The 8 Best Lip Combos for Fall, According to Byrdie Editors

Every season calls for a beauty refresh. And now that fall is here, Team Byrdie is especially excited to revamp our makeup routine. The first order of business? Landing on a signature lip combo, of course. When it comes to autumn-ready lip looks, the possibilities are endless. You can lean into the warm tones of the season and wear a rich red lip gloss. Or, you can embrace the neutral hues of fall and stick to a barely-there nude lipstick. Team Byrdie's lip combos of choice during the cooler months definitely run the gamut. Ahead, take a look at all of our favorite fall lip combos.

Hallie Gould, editor-in-chief

I fell in love with Bobbi Brown's Lip Pencil ($30) a few months ago when a makeup artist used it on me for the first time—if you don't follow Victor Anaya, it's time to get familiar—and it's become my daily go-to. It's the perfect slighty-darker-than-my-natural-lip shade to define my lip line and pairs nicely with Armani's Lip Power Long Lasting Lipstick ($45) in this beautiful beige-y rose. Together, the combination yields a barely-there lip I can't quit.

Star Donaldson, associate social media director

This fall, I am switching from my go-to glosses to lipsticks and balms with a satin finish. Lately, I've been loving Hera's Sensual Nude Balms ($40) in the shade Mute Pink. The formula promises 30 hours of lip moisturization and has a vibrant color payoff in just one swipe. It goes on smoothly and has more of a balm texture than traditional lipstick, which is an easy transition for me as an avid lipgloss user in the warmer months. I pair it with my fave MAC Cosmetics Lip Pencil ($24) in the shade Whirl, a dirty rose, which gives this lip combo a subtle fall vibe without washing me out. 

Holly Rhue, associate editorial director

While I love the look of a vampy, matte lip, I'm a lip balm girl and always will be. That's why I love this low-maintenance, nourishing duo for fall. The Lip Bar's Liner ($10) is creamy and blendable, so I never get that obviously-overlined, clear line of demarcation. I top it off with Charlotte Tilbury's Hyaluronic Happikiss ($35) in the brand's iconic Pillow Talk shade and love that it gives me the color payoff of lipstick in the comfortability of a balm. The balm is something I can easily apply throughout the day without needing a mirror or a steady hand, but the liner is still natural and smudgy enough that it doesn't look obvious when I *forget* to reapply lip color throughout the day. 

Eden Stuart, beauty editor

I'm admittedly a little old school when it comes to my lippies and tend to gravitate toward more matte formulas as the weather cools down. This season, I think I'll be getting plenty of wear out of Dior's Rouge Dior Forever ($45) in 100 Forever Nude Look—a beautiful neutral with a touch of pink—paired with one of my many brown liners. Unlike in previous years, however, I think I'll be switching things up and topping the look off with a gloss more often; Neen's Glisten Up Lip Gloss ($27) collection has so many gorgeous, pigmented options, including Flirt, a true nude that was practically made to top off a neutral lip look. 

Bella Cacciatore, news editor

My aesthetic goal this fall (though, let's be real, all the time) is to look like a cool '90s teen. So what better to get that vibe than Clinique's Almost Lipstick ($24) in Black Honey? It keeps going viral for a reason—it's a perfect bitten berry shade that's a moodier take on "my lips but better," and so comfortable as my lips get drier with the chilly weather. Though it's perfect on its own, I like to give it even more of a '90s feel with a deep liner—Charlotte Tilbury's Lip Cheat Lip Liner ($25) in Love Trap is the perfect cool-toned taupe that doesn't look jarring on my complexion. These liners stay put all day and are a must-have in my collection, no matter what I put on top.

Olivia Hancock, beauty editor

While I usually gravitate toward bright red lipstick, I've been leaning into a deeper redberry hue lately. Achieving this look is super simple—all you need is a liner and a gloss. I start by lining my lips with Charlotte Tilbury's Lip Cheat Re-Shape and Re-Size Lip Liner ($25) in Hollywood Honey (it has rich red undertones). Then, I use the same pencil all over my lips. To get a juicy, glossy finish, I swipe on a generous amount of Covergirl's Clean Fresh Yummy Gloss ($11) in Sunset Skies (a rosy brown shade). The combo is so easy yet so eye-catching. 

Ali Webb, associate editor

When fall gets into full swing, I become a red-lip girl, but a series of late heat waves currently have me trying out transitional looks that embrace the last bits of summery weather while still welcoming a new season. Lately, I've been using Peter Thomas Roth's Instant FirmX Lip Filler ($29)—which creates a smoother, fuller base with gentle peptides instead of anything that stings—then topping it off with the Kosas Wet Stick ($24) in shade 100 Degrees, a neutral pink beige. Together, the two products create an ultra-nourishing daytime cocktail for my perpetually dry lips, with a luxe, neutral finish that beautifully complements latte makeup and other current trends.

Zizi Strater, news writer

I'm a clear lip gloss with a pink tint girl year-round. I'm not usually one to change my style for the season (except, of course, adding or removing layers for the weather). However, I recently received MAC's Lip Pencil in Plum, and it's literally the perfect dark pink, light purple shade that is making me live my fall fantasy. I love lining and slightly filling my lips with liner, then going over it with Fenty Beauty's Gloss Bomb ($21) in Glass Slipper for the perfect early fall color.