As summer fades to fall, we experience many changes in color schemes. Bright, green leaves turn to deep oranges and reds, and our wardrobe transforms in the same way. We replace our pastel and bright staple pieces with neutral and jewel-toned items. And we also change our lip colors. From rich hues to light nudes, lots of lip colors pair perfectly with fall wardrobes. But, there are a few shades that we can’t wait to wear.

Here are the eight fall lipstick trends we can’t wait to wear:

1.  Classic Red

Classic red is a lip color that is functional in every season, but there’s something stunning about a classic red lip in the fall. Our skin is less sun-kissed, so the red just pops. A red lip looks great with all the fall wardrobe colors like tans, blacks and olives.

Our pick: Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Spiderweb

2.  Rich Plum

Jewel tones may make for great fall fashion pieces, but they also make for great shades of lipstick. A rich plum lip can also be paired with tans, blacks and olives for a put-together, chic look.

Our Pick: Marc Jacobs Beauty Le Marc Creme Lipstick in Scandal 226 – Intense Plum

3.  Berry

Berry falls between classic red and rich plum on the lip color spectrum. It’s a great color to wear when you want something bright, but not too bright, and something edgy, but not too wild. Berry shades can vary from deep fuchsias to purply reds, so there’s a berry lip color for every outfit.

Our Pick: Tom Ford Lip Color Matte in Black Dahlia

4.  Dark Taupe

A bold, dark lip is phenomenal, but a dark taupe shade takes the cake. Not many people feel comfortable wearing such a dark shade, so when you do, you look extremely fierce. I’ve noticed, however, a downside to dark taupe is that you need to reapply often. When the color fades on the inside of your bottom lip, it becomes very noticeable. Reapplying often is a bit of a hassle, but keeps the lip color looking fresh and even.

Our Pick: Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in Katheryn

5.  Pink Nude

Pink nudes never go out of style. They are absolutely perfect in spring, summer, fall and winter. But, we especially love a pink nude lip in the fall. Partner items of rich fall hues – like an army green jacket or a deep purple dress – with a nude pink lip for a classic, feminine look.

Our Pick: Tarte Tarteist Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint in Festival

6.  Muted Brown

Like pink nudes, a muted brown lip color offers a neutral lip to match any outfit. It’s a little darker and flatter than pink nude. If you like a little more dimension, try lining your lips with a muted brown, then filling them in with a pink nude. Once you blend the colors slightly, your lips will be accentuated nicely.

Our Pick: Mac Matte Lipstick in Velvet Teddy

7.  Muted Coral

Bright coral lip colors are excellent staples for summer, but it doesn’t work as well for fall. A muted coral, however, is a perfect touch to brighten up the face in the cooler months. Many fall wardrobe pieces have light beige or blush in the pattern to even out the rich tones. A muted coral lip will pull out those lighter colors, while giving your lips a subtle pop of color.

Our Pick: Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Sweet Cream – Muted Peach

8.  Burnt Orange-Red

Burnt orange-red is a lip color that we mainly see worn in the fall. So, it feels special when it comes time to wear it. This shade is flexible, making it a perfect match for many fall colors, including neutrals and even some of the jewel tones. We love wearing a burnt orange-red lip between the start of fall and the end of November while orange hues are still prominent.

Our Pick: Burberry Beauty Lip Velvet Matte Lipstick in No. 412 Orange Red

From amber and olive to emerald and deep purple, fall boasts a color scheme of rich, earthy tones. When you marry a fall outfit with it’s perfect lip color match, you’ll be ready to strut into fall.

Related Post: 5 Things Stylish Women Secretly Do Everyday

{Editor’s Note: This blog post is not sponsored by or affiliated with any of the brands or businesses mentioned in this post.}

As much as we’d love to give ourselves a good blowout and carefully apply our makeup each morning, that’s not always realistic.

Sometimes we oversleep, and other times getting ourselves (and others) out the door on time is an accomplishment just in itself. But having little time to get ready doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice appearance.

In under five minutes, you can apply makeup to the key areas of your face – your eyes and lips. And we’re not talking about giving your eyes and lips the full works, with liner, primer, shadow, etc. We’re talking about doing the very basics. We’re talking about doing just a few things that will help you feel confident. After all, you don’t wear makeup to impress other people. You wear makeup because it makes you feel good. When you like the way you look, you’ll feel much more confident in taking on whatever the day may bring.

What I’m about to suggest only requires four products. If you can manage to get enough time in your morning schedule for these four things, you’ll look and feel great throughout the day.

Here are four tips for when you’re short on time getting ready:

1.  Fill in your brows.

I’ve been hooked on filling in my eyebrows since I discovered eyebrow pencils a couple years ago. I can have on absolutely no makeup, and simply filling in my eyebrows makes me feel like I’ve beautified my slate. Whether you prefer to use a pencil or a shadow, full eyebrows bring out your eyes. When your eyebrows are nicely shaped over eyes, your other facial features are also accented.

2.  Apply mascara.

Mascara helps make your eyes appear to be more open, hence, making you look fresh. (And if you’re short on time, you could probably use help looking as fresh as possible.) Your eyes are often what people look at when speaking to you, so accenting your eyes make you appear to be fully ready. We just talked about how filling in your eyebrows brings out your eyes, and applying mascara takes that a step further.

3.  Go for a bold lip.

The next step when you’re short on time getting ready is to go for a bold lip. Wearing a bold lip color – like red or berry – accentuates your lips and gives your face a pop of color. Because you’re not wearing blush, powder or foundation, the bold lipstick is essential. There’s no makeup to give your face dimension, and that’s where the lipstick comes in.

4.  Spritz some perfume.

Okay, I know what you’re thinking: “Perfume isn’t a makeup product.” But, spritzing a little perfume is the last step to making yourself look and feel fabulous when you’re short on time. The scent of perfume makes you feel like you’ve taken an extra step in getting ready. And in actuality, you have, but it was a very small one. Plus, when people smell your perfume, they’ll get the same impression – that you went through all the stops getting ready for the day. And what they don’t know won’t them.

When you have little time to get ready, focus on applying basic makeup products to your eyes and lips. These two areas of your face can be accented in a way that illuminates your entire face. Filling in your eyebrows and applying mascara will help your eyes pop, and the rich lip color will do the same for your lips. When you optimize these two facial features, and add a little perfume, you’ll feel refreshed and put-together. Not to mention, you’ll feel confident and like you put in much more effort than you did.

Spending time with yourself can clear your mind and leave you feeling rejuvenated. But, finding the time for “me time” can seem like a chore. When is there time to pencil yourself in between work, errands, home responsibilities, a social life and family time? It may be tough, but it’s essential to carve out a little time for yourself each week.

Here are 15 suggestions for quality “me time”:

1.  Go for a walk or a hike.

Taking a walk or going for a hike allows you to get some exercise while also clearing your head. You can submerge yourself into your surroundings, taking in all the nature around you. After about an hour or so, you’ll be ready to enter back into reality.

2.  Take a trip to the park.

A trip to the park will not disappoint when it comes to relaxation. Take a blanket with you, and enjoy being outside in your community. You can read a book, people watch or simply lie down and watch the clouds pass overhead.

3.  Read a few chapters of a book.

That new book you started was really captivating, so why not dive back into it? Curl up wherever you feel cozy, and let your mind wander through the pages. After spending a little time catching up on a good read, you’ll feel accomplished and at ease.

4.  Make your favorite dessert recipe.

There’s something therapeutic about baking. You can carefully follow a new recipe or whip up a recipe you know by heart. Regardless, you get to eat the fruits of your labor. It’s a win-win.

5.  Take a nap.

Never underestimate the power of a good nap. You may not be spending time inside your thoughts on this one, but sometimes that’s exactly what you need. And don’t feel guilty or unproductive when you want a nap – because you’re doing it for yourself.

6.  Get a mani-pedi.

Mani-pedis make me feel polished (pun intended). Plus, it feels good pampering the parts of my body that do a lot of the work. Head to the salon for a carefree pamper session, or turn on your favorite playlist and give yourself a mani-pedi at home.

7.  Go shopping.

“Retail therapy” is definitely a thing, if you ask me. There’s something freeing about trying on new pieces that look great on you and adding them to your wardrobe. So, go grab your favorite drink on your way to the stores, and spoil yourself a bit.

8.  Take yourself to the movies.

Have you ever seen a movie at the theatre by yourself? I have, and I absolutely loved it. You pick the movie, you pick the snacks, and you don’t have to share with anyone.

 9.  Go on a bike ride.

Like taking a walk, a bike ride is multi-purposeful. You’ll burn some calories while blissfully feeling any worries leave your body. And since many cities now offer free bike programs, access to bike rides are easier than ever.

 10.  Watch your guilty pleasure TV show.

It’s called a guilty pleasure TV show, but don’t allow yourself to feel guilty! Sometimes you just need to unplug and throw your mind into someone else’s life, joy or problems. (For me, it’s Real Housewives.)

 11.  Spend time on your hobby.

Hobbies act as creative outlets, and it’s important that you channel that creativity as much as possible. Whether it’s antiquing or DIYing, spend time doing your craft. You’ll thank yourself afterwards.

 12.  Go for a drive.

Going for a solo drive can be one of the most rewarding activities. Turn up the radio dial, roll down the windows and drive. Whether it’s 15 minutes or an hour – the only thing you need to think about is driving.

 13.  Get a facial or massage.

A facial or massage (or both!) go a long way in reviving your spirit. Think you don’t have enough time to go to a spa? See if there’s a mobile service in your area so you can be pampered in the convenience of your home.

 14.  Relax at your local coffee shop.

Coffee shops are great because everyone there is doing something different. Whether you want to read a book or simply enjoy sipping coffee, the quiet bustling of people chatting and working will help you zone out.

 15.  Take a bath.

Bubble baths are one of my favorite “me time” activities. With a glass of wine in-hand and some soft tunes in the background, my body instantly thanks me for the warm, bubbly downtime.

Life keeps us busy. But it’s the little things, like quality “me time,” that make us feel like ourselves. After all, we must first feel connected with ourselves in order to feel connected to everything else in our daily lives.

Confidence sparkles just like sunshine. It starts on the inside, but it’s so bright that it radiates towards the outside of your body. And it goes with you wherever you go, serving as your best and most-sought after accessory. Although your confidence level may vary from day to day, there are a few, small things you can do boost your confidence each day.

Let’s talk through simple steps to a more confident you:

1.  Do the small, cosmetic things that make you feel great.

When you feel great, you look even better than you feel. So, it’s important to do the small, cosmetic things that make you feel put-together and empowered. For me, it’s having my nails done, penciling-in my brows, wearing a bold lipstick and fixing my hair. I could be in sweatpants, but if I can achieve just those four things, I will feel fabulous. This means that if 20 minutes is the difference between throwing my hair in a bun versus taking the time to fix it, I’m going to get up 20 minutes earlier. That 20 minutes seems like a lot of time at 6 a.m., but its impact on my day will be far beyond 20 minutes.

2.  Don’t worry about what other people think.

Unfortunately, other people can affect our confidence if we let them. People will have something to say or a judgement to cast, whether it’s at work or while socializing. Their actions or statements could be because they’re unhappy with themselves, or simply because they don’t realize they’re doing it. And, that’s exactly why don’t need to worry about what other people may think. Know that you are capable, beautiful and more than good enough. When you can keep this at your mind’s forefront, it will be much easier to let negativity roll off your shoulders.

3.  Dress to impress yourself.

As the saying goes, “Dress to impress.” But, I think it’s more about dressing to impress yourself. What’s the point of dressing up if you’re not doing it for yourself? Wear what you think looks great. Dress the way you feel the most confident. When you dress to first impress yourself, you’ll impress everyone else without trying. Regardless of whether others envy your outfit or wouldn’t touch it with a 10-foot pole, your confidence will be glowing.

4.  Choose healthier food options.

Our diet affects how we feel, so consequently, it affects our confidence too. Choosing healthier food options can reduce or omit bloating and discomfort. Of course, there’s always room for guilty pleasures, but it’s about eating everything in moderation. When I eat well, I feel light and energetic. I feel comfortable in my skin, and I like the way my clothes fit me. On the other hand, I feel lethargic and bloated if I’ve been eating poorly. And, those characteristics are not in the recipe for confidence.

5.  Take a little extra time for smooth skin.

Taking time to moisturize and shave will boost your confidence. (After all, if your confidence can be affected by what you put into your body, what does that mean for the outside of your body?) Smooth skin is just a game changer. You feel sexy cozying up to your significant other at the end of the day. You don’t have to hesitate if you need to change clothes. You feel comfortable being close to people because your skin looks and feels good. Your skin is your largest organ, so when you show it love, you’ll feel the love.

There’s just something attractive and intriguing about a confident woman. Your confidence could be what gets you a promotion over a colleague or what motivates you to not overreact in a tricky situation. So, why not take a few extra steps to boost your confidence each day?

I was 26 the first time I was fitted for a bra.

Up until that point, I bought bras that I thought were my size by using my three-test theory.

First, I tried on the bra and made sure I liked the way my breasts looked in it.

Secondly, I made sure it didn’t give me that lump of side boob by my underarms.

If the bra passed both tests, I would then put my shirt on to ensure my silhouette was smooth. And if the bra checked that box too, I’d buy it. It was a simple strategy that worked. Yet, I never felt sexy or confident when my shirt came off.

I was wearing the wrong size bra and didn’t even know it.

I thought the annoyances I had with my bras were normal. 

There was a gap between the bra and my skin towards the top of my breast. If I was standing with perfect posture, the gap wasn’t there, but if I sat, the gap was always there.

When I sat in the car, worked at my desk or bent over, I would feel the bra extend away from my body. I could actually fit a few fingers in that gap! It didn’t bother me too much though because it couldn’t be seen.

But that changed when I took my shirt off.

When my husband and I would undress after a night out, I’d almost immediately remove my bra after removing my shirt. Or, if we had a romantic moment while getting ready in the morning, I preferred not being in my bra.

Having extra space in my bra wasn’t sexy, and it made me feel the same – unsexy. I would rather be in front of my husband with no bra than a bra that didn’t hug my body the way I wanted.

I wanted to feel sexy in my bra. I wanted to undress confidently knowing my bra would stay in place and do its job.

I decided enough was enough, and I went to a lingerie store to be fitted.

I’d been wearing size 34B bras, and to my surprise, I measured at a 32C. I had even recently lost weight, so I couldn’t fathom that I would need a C cup.

The store associate then brought me several different types of bras, all size 32C, and they all fit. Every single one. I sat, stood, raised my arms and bent over, and the bra didn’t budge. I was in complete shock!

I bought two of the bras – along with some new panties to accompany them – and excitedly drove home.

Related: 10 Telltale Signs You Are Wearing The Wrong Bra Size

My new bras gave me a new confidence.

I consider myself a confident person, but I had no idea that a bra would boost my confidence.

I loved how my body looked in these new bras, and I felt great in them. Truthfully, I felt empowered because having a bra that fit made me feel “put together.” I could sit in traffic or in a meeting knowing that my bra was clinging to me comfortably. I could tidy up my house without feeling the bra separate from my body as I moved around. But most importantly, I became even more confident when I undress. My bra just sat there, cupping my breasts, letting them steal the show.

I now love to be in my bra and panties while getting ready or undressing after the day. When my husband pulls me in for a hug or onto his lap for a kiss, I know my breasts look as good in my bra as I feel. And when I’m away with girlfriends, I don’t feel shy about how my bra looks on my body. I can change clothes in front of them without ever having to adjust my bra.

I can’t believe I went 26 years wearing the wrong size bra. I don’t wait around if I feel like my bra size has changed now. I’m quick to get remeasured and buy new bras if needed because this type of confidence is something I don’t ever want to go without.

Related: Why All Women Should Get A Professional Bra Fitting

We Highly Recommend

Whether you’re shopping for new everyday bras or lingerie for a special occasion, it’s always a good idea to seek out a second opinion. We know how hard it is to find bras that fit well and feel good, especially when you’re doing it on your own. If you’ve ever felt unsure about your bra size or you just don’t know where to go to find good bras, it’s time to let a bra fitter help.

Many specialty lingerie boutiques offer bra fittings. Their expert bra fitters will take the pain and frustration out of bra shopping and do all the work for you. Even better, their product knowledge can save you time and money. Plus, they know where all of the best bras are hiding.

If you’ve struggled with finding bras in the right size, it’s time to make a change. Visit our specialty store locator to find a store near you and schedule an appointment.

Happy bra shopping!

Featured image lingerie:

Jeanie Strapless Contour Bra 4815 | Jeanie High Cut Brief 4803 in Black