How To Refresh Your Makeup Look For Fall, By Margot Robbie’s Makeup Artist

“Taking skincare tools into your own hands gives you the ability to improve the health and overall look of your skin before applying even a drop of makeup,” says Pati Dubroff. “That said, I hear over and over – and even say it myself – that I’ve got all these tools, but I never remember to use them. So, if you’re going to invest in tools, really do make the time to use them.” Dubroff is a particular fan of microcurrent devices, which she says, “really work and make a difference,” as well as a much simpler at-home trick: an ice roller. “I have one in my freezer that cost a few dollars on Amazon which I recommend to all my clients – it’s great for a sore muscle but also for your face to give a little de-puff wake-up action. The combination of these two – the microcurrent, which helps to energize the skin, and the coldness, which delivers a slight contouring effect – makes a big difference.”

“Moving into fall, there’s the opportunity for a little more polish,” says Dubroff. “Skin still feels and looks natural but with a bit more of a velvety satin finish.” The easiest way to achieve it? She suggests swapping summer’s barely-there tinted moisturizer for a medium-coverage foundation, applied with a light hand, then lightly sweeping loose powder where needed. “I’m not a huge lover of powders, but a dusting of loose powder can help achieve a more satiny or airbrushed finish.” The result should still look luminous and skin-like rather than flat. “There’s a luminosity to natural skin, which is what everyone wants to maintain, and heavy matte foundations don’t do anyone any favors unless it’s a real character moment.”

“Everyone wants a little highlight and contour on their skin, but the trick is using the products and textures that do it in a way that’s soft and seamless rather than loud and bright or sparkly,” says Dubroff. “So, creamy balmy textures are what work really well here and be moderate when applying them.” For highlighting, Dubroff recommends focusing on the tops of the cheekbones to subtly pep up skin. “Don’t put too much highlight on the brow bone as this can make the eye area protrude in a way that’s not always flattering.” The same less-is-more approach applies to contour: “I wouldn’t do it with dense powders, but a little creamy swoosh blended out under the cheekbones is beautiful.”

There’s a real emphasis on strong eyes this season. “People are dipping into the eyeshadows again,” says Dubroff. “The easiest way to get started is with a chubby cream shadow crayon rather than going straight in with powder. They are awesome tools because you have a lot more control and you can blend them out before they dry down too flat like a pencil would. Plus, you can create either a lot of impact or something more nuanced.” For added intensity, layer powder shadow over top. “I like to go in with a crayon, often in a couple of different tones, and blend and blend and blend, and then I’ll set it with eyeshadow if it needs to be set. If I want a little pop or a metallic flash, I’ll apply the eyeshadow to the center of the lid only.”

When it comes to eyeliner, the mood is decidedly more lived-in this season. “A pencil is really great for when you want to do tightlining and then blink and smudge it to get that morning-after vibe.” Think Kate Moss ’90s grunge look. “That smudged, imperfect quality not only feels cooler right now, it’s also so much more approachable to accomplish.” The trick is to keep the imperfection intentional. “I always have a little micellar water and some cotton buds on hand because if it gets a little out of bounds you want to clean it up a bit. Also, your concealer or foundation brush is a great tool for making sure that you’re not going out of bounds.” The result should feel soft rather than severe: “I really do love a little imperfection – it doesn’t look aggressive; it gives the look a little more sultriness.”

“Pay attention to your individual arches and avoid trying to shape them according to the newest brow trend,” stresses Dubroff. “Work with what you’ve got, whether you have a lot of hair and need to control or refine it or you don’t have any hair left and need to make the most of what you have.” Her current strategy? “I’m keeping brows natural but groomed, brushing them up, filling in only where needed, and using a clear or tinted gel to hold them in place. It’s more about texture and flow than sharp lines or over-sculpting.”

“Last year it was all about so much blush, so this season it’s about softening that out, so it doesn’t feel like ‘Brontë blush’ [the viral windswept flush inspired by Margot Robbie in Wuthering Heights].” The color palette is more subdued too: “The shades I’m leaning into are a muted cranberry and diffused deep roses.” Dubroff prefers to start with a cream or hybrid cream-to-powder formula, adding a powder blush on top only if necessary to set the color. Placement is important, too. “Smile to see the apples of your cheeks so that you’re hitting the spot where you would naturally flush,” advises Dubroff. You can take the color slightly higher for lift but avoid bringing it too close to the eyes where it can make fine lines look deeper. “Blush is one of the places where people age themselves the most with placement.” Her application tool of choice is a stippling brush. “I’ve been moving away from applying makeup with fingers because it’s messier and you simply have more control with a brush.”

Rich, moody pouts in dark berry, oxblood and terracotta-toned shades – as seen on the fall/winter 2026 runways – are a welcome autumnal trend. But without a makeup pro to paint color on with precision, a perfectly lined lip can be tricky to master, so lean into a diffused, more ‘kissable’ finish. “When the edges are softer it feels less aggressive,” says Dubroff. “I love a red lip that’s not too precisely lined, or a deep Bordeaux pressed into the lips with a pencil that’s slightly lighter to give it shape. It just feels more like real life.” For those who prefer a quieter lip, nude isn’t going anywhere either. “A tinted lip balm with a good lip pencil is still a great option as an easy, effortless lip. Into fall, shift the nude tones a little cooler, away from the warmer shades that felt summery.”