TikTok Has Spoken—These Beauty Microtrends Will Be Everywhere This Autumn

Ah, TikTok. What did we do before it? I don't know about you, but I find myself getting most of my fashion and beauty inspiration from there these days. And the fact that the majority of the trends come Gen Z-approved makes me feel like I must be (somewhat) cool by giving them a go. From the famous Uniqlo trousers to the COS crossbody bag, my most-worn items this year have been down to viral TikTok videos.

However, when it comes to beauty, I find the platform brilliant for finding those slightly more niche microtrends, and I love a new little beauty touch. If you've read my guide to this year's biggest autumn makeup trends, then you'll already have luminous skin and statement lips on your radar, but what smaller, more personal beauty trends can we expect to see?

As per usual, I spent my weekend glued to the app researching everything from trending makeup, hair colours, nail art and more. Better yet, I went straight to the experts to see what they think of these microtrends, and even asked them how we can re-create them at home. Interested? Keep scrolling for everything you need to know about this autumn's biggest beauty microtrends. TikTok has done it again…

1. Espresso Eyes

First it was latte-inspired makeup looks, and now something a little bit stronger is taking over. The hashtag #espressomakeup has racked up 26.2 million views and counting, however it seems to be espresso eye looks specifically that everyone is into. These eye looks are a lot darker than "latte" eyes, and are perfect for making a bit more of a statement this autumn.

I asked Aimee Connolly, makeup artist and founder of Sculpted by Aimee, how to recreate the look at home, and it's easier than you think. "To recreate the deeper, more sultry take on the latte makeup trend, take your usual bronzer shade and begin blending into the eye socket. Start to deepen this with darker, matte brown eye shadows to contour the crease of your eyelid and just under your eyes for an ultra-glam look.

"Next, take a black liner pencil to your lash line (no precision needed!) and begin smudging the product out with your fingertips. The creamier the liner, the better. Finish by lining your waterline with a brown pencil to add drama to this grungier, nighttime look."

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2. Feathered Brows

I've been seeing feathered brows all over TikTok, making a nice, natural alternative to the laminated brow look, and Connolly predicts that this will be one of the biggest microtrends this autumn. "Makeup trends are certainly favouring a minimalist approach to embrace and highlight our natural beauty, and as we cosy up for autumn, expect to see more people opting for a fluffier, bold natural brow," she says. 

I went to brow expert and founder of UK Lash Nima Pourian to find out more, and he told me that this trend actually took off in the '80s. "This brow look is making a comeback and it's primarily driven by the 'no-makeup' trend and the [movement towards] natural beauty. If you want bolder brows, I recommend using a brow serum to help make your eyebrows look thicker."

Pourian then says to use a brow pomade or a pen to fill in any further gaps and get that really full finish. Finally, set everything in place with a brow gel, but brush your eyebrows in an upwards motion for that 'feathered' effect.

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3. Strawberry Nails

If you've been on any form of social media lately, you'll definitely have come across "strawberry-girl summer". Trust me, I was just as confused as you when I first heard the term, but as soon as I figured out all it meant was pinky-toned berry makeup looks, I got it. Hailey Bieber was the first person to declare it a strawberry-girl summer, sharing lots of these fun, colourful looks on her Instagram feed. However, one thing that really caught my attention was the star's strawberry nails. It seems I'm not alone—#strawberrynails has 27 million views on TikTok alone.

"Adding fruit [details] onto nails is possibly one of the most adorable trends in the nail-art world," says Julita Fagan, nail expert from 14 Day Mani. "This design can be worn atop a full-cover polish, and it also pairs beautifully with a French tip or swirls. Hand-drawn 3D, cartoon-style or realistic strawberries are all favourites with clients as they add a sense of playfulness to the design."

If you don't fancy the actual fruit on your nails, Fagan says that red nail colours will be everywhere this autumn, and it's the perfect way to wear the trend more subtly. 

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4. Cherry Cola Lips

Just as popular (and just as fun) is cherry cola lips. With 21 million views for the hashtag on TikTok, it's perfect for those of you who like more of a strong lip look. Think dark brown lip liner paired with cherry red lipstick and a juicy gloss to finish everything off. 

"For a richer, high-shine rouge lip inspired by the 'cherry cola' pout taking over TikTok, just two essentials are needed," explains Connolly. "A creamy, easily blended lip liner in a deep, warm-toned shade will define your lips, whilst a red gloss gives a lick of shine to achieve a juicy, plump look." 

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5. Cowboy Copper Hair

Last, but by no means least, say hello to "cowboy copper" hair. This is the latest hair colour to go viral on TikTok, and it's giving me all of the autumnal vibes.

This trending colour blends brown, leathery tones with vibrant copper shades, creating a rich, deep finish. If you've been thinking of changing your hair colour for the new season, then I highly recommend giving this one a go.

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Next Up: I Just Tried TikTok's Viral Shower Routine and It Transformed My Skin