6 Fall Beauty Trends That Prove Bigger and Bolder Is Better

 The runways have long celebrated what's to come. This year's fall shows portended strength and optimism — in showers of glitter, in tracks of crystals — just as the world was about to pause. As if to say: We'll get through this. And when we do, things will be beautiful again. We can also see that mindset spanning bold pink shadow, orange-red lips, oversized hair accessories, and graphic liner in the most unexpected styles and placements — as if to say, to heck with the rules. 

Just like fashion, the beauty industry has taken hits left and right from COVID-19, but there's always a silver lining in the worst of situations — like, queer individuals turning to beauty to empower themselves, incredible nonprofits like Beauty 2 The Streetz flourishing, and brands donating money and supplies to relief efforts.

Ahead, we celebrate six trends that embody those stepping up to help their fellow communities, and those taking care of themselves through the healing powers of their beauty routines, perhaps more than ever. Mark our words, these bold beauty trends will be everywhere this fall.

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  Courtesy of Pascal Le Segretain

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  Crystal Clear

  Remember when jewelry was confined to areas like the wrists, fingers, and earlobes? Why did it take us so long to see the eyes for what they really are, occipital palettes for gems and sparkle? Makeup artist Pat McGrath's cat-eyes twinkled with black crystals at Valentino, and Ffrench's prismatic eye makeup involved a hammer (she chiseled crystal stones into slivers) at Halpern. And these sparkles can travel — to hairpieces at Area, headbands at Gucci, and anywhere else that inspires you.

  Kevyn Aucoin Glass Glow Face in Pixie Dream and Hard Candy Crystal Lip Duo in Nude Quartz can help you put on the glitz. Or you can frame your eyes with crystals (shop Etsy) using lash glue.

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  Courtesy of Jason Lloyd-Evans

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  Think Pink

  It's a bird! It's a plane! It's…the pink ladies! With the help of some color-blocking, makeup artist Miranda Joyce gave hot pink shadow all the moxie of a superhero's mask at Matty Bovan. At Emilio Pucci, hairstylist Jawara's cool new twist on flowers in the hair involved tropical pink spray paint. And at Off-White, makeup artist Fara Homidi coated outer lashes in Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Vinyl Couture in I'm the Madness for an effect that was pink-hot.

  Want to take vibrant pink shadow for a spin? Swipe on the ultrapigmented Stila Double Dip Suede Shade and Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in Pink Martini.

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  Getty Images

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  Well Red

  On approximately one billion runways, red, the alpha of the color wheel, swooped in and called the shots. Of all the red lips, our favorites for broadcasting passion and strength were the fiery orange-reds at Oscar de la Renta and the cool blue-based ones at Marc Jacobs. (Models were wearing MAC Patent Paint Lip Lacquer in Red Enamel and Marc Jacobs Beauty Le Marc Lip Crème in Oh Miley, respectively.) At Simone Rocha, makeup artist Thomas de Kluyver laid metallic-red foil across lids to prove that red can — and should — be swiped here, swept across there, and stamped over that.

  The loose glitters in Tarte Sugar Rush Lid Poppers come with adhesive for easy gliding.

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  Courtesy of Imaxtree

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  Hair Play

  Go big. Bigger than that. No, keep going. There. Now you're getting close to the bold hair accessories on the runways this season. Big is a volume call, sure, but it's more than that; bigness is a feeling, a show of hope. In other words, big is one thing we could all use. Try one of our two favorite ways in: a wide headband worn backward with a cinnamon-bun updo at Fendi, or oversize barrettes with all the whimsy of orchids at Miu Miu. Whatever you do, just don't think small.

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  Courtesy of Imaxtree

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  Out of Line

  People have used stencils, business cards, and all manner of inanimate objects in the name of achieving precise eyeliner. But this is the time to take your credit card out of your makeup bag and put it back in your wallet. Eyeliner floated along the creases of eyes at Stella McCartney, drifted below, threatening to fall onto cheekbones at Missoni, and was drawn into double flicks at Miu Miu — almost like arrows pointing the way forward.

  Get creative with a liquid liner, like CoverGirl Get in Line Liquid Eyeliner in Black Vinyl.

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  Courtesy of Jason Lloyd-Evans

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  Heavy Metal

  The season was a study in metallurgy: Silver glitter spilled across foreheads, cheeks, chins, and fingertips, which were so covered in the stuff the nails seemed to disappear entirely at Marni. At Preen, streaks of gold foil glinted over the ears and across the forehead. At Erdem, lids were bathed in an otherwordly glow, courtesy of silver foil. This is all to say: This isn't the year for a hint of sparkle or a touch of shimmer. This is the time to take a risk, find joy, and pretend the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is made of glitter.

  Pile on the shine using L'Oréal Paris Infallible 24HR Eye Shadow in Silver Sky and Essie Nail Polish in Rock at the Top. (Note: That specific shade isn't available anymore, but Summit of Style is a similar metallic gold.)