Orange is the New Red—Spring 2014 Color Trends

Two days until the official start of spring.  Sitting at my desk writing this while I look out over my completely snow-covered back garden, it’s hard to believe it’s coming. Luckily when I turn around, I have a whole wall dedicated to spring beauty.  A subtle reminder that inevitably Spring will come.  Until then, I can console myself by wearing my favorite spring trend—bright lips.

Fatima Olive Photo Board
Photo by Fatima Olive

I know what most of you are thinking—my signature look is pretty much bright lips, but here the similarities end. Although my typical application consists of a bright red lip, my favorite spring trend is orange. Yes orange is the new red.

Orange is the color of transformation and fittingly the breakout color of spring.

Here it is along with Pantone’s Spring 2014 color report. Whether it’s Celosia Orange or Cayenne, you can see how it stands out among its peers. Orange is a very unconventional color. It’s a more modern version of red—infinitely wearable, most definitely fun.

How do I incorporate this little bit of spring fun into my makeup routine?
For those that are a little shy with color, my recommendation is to start slowly.

Orange Lipstick

Photo by Fatima Olive

Gloss or a lip balm is a good introduction:

  • Try Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Rendezvous or Sephora Glossy Lip Pencil in Glossy Orange.
  • If you are a bit more daring try a red orange like NYX Matte Lipstick in Pure Red or Chanel Rouge Allure in Incandescente (fire red).
  • When you are ready for something more unconventional try Chanel Rouge Allure in Excentrique or Revlon’s Colorburst lipstick in coral. 
  • My favorite is by local cosmetic House The Elixery. Their Atomic Bombshell is the very orangey-est.

All these shades are infinitely wearable and most definitely noticeable.  That’s one way to usher in spring.