6 Tips To Finding Your Perfect Autumn Foundation

1. Embrace seasonal skin shifts

Autumn brings all kinds of changes—pumpkin lattes, oversized jumpers, and yep, your skin. As the air gets crisper, you might notice your skin feels a bit drier or tight. That’s your cue to look for a foundation that gives a little extra moisture while keeping your look on point. Try NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation.

Foundations with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin will be your BFF this season

2. Shade check

Summer tan long gone? Yeah, us too. This is the time of year when your foundation shade might need a little tweak to match your new, lighter skin tone. Don’t worry—it’s a quick fix. A foundation like Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Longwear Foundation, £30 with neutral undertones will blend seamlessly as your tan fades, keeping you looking flawless.

Always test your new shade along your jawline and neck to avoid any weird colour mismatches

3. Find your skin type’s perfect match

Autumn can be a little unpredictable—one day you’re dry, the next you’re shiny. So, it’s super important to pick a foundation that keeps up with your skin’s mood swings. Try a matte formula like Bobbi Brown’s Weightless Skin Foundation, £43 to control shine and still look fresh all day. For dry skin, go for something that gives you that healthy, lit-from-within glow (hello Jones Road What The Foundation, £42).

“To find your perfect foundation shade, start by identifying your undertone—this refers to the natural colours beneath your skin. Undertones remain the same even when you tan,” explains Sephora Pro Team Makeup Artist, Athina Ioannidou.

“There are three main undertones: warm (peach, yellow, or olive), cool (pink or blue), and neutral (a mix of both). Check your veins and jewellery preference: green veins and a love for gold indicate a warm undertone, while blue veins and a preference for silver, suggest cool. If you like both silver and gold, you’re likely neutral. Once you’ve found your undertone, swatch three foundation shades on your jawline and neck—whichever blends seamlessly is your match.”

4. Buildable coverage is your BFF

It’s the season of layering, and your foundation should be no different. A buildable foundation means you can go sheer for your daytime look and add a little extra coverage for a night out or whenever you’re feeling you need a little more extra help. Sweed Glass Skin Foundation, £38 is perfect for this.

Start with a light layer for a natural, your-skin-but-better look, and build it up as needed for more coverage. No cakey vibes, just flawless skin that can handle whatever your day (or night) throws at you.

5. Don’t forget about longevity

Autumn weather is wild—it’s windy, it’s rainy, and you’ll soon be wearing scarves that rub against your face. You need a foundation that’s in it for the long haul. Long-lasting foundations like Code8 Beauty’s Day To Night Foundation, £46 and Ciaté London Extraordinary Foundation, £28 will stay put no matter what the day (or weather) brings.

Don’t forget to lock in your look with a setting spray like Sephora Collection Makeup Setting Spray, £15.99 for extra insurance.

6. Play with different finishes

This is the perfect season to mix it up. Maybe you’re ready to switch from that summer mattifier to a radiant glow, or perhaps you’re all about that soft, velvety matte look for those crisp autumnal vibes. For those who love that velvety matte look, Dior Forever Skin Perfect, £48 is where it’s at for flawless, smooth skin.

If you want that lit-from-within glow (but not oily), try Vieve Skin Nova Complexion Balm, £34 for a radiant finish that’s not too shiny.