While enjoying the last, sun-soaked days of summer, I’ve been sedulously poring over the newest beauty trends and products for fall 2015. Although it’s always difficult to narrow it down, and I have yet to conclude my research, I do have a few top preliminary picks to share just in time for Labor Day weekend.

Deep burgundy lips are are de rigueur this fall. (Photo: Antonello)

Wine-stained lips

Replace your classic red lip with a deep burgundy pout this fall. Dark, vampy lips are de rigueur this season. Deep-hued lipstick can be intimidating; some of us feel a bit of trepidation when attempting this dramatic look. One misstep and you’ll unwittingly recreate the 90s goth look — not quite the effect we’re trying to achieve.

The secret to the perfect wine-stained lip is choosing a color that works with your complexion. Porcelain-skinned ladies should stick to rich berry tones, and a sheer or glossy finish is highly flattering. Medium skin tones come alive with deep burgundy, maroon shades — look for colors with a balance of plum and brown. Darker complexions look stunning in pure, deep purples. A blue-based purple imparts instant glamour and flatters deeper skin tones. Try a decadent aubergine shade for a super chic look this autumn.

I love the color selection in Charlotte Tilbury’s new Matte Revolution collection, which abounds in perfect rich, autumnal hues.

Modern Muse Le Rouge is the perfect scent for transitioning from summer to fall.
(Photo: Estee Lauder)

Estee Lauder Modern Muse Le Rouge

I’m generally a bit skeptical about flanker fragrances; i.e., new versions of a previous fragrance that reuse the original perfume’s name with additional words appended to it, such as “Chance” and “Chance Eau Vive.” However, I was pleasantly surprised by Estee Lauder’s latest addition to its Modern Muse collection: Modern Muse Le Rouge.

This is the perfect scent for transitioning from summer to fall. It is a seamless blend of Bulgarian rose and delectable fruit notes layered over spicy saffron and pink pepper with a creamy base of vanilla and ambrette. This is not your typical, fruity floral scent that would deemed irredeemably jejune by those of us with olfactory discernment. This sophisticated scent is easy to wear with a moderate sillage that is work-appropriate, but transitions effortlessly to evening.

The Mischo Beauty She Who Dares polish collection includes a deep purple and jade. (Photo: Mischo Beauty)

Mischo Beauty She Who Dares

Mischo Beauty has come out with its fall/winter 2015 collection, She Who Dares, and I am smitten. Take a look and see the intense shade of purple and deep jade. I’m torn between Risqué, a glowing fuchsia, and On Pointe, a smoldering teal. I think I’ll just take them both!

I met Mischo Beauty founder Kitiya Mischo King last year at the launch party of her luxury, eco-sustainable nail polish line. She has since become one of my favorite DMV beauty gurus. With her impressive credentials — she has a degree in chemistry and is a licensed cosmetologist — and engaging personality, there’s no one better from whom to receive beauty advice. Recently I asked King to share some of her top beauty tips with DC on Heels readers.

Kitiya Mischo King, founder of Mischo Beauty (Photo: Mischo Beauty)

DC on Heels: What are your favorite beauty trends for fall/winter 2014?

Kitiya Mischo King: I love that there is an emphasis on “less is more” this season, with my absolute favorite being clean, healthy, glowing skin — even in the fall/winter! I also love the inclusion of metallic accents — especially on eyelids and nails.

Metallic Accents for Fall 2014 (Photo: Tom Ford Beauty)

DCOH: Can you share some of the beauty products that you can’t live without?

King:

Maybelline Volum’ Express the Falsies Mascara: To avoid bacteria buildup, I try to invest in a new tube of mascara after 30 days. This mascara separates, lengthens and gives my lashes amazing volume, and it is budget-friendly!

Wella System Professional Power Mask: This is the best conditioner I’ve used thus far for coarse, damaged or bleached hair. It replaces moisture lost during chemical treatments, returns the hair to its normal pH, and smooths and seals the hair’s cuticle, resulting in soft, shiny hair. I use it while sitting under a hooded hair dryer for 20 minutes.

Mischo Luxury Nail Lacquer in the Tents: The formula is five-free, toxin-free and cruelty-free, which are all musts for me. I love that this shade is buildable — I can wear it as sheer or opaque as I want. It’s the perfect nude that works with every skin tone.

Clarisonic Brush: It’s hands down my favorite beauty tool. I use it with my favorite cleanser, but also with an exfoliant for even deeper cleansing. I love that it works to ensure a deep, thorough and gentle cleansing.

Decleor Ultra-Moisturising & Plumping Expert Mask: I have combination skin and alternate between clay-based masks and hydrating masks. When my skin feels dehydrated I reach for this mask and make sure to not forget my neck and décolleté. The result is always soft, smooth, moisturized skin.

DCOH: Can you share your favorite beauty addresses in the D.C. area?

King: Yes! My favorite place for nail treatments is the Emerald Door in Silver Spring. I love their holistic approach to nail care. The Japanese jelly pedicure is divine!

I see Ashleigh Taylor, of Taylor & York in D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood for biweekly deep conditioning steam treatments and blowouts.

And once a month, I visit Lisan at the Spa at Mandarin Oriental for a facial. She has an amazing touch and customizes facials for her clients’ skin types.

DCOH: Do you have any favorite beauty secrets to share?

King: I love coconut oil! I use it for EVERYTHING – in my hair, on my skin, as a makeup remover, after waxing and the list goes on and on! It’s an amazing moisturizer, does a great job at penetrating the hair’s shaft and is both antibacterial and antifungal.

Mischo Beauty Luxury Nail Lacquer fall 2014 collection (Photo: Mischo Beauty)

DCOH: What is the inspiration behind your latest nail polish collection?

King: The third collection for fall/winter 2014, “Brave is Beautiful,” includes four new, daring, five-free shades which are a tribute to the bold choices of women who curate fabulous lives in the face of challenge. Each shade is inspired by the place where soft and hard meets in the life of a woman in charge. Unyielding in her pursuit of excellence, today’s woman knows the cost of being the boss and knows how to play her hand to win. Determination never looked so good!

One of my all-time favorite Make-up Artists and icon Pat McGrath shares her S/S 2013 look for the Dolce & Gabbana’s S/S 2013 show.  Why wait until the Spring to try this one out?  I love adding a little cat eye liner to my silvery shimmer lid and a hot pink lip for the fall!

XOXO Besos,

By Anna Castillo

Celebrity Make-up Artist/Owner – www.inkcosmetics.com

Email: [email protected]