Ulta Fall Haul: Must-Have Beauty Products for the Season

As the leaves change and temperatures drop, it’s the perfect time to update your beauty routine with the season’s latest and greatest products. Ulta Beauty offers a wide range of must-have items that will keep you looking fabulous all autumn long. From skincare essentials to makeup marvels, here are the top products you need in your Ulta Fall Haul.

Key takeaways

Prioritize hydration by using gel-creams and gentle cleansers to combat the effects of dropping temperatures.
Incorporate chemical exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs to remove summer skin buildup and improve product absorption.
Switch to cream-based makeup and tinted moisturizers to maintain a dewy, glowing complexion in dry weather.
Apply body moisturizers within three minutes of showering to lock in moisture and prevent seasonal skin irritation.
Maintain consistent SPF and Vitamin C usage throughout the fall to protect skin from UVA rays and brighten pigmentation.

1. Hydrating Skincare Products

Fall weather can be harsh on your skin, making hydration a top priority. Consider adding these hydrating skincare products to your regimen:

Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator: This gel-cream provides an instant moisture boost and keeps skin hydrated for up to 72 hours.
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser: A gentle, non-foaming cleanser that cleanses while retaining your skin’s natural moisture.

2. Rich, Seasonal Makeup Shades

Embrace the rich, warm colors of fall with these must-have makeup products:

Urban Decay Naked Honey Eyeshadow Palette: Featuring 12 golden neutrals, this palette is perfect for creating versatile autumn looks.
Too Faced Melted Matte Liquid Lipstick in Gingerbread Girl: A long-wearing, spicy gingerbread shade that’s perfect for the season.

3. Nourishing Hair Care

Protect your hair from the dry, chilly air with these nourishing hair care products:

Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector: A treatment that repairs damaged hair and strengthens it from within.
Moroccanoil Treatment: This versatile, nourishing oil can be used as a conditioning, styling, and finishing tool.

4. Cozy Scents

No fall beauty haul is complete without a cozy, seasonal scent. Here are some top picks:

Bath & Body Works Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Body Mist: A warm, inviting scent that’s perfect for fall.
Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum: This best-selling fragrance features notes of coffee, vanilla, and white flowers.

5. Essential Fall Nail Colors

Complete your fall look with these trendy nail colors:

OPI Nail Lacquer in Lincoln Park After Dark: A deep plum shade that’s perfect for the season.
Essie Nail Polish in Playing Koi: A rusty orange that captures the essence of fall.

Transitioning Skin with Post-Summer Chemical Exfoliants

While the initial instinct during a fall haul is to grab the thickest creams available, your skin cannot effectively absorb those nutrients if it is buried under a layer of dead summer skin cells. After months of sunscreen buildup, sweat, and environmental pollutants, your complexion likely requires a strategic reset. Chemical exfoliants—specifically Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs)—are essential for dissolving the “glue” that holds dull cells together, allowing your new seasonal serums to penetrate deeper.

For those dealing with post-summer congestion or maskne, The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution is a powerhouse available at Ulta that targets uneven texture. Glycolic acid has the smallest molecular size of all AHAs, meaning it gets to work quickly. However, a common edge case involves users with hyper-sensitive skin who find glycolic acid too aggressive as the air turns crisp. In these instances, The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA offers a gentler alternative; lactic acid is a larger molecule and a natural humectant, meaning it exfoliates while simultaneously drawing moisture into the skin.

To maximize your fall exfoliation routine, consider the “moisture sandwich” technique. Apply your exfoliant to clean, dry skin, wait three minutes for the pH to settle, and then immediately follow with a thermal water spray and your favorite hyaluronic acid serum. This prevents the trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) that often occurs when the indoor heating is turned on for the first time. If you prefer a pre-soaked pad for convenience, First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads are safe for daily use and contain a balanced blend of lactic and glycolic acids that won’t strip the skin barrier during the seasonal transition.

The Art of the Dewy Fall Base: Primers and Tinted Moisturizers

As the humidity of July fades into the dry breezes of October, your matte summer foundations can start to look cakey or settle into fine lines. The goal for a fall complexion is “lit-from-within” radiance that looks healthy even under harsh fluorescent office lighting. This shift begins with a hydrating primer. Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer is a cult favorite at Ulta for a reason: it creates a smooth, water-resistant canvas that keeps makeup from breaking down, even if you’re caught in a sudden autumn rainstorm.

For those who prefer a lighter feel, transitioning to a tinted moisturizer or a skin tint can prevent that heavy, suffocating sensation often associated with full-coverage products in cooler weather. Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint provides just enough coverage to even out redness caused by windburn while maintaining a blurred, natural finish. If your skin tends to get exceptionally dry as the temperature drops, look for formulas infused with squalane or ceramides. The BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream is an excellent hybrid that acts as a BB cream, CC cream, and moisturizer all in one, boasting a 215% increase in skin hydration after just one week of use.

An often-overlooked tip for fall makeup is the use of cream-based cheek products. Powder blushes can sometimes cling to dry patches during the colder months, whereas a product like NARS Afterglow Liquid Blush melts into the skin. When applying these products, use the warmth of your fingertips to blend the pigment upward toward the temples. This not only provides a more seamless finish but also stimulates blood flow to the face, giving you a natural flush that mimics a brisk walk through a pumpkin patch.

Targeted Eye and Lip Treatments for Chapped Weather

The skin around our eyes and on our lips is significantly thinner than the rest of our face, lacking the sebaceous glands necessary to produce natural oils. Consequently, these are the first areas to show signs of seasonal distress. A standard lip balm often isn’t enough when the wind-chill factor rises; you need a treatment that repairs the moisture barrier overnight. The Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask has become a staple of the Ulta Fall Haul because its “Moisture Wrap” technology forms a protective film over the lips, locking in active ingredients and mineral water.

For daytime protection, look for lip oils rather than waxy sticks. Kiehl’s Since 1851 Love Oil For Lips uses a blend of coconut and moringa oils to provide a high-shine finish without the stickiness that catches your hair on a windy day. Edge case: if you suffer from perioral dermatitis or extreme sensitivity around the mouth, avoid flavored or heavily scented lip products during the fall, as the synthetic fragrances can exacerbate cracking at the corners of the mouth.

Eye care in the fall should move toward rich, emollient textures. Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado is a unique formula that transitions from a thick cream to a burst of hydration upon application. It is heavy enough to protect the delicate eye area from dry indoor heating but absorbs quickly enough to sit under concealer. Pro-tip: apply your eye cream using your ring finger in a gentle tapping motion, starting from the inner corner and moving outward. This helps with lymphatic drainage, reducing the puffiness that often accompanies the “seasonal allergies” many experience during the transition from summer to fall.

Body Care Rituals: From Salt Scrubs to Heavy-Duty Butters

We often spend so much time focusing on our faces that we forget our bodies are also reacting to the drop in temperature. Fall is the season of the “everything shower,” a comprehensive routine designed to slough off old skin and deeply nourish the new layer beneath. Start your ritual with a physical exfoliant like the Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub. While the brand is known for its seasonal scents, the real benefit lies in the certified shea butter and blend of six natural oils that leave a moisturizing film on the skin even after you rinse.

Once you step out of the shower, the “three-minute rule” is vital: you must apply your body moisturizer within three minutes of patting yourself dry to trap the residual moisture on your skin. For those with extremely dry or eczema-prone skin, First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration is a life-saver. It contains colloidal oatmeal, which is an FDA-designated skin protectant that relieves itching and minor irritation. It is thick enough to provide a barrier against the cold but formulated to absorb instantly so you can put on your favorite flannel leggings without feeling greasy.

Don’t forget the extremities. Hands and feet take a beating in the fall as we transition back into closed-toe shoes and start washing our hands more frequently during flu season. The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector is one of the most heavy-duty options available at Ulta, specifically designed for skin that is constantly exposed to the elements. For feet, applying a thick layer of CeraVe Healing Ointment and wearing cotton socks to bed can transform cracked heels overnight, ensuring your feet stay soft even when tucked away in boots for the next six months.

Fall-Specific Hair Styling and Scalp Health

While the existing guide mentions hair repair, the health of your scalp is just as important during the seasonal shift. Many people experience a dry, itchy scalp—often mistaken for dandruff—as soon as the air loses its moisture. This is actually “scalp dehydration.” To combat this, integrate a scalp serum like Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Scalp Treatment into your routine. The tea tree oil provides a cooling sensation that relieves itchiness, while the charcoal draws out impurities that can clog hair follicles.

In terms of styling, fall is the season of the “big blowout.” However, the combination of dry air and heat styling can lead to static and frizz. To prevent your hair from standing on end, switch to a sulfate-free, smoothing shampoo and conditioner duo. Living Proof No Frizz Shampoo uses a patented Healthy Hair Molecule that is more effective than silicones at blocking humidity (and the lack thereof). When blow-drying, always use a concentrator nozzle pointed downward to seal the hair cuticle, which adds natural shine and prevents moisture from escaping.

If you are someone who enjoys the “lived-in” look of second-day hair, be wary of overusing dry shampoo in the fall. Starch-based powders can further dry out the scalp. Instead, look for a hydrating dry shampoo or a refreshing mist like Bumble and bumble. Pret-a-powder Post-Workout Dry Shampoo Mist, which uses liquid to clean the hair without the chalky residue. This keeps your hair looking fresh for those autumn bonfires without compromising the health of your scalp barrier.

The Importance of Autumn SPF and Vitamin C

A common misconception is that sunscreen is only necessary when the sun feels hot on your skin. In reality, UVA rays—the ones responsible for premature aging and skin cancer—remain consistently strong throughout the year, even on overcast November days. Furthermore, autumn leaves and early snow can reflect UV radiation, increasing your exposure. Your fall haul should include a sophisticated SPF that feels like skincare. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Ultra-Light Face Sunscreen SPF 50 is a top choice because it’s non-whitening and contains antioxidants to fight free radicals.

Pairing your SPF with a Vitamin C serum is the ultimate “fall defense” strategy. Vitamin C works synergistically with sunscreen to neutralize environmental damage and brighten the dark spots (hyperpigmentation) that may have surfaced during the summer. Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum uses THD Ascorbate, a highly stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C that is less irritating than traditional L-ascorbic acid, making it ideal for the potentially sensitized skin of autumn.

When incorporating these into your morning routine, apply the Vitamin C first on clean skin, followed by your moisturizer, and finish with SPF. This layering ensures that your skin is brightened and protected from the blue light emitted by our screens—something we tend to spend more time in front of as the days get shorter and we spend more time indoors. If you find your skin is particularly dull, look for a serum that also contains Vitamin E or Ferulic Acid, as these ingredients stabilize Vitamin C and boost its efficacy by up to eight times.

Professional-Grade Beauty Tools for At-Home Fall Refresh

As we retreat indoors, fall is the perfect time to invest in beauty tech that simplifies your routine and provides professional results at home. The Revlon One-Step Volumizer Plus is an Ulta best-seller that combines the power of a dryer with the volume-creating capabilities of a round brush. In the fall, when hair can easily go limp under the weight of hats and scarves, this tool allows you to achieve a salon-quality blowout in half the time, minimizing the duration of heat exposure to your strands.

Beyond hair, consider the benefits of a facial steaming device. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Pro Facial Steamer uses micro-steam technology to hydrate and soften the skin, making it the perfect Sunday night ritual before applying a deep-conditioning mask. Steaming for 5-10 minutes opens up the pores and increases local blood circulation, which helps to counteract the “gray” or sallow look that can occur when we lose our summer tan. It’s an effective way to turn your bathroom into a spa when the weather outside is uninviting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best hydrating skincare products for fall?

We recommend the Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator and CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser for optimal hydration during the fall season.

Which makeup shades are popular for fall?

Rich, warm shades such as those found in the Urban Decay Naked Honey Eyeshadow Palette and Too Faced Melted Matte Liquid Lipstick in Gingerbread Girl are perfect for autumn.

How can I protect my hair during fall?

Using products like Olaplex No.3 Hair Perfector and Moroccanoil Treatment can help nourish and protect your hair from the dry, chilly air.

What scents are popular for fall?

Cozy, warm scents like Bath & Body Works Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Body Mist and Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum are great choices for the season.