Towards the end of every year, just as everyone is feeling a bit tired of the glitz and glitter surrounding the Christmas season, and feeling just that little bit more stuffed from feasting, a ripple goes through the beauty industry when the Pantone Colour of the Year is announced. I only mention the beauty industry, because that’s where my finger on the pulse is, as it were.
Suddenly, with this announcement of what the “Colour of the Year” is, we see brands, magazines, blogs et. al. explode with suggestions on how we can wear this colour and more importantly, where we can buy this colour so we are “with it”. For 2015, the Colour of the Year is Marsala, a rather vague browned red shade; and as I’ve noticed in the past few years, Sephora is right there with a host of new makeup representing this colour.
Honestly though, do you care?
Do you care what the colour of the year is, or where you can buy something in that shade so you feature the colour on you at some point? Does it matter to you what some high flying executives in a printing company decide should be the sell out colour in a specific year? Do you take an interest?
I think you have an idea of how I feel about this LOL 😉
I’d never heard of Pantone until approximately 8 years ago. It was only because I had to get some printing done and the designer worked with Pantone colours. It was then I learned what it was and how their colour system worked, so you get the exact shade you want. It’s a bit like a universal colour system as it were, so if you specify a particular code, you get the exact same shade every time, regardless of manufacturer. It’s very useful in the printing industry, I learned.
A few years after that, the beauty industry picked up on the Colour of the Year of 2011, Honeysuckle. It must have done well, because there’s been no turning back. Sephora has even collaborated with Pantone to create whole ranges of makeup based on or around the Pantone Colour of the Year, which started with Tangerine Tango in 2012, Emerald in 2013, Radiant Orchid in 2014 and now Marsala in 2015. From the numerous blogs on the range, and its sold out status, it seems popular.
For interest, here are the Pantone Colours of the Year through the years which I extracted from Wikipedia.
But seriously again, DO YOU CARE?! 😛
I don’t. I honestly do not give 2 hoots about what the colour of the year is or how I might wear it, nor do I even care enough to own something in that shade. In fact, when the announcement is made, I usually start rolling my eyes at the buzz of activity. Seriously, we aren’t that starved for news are we? 😛
To me, this is just one big marketing push both from Pantone and from Sephora and if there’s one thing you can be sure of me, is that I hate being pushed anything. The more I’m marketed to, the more I dig my heels in and resist.
Perhaps it’s just me. Perhaps, if I were in the print or design industry, it might stir up vague feelings of interest. As I’m not (and not very creative to boot) this irritates me at worst, and just goes over my head at best. In one ear, out the other. Halfway through the year, we won’t even care what the bloody colour of the year is.
Oh and as for Marsala, it’s a lovely wine for cooking and makes a very good base for kickass tiramisu. That is all I’ll say on the subject 😀
So, Pantone Colour of the Year – do you care? Weigh in with your views!
You know mine. I cut across the grain, not flow along with the tide so I hate anyone dictating to me what my or anyone’s colour of the year should be. Besides, wear what flatters you and makes you happy! So no, I don’t care a whit what Pantone (nor the beauty industry) says about colour.
Paris B
Nup, 100% not interested. Maybe because I don’t think this colour will do anything for me. I much preferred the orchid shade. I’ll stick to my favourite colours that work for me (pink lips and blue clothing).
You know, I’d totally forgotten that orchid shade! LOL I suppose it didn’t do it for me either 😀
I have been buying make-up products in this color without even knowing that it is the Pantone Color of The Year, oops! Hahaha I am craaazzzyyyy about “Marsala” now and every time I take a look at lipsticks or eyeshadows or even blushes, I would always gravitate towards the colour and pick up colours of the same shade or close to the shade LOL
Hahaha 2015 is YOUR year, Hani! 😉 But hey, if it looks good on you, flaunt it I say. For all we know, next year might be some ghastly yellow that will wash everyone out, but hey, it won’t stop Sephora from making a… erm… highlighter maybe? LOL 🙂
I don\’t! At all! But I don\’t mind writing about it, it actually gave me an idea for a specific post (like lipstick shades that is close to Marsala, etc.. ) 😀
Haha too true, Nikki – it makes great blog fodder! 😀
I couldn’t care less, I like it that colours change, so I can get new colours in my collection, but I don’t follow the craze. I usually pick my own favorite, it’s red for 2015 btw, if anybody cares. Last year it was Orange is the new Black, this year for me Red is the new Black. I love red, so I decided to wear more red, buy more red and use my wonderfull red lipsticks and nailpolishes. It is a pretty colour never the less, I think it’s more flattering on the cheacks then on the lips (Marsala).
Red is a gorgeous shade to pick for the year! But then, I love red too so I”m biased maybe? Hehe… I too think red is far more flattering than the browned shade they’re pushing this year. The marsala shade in lipstick does tend to be a bit aging, and at my age, I don’t need to look older than I already am! 😉
I totally agree, it’s to bland and brown, to be honest, It’s a bit boring. I do love the shade as a blush, no shimmer and you have a blush that will suit anybody. Thnx Paris
I never knew about the colours until 2013. This year is probably the first year they’ve put out a colour that is wearable for everyday.
I wouldn’t mind checking it out, but I’m not dying to buy it.
Most of the time the colours just aren’t that flattering anyway. It seems like it’s a gimmicky limited edition product for everyone to buy.
I was told that in the Emerald year, there was an emerald blush. BLUSH! Were they trying to turn us all into Hulks? LOL! 😀 But yes, I do tend to agree that this shade is a pretty wearable one in general albeit potentially a little aging when worn as lipstick. As for being gimmicky limited edition, oh yeah, I’m with you 100%
Yeah I like this year’s color because it suits me but it’s more of an item for the industry of fasion and beauty. THEY love to use one main color and you know you’ll see it everywhere mid summer.. They just do the limited editions for fun, boost sales and create desire for something you already have probably.
You can’t believe how often I hear women say “but it’s pretty so I’ll get it”.
Ah I hear that statement all the time. 2 weeks later, I see the item on a ‘blog sale’ or IG sale or what have you. It kinda grates on my nerves even if it’s not my money and I shouldn’t care 😛