Autumn leaning towards Dark Winter. 

We can compare this effect to the cool dark brown in example four. Note how Hazel’s image is blanched by the blue-toned colour. The depth is what we’re looking for but she needs some warmth. 

If we now look to examples five and six, we can see how lighter nudes and neutrals don’t work for Dark Autumn either. Where the fleshy nude is lost on Hazel, the cool beige does not balance her golden hue. They both reflects white on her skin and makes her look pale. She needs depth and warmth to create balance.

Lipstick Finishes

Dark Autumn belongs to a season influenced by muted chroma. Those with muted chroma as their dominant or secondary characteristic require softer finishes such as matte, powder and velvet.

As this subtype borders Winter, they can start to make use of lustre and satin finishes provided they are balanced with matte eye and complexion products. A small amount of shine is flattering but gloss will look unnatural.

Matte finishes are always better but can be drying. Care should be taken to nourish the lips prior to makeup application. You could incorporate lip scrubs and masks into your evening skincare routine in order to prep a smooth base.

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Dark Autumn - Lipstick Chart [Digital Download]

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