This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Toronto chapter.

Ever heard of Pantone’s Color of the Year? Neither have I! That is, until the self-proclaimed “world renowned authority on color,” (which I’m assuming is some sort of color expert company) decided to pair with Sephora to create a color of the year series.

Every year since 2000, Pantone picks a color and this color becomes the darling of the fashion and beauty world, reflected in endless eye shadow pallets, nail polishes, accent jewellery, and so forth. Last year it was the vibrant and playful “Orchid”, and the year before that it was a deep green hue called “Emerald”. Take a look at their color evolution below:

This year it’s Marsala. Here’s a swatch for reference: (Who else thought of the wine first?)

Not too sure on how Sephora got involved with Pantone, but our favorite make-up company takes each color of the year and gives customers suggestions on matching make-up products! For me, this year’s deep and rich hue translates perfectly into the beauty world. How classy would this deep wine color look on the lips? And let’s be real, as a blush, Marsala definitely knocks your average rosy pink shade out of the park! For those of you with fairer skin tones, it could even double as a contour shade.

As a sultry, earthy, and rich tone, Marsala is a gorgeous neutral color that can be worn and used everywhere. Sephora describes it as, “confidently understated, beguilingly simple. This complex, robust nude reinvents and redefines neutrals with captivating dimension.” From your eyes to your lips, your nails to your blouse, Marsala will add an air of sophistication to your new year’s fashion and beauty.

One look at YouTuber and make-up guru Michelle Phan’s blog will let you know her penchant for this color. Phan calls Marsala an “all-seasons wine that can go from winter to spring depending on what you wear it with. It will most notably pop up all over the beauty and fashion world throughout the year.”

You can read more about Michelle’s thoughts on Marsala here: http://michellephan.com/pantone-color-of-the-year-2015-marsala/

I am 100% with her. NY Daily News foresees Marsala’s entrance into the fashion industry and the best design circles in 2015. Their article on Marsala even features a Marsala colored Acura, coffee maker, and a watch! I can’t wait to add this color to my makeup routine and wardrobe (maybe hold off on the Acura for now, though). Feast your eyes on some fashion and beauty inspiration for incorporating Marsala into your updated 2015 look.

As for products to recommend, Sephora has paired with Pantone and created a lipstick line, a cheek trio, eye palette and even a Marsala colored mascara/brow highlighter (which I think is best to stay away from. Call me old fashioned but c’mon! I mean, it’s a beautiful color, but not on brows!). Here’s what they look like, courtesy of the Sephora website:

(Eye shadow palette on the left, cheek trio on the right)

(Brow Color/Mascara on the left, Lip set on the right)

If you’d rather stick with brands you’re used to, here are some products from popular brands that already have make-up in this color:

For those sultry eyes:

Urban Decay’s Naked 3 Eye Shadow Palette

If you’re a make-up buff like me, you probably already have the entire Urban Decay’s Naked Eye Shadow series – or at least one pallet of three. This just shows that they’ve had it right all along, and that the amazing neutrals they include in their palettes are not only classy and versatile, but trendy as well.

Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow in Pink Ash

If you’d rather buy your shadows one color at a time, or are a diehard Make Up For Ever kind of girl, MFE has an amazing blendable gel-powder shadow in a shimmery Marsala hue.Great Deal Alert! If you buy 1 or more MFE Artist Shadow on their website, you can add a 1-3 pan MFE Custom Palette Case to your purchase for just 1$!

For your sophisticated pout:

Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick in Honey

It’s no secret that I adore the Smashbox Be Legendary lipstick line, so I definitely suggest checking out their matte lipstick in a Marsala like hue.

Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Pale Mauve

When thinking about a lipstick’s staying power, I’ve heard incredible things about Bobbi Brown! If you’re as addicted to this brand as some of my friends are, you’ll definitely want to try it in Pale Mauve, which is super close to the hue of Marsala.

For those chic cheeks:

Nars Blush in Outlaw

You can highlight your cheekbones with this sultry and slightly shimmery blush. It’s pressed powder blush with over 10, 000 reviews and near perfect reviews on Sephora’s website!

Revlon Powder Blush in Melondrama

Skip the drama but opt for this wine colored blush that’s super close to the color Marsala. The price tag is good if you aren’t too sure about Marsala yet, but want to see what the hype is about.

So there you have it ladies, Marsala: our color of the year for 2015. Which reminds me – happy new year to all you lovely readers! What do you ladies, and gents, think about Marsala? Love it? Hate it? Let me know!

Cheers, Vanessa

Photo Sources:

http://www.pantone.com/pages/index.aspx?pg=21167

http://janessajaye.com/2014/12/07/sephora-pantone-universes-2015-color-o…

http://www.loisbutler.com/_blog/boutique/post/pantone-colour-of-the-year…

http://michellephan.com/pantone-color-of-the-year-2015-marsala/

http://www.sephora.com/facets-marsala-multi-finish-eye-palette-P393341?i…

http://www.sephora.com/shimmering-marsala-cheek-trio-P393349?icid2=sepho…

http://www.sephora.com/marsala-layering-lip-collection-P393351?icid2=sep…

http://www.sephora.com/bold-marsala-mascara-brow-highlighter-P393347?ici…

http://www.sephora.com/naked3-P384099?icid2=Pantone_COY_3rdPartyBrands_M…

http://www.sephora.com/artist-shadow-P387670?skuId=1623891&icid2=Pantone…