It’s always fun to anticipate Pantone’s color of the year, partly because I rummage through my makeup stash to see if I find anything that’s “on trend.” The Color of the Year for 2015 is Marsala, a gorgeous warm neutral red that’s proven to be divisive among the beauty community. I kind of really, really like it! Even if it does make me quite hungry at times.
“Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness.”
Auxiliary Beauty created a Marsala FOTD a while back, referencing some art that, to her, evoked Color of the Year. Though I’d like to claim that I had been as cultured as her, the first thing I thought of when I found out about the color was food. HEH.
Anyway, marsala or some derivative of it seems to have been the color of choice for drapery in the olden days. Check out Jan van Eyck’s The Arnolfini Portrait and Caravaggio’s Judith Beheading Holofernes, two of my favorite old pieces.
Judith Beheading Holofernes by Carvaggio
The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck
In contemporary art, it reminds me of Mark Rothko’s beautiful Seagram Murals, which you may recall was vandalized quite recently. It features tonal reds, but when pressed for a Marsala-inspired work of the modern persuasion, this was what I thought of first.
The Seagram Murals by Mark Rothko
Naturally, I dug through my stash to see if I have Marsala-ish items.
Though I don’t have anything that I feel is spot-on for Pantone’s color of the year for 2015, I think I’ve got a few items that evoke the idea of Marsala anyway. 🙂
L-R: Ellis Faas Hot Lips in L401*, OCC Lip Tar in Anita, MAC Extra Dimension Blush in Fiery Impact, Rouge Bunny Rouge Long-Lasting Eye Shadow in Bejewelled Skylark, Sigma Eye Shadow in Reveal*
I lovelovelove this color. I felt like a lot of the shades in the past few years have been meh, especially the green… I quite enjoyed Radiant Orchid, but it felt a little too trendy. This is pretty gender-neutral and can be applicable to a lot of other aspects apart from beauty and makeup, which is what Radiant Orchid felt like to me.
Here’s a look I did with some of the items I posted above. I think I’m going to enjoy making Marsala looks this coming year! It’s such a cozy and warm color.
Products Used:
— NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Ginger
— Le Métier de Beauté Eye Brightening and Setting Powder in Refresh
— Nature Republic By Flower Auto Eyebrow in 2
— Sigma Eyeshadow Base in Provoke* (affiliate link)
— Rouge Bunny Rouge Long-lasting Eye Shadow in Bejewelled Skylark
— Sigma Eye Shadow in Reveal*
— K-Palette 1Day Magic Liquid Eyeliner*
— MAC Extra Dimension Blush in Fiery Impact
— MAC Lustre Lipstick in Jubilee
How do you feel about Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2015?
* PR Samples
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Softly Sometimes 
I was just doing the same thing today lol (digging though my stash to see if I have anything along the lines of Marsala). Great post, and beautiful photography!
Yay! Thanks 🙂
All I can think of is chicken marsala at the cheesecake factory, so I guess I am the least cultured of us all. le sigh. I am starting to like the color now and I think I have anita lip tar. However this color is not a summer color to me, its very winter. I would like to see how its paired as time goes by
LOL don’t worry, that crossed my mind, too. 😉 It really makes me wonder how y’all can get so seasonal with makeup! It’s pretty much hot here all year round so I guess I never thought to pair my makeup with the weather so much 🙂
Yay, Marsala! I wonder why so many painters used it for draperies; there must be some symbolism there that I’m missing. Your eye look is beautiful!
HAHA probably, but I totally have no idea what the symbolism is! Thank you so much x
Lovely picks! I’m excited about the prospect of more marsala looks to come, if only because it’s a colour I can pull off much easier than this year’s colour.
YEAH Radiant Orchid was so loud!
I dont understand all the hate this colour is getting,i Really like it! I may Just do a post like this too!
Yay, glad you’re on Marsala’s team, too 😀
Drapery… Hmmm, didn’t see this before, but the color now reminds me of the draperylike dress/outfit(?) that the Santo Nino wears in Cebu.
PS I wonder if NARS Audacious has something marsala-ish.
OO NGA NO haha.
PS I really, really, really want Liv or Charlotte, but I’m resisting!
I have to admit this is not my favourite colour, its really wintery and I think it looks nice on lips or eyes but its quite a powerful colour maybe it will grow on me 🙂 Happy new year darling, wishing you all the best for 2015 x
Maybe it’ll grow on you by the time it’s fall or winter over there. 🙂 Happy, happy new year and same to you! 🙂 x
Loving this color! I am very excited to start adding it to my collection.
BTW, we nominated you for the the Liebster Award 🙂 http://fairygodmotherbeautyblog.com/2014/12/30/we-got-nominated-for-the-liebster-award-discover-new-blogs-with-us/
Hey, thanks for the nom! 🙂 I actually did it already in 2013: http://softly.nothingspaces.com/2013/01/21/liebster-award/ 😀
What a gorgeous post! I really loved how you included some classic paintings, Carvaggio being one of my favorite artists too 😉 I would have never thought to look for Marsala in artwork! I’m really starting to like this color now; I’ll definitely check out those recommendations!
Thank you so much. 🙂 I’m glad you liked the post!