Mad for Marsala

The global color authorities at the Pantone Color Institute have spoken and released the color of the year for 2015, Marsala. Pantone describes this color as a "robust and earthy wine red".

If you were puzzled by what to do with last year's pick, Radiant Orchid, you'll be pleasantly surprised at how wearable this year's shade is. I'd describe it as a red-brown with pink undertones. It is such a rich and natural color that can be seamlessly incorporated into your wardrobe, home and beauty regiment.

Where makeup is concerned, Marsala can be easily worn on the lips, cheeks, eyes and nails.
Going through my makeup collection I realized I already owned some items in the Marsala family.

My first thought on Marsala was that it would be such a pretty lip color. It has been all over the awards show red carpets this year so makeup artists are taking notice! Here are three options:

Gerard Cosmetics Lipstick in 1999  - Brown nude with a bit of pink, matte finish.

Too Faced La Creme in Pink Chocolate - Berry Brown with a glossy finish.

Maybelline Creamy Matte Lipstick in Touch of Spice - Rosy Brown with a comfortable matte finish.

Another great way to incorporate Marsala is through your blush. A darker rosy cheek is very in this winter, so Marsala is a perfect fit. Here are two options:

theBalm Instain Blush in Houndstooth - theBalm totes this as a "mauve" but I think its more of a plum with a bit of brown.

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Blushed Rose - Cream blushes are great for the dry winter months. This one from Bobbi Brown is a rosy brownish pink shade that can be worn on both the cheeks and the lips.

Another way to wear Marsala is through your eye makeup. I found this Marsala shade, Miracle, in the It cosmetics Naturally Pretty Celebration Palette. It looks great as an all over the lid color, blended into the outer V, or as a liner. I like to pair Miracle with light pinks and warm browns to give my look some dimension.

Last, but not least, Marsala is beautiful on the nails. The shade In Stitches by Essie is a spot-on Marsala color. Its a light berry-brown with a creme finish.


The executive director at Pantone describes Marsala as "a subtly seductive shade, one that draws us in to its embracing warmth." Its very on-trend with the mauves and browns that have been all the rage in the beauty world for the past few months. This color is the perfect mix of the two. It is a very warm and earthy tone that you can interpret as either more brown or more pink in tone. I think this has much more mass-appeal than Radiant Orchid did. Its such an easy, ready-to-wear color that will complement a wide variety of skin tones.

How to you feel about this year's Pantone pick? Are you Mad for Marsala too?