I've Perfected the Autumn Evening Routine—Here's My Cosy Step-by-Step Itinerary

As the nights draw in, I've pledged to make more of an effort to romanticise my autumn evening routine this year. A new season is a great opportunity to give your routine a reset, so I'm welcoming in autumn by bringing the cosiest vibe to my evenings. Naturally, autumn is a time of the year when leaves change their colours, earlier sunsets send the skies ablaze with colour, and we, too, experience a shift.

We feel the natural pull to slow down, spend time indoors and swap to restoring rituals. And is there anything better than hunkering down, lighting candles and spending a free evening watching Gilmore Girls? As a beauty editor who enjoys making autumn her whole personality (yes, that includes autumn perfumes, autumn hair trends and autumn nail trends), I think not.

I delight in the idea of cocooning under blankets, relish in spending a little extra time on my skincare routine in the evenings and soaking in a hot, steamy bath before climbing into bed. In my mind, there is no better way to spend a free evening, all while embracing the sentiment of the season.

If you want to elevate your autumn evening routine, look no further. I've created the perfect autumn evening itinerary to help you relax, restore and unwind, alongside the best products I love to enhance your skin, body, mind and wellbeing.

The Best Evening Beauty Routine for Autumn

1. Scent Your Space

First things first, we're setting the tone with scent. As soon as you arrive home or close your laptop for the day, it's time to change into something cosy and mark the start of the evening with a candle. Preferably, an autumnal-coded one to help enhance the cosy vibes. Think warming, enveloping scents like amber, wood or vanilla.

Striking a match to light your candle can become a ritual to signal to your mind and body to switch off, and filling your home with scent can help to unwind from the day and provide gentle, flickering light that perfectly accompanies a nostalgic autumnal film or show. May I suggest Gilmore Girls, You've Got Mail or even a Twilight re-watch? If you've been saving your luxury candle, this is the time to light it.

Shop Candles:

All of Diptyque's candles are elite. But to me, Diptyque's Ambre candle is the most autumn-coded. From the amber glass vessel to the enveloping, glowing scent within, it will bring you just as much joy both when it is lit and unlit on your coffee table.

Beauty Pie

Luxury Scented Candle in Bahia De Miel

Price shown is member price.

Beauty Pie candles are amongst some of my favourite candles, and they just so happen to be some of the more affordable candles out there. Bahia de Miel is a firm favourite as the nights draw in. It carries a slightly masculine edge with a whisper of smoke, but once lit, it softens into notes of golden honey and smooth vanilla, creating a creamy, intoxicating warmth.

Byredo

Bibliothèque Candle

Take it from me, Byredo's candles are worth the splurge. Bibliothèque captures the notion of old books and libraries in the chicest way—the perfect accompaniment to burn while watching a dark academia show or getting lost in the pages of your book.

Maison Margiela Replica

By the Fireplace Candle

Yes, this candle it truly as good as it sounds. If you want to create the warm glow of being curled up by the fireplace with a roaring, crackling fire, this is the candle to try.

2. Bathtime

Now, this step is more than just hopping in the shower. It’s an unhurried pause, and a way to wash away the day and re-emerge softened and restored. Whether you prefer an evening shower or are loyal to a nightly bath, this is your chance to turn your bathroom into a sanctuary where time slows down.