Slideshows

A Flattering Hue for Beauty, Cosmetics Look Rich in Marsala

An earthy red wine sets the mood for the new year.

By Marie Redding, Associate Editor 01.29.15
The global color authority has announced its Color of the Year for 2015 - Pantone 18-1438 Marsala, a sophisticated earthy red wine. It's flattering for beauty products, since it combines well with a variety of skin tones - more so than last year's Radiant Orchid, or even 2013's Emerald.

Here’s what Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute said about Marsala. As for packaging, Eiseman said: “Texture is the story in print and packaging. A matte finish highlights Marsala’s organic nature, while adding a sheen conveys a completely different message of glamour and luxury.”

Color Combining

Marsala looks dramatic when used with neutrals like warm taupes and grays, according to Pantone. The color has “burnished undertones,” so it combines well with amber, umber, golden yellows, vibrant blues, and greens in both turquoise and teal.

Marsala - A Perfect Match for Color Cosmetics


Pantone's women's fashion colors for Spring 2015
The rich red wine hue - as well as variations - is already being seen on shelves, being used for cosmetics including lip and nail products. Too Faced's new innovative lip color, Melted Liquified Long Wear lipstick, is available in a color called Melted Velvet - Bordeaux that comes very close to Marsala.   

Yves Saint Laurent has Baby Doll Kiss Blush Lips & Cheeks, which is an air-whipped two-in-one mousse formula for lips and cheeks, in a square bottle with a felt tip applicator. It comes in Nude Insolent, a reddish brown hue. nude hue.

Makeup Forever Artist Shadow is available in a matte Burgundy; and Smashbox Cosmetics Be Legendary Lipstick is available in Burgundy Plum. Dior's 5-Color Eyeshadow Palette features a deep red wine hue in its Trafalgar compact, surrounded by complimenting hues that include gold, peach, sand and brown. Click through the slideshow above to see these products.

Sephora's 2015 Pantone Universe Collection

Keeping up with tradition, Sephora already has a selection of cosmetics featuring the color in its Pantone Universe Collection.

Sephora’s 2015 Pantone Universe collection features the usual eye and lip colors, but since the hue is so wearable, there’s also a mascara/brow highlighter, liquid liner, cheek color, and a face product - the Cooling Marsala Multi Stick.

The unique face product, which is in a push-up stick package, is described by Sephora as “a soothing cheek balm that’s slightly pigmented with a hint of Marsala.” It contains coconut oil, for its moisturizing benefits; as well as caffeine and oligopeptides, to reduce the appearance of puffiness and dark circles.

The packaging designed for the collection is shiny rose gold with a metallic sheen, which complements Marsala's warm undertones.

Check out the other products in the collection, many of which are already sold out, as Pantone fans seem to have jumped at the chance to buy cosmetics in the new hue when the collection first launched in December. The collection includes a bullet shaped lipstick, and brush with the Marsala colored handle - click through the slideshow above.

Fashion Colors for Spring 2015


Pantone's men's fashion colors for Spring 2015
Pantone is also promoting its Color Report for Spring 2015, with lists the top 10 women’s fashion colors - plus top 10 men’s. Of course, Marsala is on both lists - and the other hues all complement it.

Both the men’s and women’s fashion color collections are named “En Plein Air,” which Pantone describes as having “an emphasis on the cooler and softer side of the color spectrum, with bold color taking a more supportive role as an accent.”

The women’s fashion colors are described as “an eclectic, ethereal mix of understated brights, pale pastels and nature-like neutrals that take center stage as designers draw from daydreams of simpler times.” In addition to Marsala, the colors are: airy Aquamarine;  playful Scuba Blue; minty Lucite Green; confident Classic Blue; the warm neutral Toasted Almond; warm Strawberry Ice; juicy Tangerine; yellow-like Custard; and the timeless Glacier Gray.

The men’s fashion colors “emphasize the need for uncontrived hues, where natural tones are interspersed with deep, foundational colors for an unassuming and sophisticated Top 10,” according to the Pantone Color Institute’s Eiseman. In addition to Marsala, they are: calming Dusk Blue; Glacier Gray; a fertile green, Treetop; Classic Blue; Toasted Almond; a tropical yellow-green, Woodbine; the Earthy Sandstone; a basic gray, Titanium; and the distinctively surprising and nostalgic hue, Lavender Herb.     

More Color News 

If you’re working a year or more ahead, the Color Planner by PantoneView for Autumn/Winter 2015/2016 and Summer 2016 are both available.
    Loading, Please Wait..