The stars have spoken! Discover your astrologer-approved hue.
Wherever your seasonal loyalties lie, there’s something undeniably enchanting about the transition from summer to fall—especially for those who revel in color. No season offers a cozier or more evocative spectrum than autumn. It envelops us, infusing our homes and our wardrobes and our beauty routines with a certain richness. Swapping your bright summer lip for something more brooding, like Bordeaux red or witchy plum, feels like a natural shift.
"As we gravitate toward warmer, darker clothing—think: leather, layers, and rich textures—our makeup follows suit," explains Autumne West, Nordstrom's beauty director. "Moody lip shades reflect that cozy, elevated energy."
To help you pick a new fall lip color, consider looking to your Zodiac sign. “Depending on whatever sign you are, you are going to gravitate towards different types of moody colors,” says astrologer Alyssa Polinsky. In addition to looking at colors for your Sun sign, you may also want to look towards your Venus or rising sign. “Your Venus is the things that you love and value,” explains Polinsky. “And then your rising sign is how you show up; it’s the bold way that you present yourself to the world.”
Ahead, Polinsky, author of the forthcoming book Styled by the Stars, reveals the best moody lip shade for your sign, while top makeup artists offer product picks to match, from rich terracottas for earthy Taureans to deep merlots for sultry Scorpios.
01 of 12
Aries
"Aries is our fire child, so we are looking at very dark, sultry reds," says Polinsky. "In the summer, they're going with a brighter, hotter red, and they're now moving into a deeper, darker, richer red."
Sultry Reds:
“Velvet Cherry is a sexy velvet matte shade from Tom Ford,” says celebrity makeup artist Emily Amick. “It’s chic, strong, and won’t leave your lips feeling flaky.”
For something with pink undertones, opt for Rosso Ancora from Gucci Beauty. “It’s the perfect cranberry scarlet shade that represents passion and confidence,” says celebrity makeup artist Sean Harris.
02 of 12
Taurus
Ruled by Venus, Taurus is an earth sign that loves harmony, nature, and pleasure. "They love flowers growing; they love beautiful things," says Polinsky. "Taurus would like one of those '90 browns, like a terracotta." Think: a warm, rich brown that's moody without being too dark.
Earthy Terracottas:
Myiesha Sewell, a beauty director at Sephora, has two perfect terracotta recommendations. The first: Honey Blur by Charlotte Tilbury, a moisturizing matte liquid lipstick.
The second is Merit's Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick in Tiger. It's a stunning, earthy red hue in a hydrating formula.
03 of 12
Gemini
Gemini is an outgoing air sign. "They really want something to pop," says Polinsky. She sees air signs gravitating towards mauves, but Gemini "would put a gloss on top of it to amp it up a little. Even if it's dark and moody, it'll still have that playfulness to it."
High-Shine Mauves:
Fenty Beauty, of course, makes the perfect high-shine gloss. "Fenty never misses when it comes to glossy lips," says Amick. "This mauve shade is opaque enough to give you the coverage of lipstick, but feels like a silky gloss."
For a more sheer take, West loves the shade Desire in Hourglass's Phantom Volumizing Lip Glossy Balm. "It's a lipstick and gloss in one for Gemini’s dual nature," says West.
04 of 12
Cancer
Cancer craves comfort and familiarity. "They really like things that they can recognize, that they have an attachment to, and that they feel represent them without going too far out of the box," says Polinsky. So, a classic raspberry shade is ideally suited for the nurturing water sign. "It's not too dark and it still has some color in it, but it's still darker than what they would be wearing in the summer," adds Polinsky.
Dreamy Berries:
The True Botanicals Moisture Lock Balm in the shade Berry is a stunning tinted balm. "It's nourishing and comforting, perfect for Cancer’s caring spirit," says West.
For a shade with a hint more oomph, look to Succette from Violette_FR. "The Violette_FR Bisou Balm in Succette will make your mouth look like you just ate a bowl of berries," says Amick. "It gives you that dreamy, ethereal lip the French girls have perfected."
05 of 12
Leo
"Leo is our star at center stage—their birthday season may be over, but they are here to show up," says Polinsky. As a fire sign, Leo loves reds, so she advises leaning into rusts and burnt siennas with a twist—"a newer kind of color that feels like they'd be the first ones to wear it," she says.
Rusty Red-Oranges:
Go all in on the glitter with Lip Metal balm in Chalice from Isamaya Beauty. It's a sheer, high-shine copper that supplies a chic, futuristic effect.
Courtesy of Prada Beauty
For a true red-orange, reach for Sewell's recommendation: Prada Monochrome Soft Matte Blur Lipstick in the shade Flamingo. It's a bold, attention-grabbing shade that's gorgeous for fall.
06 of 12
Virgo
For Virgo, opt for a classic—make that perfect—brown. "They are a perfectionist; they want everything to be nice and neat," says Polinsky. "It has to be absolutely perfect—the perfect consistency, not too shiny, not too matte."
Grounded Browns:
“Virgo energy calls for a polished, grounded lip, something clean, versatile, and a little earthy,” says celebrity makeup artist Christian Briceno. “A shade like L’Oréal Paris Luminous Hydrating Lipstick in Brilliant Brown is perfect; the finish stays smooth, doesn’t settle into fine lines, and feels weightless all day.”
For a velvety matte option, West recommends the MAC Macximal Silky Matte Lipstick in Yas because it's "timeless, practical, and perfectly polished for Virgo."
07 of 12
Libra
"Libras are our scale," says Polinsky. "They are an air sign, but are also ruled by Venus. So these are our bougie-ass bitches. Whatever the most expensive lipstick is, they want that one…we're looking only at labels here, and then we can go for color after that."
With luxury in mind, Polinsky advises choosing dusty mauves and orchids to appease Libra's affinity for pink. "It still has that pretty edge to it, but for fall," says Polinsky. As for the finish, opt for something in the middle, neither too glossy nor too matte. "They're all about the scales and balancing, so they probably wouldn't go too extreme in either way."
Pretty Orchids:
"Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick in ‘Deep Orchid’ is a distinguished romantic orchid shade that is great for the moodier fall weather," says Harris.
Go for a pinkier vibe with Westman Atelier Lip Suede Matte Lipstick in the shade Pinch. "It's a balanced nude-pink that reflects Libra’s love for harmony," says West.
08 of 12
Scorpio
"Scorpios are our mysterious detectives," says Polinsky. They love black, but a black lipstick is a bit too on-the-nose. "It doesn't give enough," says Polinsky. Instead, choose "a really, really dark red—nearly black," but not actually.
Deep Merlots:
Both Harris and Sewell recommend Rouge Dior Forever Lipstick in the shade Forever Night 111. "It's a rich, deep berry-black shade that oozes sensuality—great for the passionate Scorpio," says Harris.
For a satin finish, opt for MAC’s MACximal Sleek Satin Lipstick in Cyber. “No one does bold like MAC,” says Amick. “This is a true classic that’s perfect for showing off your dark side. I love it for a little goth flare.”
09 of 12
Sagittarius
"Sagittarius is our last fire sign—and they are fun," says Polinsky. "They're always on the go, so they need something long-wearing that they don't have to worry about putting back on." Color-wise, Sag wants something playful like an orangey caramel. A color that has "a little fire to it."
Playful Caramels:
Briceno loves Chanel's Rouge Allure Liquid Velvet in the caramel rose shade Stupéfiante. "It's easy to wear, and full of free-spirited brightness," he says.
For a whipped matte finish, Sewell recommends the Fenty Beauty Fenty Icon Velvet Liquid Lipstick in pinky caramel nude Pow'R Thirsty.
10 of 12
Capricorn
"Capricorns are our CEO bosses. They are the last of the earth signs, and they're going for a dark brown," says Polinsky. "Something very earthy that has that deep, darkness that really stands out." Additionally, "Capricorns are also freaks on the side," says Polinsky. "They like to have something that's a little more seductive and a little more intense."
High-Impact Browns:
For a liquid matte, reach for the shade Chocolate Lover in Sephora Collection's Cream Lip Stain 10HR Liquid Lipstick.
Courtesy of NARS
"NARS Powermatte in No Satisfaction works for lots of skin tones," says Amick. "It feels lightweight, while having great color payoff."
11 of 12
Aquarius
Aquarius is the last of the air signs, and they want something fresh and funky—a shade that allows them to be the trendsetter, explains Polinsky, suggesting a cool purple infused with bold blue undertones.
Cool Purples:
Rare Beauty's Lip Soufflé Matte Lip Cream in Daring is a fabulous choice. "It’s hard to find a cool-toned purple that won’t pull red or berry, and Daring is a great option when you want your lips to be a true lavender," says Amick.
For a more subtle take, try Makeup by Mario's Ultra Suede Lipstick in the shade Amanda. "Amanda has a great tonality—excellent for fall and slightly rebellious," says Harris.
12 of 12
Pisces
Pisces are a water sign that loves to daydream. "They just want to be in fairy tales," says Polinsky. So they're going to be drawn toward rich, purplish reds that make them feel like a fairy princess.
Beguiling Burgundies:
"Charlotte Tilbury Night Crimson is a beautiful, shiny, deep burgundy," says Amick. "It’s easy to go matte with a shade like this, so I love the creamy satin-shine finish, which is a tad unexpected."
"Merlot is great if you want to go for a barely-there stain or a bold, vibrant look," says Briceno. "It also works on the cheeks."
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