So you want to rock Pantone’s Color of the Year but don’t know how?  Well, lucky for you, I would say that Marsala is the easiest shade to rock, compared to years past.  Sure, emerald and tangerine are pretty (let’s not forget about Radiant Orchid either), but when it comes down to it, they aren’t the most wearable shades.

Although some brands have released a stand-aloneMarsala collection (cough Sephora), many brands – drugstore and prestige – already have many products that come in shades close to RGB 150-79-76 (that’s graphic design talk for the colour codes – red, green, and black).  I do find Marsala incredibly easy to wear, but the trick is not to go too over the top with it.  Rock some Marsala nails, with a deep lip to match, or a coloured liner with berry cheeks.

Some of my favourite drugstore products that come in Marsala-like shades include Maybelline New York ColorSensational The Creamy Mattes in Touch of Spice, Maybelline New York SuperStay 14HR Lipstick in Wine and Forever, Maybelline New York Maybelline New York ColorSensational Lip Liner in Mocha.  For the nails, rock either Essie polish in ‘angora cardi’ or ‘in stitches’.  For the cheeks, take a look at Maybelline Master Glaze Blush Stick in Make a Mauve.

Now if you have blue eyes like me, you’ll know that pinks and purples will make your eyes pop.  I’ve been rocking the Sephora Pantone Metalshine Liquid Liner with a neutral eye and some black mascara.  When I first got this, this product was probably my least favourite from the collection, but then I tried it out and has become part of my weekly routine. This liner leaves you with a fabulous metallic line that stays all day, and best of all, is such a gorgeous pop of colour that you’ll have people commenting on your eyes constantly.

If you wanted to go for a less subtle look, try the Maybelline New York Eye Studio Color Tattoo Leather Cream Gel Shadow in Vintage Plum, which isn’t true Marsala, but comes pretty close.  You can wear this alone for a flush of colour, or as a base.

However you choose to wear it, make sure you aren’t going overboard.  Pick one area to feature, like your lips or your eyes, and then play that up.  I wasn’t a big fan of this year’s Color of the Year choice when I first heard it, but then when I actually started playing around with it, it’s easily the most wearable compared to the last three years.  Either way you look at it, it’s on trend (it always reminds me of the Kylie Jenner lip) and is neutral enough to play up or dull down.

Let me know your favourite way of rocking Marsala.

Like what you read? Check out these related posts:

• Lip Love: Sephora Marsala Layering Lip Collection
• Sephora/Pantone does Marsala
• The lash diaries: Sephora x Pantone Universe Light Flicker mascara
• Northern lights: Sephora x Pantone Universe SpectraLights collection