Some argue that the best part of fall is Fashion Week street style, planning your Halloween costume, or all things pumpkin spice. But let's get real: An autumn makeup-bag update welcomes the season best. (Not to mention helping to ease the poignant loss of summer. Farewell, August, we hardly knew ye.) Sure, we may be biased here on the R29 beauty team, but there's no denying that a shift in your look can help punctuate the changing weather, preparing you for the exciting seasonal happenings to come.
However, like we've said time and time again, you don't need to go broke to shop like a beauty pro. In fact, there are tons of expert-approved buys just waiting to spice up your makeup bag this fall — and they're all under $15. For help navigating the endless aisles of products at your corner drugstore, we brought in the experts who know best.
Ahead, some of Hollywood's top celeb makeup artists spill about the autumn-ready bargain buys they swear by.
Artist:Jamie Greenberg
Clients: Lizzy Caplan, Rashida Jones, Tracee Ellis Ross
"Finding affordable all-natural products can be a struggle," Greenberg says. "Burt's Bees came out with a full lipstick line that is fabulous. I'm a bit obsessed!"
Burt's Bees Lipstick, $9, available at Birchbox.
"Maybelline Color Tattoo in Creamy Chocolate 730 has become my go-to swipe on [the eyelid]," Greenberg says. "It takes one second, stays all day, and looks good on everyone."
Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo 24HR Concentrated Crayon, $5.99, available at Target.
"Simple Cleansing Micellar Water is amazing," Greenberg tells us. "No harsh smells or chemicals. It takes off everything and leaves skin hydrated."
Simple Cleansing Micellar Water, $7.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
Artist:Andre Sarmiento
Clients: Kate Bosworth, Nicola Peltz, Brittany Snow
"Smudgy eyeliner and smoky eyes are really on-trend this fall, and this liner really lets you accomplish all those looks with just one product," Sarmiento says. "As gel liners go, it definitely rivals its high-end competitors in darkness and wear, so you create your looks knowing that they’ll last."
He adds: "The versatility in this product comes from the brush you use. Using a fine lining brush, or angled brush, lets you create a cool-girl liner look. Applying with a blending brush lets you create that deep, goth-y smokiness."
Maybelline EyeStudio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner, $7.99, available at Target.
"Richly painted lips are a big trend, whether it's a glossy vibe or deeply stained red lips for fall, [which] are luxe. These are really lush in their pigment and texture, which is very important when you're creating a chic, matte lip. I particularly love [the shades] Love, Passion, and Infatuation, because they really give you that fall feeling," says Sarmiento.
Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolor, $7.99, available at Target.
Artist:Vanessa Scali
Clients: Anna Kendrick, Christina Hendricks, America Ferrera
"I love full, feathery lashes, but don’t want to skimp on the length. The large brush coats each and every lash, and the formula delivers not only length but a flirty, feathery effect as well," says Scali.
Revlon Super Length Mascara, $6.83, available at Jet.
"This palette is classic, timeless, and a staple in any arsenal," Scali says. "[These] matte and shimmery nudes won’t let you down. The color payoff rivals some prestige brands, and you can’t beat the price."
CoverGirl Nudes TruNaked Eyeshadow Palette, $11.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
"These highly pigmented liquid lipsticks feel velvety on the lips, deliver intense color, and dry to a clean, matte finish," Scali says.
Maybelline ColorSensational Vivid Matte Liquid Lip Color, $6.99, available at Target.
Artist:Nicole Walmsley
Clients: Aimee Teegarden, Katharine McPhee, Sutton Foster
"I love Burt’s Bees Lip Crayons," Walmsley says. "The lightweight pigments pack a punch of matte color. I love to press the color into the lip for a Popsicle-stained effect. Or they can also be layered with gloss for a more precise and polished look."
Burt's Bees 100% Natural Moisturizing Lip Crayon, $9, available at Burt's Bees.
"I’m a huge fan of the Lasting Finish by Kate Nude Collection lipsticks from Rimmel London," Walmsley says. "The formula is creamy and long-lasting — and with 10 nude colors to choose from, there’s a shade to flatter every skin tone."
Rimmel London Lasting Finish by Kate Nude Collection Lipstick, $4.97, available at Walmart.
"Sonia Kashuk is one of my favorite affordable cosmetic lines," Walmsley says. "The brushes are equally great! I’m constantly raving about them to friends and clients who want an affordable, quality tool."
Sonia Kashuk Duo Fiber Fan Brush No. 129, $7.99, available at Target.
Artist:Georgie Eisdell
Clients: Gwyneth Paltrow, Mandy Moore, Dianna Agron
"An old favorite of mine is L’Oréal's Voluminous Mascara," Eisdell tells us. "It's jet-black, dries quickly, and gives lashes a fluffy finish that I love for fall."
L'Oréal Volume Original Mascara, $5.89, available at Target.
Artist:Joanna Simkin
Clients: Issa Rae, Amber Rose
"This is the best makeup remover, hands down," Simkin says. "For years, makeup artists have been buying micellar water in Paris and finally the U.S. is catching on. This remover is amazing because it's non-oily, but gets even waterproof makeup off in one swipe. Because it's non-oily, you can apply makeup over it as well. (Pro tip: A pointy Q-tip dipped in micellar water [can help] perfect your cat-eye.)"
Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water & Makeup Remover, $8.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
"2016 has been the year of the matte lip, but finding non-dry formulas in fun colors can be a challenge," Simkin says. "This line has everything from nude to black, and the wear is great — no cakey dryness."
CoverGirl Katy Kat Matte Lipstick, $8.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
"This little pot of [affordable] goodness is one of my favorites," Simkin tells us. "There are four shades (fair, light, medium, deep), all with peach and orange undertones to combat undereye darkness. I love it alone or as a color-correcting base under liquid concealer."
Nyx Dark Circle Concealer, $6, available at Ulta Beauty.
Artist:Kristee Liu
Clients: Olivia Thirlby, Brenda Song
"This is an all-time favorite of mine, and with the heavy-black-liner trend we’ve seen on the runway this fall, this is a must-have to re-create that sexy, gothic look," Liu tells us. "It glides on smoothly and stays on until it’s time to take it off. I think it works better than similar products from high-end brands."
Rimmel Magnif'Eyes Double Ended Shadow + Liner, $6.99, available at Walgreens.
"These sticks are so easy to blend onto the cheek to give you that radiant look," Liu tells us. "The colors are sheer but buildable, and the creamy formula mimics natural skin texture, so you look like you are blushing naturally. I like to apply these using my fingers, because the warmth helps to soften the product for a smoother application. You can also use a Beautyblender to apply; just use the bottom (wider) part to dab onto the skin. You may find layering a bit of powder blush of similar color will help to hold the color in place better if you have oily skin."
Nyx Bright Eye Illuminating Stick, $8, available at Nyx Cosmetics.
"This daily moisturizer helps to extend the life of your tan a bit longer," Liu tells us. "And you can use this as your daily moisturizer, [tan or no tan]."
Jergens Natural Glow Tan Extender Daily Moisturizer, $8.49, available at Target.
Artist:Matin
Clients: Claire Danes, Rebecca Hall
“Neutrogena's 3-In-1 concealer for eyes goes on easy, sets perfectly, and wears well," Matin tells us. "Plus, the colors are well-balanced and they color-correct at the same time."
Neutrogena 3-In-1 Conceal for Eyes, $9.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
Artist:Carissa Ferreri
Clients: Gina Rodriguez, Bailee Madison, Lauren Conrad
“I love a mascara that gives the lashes a lot of volume without weighing down the curl," Ferreri says. "With this formula, lashes are thickened, lengthened, and lifted to add some drama to the eyes. I especially love it when I'm trying to keep makeup super-minimal.”
L'Oréal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara, $8.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
"These vibrantly colored lipsticks are just as hydrating as balm, and I am loving the color Russet River," Ferreri says. "It's the perfect shade of plummy red-brown."
Burt's Bees Lipstick, $9, available at Birchbox.
Artist:Julie Harris
Clients: Olivia Wilde, Allison Williams, Eva Mendes
“This is a great drugstore concealer!" Harris says. "They have amazing colors, and they go on naturally, without being cakey.”
L'Oréal True Match Naturale Powdered Mineral Foundation SPF 19, $13.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
“These go on matte, which is super-trendy, but I also like their pigments, especially the shade Shanghai Scarlet," Harris says.
L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Gloss, $7.99, available at Target.
Artist:Fabiola
Clients: Sophia Bush, Katie Holmes, Darby Stanchfield
“I love the variety of colors in this line — plus, it also tastes yummy and moisturizes your lips, too," Fabiola says.
Burt's Bees Lip Shine, $7, available at Burt's Bees.
Artist:Michael Anthony
Clients: Rita Ora, Katy Perry, Victoria Justice
“The color payoff is incredible, they're under $10, and they have a perfect, cushiony little applicator that gives you a really precise and controlled application," Anthony says. "I love layering these over long-wearing lipsticks on my clients, so I don't have to touch them up as frequently."
L'Oréal Infallible 8HR Lip Gloss, $7.19, available at Target.
“It's so black and the brush separates, plus it also lifts the lashes nicely," Anthony says.
Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara, $5.99, available at Maybelline.
Artist:Katy Denno
Clients: Connie Britton, Cobie Smulders, Amber Heard
"I'm really into just a sheer wash of shine on the lips when wearing heavier eye makeup this fall," Denno says. "This gives the exact right amount of shine, without being glossy or sticky. It's super-hydrating, which makes it perfect for all-day, everyday application. I've never seen an applicator shaped like this one, and there's something about the contour of it that's just so right."
Yes To Primrose Lip Oil, $4.99, available at Yes To Carrots.
Artist:Bethany Brill
Clients: Leighton Meester, Jena Malone
"This mascara does everything that mascara is supposed to: It lengthens, separates, and leaves lashes shiny and black," Brill says. "I do two full coats, combing lashes down and then back up. I use it on everyone."
CoverGirl Super Sizer Mascara, $6.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
Artist:Debra Ferullo
Clients: Kate Hudson, Drew Barrymore, Katharine McPhee
“This is my all-time favorite gloss, especially in the shade Rose Petal!" Ferullo says. "It has the perfect glossy finish, and it keeps your lips hydrated!"
Flower HydraSilk Ultimate Lip Butter, $7.98, available at Walmart.
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