How-To Style Guide: Radiant Orchid Lips

announcing-pantones-color-of-the-year, pantone-color-of-the-year-2014, radiant-orchid, pantone-color-of-the-year-radiant-orchid

Every year Pantone chooses a color of the year that every fashion designer, boutique, interior decorator, and beauty expert uses to form their new color palettes. And as we move into 2014, it’s here! Pantone’s color of the year is… Radiant Orchid! It’s such a beautiful medium purple hue.

Now, if you’re like me then you’re saying ‘must have it now!’ But it’s still a little soon. I’m not seeing a huge selection of this color in fashion stores yet! So, for the time being, I’m going to get my color fix in beauty products. If you want to play it safe, you’ll definitely want to stick with nail lacquer. But for me, I like to go bold so I’ll be rocking some fierce lips with an orchid lip stain.

How do you walk around in the real world with purple lips, you ask? Here’s my How-To Style Guide: Radiant Orchid Lips!

jcrew-nude-suede-studded-ballet-flats, jcrew-gold-glitter-box-clutch, radiant-orchid-lips, pantone-color-of-the-year-2014, radiant-orchid-pantone-color-of-the-year, how-to-style-radiant-orchid, radiant-orchid-lip-stain, how-to-style-radiant-orchid-lips, radiant-orchid-beauty, revlon-just-bitten-cherish-balm-stain, jcrew-no-2-pencil-skirt, jcrew-marled-drop-shoulder-sweater,

The key to styling any funky lip color while maintaining a chic, elegant look is:

1- Neutral Color Palette. For my palette, I chose heather gray, gold, nude, and some deep green hues. This gives the lips a nice color pop without overdoing it.

2- Classic Silhouette. When I’m taking a chance on a new trend, I like to stick with classic silhouettes. It allows me to remain in my element and confident. In the look above, I chose a basic sweater and pencil skirt. Depending on where you work, you may even be able to wear this look to the office.

3- Timeless Pieces. When I’m rocking a bold trend, I’m careful to reign myself in by styling it with timeless pieces. A few examples are blazers, oxford blouses, a fit-and-flare dress, nude pumps, or a trench coat. When you try to combine too many trends, it tends to look like a big mess.

Now that we know how to style this trend, where can you buy it?

– Revlon Just Bitten Balm Stain, Cherish (color), $8.99 at Ulta (my favorite)

– Maybelline Baby Lips Electro Lip Balm, Berry Bomb, $4.49 at Ulta

– Smashbox Lip Enhancing True Color Gloss, Pout, $19.00 at Ulta

– Essie Nail Lacquer, Play Date, $8.50 at Ulta

– Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner, AC/DC, $19.00 at Ulta