Every now and then, us Who What Wear beauty editors come across an iconic lip combination that captures the energy and aesthetics of a season we'd like to tap into before a new one begins. With summer way behind us and winter well within our sights, we can officially take a look back at the lipsticks, glosses, tints, liners, and balms that added a warm touch to our best makeup moments. Below, four beauty editors reveal the memorable lip combos that gave their lips a seasonal twist with shades of berry, brown, mauve, and more.
Keep reading for the insider's scoop on the products beauty editors used to create these looks, then shop their top picks. Get ready to screenshot—there's nonstop inspiration ahead!
Associate Beauty Editor Maya Thomas' Spiced Berry Lips
Thomas wearing Refy's Lip Blur Lip Liner in Berry and Rhode's Peptide Lip Tint in PB&J.
One of my fondest memories of growing up in the Pacific Northwest are the early days of each September I spent picking blackberries with family and friends. We would set off with baskets to find the ripest, most juicy, berries of the bunch. While most of them made it into our harvest, there were a few that we snacked on that left the lips lightly stained. This fall, I discovered that with Refy's Lip Blur Lip Liner in Berry ($25) and Rhode's Peptide Lip Tint in PB&J ($20), I could achieve the perfect wearable, berry-toned lip look that can take me into fall. The finished result is nostalgic, timeless, and juicy.
Refy's creamy and non-drying lip liner has a soft-matte finish for a blurred effect. It uses a wide-domed tip and formula powered by blur-gel technology and moisturizing oils to enhance the lips.
This bestselling lip tint hydrates and nourishes with a formula powered by peptides, shea butter, and vitamin E. It offers sheer-but-buildable color while also helping to smooth fine lines in lips over time.
Associate Beauty Editor Alyssa Brascia's Satin Mauve Duo
Brascia wearing a neutral lip combination featuring Make Up For Ever's Color Pencil Long-Lasting Lip Liner in Anywhere Caffeine, Makeup by Mario's Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil in Dmitry, and the MAC Cosmetics MAC MACximal Sleek Satin Lipstick in Fleshspot.
"This is a more 'neutral' lip for me, but I've perfected my ideal fall nude pout with this liner and lipstick combo. I was introduced to this Makeup by Mario lip liner by Mario himself, and ever since have fallen completely in love. This nude is the perfect 'my lips but better' shade, and it complements my skin tone well as the waning late-fall sun drains all color from my face. I start by sketching my lip shape with the Makeup by Mario Liner in Dmitry ($26)—filling in most of my lips, as well—and then contouring the Cupid's bow, outer corners, and bottom lip with Make Up For Ever's Anywhere Caffeine ($25) . To create a bit more contrast, I dab MAC's Fleshpot ($25) onto the fullest point of my pout (the center) and blend things out with my finger (or the nifty brush on the other end of the MBM liner). It might sound a bit involved, but it's an instant confidence booster and compliment earner." — Schneider
When it comes to makeup essentials that are multipurpose, this Make Up For Ever favorite takes the crown. It's designed to be used for used on lips, eyes, and eyebrows, as well as for blush or contour.
Adding definition to the lips is made easy with the help of this ultra precise, dual-ended tip liner. It has a full-coverage formula that creates the look of a fuller pout without feathering, bleeding, or fading with wear.
If giving your lips a stunning, satin finish is the goal, consider snagging this lipstick. Offered in 34 shades, the brand's signature satin lipstick offers full-coverage, pigment-rich payoff with a blend of nourishing ingredients.
Senior Beauty Editor Jamie Schneider's Toasty Brown Combo
Schneider displays her lip combination of Anfisa Skin's Ân-Gloss Ceramide Lip Tint in Spice Cake and the m.ph Overliner Lip Liner Pencil in Cowgirl.
"Is there a more perfect-for-fall lip shade than Spice Cake ($45)? I’ve been wearing the new launch on repeat since it crossed my desk back in September, and I love how buildable the tinted formula is. Just one swipe offers a sheer veil of rosy-brown, while a few layers create a richer, more toasted look. On days I crave more impact, I’ll trace my lips with the m.ph Overliner Lip Pencil in Cowgirl ($25), a cool, taupe-y brown, before going in with a few layers of Ân-Gloss. Simple and perfect." — Schneider
Anfisa Skin's award-winning, ceramide-infused lip tint formula now comes in Spiced Cake: a stunning sheer, rosy brown shade. Its formula uses five skin-identical ceramides with two plumping peptides for moisturized lips.
Adding a versatile brown liner to fall lip looks like this one by m.ph can take your makeup to the next level. Offered in eight shades, the pencil features a precise wooden tip and long-wear matte formula to enhance the lips.
Social Media Editor Emma Hughes' Just-Bitten Look
Hughes wearing a glossy, pink lip look with Glossier's Lip Liner Pencil in Grip, Violette_FR's Bisou Balm in Rose Latte, and the Tower 28 Lip Jelly in XOXO.
"Whenever I want to make a subtle statement with my lips that still feels like me, I reach for this combo. I start with the Glossier Lip Liner Pencil in Grip ($20) —it’s an exact match for my natural lip tone. Then, I layer Violette_FR Bisou Balm in Rose Latte ($29) for that soft flush of color. For a hint of shine, I finish with Tower 28 ShineOn Lip Jelly in XOXO ($16). It looks bold in the tube, but gives a perfectly sheer, just-bitten effect." — Walsh
Glossier's viral water- and transfer-resistant, medium-coverage lip liner has a long-wearing formula powered by moisture-boosting jojoba oil, a lip grip complex to lock liner in place, and fractional quartz for smooth application.
No 'just bitten' look is complete without this French girl-approved lipstick. It has a unique formula that combines moisturizing rapeseed oil with antioxidants to nourish your lips while leaving behind a flush of color.
For a glossy look, use Tower28's bestselling, moisturizing lip gloss. I delivers a sheer, high-shine finish (without stickiness) using a blend of apricot kernel, raspberry seed, and rosehip oil to nurture and soothe lips.
How We Chose
We landed on the best fall lip combinations by comparing and contrasting the products and shades we've been using all season to create memorable makeup looks over several months of testing. Keeping qualities like shade availability, formulas, wear time, and texture in mind, we selected the top performers to share in this edit. As always, we also took into consideration recommendations and application tips from experts.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn't one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they're affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we'd truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.
