Best Back-to-School Makeup Ideas 2016
1/22As rough as it is to see summer come to an end, there's something exciting about starting off a fresh school year. And with those first weeks jam-packed with catching up with all of your friends; meeting new friends; and running to classes, club meetings, and back-to-school dances, there's no better time to break in some beauty looks. Ahead, we've gathered some of our favorite fall looks, from the classic berry lip to the trendier perfectly highlighted skin. Start working on them now, and have recreating your favorites down to a science by your first day of school so you can worry about the important things – like actual science.
WireImage2/22Keep it simple
Be out the door in under 10 minutes with Kendall Jenner's no-makeup makeup approach. After a good skincare routinethat includes removing your makeup every night and following up with a cleanser and moisturizer, all you need is a light base like the Estée Edit Beam Team Hydrate + Glow and a touch of black mascara.
WireImage3/22Back to the balm
Rehydrate your lips in between all of those summer matte lipsticks like Amandla Stenberg, who completed her polished beauty look with a swipe of moisturizing lip balm that can be as simple as our go-to Vaseline Rosy Lip Balm Tin.
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram/@taylor_hill4/22Double up
What's better than a classic cat eye? Adding a bit of edge with two feline flicks like model Taylor Hill did at the Topshop Unique fall fashion show. To perfect your lines, start with the Topshop Kohl Pencil in Coal, then trace over top with the Topshop Magic Liner in Engraved for an ultra-pigmented, long-lasting finish.
FilmMagic5/22Living the highlight
Strobing, highlighting, nontouring – whatever you want to call it, it's not going anywhere. For cheekbones that pop like Chanel Iman's, try Milk Makeup Holographic Stick. The iridescent lavender shade is flattering on every skin tone, and it instantly enhances your bone structure when swiped down the bridge of the nose, at the cupid's bow, and over cheek and brow bones.
FilmMagic6/22Bolder is better
Put your brows on full display like actress Lucy Hale by pulling your hair back into a full updo or half-up, half-down topknot like she wore. For brows that need a serious boost, try Rimmel London Professional Eyebrow Pencil. Or, if you've already got a lush set of arches, keep them in place and give them a bit of all-over volume with a gel like Benefit Gimme Brow Volumizing Fiber Gel.
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram/@lonavigi7/22Smoke signals
Save this one for your homecoming dance and follow Selena Gomez's lead by pairing the heavy eye with a soft lip color and bombshell waves.
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram/@patrickta8/22Hold onto your matte
If you haven't had your fill of the matte lip this summer, fear not. The shine-free finish isn't going anywhere for fall, and soft pinks (like Shay Mitchell's) and true nudes are easy for day-to-day wear. Just be sure to properly prep your lips to get a long-lasting finish and prevent cracking or bleeding.
Getty Images for Tommy Hilfiger9/22Get glittery
Hang onto your glitter-filled festival looks of summer by giving them a school-appropriate spin like model Hailey Baldwin's hint of shimmer at the Tommy Hilfiger fall fashion show. To tone it down for everyday wear, start by sweeping the lightest shadow from the CoverGirl TruNaked Eyeshadow Palette across your lids, then keep the gold glitter at the inner corners only and pass on the bold lip.
AFP/Getty Images10/22Freckle face
Not only is Emma Watson picture proof that letting your freckles peek through can be totally glam, but she also makes a strong case for carrying your summery orange-red lip over to the fall.
WireImage11/22Royal flush
Trade in your coral and bronze blushes and play up your sweeter side with a rosy pink blush. Then, copy Zendaya and go for a matching pink lip for the ultimate girly-girl beauty look.
WireImage12/22Have a '90s moment
Brown lipstick hasn't been this big since OG supermodels like Cindy Crawford made it part of their signature look. To make it work no matter what your skin tone, try MAC Lipstick in Whirl, which is a soft brown matte lip with rose undertones that's much easier to wear than RiRi's mocha hue.
WireImage13/22Burgundy babe
There's no better time to work a burgundy eye into your beauty routine than in the fall. Go for a full smoky effect like Gigi Hadid by using the Maybelline Eye Studio Shadow Palette in Taupe Temptress or try a subtle take by simply popping a burgundy liner along your upper (or lower!) lash line.
Getty Images14/22The bottom line
Skip the tricky cat eye entirely like Margot Robbie and apply your favorite black eyeliner to your lower lash line only, smudging it out for a slightly edgier effect.
FilmMagic15/22Layers of lashes
The real beauty in Vanessa Hudgens's beyond-volumized lashes is you can't mess them up. Curl your lashes and apply a mascara like Maybelline Volum' Express Colossal Spider Effect Mascara, which is meant to maximize lashes and give them a clumped up look. Then repeat the process and when you think you've got enough mascara on, throw on another coat.
WireImage16/22Plum up your pout
A deep plum lip is a staple fall look that anyone can pull off, and doesn't require much else in the way of makeup. For a truly statement-making lip like Bella Hadid's, simply swipe on your favorite deep berry shade (we like Lipstick Queen Cupid's Bow Lip Pencil in Apollo) and pair it with clean skin, defined brows, and a touch of mascara to open up your eyes and keep them from disappearing behind the bold lip color.
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram/perrieeele17/22Electric eyes
Copy Perrie Edwards and add a colorful twist to any eye look by switching out your usual black liner for bold blue along your lower lash line. For an easy-to-wear take on the look, try Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencil in S-20, which is a waterproof navy shade that will stay in place all day.
Getty Images18/22Brighten up
For those no-makeup makeup days that we especially gravitate toward on exam days after pulling all-nighters, fake brighter, more rested eyes like Zoe Kravitz with a hint of silvery shadow at the inner corner of your lids. To get the look, all you need to do is dab a white shadow like the YSL Couture Mono Eyeshadow in Gala along the inner corners of your eyes, blending at the lash lines.
WireImage19/22Try a tint
Save your statement lip for a special occasion and try a soft splash of color like Victoria Justice for your everyday look. Whether you want pale pink lips, a toned down cherry red or washed out berry, try the Lancome Juicy Shaker, which coats your lips in a hint of nourishing color with a high-shine finish and sweet flavors like vanilla frosting and watermelon.
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram/@serayah20/22Classic cat
Serayah's cat eye and clean skin look is a flawless combo that makes it one of our go-tos. If you have trouble applying a crisp cat eye like Serayah's, try creating the line with a pencil first, then go back over it with your liquid liner to minimize mistakes without compromising the pigmented finish.
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram/@leigh_love_life21/22Bordeaux all day
Go the classic red route but darker for fall with a deep bordeaux lip like the one Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock wore. To copy the rich cranberry hue, try MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in Dance With Me.
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