Love it or hate it, Marsala is Pantone’s Color of 2015.
I love it! This brownish-red was just about made with me in mind. I love it in makeup, in fashion, in home decor, in jewelry. You name it, I want it!
I think Marsala will be a big color in beauty for winter and fall. I’m in for lipstick, nail polish or eyeshadow, for sure. I’m thinking Smashbox Cherry Smoke Palette. What do you think?
One of my blushes from theBalm How ‘Bout Them Apples palette is almost a marsala shade. And one of my favorite polish shades, Milani’s limited edition Enchanting Garnet, is a Marsala-ish shade.
Last year’s shade, Radiant Orchid, didn’t really suit me, so I’ll be making up for lost time with this one 😛
Take a look at the living room. I’ve already kinda got the Marsala vibe going!
And I’ll be breaking out my garnet earrings that I got years ago in Florence. I’d love to add the gorgeous Marc Jacobs boot in the collage above, but I’m afraid I’ll be looking for the knock-off version 😉
So what do you think? Is Marsala for you or not?
62 Comments
I actually Loved Radiant Orchid from last year because it complimented my skin tone very well in Lipsticks & Eyeshadow shades. I’m not a HUGE fan of this shade in lipsticks because not all tones of Marsala compliment me, but in eyeshadow and clothing I like it very much. I love your pick for Smashbox Cherry Smoke palette Allison.
Thank you, Maria! So great to hear from you on this. I’m glad Radiant Orchid has worked well for you. It is such a lovely shade, and I hope you’ll certainly be wearing it beyond 2014 since it suits you so well. Marsala is a good shade for a redhead so I’m all excited about it. And about the Smashbox Cherry Smoke palette, I didn’t act fast enough, and I sadly missed out on that one. Did you happen to get it?
No, I didn’t get it but if it’s Smashbox I’m sure it was pricey. I just love that deep brown reddish shade in this palette that I’m pretty sure exist in other palettes or individually like MUG Cocoa Bear or MAC Brown Script & Brick.
You’re right, Maria. It was $49. I asked at my suburban Sephora yesterday if they had any hiding, but they didn’t. As you suggest, I’ll have to look at MUG’s and MAC’s offerings. Also, I’m curious to see what the Pantone-Sephora team will come up with for marsala makeup products in the next few months.
I haven’t decided whether I like it or not yet. It’s a nice shade, but looks quite hard to pull off.![My Profile](https://neversaydiebeauty.com/wp-content/plugins/commentluv/images/littleheartplus.png)
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I think it’s a shade that will suit some and not others. Fortunately, I think it will be great for me. Although I am cool-toned really, I’m not as fair as you, and with my red hair, I can do many shades of red and brown. I don’t know about eyeshadow – if it’s more brown than red, I’ll be OK, but I’m psyched about lipstick and nail polish. Let me know if you find a marsala product that works for you.
I’m digging the marsala shade. I have this color in my kitchen and breakfast nook.
I’m glad you like it too, Kim! I’m actually excited about it, and in home decor and jewelry, I think it really rocks!
Mostly hate – I’m not a huge red fan.![My Profile](https://neversaydiebeauty.com/wp-content/plugins/commentluv/images/littleheartplus.png)
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Oh, that’s too bad. Hopefully, you’ve been enjoying Radiant Orchid this year
LoveloveLOVE the color of your living room walls!
jane-in-tx
Thank you sooooo much, Jane! It is a Martha Stewart color, and I know I have it written down somewhere but I can’t think of it right this minute.
Loving the Marsala trend. That Smashbox palette is on my wish list.![My Profile](https://neversaydiebeauty.com/wp-content/plugins/commentluv/images/littleheartplus.png)
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Glad you love Marsala, too! Unfortunately, Aleya, I think we both missed out on Smashbox’s Cherry Smoke palette. It seems to be sold out everywhere I’ve looked.
Your living room is beautiful!
I like Radiant Orchard. I’m a bright colors, lots of glitter kind of gal. Marsala seems kind of conservative to me.
Thank you, Susan! That’s great that you’ve been enjoying Radiant Orchid and hopefully you’ll continue to wear it. I hear ya about bright colors and glitter. I love them too although Radiant Orchid didn’t suit me quite as much. I can see how you might think marsala a bit conservative, especially that awful color swatch. But I like it when it’s warmed up, and I see it as kind of rich…sort of like the Viseart neutral shades but with a little more red in it, lol!
Personally, I love it. I think it will be a very wearable shade! Not just for makeup but also for clothes.![My Profile](https://neversaydiebeauty.com/wp-content/plugins/commentluv/images/littleheartplus.png)
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Absolutely! Thank of the gorgeous dresses and sweaters and silk blouses in marsala. And then, shoes and bags!! And jewelry! 🙂
Oh Allison, this is such a gorgeous post– you have totally outdone yourself! Excellent choices! Anyone who was left with a lukewarm reaction to Pantone’s Color of the Year will wholeheartedly embrace it after seeing your amazing post!![My Profile](https://neversaydiebeauty.com/wp-content/plugins/commentluv/images/littleheartplus.png)
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You are too sweet! Isn’t it easy to get carried away when making sets on Polyvore?? I would love that marsala-colored chandelier, and those MJ boots – I’m hyperventilating
Love your living room!
Thank you so much, Carleen, and that’s just half of it – the part with the grand piano and the rest of the furniture isn’t in the pic
Marsala is such a gorgeous color ! I just posted something on it yesterday, can’t wait to get stuff going with it.
Oh, I will go and read your post!
I think it’s a lovely shade but it’s very fall/winter. Not really an entire year thing.![My Profile](https://neversaydiebeauty.com/wp-content/plugins/commentluv/images/littleheartplus.png)
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I feel the same way, Kimmi, but it’s winter here so it’s easier to be excited about it!
I’m a lover, not a hater! I love brick reds and mahogany-esque colors, so I’m all on board. I have that Cherry Smoke palette, and love it! Can’t wait to see some of the nail polishes that come from this trend!![My Profile](https://neversaydiebeauty.com/wp-content/plugins/commentluv/images/littleheartplus.png)
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I’m so jealous that you’ve got the Cherry Smoke palette! I went on a fruitless search today, hoping I’d get lucky at my suburban, kinda sleepy Sephora, but no luck. Like you, I love brick reds and mahogany (as you can tell from my living room). Browned-red is easier for redheads to wear than straight red so I’m thrilled
I actually really love this color!![My Profile](https://neversaydiebeauty.com/wp-content/plugins/commentluv/images/littleheartplus.png)
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I think Marsala is a great shade for redheads!
I am obsessing over this color!![My Profile](https://neversaydiebeauty.com/wp-content/plugins/commentluv/images/littleheartplus.png)
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Me too. I want everything marsala, including chicken marsala with mushrooms
I’m so excited for this shade – it’s one of my favorites!
I’m with you, Jess! One of my faves, too
In some pictures when it’s more cranberry I love the color but other times I think nah that’s not me at all hehe. I know MAC Cranberry is one of my all time favorite eye shadows so I am set heheh
You’re right, Heather, that it often looks like different shades. But I don’t think it is cranberry, it is browner than that…closer to cordovan – the red-brown of leather shoes or bags. But then, I posted my blogpost on my regular FB page today and the key image was the Pantone swatch which is a washed out looking color. One of my cleverer friends – a guy – posted a picture of a brick that was the exact washed out shade of the Pantone swatch. It was quite funny! Anyway, I am eager to see the makeup products that come out soon, especially the ones from the Pantone-Sephora collaboration.
I am going to have a hay day with the Marsala!
I am so glad to hear that! I hope to too 🙂
This is a great nail polish shade! I’ve been digging into my stash and have come up with 4-5 shades that can pass for garnet/red-brown. But I definitely need to buy some new shadows!
Awright, just what Sephora was hoping for! I’d love to hear which brands and shades of marsala you find. I am curious about what the Sephora-Pantone partnership will come out with.
I’m not a fan of the color at all. Too much brown in it.
Definitely not your shade!
Marsala is part-gothic, part-chic, part-vintage. I like it personally! I can definitely see the vibe in your living room!
I just love it, in makeup, clothing, jewelry, and definitely home decor. My living room with the dark “marsala-ish” leather furniture, mahogany furniture and oriental rugs is one of two traditional rooms in my eclectic house. It was inspired by Freud’s offices in Vienna and London, lol.
Ooh, I love your living room! I really want a pair of marsala colored boots!
Thank you, sheila. I want those MJ boots!!
I’m really excited to see how Marsala comes into play in the beauty world. I have the Cherry Smoke palette and I totally see the matte cherry-brown shade working as a Marsala type shade.
I went to my local suburban Sephora yesterday on the hunt for a remaining or hidden Cherry Smoke palette but no luck, boo hoo. I think it would be a great accent shade in a smoky eye or gradient or whatever!
I love this shade but it’s so fall to me. I’ll be interested to see how brands incorporate it in the spring and summer!![My Profile](https://neversaydiebeauty.com/wp-content/plugins/commentluv/images/littleheartplus.png)
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I agree completely, Justina. I don’t think it will be a big factor for spring/summer except perhaps as an accent shade in a smoky eye, sort of like the beautiful marsala shade in the Cherry Smoke palette.
Love it! I like a maroon that leans a tad more red than brown but other than that its gorgeous!![My Profile](https://neversaydiebeauty.com/wp-content/plugins/commentluv/images/littleheartplus.png)
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I agree with that, Miranda. I like oxblood, maroon, cordovan. I find the Pantone swatch of marsala kind of washed-out looking, but the things I found online that were examples of “marsala” are quite gorgeous. I’m hopeful that it will translate well to wearable and flattering makeup.
I like Marsala, although it’s a very Fall/Winter color and I’m not sure how I’m going to rock it at Summer 😉
I agree, Anastasia. I think most of us won’t be wearing it in spring and summer. But for right now, it’s kind of exciting!
To be honest I’m not a huge fan. But I just don’t really like this shade in general.
Oh well. I think that’s how I felt about Radiant Orchid. Fortunately, the makeup police won’t be enforcing it 😉
Your living room is right on!![My Profile](https://neversaydiebeauty.com/wp-content/plugins/commentluv/images/littleheartplus.png)
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Isn’t it? I didn’t realize I was decorating with “marsala”
I’m quite excited for this shade. I love lip colors and nail colors with this shade and it will give me the opportunity to really expand and try new things with this color.
I agree. I love marsala. Jeff was just reading me an article in Slate that everybody hates marsala as the color of the year, and I was shocked. Yes, the Pantone swatch looks kind of meh but the shade itself in real things is beautiful!
I love how Marsala is attention grabbing yet still slightly neutral!
That’s a great way to describe marsala, Deborah!