How to Wear Pantone’s Color of the Year
Earlier this month the Pantone Color Institute proclaimed Marsala to be the color of the year for 2015, and I couldn’t be more pleased with this selection. According to Pantone, Marsala is a delicate and tasteful tone that suggests the richness of an excellent meal, as well as the earth. This deep, brown-red hue evokes the warmth and depth of its namesake Sicilian fortified wine and it’s a hearty, stylish and universally flattering color that lends itself to fashion and, of course, makeup. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more versatile color that works for lips, nails, eyes and cheeks.
Pantone’s Color of the Year — Marsala — is universally flattering (Photo-left: Refinery29.com Photo-right: Adorness.com)
Finally, I can release my bated breath, as the Sephora + Pantone Universe 2015 Collection has finally hit the shelves. I urge you to make your way to your nearest Sephora, posthaste, to grab yourself the Marsala Layering Lip Collection, which includes five superbly wearable shades ranging from nude to deep Marsala in various finishes (sheer, matte, cream), which can worn singly or blended.
Sephora + Pantone Marsala Lip Layering Collection (Photo: Sephora)
These chubby cream pencils are easy to apply, and the texture is deeply moisturizing — perfect for combating winter dryness. The collection’s eye shadow palette is also outstanding, and I just spent an inordinate amount of time studying the myriad looks that can be created from this collection.
There’s a shade of Marsala to flatter everyone — in its deeper iterations it adds a gorgeous pop of color to your lips, eyes, nails and even hair, but it can also be toned down to complement the metallic golds and coppers that are currently on trend. It also looks stunning contrasted with blue, turquoise and pale green.
Eyes
Dior 5-Couleurs Palette in Trafalgar (Photo: Dior Beauty)
Create a smoldering smoky eye with Dior 5-Couleurs palette in Trafalgar by blending the Marsala color in the center with chocolate brown into the crease, highlighted with gold. Make your eyes glow by outlining them with Youngblood’s Gel Liner in Sienna.
Cheeks
Marsala looks glorious on medium to dark complexions, for which Nars Blush in Almeria is the perfect pick. For fair skin tones I suggest a lighter touch — Clinique Chubby Stick in Amp’d Up Apple imparts a subtle, tawny glow that’s never garish. The Sephora Cooling Marsala Multi Stick is universally flattering and can be used to highlight and contour the cheeks.
Warm up your cheeks with Nars Almaria (Photo: Nars Cosmetics)
Lips
Kevin Aucoin Expert Lipcolor in Dantrice is a well-balanced deep Marsala that’s spot-on for a dramatic look, while Kevin Aucoin Lip gloss in Tammabelle gives a more subtle, daytime effect. L’Oreal Infallible Le Rouge in Always Apricot adds a bit of warmth and earthiness that complements porcelain to fair skin tones.
For an all-natural, vegan lip color, try Silk Naturals Marsala and Card Shark, two robust brown-reds that work with a range of complexions.
Nails
Nothing rivals the glamour of deep, wine-red nails and a couple coats of Tom Ford Nail Lacquer in Bordeaux Lust will allow you to achieve this look.
For a softer take, try Essie In Stitches or Julep Jodie (for a bit of sparkle).
Hair
Marsala looks surprisingly good on hair as well. If you’re feeling daring (and completely enamoured of Marsala!) try tinting your tresses with Manic Panic Semi-Permanent Color in Vampire’s Kiss.
