The Pretty Files: Warming up to Marsala

Happy 2015! I don’t know about you, but I was really excited when Pantone revealed the 2015 color of the year, Marsala. In contrast to 2014’s Radiant Orchid and 2013’s Emerald, Marsala immediately felt like a color that was user-friendly and wearable in regards to fashion. It also felt classic. Pretty wine-red sweater paired with nice pants or a great piece of statement jewelry? Marsala is a color that fits right into my lifestyle and wardrobe with its sophisticated and elegant chic.

Image Credit: Pantone

But clothes are fairly easy when it comes to color. Pick up an inexpensive t-shirt or fashion jewelry and you can be on trend in an instant. What about makeup? One of the things that last year’s Radiant Orchid had going for it is that purple eye-shadow and lip gloss made for a fun way to brighten things up and still worked with the neutral lip trend that started emerging mid-year. Marsala, while not as bright, is a little more difficult to incorporate. It’s a rich color, not one that is necessarily tuned to all seasons when it comes to cosmetics.  So how can you wear Marsala year round and stay classic and versatile? I have two suggestions that are both nearly universally flattering and super simple: blush and nail polish.

Blush

Everyone needs blush. It’s the swipe of color that brings out your smile and brightens your face. Even on a gloomy day a bit of color on the apple of the cheek can make you seem warm and fresh. Marsala works very well as a blush because it is exactly that: warm and fresh. It’s also a color that is very flattering to most skin tones. My favorite Marsala blush right now? MAC’s Desert Rose. It’s soft, slightly reddish burgundy hue is subtle enough to look natural but can be built up for more color impact. It’s also a matte finish so it’s good for those who don’t like shimmer in their blush or those who like to contour and highlight. It’s gorgeous.

Nails

I’m the kind of girl who will pick pretty much one or two nail colors and wear them off and on all year. I usually have a style of red and something a little more neutral. Marsala fits both bills (which means that I get to pick another, brighter color later on!) It’s a little brown, a little wine, a little red, all amazing. It goes with everything and right now my favorite Marsala-inspired nail color is Tenoverten’s Mulberry. It has just the teeniest bit of sparkle to it, and Tenoverten polishes really last. They are very chip-resistant, which makes me happy since I wash my hands so frequently.

There you have them, my absolute top two picks for Marsala-inspired makeup. Blush and nails not your thing but still want to get in on the Marsala action? Check out Urban Decay’s Naked3 palette. It’s a great collection of eye-shadow that gives you lots of warm neutrals to choose from…and we’ll be talking about neutral eyeshadow next month! Until then, keep on being pretty!