Five steps to take you from summer to sweater weather

Pools are closed, kids are heading back to school, but you’re clutching your Frosé like “No way!” We get it. And we’re here to help.

The shift from summer to fall can be one of the toughest. The color changes are drastic, the vibe is completely different, and the early push of winter holidays can mess up your mental space like nothing else. The best way to work the transition is to find your groove and let the trends fit in.

Start with your closet

Having a solid grip on your personal style will help everything come together. Consider reaching for neutrals for the first few weeks and adding a light layer as the temps drop. Your skinnies can make their debut whenever you’re ready, just pair them with some cute loafers or sneaks. You miiiight even be able to rock those colors and florals a few more times if you pair it with your jeans and a cute jacket! Once you have a grip on what you already have, make a list of killer staple pieces you can add to enhance your fall style.

Next, revive your hair

While it might feel like you need to erase all the highlights and chop all the mermaid locks, there’s no need for such a drastic change. A few small edits can help you move into fall pretty effortlessly. If you are completely in love with your light locks, consider darkening around the crown and filling in the bright spots around your face. If you’re already on the warm side, consider some lowlights, or even cutting off a few inches. That alone can add a load of dimension and drastically revive your style. Dark-haired ladies, the sky is the limit. Warm it up or simply get a gloss or glaze treatment to refresh your color.

Take it slow with the nails and makeup

As that sun-kissed skin starts to even out, your makeup routine might feel off. Transitioning to fall colors will be too much on your warm skin, but you’re not yet light enough for foundation or dark nails. Try taking a few weeks to let things naturally even out by giving your summer routine a break. Start with a light, tinted moisturizer, maybe let your cheeks go free for a few weeks and remember what your natural glow looks like, then consider new color-corrections your may need. Once your base is under control, choose gentle warm shadows that will flatter your eye-color, slowly reacquaint yourself with eyeliner, snag a manicure to try the latest shade of plum and seal the deal with that deep matte lipcolor you’ve been drooling over.

But take the moisture a little too far

Just as you needed to prepare for the warm temps, be ready for things to cool down. Thankfully, the fall season itself isn’t drying, but the fabrics can irritate you. Cleanse and scrub as usual to encourage healthy cell turnover, and consider adding a slightly richer lotion, (with shea butter if possible), to your moisturizing routine. Not only will it keep your skin super smooth and prepare you for the coming dry months, but its natural anti-inflammatory properties help to combat reactions from those fall clothing materials.

Then style smarter, not harder

With cooler temps making it more comfortable to let you hair loose, finding the right style is crucial. Everyone feels good when they leave the salon but it’s all about what you can replicate at home. If your stylist suggests a product or tool to help you, listen to her! Otherwise you’ll likely be constantly throwing that fresh cut in a messy bun. So consider coming in for a trim or update, snag the products your stylist recommends, and don’t be over-ambitious. Start with what you know you can confidently do each day and change it up as you go.

Easy enough, yes?
Look, we get it! It can be so tempting to see the leaves start to fall and freak out thinking we need a new wardrobe and a transformed look. But we are just as ready for a new season if we roll in as the person we already are and the style we already have. Timelessness always wins for a reason! So let’s take on the fall with the confidence that no magazine can capture, and let all the new things we do or wear simply boost all the beauty we already possess.