Most Wanted is a weekly series in which one editor, staffer, or influencer shares their top 30 must-haves or current wish-list items.
I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again: No one gets quite as excited for fall as a beauty editor. It’s the perfect time to try out brand-new (or new to us) fall essentials in every category from skincare to makeup to haircare. Now, I won’t beat around the bush. Beauty editors are also notorious for their monstrous wish lists, and I have to say that this time around, I’m guilty as charged.
I started gathering a lineup of my fall essentials in July (not sorry), so the list that follows is a hefty one. What can I say? I like to get ahead of things. I covered all the fall essentials like candles and fragrances. (Call me basic. I don’t mind.) But you’ll also find an array of products I’ll be using to boost my skin’s glow and amp up my everyday makeup. You won’t want to miss out on these 30 must-have items for fall. Keep scrolling, and happy browsing.
Ever since I saw makeup artist Nikki La Rose use this on her YouTube channel, it’s been on my list of must-try products. It’s basically a sunscreen and a dewy moisturizer in one, making it the perfect base for your makeup. It works really well for combination and dry skin types in need of extra nourishment.
I love a good creamy foundation for fall, and this formula from RMS will be my go-to. It glides right onto your face so beautifully, and the coverage looks and feels like a second skin. You do need to use a bit more if you want fuller coverage, but it also hydrates and firms due to moisture-rich ingredients like squalane, aloe, and RMS’s adaptogenic herbal blend.
This magical color-changing blush oil reacts to your skin’s natural pH to provide you with the perfect natural flush for your specific skin tone. It’s also packed with 20 plant-based ingredients to plump the skin and reduce fine lines with everyday wear. It will no doubt be my makeup-bag staple for fall.
I live for a versatile eye-shadow palette, and this Toasted version from Tarte is an absolute fall dream. The warm, rich hues like Fireside and Simmer really can’t be beat.
For days when I want to be a little bit extra, I’ll amp things up with this Kosas 10-Second Eye Gel Watercolor Eyeshadow. I love how vibrant each of the shades are and how quickly you can apply it.
Whether you have dry, combination, oily, or acne-prone skin, a good exfoliant is 100% necessary. Luzern’s luxe formula contains micro-fine jojoba beads and an infusion of Bio-Suisse certified organic botanicals to soften the appearance of fine lines, improve hydration, and clear clogged pores. It’s the gentle (yet effective) exfoliant I’ll be using all season.
This stunning liquid highlight from Rare Beauty is a showstopper. My favorite shade (particularly for fall) is the deep copper shade Captivate. Proceed with caution: It’s incredibly easy to go overboard and apply too much. Start with a small dot on each cheek—a little goes a long way.
This Initio Parfums offering is basically all I’ll be spritzing on for the rest of the year, TBH. The warm notes of almond, magnolia, myrrh, vanilla, and patchouli are completely hedonistic.
I have 3c-4a curls, but I’ve always wanted to try a wave wand. I recently got Amika’s highly rated one to play with, and I’m excited to see what it does for my natural texture.
I’m a sucker for a good fall candle. Capri Blue is known for its cult-loved Volcano candle, but this indulgent pumpkin-scented one from the brand is perfect for the season.
These soft-focus finishing powders re-create the most flattering light on the skin. With photoluminescent technology, each shade filters out harsh light and refines the appearance of your complexion. This palette will pretty much never leave my makeup bag.
Furtuna Skin’s barrier-repairing balm is so luscious and hydrating without being greasy. It’s going to be extra helpful for fall when the weather starts to get windy and dry. It contains the brand’s wild-foraged Replenishing Complex which repairs the skin’s natural protective barrier with dandelion, carrot, spirulina concentrate, and organic hawthorn.
I’ve been trying to exfoliate a lot less to help preserve my skin’s moisture barrier. On days when I feel congested, I reach for this amazing clarifying mask from Tata Harper. It really helps clear up any active blemishes, and the addition of honey and rose-hip seed oil leaves your skin feeling hydrated instead of tight or dry like other clarifying masks.
If you have sensitive skin, this nutrient-rich oil is for you. My skin has been extremely reactive and sensitive lately, so I’ve had to scale back on products. I’ve been giving this facial oil a try, and it really keeps my skin hydrated and clear with no adverse reactions.
To me, Le Labo’s Thé Matcha 26 is the perfect fall scent. The notes of matcha tea, creamy fig, vetiver, and cedar give it a rich, earthy aroma just right for the colder months.
I love a good cleansing oil, and this nutrient-dense one from Mara has been on my list since I got my hands on the brand’s Universal Face Oil. Fruit enzymes, chia, and an algae blend flood your complexion with vitamins, fatty acids, and extra hydration upon use.
Black pepper, guaiac wood, raspberry, tonka, and smoked papyrus are just a few of the heady ingredients in this delicious candle collab. I obsessively burn it even when it’s not fall, and I may need to buy a whole new one this season because my old one is just about burned down.
I love Weleda’s Skin Food, so naturally, when I saw that the brand makes a conditioning hair oil, I added it straight to my wish list. My hair can get extra dry once fall hits, so this is a must-have. It can be used on wet or dry hair and is packed with rosemary, clover, and burdock-root extracts to deeply condition parched locks.
This sophisticated palette contains gorgeous taupe, mauve, warm brown, and terracotta shades. They’re shades I would wear to the office, out for drinks, or on a fall weekend trip.
Once the weather cools off, I go all in on my bathtime rituals. This season, that will include using Osea’s Salts of the Earth Scrub, which has hydrating shea butter along with a blend of Dead Sea, Bolivian rose, and Himalayan pink salts.
I’ve finally decided to cave and snag this TikTok-famous lipstick. The formula is designed to create a one-of-a-kind lip stain for everyone who wears it. I’ve heard and seen amazing things, so it’s time to give it a go for myself.
I’m eyeing this illuminating powder from Makeup By Mario because it creates such a naturally luminous finish on the skin. It’s soft and subtle, but in the right light, it creates the appearance of an airbrushed glow.
I swear by this entire trio of body products from Mutha. Oh, and the body brush included in this set doesn’t hurt, either. Some nights, I like to use the Body Contour Serum and Body Oil together, but other times, I’ll just use the Body Butter. The Body Contour Serum is a real treat and helps tighten, hydrate, and exfoliate. The brand’s cult-loved Body Butter is also really rich and hydrating, so it’s great if you have dry skin or tend to get dry once the weather cools off.
I’m always expanding my perfume collection, and this Skylar scent is next on my list. Notes of cinnamon bark, roasted almond, and spiced ginger create such a luscious and creamy fall scent.
Hot tip: If you’re not using your setting spray as a priming base, you’re missing out. I learned this tip from a makeup artist, and boy, does it make a difference. Your foundation looks so much better when you use it this way. Milk Makeup’s setting spray offers a breathable, glass-like glow and a clean formula. I’ll definitely be trying this one out as both a base and finishing spray.
I love the Malaya Organics Cleansing Oil to remove my makeup. It’s so hydrating but really does remove everything. The brand’s Rejuvenating Face Serum is just as good. It’s one I’ll be reaching for more this upcoming season because it’s rich in phytonutrients, antioxidants, and oils that bring deep healing to the skin.
Bybi offers great, clean skincare at an affordable price point. This base moisturizer is great to use under makeup.
My curls are extra dry, so doing a deep conditioning mask at least once or twice a week isn’t exactly optional—it’s mandatory. I always like adding new masks to my rotation, and this recommendation came from a stylist. It contains powerful conditioning agents that give curls the boost of hydration they need to thrive, especially when it’s cooler out.
I love a radiant glow all year round, and Saie’s gel-like luminizer really delivers on that front. I love layering it over my primer or mixing it with my foundation. Either way, it makes your skin look fresh, dewy, and sun-kissed in any season.
Okay, so this tool is definitely an investment. But I have to say it’s totally worth it. The Enercharger uses pulsed electrical fields that work deep below the surface of the skin to tighten, firm, and hydrate. With long-term use, it increases skin-cell energy and regeneration for younger-looking skin. My skin has been pretty stressed out lately, but I’ve been using the Enercharger every day for the past few weeks and have noticed a big improvement in my skin’s hydration levels already. it also just looks brighter, healthier, and overall clearer. Hallelujah.
