The changing of the season—from the warmth of summer into the moody depths of fall—necessitates a complete overhaul of the beauty routine, shifting focus toward deep hydration, restorative repair, and sophisticated warmth in fragrance and color. For beauty editors, whose jobs require them to test thousands of products annually, a curated list of monthly favorites represents the true breakout stars across all categories. The consensus for October leans into skin-like makeup finishes (like the Armani Golden Hour Skin Tint), intensive hair and skin repair (including the surprisingly effective Dove Intensive Repair Mask and a Goop Hydration Serum), and atmospheric self-care—featuring cozy candles and specialized bath products. These 23 highly vetted recommendations, blending luxury splurges with accessible hidden gems, are the tools editors rely on to maintain their glow and embrace the seasonal shift, ensuring their skin, hair, and mood are perfectly balanced for the months ahead.
The Complexion Reset: Skin-Like Finishes and Targeted Treatment
October’s makeup and skincare favorites prioritize a balanced, natural-looking complexion, focusing on lightweight coverage that allows the skin’s natural texture to show through, supported by intense hydration.
The prevailing makeup trend favors a “less is more” approach, embodied by the Armani Beauty Golden Hour 24HR Lightweight Skin Tint. Editors praised this product for its lightweight, silky texture and soft-glow finish, which effectively reduces redness and covers blemishes without ever accentuating dry patches or texture. This skin-first approach extends to coverage, with the e.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Camo Concealer winning over self-described “concealer snobs” for its ability to provide natural, all-day coverage without sacrificing hydration. On the skincare front, the shift to colder weather brought specialized hydration to the forefront, with the viscous, highly effective Goop Beauty Exosome Hydration Therapy Serum impressing editors who struggle with severe dryness and “pilling” under daily moisturizer.
The Power of Scent: Cozy Fragrances and Body Rituals
As the air cools, editors’ preferences shifted towards scents that embody warmth, sophistication, and comfort, integrating deep fragrances across body care, perfumes, and home ambiance.
October saw a return to complex, addictive perfumes that provide a warm, sensory embrace. Diptyque’s Do Son Eau de Parfum, a classic white floral with notes of musk and benzoin, was rediscovered as the perfect alternative to traditional gourmands, offering a sexy and warm quality ideal for the season. This focus on scent extended to the body, with the Salt & Stone Body Cream in Bergamot & Hinoki being a nightly routine staple; its light, luxurious, and intensely moisturizing formula was as loved for its non-greasy feel as for its crisp, heavenly scent. Home fragrance played an equally important role, with the launch of the Diptyque Paris Citrouille (Pumpkin) candle and the Flamingo Estate Green Goddess Candle providing the essential warm, festive autumnal vibes for a cozy indoor retreat.
Targeted Repair: Hair Health and Specialized Solutions
The editors’ list highlighted an emphasis on targeted repair, selecting products that offer high-performance, specialized solutions for chronic issues, from tangled hair to recurring blemishes.
A significant find was the surprisingly effective and highly affordable Dove Intensive Repair Mask, which received praise for delivering genuine, lasting results and a pleasant scent—a rarity in the hair mask category. For those with textured hair, the Cécred Detangling Spray was cited as a game-changer, literally melting away even the tightest tangles from protective styles like box braids, making the often-stressful detangling process “a breeze.” Skincare favorites focused on prevention and control, with the G.M. COLLIN Puractive+ Essential Oil Complex being celebrated for its continued effectiveness in keeping the T-Zone clear, using salicylic acid balanced with soothing aloe vera and essential oils to prevent the dry, stripped feeling often associated with acne treatments.
Fall Color Trends: Deep Hues and Minimalist Accents
The seasonal shift was reflected in a movement toward deeper, warmer makeup shades for the lips and sheer, subtle accents for the face.
Fall color palettes centered on sophisticated, warm tones that are easily wearable. The Sisley Paris Phyto-Lip Twist in Black Rose, a creamy, deep berry-rose lipstick, was deemed the perfect “new go-to” for the season. Editors were also converted to brown-based tones with the Anfisa ÂN-GLOSS Ceramide Lip Tint in Spice Cake, a sheer, buildable gloss that adds a hint of warm, cozy brown without being intense. For the cheeks, the highly pigmented but easily blendable Glossier Cloud Paint Plush Blush in Billow delivered a luxurious, soft flush that lasted all day. The look was completed with precise definition, with products like the Sania’s Brow Bar Brow Pencil celebrated for its light-as-air formula and wide-angled tip, making the creation of feathery, natural-looking brows foolproof.
