For the last fourteen years Pantone have annually announced their colour of the year, which influences a range of trends for the coming twelve months. With inspirations drawn from the worlds of art, fashion, interiors and beauty, 2014 has been hailed as the year of Radiant Orchid - and it's the perfect shade for stepping into spring. Described as a colour which “blooms with confidence and magical warmth, that intrigues the eye and sparks the imagination,” Radiant Orchid combines fuchsia, purple and pink for a bold and beautiful shade that exemplifies everything fresh and expressive about the months following on from a cold and bleak winter. From nails and lips, to eyeshadows and cheek stains, there are so many ways to inject hints of Radiant Orchid into your day to day life. Spring might seem a little way off, but there's not reason not to add this pretty purple breath of fresh air to your makeup bag right now.
![radiant orchid - pantone of the year 2014 makeup]( "radiant orchid - pantone of the year 2014 makeup")
Nails always strike me as the first place to add a spot of colour to a beauty routine. It's so easy to change nail varnish, and I always think a girl's nails say a lot about her mood and style. There's no need to surf the web with the pantone Radiant Orchid (18-3224) colour swatch in hand. So many pinks and purples encompass the trend, but these statement shades are so Radiant Orchid it almost hurts - they're definitely my favourites. I love Essie's 'Under Where' and 'Jamaica Me Crazy', as well as Orly's 'Frolic' and Maybelline's 'Purple Gem'. (Don't forget to add an undercoat if you're opting for a deep nail colours like these, so you don't end up with any staining.)
One of my New Year's resolutions was to wear lipstick more often, so I'm all about scouting out alternative colours to wear this springtime. Like nails, I find lips are a great place to play around with colour, but I tend to favour the lighter shades of Radiant Orchid rather than the darker, vampy look. I love the showstopping shade of Hourglass 'Femme Rouge', the simple fuscia shade of Bourjois' Colour Boost Lip Crayon, Stila's 'Stay All Day' Lip Lacquer and Givenchy's Beauty Rouge Interdit Satin Lipstick. These would look great on an otherwise nude face.
I'm often a bit wary of brightly coloured eyeshadow, for fear of looking like I've just stepped out of the 80's, but the gentle shades of Pantone's pick are actually perfect if used in moderation. Avoid looking like you've had a run in with a boxer by using pretty palettes such as Guerlain's classic four colour combination and Lancôme's 'Hypnôse Drama Eyes Palette' in Violet Magnetique. Combine pink and purple together to create the perfect pantone shade, and a shade that works for your complexion. Opting for darker shades will help your eye colour to pop and prevent you from looking blurry eyed.
Expect to see a whole load more of Radiant Orchid over 2014 as this trend takes over our High Street. How will you be wearing the trend next season?
Written by Alice-May Purkiss
@alicemaypurkiss![]()
Nails always strike me as the first place to add a spot of colour to a beauty routine. It's so easy to change nail varnish, and I always think a girl's nails say a lot about her mood and style. There's no need to surf the web with the pantone Radiant Orchid (18-3224) colour swatch in hand. So many pinks and purples encompass the trend, but these statement shades are so Radiant Orchid it almost hurts - they're definitely my favourites. I love Essie's 'Under Where' and 'Jamaica Me Crazy', as well as Orly's 'Frolic' and Maybelline's 'Purple Gem'. (Don't forget to add an undercoat if you're opting for a deep nail colours like these, so you don't end up with any staining.)
One of my New Year's resolutions was to wear lipstick more often, so I'm all about scouting out alternative colours to wear this springtime. Like nails, I find lips are a great place to play around with colour, but I tend to favour the lighter shades of Radiant Orchid rather than the darker, vampy look. I love the showstopping shade of Hourglass 'Femme Rouge', the simple fuscia shade of Bourjois' Colour Boost Lip Crayon, Stila's 'Stay All Day' Lip Lacquer and Givenchy's Beauty Rouge Interdit Satin Lipstick. These would look great on an otherwise nude face.
I'm often a bit wary of brightly coloured eyeshadow, for fear of looking like I've just stepped out of the 80's, but the gentle shades of Pantone's pick are actually perfect if used in moderation. Avoid looking like you've had a run in with a boxer by using pretty palettes such as Guerlain's classic four colour combination and Lancôme's 'Hypnôse Drama Eyes Palette' in Violet Magnetique. Combine pink and purple together to create the perfect pantone shade, and a shade that works for your complexion. Opting for darker shades will help your eye colour to pop and prevent you from looking blurry eyed.
Expect to see a whole load more of Radiant Orchid over 2014 as this trend takes over our High Street. How will you be wearing the trend next season?
Written by Alice-May Purkiss
@alicemaypurkiss