About the Author
This guest post was written by Radhika of Weekend Ramblings. You can also find Radhika on Twitter and Facebook.
Back when we were kids, my cousins and I spent a good deal of each summer vacationing at our grandma’s place. I don’t really remember how we spent our time (stealing mangoes, yes), but one thing I do remember clearly is the ice cream man.
Well, it wasn’t actually ice cream… More like frozen sticks of bright orange juice that prompted animated discussions about whose tongue was the most stained.
Sigh… Good times. 😀
Anyhow, that’s what I thought of when I saw Pantone’s Color of the Year, a bright reddish orange quite aptly named Tangerine Tango.
While I can see a bright tangerine pump making all the difference between drab and chic, I’ve always found it difficult to embrace bright orange makeup. Then, this year, it starts up popping up everywhere! — most notably perhaps in the much hyped Sephora + Pantone Tangerine Tango Collection.
Truth be told, I’m a little shy about venturing beyond beiges and browns, and it took me a while to build up the courage to try the colour. When I did, though, I caved and bought the set.
If you’re wondering how you can add a splash of tangerine to your look while staying firmly on the safer side of the colour spectrum, here are some options:
Tangerine eyes
Sephora + Pantone eyeshadow quad and Tangerine Tango Twist eyeliner
The easiest way I’ve found to add the colour to my eyes is by using a tangerine eyeliner close to my lash line, which I usually smudge with some brown eyeshadow.
The Sephora palette comes with a tangerine eyeliner and an eye shadow quad, which is probably enough tangerine to last someone a lifetime!
If you’re looking for a drugstore option instead, try Maybelline Colour Tattoo eye shadow in Fierce & Tangy, or for a colour bound to outlast the current tangerine trend, try orangey copper MAC Coppering.
MAC Coppering and Maybelline Colour Tattoo Eyeshadow Fierce and Tangy
Now that’s cheeky
Wearing Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Candy Coral
NARS Exhibit A is perhaps the perfect pick for this colour, and I think it looks especially awesome on darker skin tones. I don’t own it, though, because it’s just not the colour for my redness-prone skin. For something a little less intimidating, I would opt for a blush that has hints of pink in it — something closer to the natural colour of blushing cheeks. A hint of pink tones should make it more wearable.
If you’re wary of going overboard, use a light hand and/or a stippling brush.
Sephora + Pantone Duo Blush and Prisma Chrome blush (the one in the top right corner), Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Candy Coral, and Chanel In Love (the lone black in the pic)
My favorite is Chanel’s In Love, but for something that’s lighter on the wallet, try Maybelline Dream Bouncy blush in Candy Coral. It doesn’t go on too dark, and the colour can be built up with layering. Perfect if you want a more controlled application.
Looking for more of a multitasker instead? Try Benefit’s Cha Cha Tint. I think it works great as a lip stain, too.
Orange kisses
Sephora Cream Lipstick and Chanel Gloss Freeze
I have only one of these, the Sephora Tangerine Tango lipstick. It was scary orange in the tube and not something I envisioned myself picking up in a million year, but online shopping at odd hours does strange things to my brain, and it somehow landed in my shopping basket.
I’m still not completely confident about stepping out in it, but here are a couple of things that help me when it comes to orange lips:
- Keep the rest of the face simple when the colour is quite bright on its own.
- Apply with a lip brush on smooth, scrubbed lips.
- Blot lightly with a tissue, and top off with either a brownish lipgloss if you want a glossy look, or slightly feather it with a nude lipliner for a matte look (tones down the glare a lot).
If you’re looking for something a lot less orangey than this, try MAC Crosswires Lipstick — a pretty coral on its own or topped with something like Evolution-Revolution Lipglass. 🙂
MAC Crosswires and Evolution Revolution
Tangerine tips and toes
Now, these don’t need any instructions. Summer is the perfect time to sport a fun nail colour, and from bright tangerines to creamy corals, the orange family has you covered. Here are a few of my favorites:
From left to right: Chanel Le Vernis June, Revlon Longwear Nail Enamel Sorbet, Wet n’ Wild Megalast Club Havana, Essie Meet Me at Sunset
While I’m not one to follow all the trends, sometimes just trying out a new colour goes a long way toward brightening my mood.
You don’t have to try to track down the exact shades. Instead, try to find variations that you think work best for your skin tone. Just be careful about wearing all of them at the same time, unless that’s what you’re going for (the Oompa-Loompa look!). 🙂
This guest post was written by Radhika of Weekend Ramblings. You can also find Radhika on Twitter and Facebook.
Great job Radhika 🙂 I’m usually super wary of orange on my skin tone, but you’ve proved it to be a super wearable and classy color.
Thanks, Manu 🙂 I guess it’s just about finding the right shade..
I never even thought about wearing oranges until the SA at my Sephora encouraged me to try the orange YSL glossy stain. It looked amazing. I’ve since but a number of orangy lip colors and I am surprised that they look good on me because I always assumed they wouldn’t. I’ve been really tempted to get the Sephora pantone set. I’m also a little surprised that my favorite of those nail polishes is actually the Wet N Wild.
Hmm..I think it would be better to just buy a couple of pieces from the collection after swatching in store. I got the set – hence the wisdom 😀
I kind of liked the YSL stains, but none of the testers had a proper wand..the tip/applicator was broken off on all of them..the colors were all so pretty, though!
That’s probably the smart thing to do. I keep being tempted by the eyeliner even though I can’t imagine it would possibly look good on me. For testing lip colors I usually use the disposable swatchers on the ends of the aisles under the mirrors…
Which reminds me, the reason I didn’t get the YSL orange glossy stain is that I accidentally encountered Hourglass’s Siren lip gloss right after I swatched the YSL. I’m so in love with it, but was told by the sales clerk that none of the Chicago stores can manage to keep it in stock… I found out though that if they don’t have what you want in stock you can talk them in to giving you a free shipping code to order it online.
I got an orange in my Julep box last month and hated it. If I hate the box this month too, I’ll cancel them, but I’m optimistic for the orange and sky blue metallics I ordered.
That’s nice 😀 Never tried anything from Hourglass so far..
Gooo Tangerine Tango! I like how you make this color very wearable. It can be a bit of fun without going all out and being so in-your-face!
Had to..I was stuck with a box full of tangerine makeup 😀
Oh i first started with orange nails, then lipgloss and now I’m onto bright orange lipstick with Milani’s Mandarina! I’m suddenly craving MAC coppering though! I’m really embracing the Tangerine Tango trend!
Me too…started with nail polishes 😀
You are very beautiful! I’m also quite wary of wearing anything orange. It always reminds me Halloween and Jack-O-Lanterns. 🙂 I found your post quite helpful on how to make orange colors more wearable; I just might have to break out of my comfort zone this time!
Thank you, Emmy! 😀
Gr8 post Rads!!!! Just yesterday i got orange nail polish and lipstick…Chambor orange fambe…lol..i started with organge pants….Ur article will help me now how to team stuff..
Hi Farha! Orange pants 😀 Though on you anything would look good.. Loved your photos on FB..
Laura Mercier’s Gel Lip Colour in Clementine is my favorite orange lip color for my NC40/42 skin tone. http://www.lauramercier.com/store/shop/Lipstick_Gel-Lip-Colour_prod320006#ColorSampleLink_sku410010
I never did try them at the counter..I just assumed they would be too sheer..will definitely check next time..thanks 😀
Hi Radhika! I really love Tangerine on you! 🙂 And its so great that the color of the year is sooo suited to us gals on the medium-y side of the color spectrum!
I bought the Pantone quad and I really love it – my fave way to use it is the orange all over my lid and the blue/gray color on my crease. I havent used the tangerine liner but I must!
Hi Nina! Thank you 😀 The orange eyeshadow doesn’t show up on me on its own 🙁 I use the liner as a base…oh and the liner, it stays on and on and on..:D
I use one of those Maybelline Tattoo eyeshadows in Fierce and Tangy as a base and it just stays on and on too! 🙂
Orange has always been one of my fave colors and tastes. I remember dressing as an orange (the fruit!) for Halloween when I was five or six.
I am a mango girl..love it in every form except maybe in ice creams 😀 😀 I never tried the Maybelline one as a base for the Sephora shadows..thanks!!!!
That lip color looks SO gorgeous on you, you shouldn’t worry at all about wearing it!!!! I’m really loving the tangerine trend this season 🙂
Thanks, Liz! I am learning to like it now 😀
Lovd tangerine on u Rads… And u r so right, tangerine is color of the season, here in India too 😉
Loved the lipsticks and nail paints the most … 🙂
Hi Visakhi…thanks 😀 India, of course, it will be the perfect color for the season!
I happened to pair Mac’s coppering and Maybelline’s Fierce and Tangy today for my eye look. Then I look at your post today and you have those two together! It is a great combo!
😀 😀 I should try the two together! Never tried…