Marsala fever

For those who don’t know — Pantone is the world-renowned authority when it comes to colour.

Pantone was founded in 1963 by Lawrence Herbert as an initiative to form a universal code to match, identify and create colour worldwide.

Anyone who uses colour in their work refers to Pantone.

Colour is the basis of all design, fashion and make-up. If you understand how colour works, you will find it easy to co-ordinate your styling at home, in your wardrobe and with your make-up.

Each year, Pantone releases the official colour of the year, predicting trends in textiles, homewares, interior design, fashion and beauty.

This year’s Pantone colour is marsala. A rich maroon, wine tone which can be applied in so many versatile collections.

Creating your look to incorporate marsala might mean a deep marsala lipstick during the winter months, or using a marsala eyeliner when you are wearing softer shades of beige and nude.

If you have an olive complexion, you could even use marsala as a blush over the cheeks to add some warmth.

Tips for wearing marsala:

1. Focus your look around the one feature. For example, if you are wearing marsala lipstick, keep the eyes softer with more neutral tones.

2. Complement the warm tone by surrounding it with other warm tones. Use a bronzer or deep plum blush. Sweep golds, coppers or even bronze tones across the eyes.

3. If you decide to wear marsala tones in your make-up, keep your clothing neutral. Never match the tones in your clothing to the tones in your make-up.

4. Match your marsala lipstick to your marsala nails.

As we head into autumn, you'll be seeing a lot more marsala around, so embrace the colour of the year.