WHAT IS LIVING CORAL & WHY WE SHOULD CARE
Even if you haven’t seen Pantone’s color of the year yet, we’re sure you’ve seen it in your everyday life whether it is the runway, product packaging, Instagram shots, or beauty looks!
The color Living Coral can be described as an animating shade of orange with a golden undertone. According to Pantone, this color was picked as it symbolized an “innate need for optimism and joyful pursuits” which we can all agree, the world currently dominated by divisiveness, the rise in social issues and social media desperately needs.
THE CORAL REEFS
Another reason why living coral was chosen is that of its namesake coral reefs and the needs to preserve the remainder of these resources. Coral reefs are an important part of marine life as it nurtures marine ecosystems, filters the water, facilitates marine life reproduction, among other things. With climate change and environmental pollution taking center stage in recent months, the connection of living coral to marine flora and fauna is relevant considering that coral reefs are a ‘Threatened Species’.
LIVING CORAL IN BEAUTY
Beauty experts describe the living coral as a “vibrant, yet mellow” orange-pink. This seems like a look that almost everyone would want at some point, therefore its universal appeal in beauty. Living Coral lip colors would be radiant but not too dazzling. Living coral blushes would be natural, giving your skin a healthy look and not overtly out-there.
As a color novice, living coral seems to evoke recreation, leisure, celebration — aspects of life that can be quite difficult to manage in the current day and age. From a decor standpoint, coral is one of those shades that enhance a beach house as well as it would a studio apartment!
LIVING CORAL IN FASHION
While the color has been around a long time in the art scene—for example, Renaissance depictions of the baby Jesus wearing a coral pendant or Toulouse-Lautrec drawings of the dancers at the Moulin Rouge under layers of pinkish-orange frills—coral came to its fashionable peak in the late ’40s. Brands today have leaped into action with Marc Jacobs, Prada, Stella and Prabal Gurung showcasing the color in their spring-summer 2019 shows. Of course, one can tackle the color with less pricey options!
Living coral tends to look best when worn with neutral shades like white, black or gray or better yet lighter shades of itself. If you’re feeling bold, go ahead and try wearing it as one solid color.
HOW TO ADD LIVING CORAL TO YOUR LOOK
For those who aren’t used to wearing bold looks, perhaps 2019 is the year to start experimenting with this cheerful shade. We’ve started seeing living coral blushes, eyeshadow palettes, highlighters and of course, lip colors. It can also make for really fun hair color if fashion shades are your vibe.
Here are some of the beauty-finds that can help you add this beautiful color to your beauty routine:
1.Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Sexy Sienna $34
Charlotte Tilbury’s Sexy Sienna certainly delivers in giving a beautiful, long-lasting matte coral lip.
2. Glossier Cloud Paint in Dawn $18
A new addition to millennial-beauty brand Glossier, Dawn, a liquid blush, can be described as a bright, sunny coral with a beachy vibe.
3. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Peach of Cake $8
Let the coral work its magic beyond just your face! Sally Hanson’s all-in-one base coat, growth treatment, top coat, and color can keep this cheerful shade on your fingertips for almost 10 days!
4. Milk Makeup Watermelon Brightening Serum $36
Use this brightening serum to reduce the appearance of dark spots and revitalize the complexion for a glowing look. Its stick formula makes it super easy to apply too.
5. Laura Mercier Creme Cheek in Sunrise $28
A beautiful cream blush, this Laura Mercier product provides translucent buildable coverage for a soft, velvety finish. Perfect for naturally flushed-looking cheeks, build on the product to make it look darker.
6. Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Gloss in Girly $16
Kiss boring lips goodbye with this intensely shimmery coral shade. The great thing about this product is that it can be applied over a lip color or by itself. The sponge-tip applicator claims to delivers an intense pigment in a single swipe.
7. Huda Beauty Obsessions Palette in Coral $27
This Huda Beauty palette contains 9 colors ranging from highly pigmented mattes and striking shimmers, allowing you to go from a day-to-night look easily.
8. Make Up For Ever Artist Colour Pencil in Whichever Coral $18
This Makeup Forever color pencil in coral is multi-purpose-you can line eyes and lips, fill in brows, add freckles, get creative—all with a single pencil!
9. Kjaer Weis Lip Tint in Sweetness $49
This vegan, cruelty-free lip tint from Kjaer Weis is a beautiful coral that is universally flattering on all skin tones. And because it is infused with nourishing shea butter, it also leaves your lips moisturized and youthful looking.
10. NARS Torrid Blush $30
This richly pigmented powder blush provides a buildable color that can take you from sweet cheeks to fiercely coral!
We love hearing from you! Let us know how you plan to add this color to your life whether it’s through makeup, an accent for your home, outfits or something unexpected!
