The Red Wine Makeup Trend Gets a Fall Update

Says Caroline DelRio, a general manager of beauty at CO Bigelow in New York City, the wine-colored, grungy, smoky eye is poised to be a huge trend, thanks to all of the smudge-able colored liners coming out soon.

Makeup artist and Well People cofounder Shirley Pinkson Mañas points out the versatility of this trend. Whether you’re going for something bold (like a full-bodied cabernet sauvignon) or more subtle (like an effervescent lambrusco), the red wine color palette is diverse enough for everyone’s taste and skin tone. You can opt for a dark berry blush or a vampy maroon lip moment, but Ventre echoes, “The eyes really set the mood.”

A burgundy smoky eye can feel intimidating, but Ventre says a few blending techniques can help you avoid looking like you have a black eye. Before reaching for your burgundy and cranberry shadows, “start with a neutral transition shade—such as a soft taupe, warm tan, or a muted peach—in the crease to make blending easier and prevent harsh edges,” she explains; then press “a deeper plum or chocolate brown at the outer corner of your eye, blending into the burgundy” for added depth. You’re going to want to apply your shadow from lightest toward the inner corner of your eye to darkest toward the tail of your eyebrow.

The products you use depend on how dramatic you want your shadow to be. For a look that smolders, Ventre recommends Viseart’s Petit Pro II, which has deep, rich plum and maroon shadows, plus lighter neutral colors that make for great transition shades. “It has matte and shimmer shadows so you can create a matte smoky eye or a sparkly red wine eye,” says Ventre.

If you want something more subtle, Mañas recommends a “clean girl” approach with her brand’s Power Eyeshadow Palette in Sepia. (We recommend the Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette, which has a buttery texture and similar hues.) “I keep the complexion fresh with a cloud-like, satin finish,” she says. Then she creates a soft, romantic eye look using neutral tones mixed with deep purple and maroon.

Eye makeup not your forte? We hear you. Ventre recommends a monochromatic red wine lip-and-cheek pairing using the Ilia Multi-Stick Cream Blush + Highlighter + Lip Tint in A Fine Romance. “It’s the perfect berry color,” says Ventre. “Using the same product on the [cheeks and lips] is a simple but effective way to keep the look cohesive.” We also love the Ami Colé Desert Date Cream Blush & Lip Multistick in the shade Plum: This Allure Best of Beauty winner goes on buttery smooth and dries down with a slightly matte finish, leaving a strong wash of color behind.