Sephora and Pantone Color of the Year - Emerald Collection

I have been obsessed with the color emerald ever since Sephora first stated that it was the color of the year.  So far, I have been ordering emerald colored nail polish shades and I also bought an emerald drop pendant necklace to wear throughout the spring.  I love the combination of pink and emerald and I have been mixing up accessories and beauty products in this combination since the end of last month and this trend shows no ending in sight for me.  In addition to showcasing a series of emerald products from all different brands, Sephora's house brand has also created an entire line for spring inspired by this color and so far has been sold out every time that I look for a certain product in it and I have had to be content with ordering from the other brands.

The full collection is up on the Sephora website and it is time for me to start looking at all the product and to make a very detailed wish list.  I have seen pictures of eye makeup from this collection and some amazing looking green nail polish hues and I do believe that I also saw some sets and palettes in this collection too.  I am also excited about the fact that Sephora has added cheek and lip shades that are not green (very good!) but are made to complement green eye makeup hues.  I believe that some of them are pinks so now I can take my love of pink and green combinations to my makeup.  This has so much potential for me!

"Energize your look with universally flattering shadow palettes, high-shine lacquers, professional accessories, and more.  This year, Sephora + Pantone Universe evolve their breakthrough partnership to forecast the color of radical modernism, where graphic shock meets the speed of modern life. Transfixing and dynamic, the Color of the Year sparks a highly charged mood for the seasons ahead. Visualize a color revolution of infinite potential—from subtle effects to saturated statements—fueled by a hunger for high-tech impact. Experience Emerald from every angle through never-before-seen formulas designed to energize the way you wear color in 2013. Connect. Charge. Power up with the Color of the Year.", states the Sephora website when describing the overall Emerald Collection.  I now also feel that I must have an emerald compact mirror and an emerald brush set...

Here is the Emerald Collection!

The Color of the Year Collection - A six-piece set of the most pigmented formulas from the 2013 Color of the Year collection for endless, luminous beauty.  Enhance and magnify your look with this collection of rich, high-pigment formulas drenched in Emerald, an energetic color that induces power and unmistakable vibrancy. The brilliant prismatic eye shadow glides on silky for bold, all-day wear and the three-shadow palette intensifies eyes with complementary Emerald tones for a supernatural, futuristic look. The glitter dust accents with dramatic shimmer and the striking lid stain doubles as a vivid liner and shadow. The waterproof eyeliner flaunts the universal tone with a silky matte finish and the highlighting mascara finishes your look with a daring Emerald splash on your lashes.
- Color Grid Shadow Block Bionic
- Color Code Prismatic Shadow Block
- 1 oz Lightspeed Glitter Dust
- 0.055 oz Graphic Sculpt Waterproof Jumbo Eyeliner
- 0.1 oz Color Cube Lid Stain
- 0.4 oz Color Watt Highlighting Mascara
- 0.4 oz size for Color Code Prismatic Color Block

Emerald Tip Nail Ring - An innovative, striking ring worn at the tip of the finger that features the Color of the Year with a luminous twist.  Flaunt the energizing spirit of Emerald with this eye-catching ring. Worn at the tip of the finger, this ring showcases the Color of the Year and turns heads with a glinting, sparkling rhinestone. One size fits most.

Emerald Compact Mirror - A sleek, compact mirror saturated in radiant Emerald, the 2013 Color of the Year.  Luminous and powerful—experience the vivaciousness of Emerald with this compact mirror as you travel the world or make a simple skip across town. Perfect for quick touch-ups and slim enough for your purse or gym bag, this vivid green mirror energizes any situation.

Color Theory Shadow Block - Elemental - A striking eye shadow trio that enhances and intensifies the eyes with shades inspired by the Color of the Year.  Enhance and invigorate your eyes with this shadow palette that delivers a pearlized, sheer finish for a more natural look. The reflective properties of diamond dust and micro-fine platinum powder diffuse light, creating a luminous soft-focus effect. The neutral tones featured in this palette draw out a new facet of Emerald, highlighting the Color of the Year as a perfect everyday accent. No matter how you wear Emerald—from subtle to dramatic—its universally flattering tone complements and intensifies every iris.
- emerald shimmer/appleblossom/camel

Color Theory Shadow Block - Bionic - A striking eye shadow trio that enhances and intensifies the eyes with complementary tones to the Color of the Year.  Enhance and invigorate your eyes with this bold, high-pigment shadow palette that delivers a supernatural, futuristic look. The vibrancy of cobalt activates Emerald’s blue tones, drawing out a striking facet of the Color of the Year that is perfectly highlighted by silver. These shadow formulas feature a blendable, smooth texture that feels silky soft to the touch. No matter how you wear Emerald—from subtle to dramatic—its universally flattering tone complements and intensifies every iris.
- emerald/white asylum/crown blue

Color Theory Shadow Block - Eclipsed - A striking eye shadow trio that enhances and intensifies the eyes with complementary tones to the Color of the Year.  Enhance and invigorate your eyes with this shadow palette that delivers a trio of rich, satiny formulas for a smoky, elusive look. The reflective properties of diamond dust and micro-fine platinum powder diffuse light, creating a smoldering effect. The deep, neutral shades featured in this palette draw out a striking facet of Emerald for a gorgeous smoky eye lit with a hint of shimmer. No matter how you wear Emerald—from subtle to dramatic—its universally flattering tone complements and intensifies every iris.
- emerald glitter/amberlight/olivine

Color Code Prismatic Shadow Block - A cream eye shadow in lively Emerald that glides on easy and wears comfortably all day.  Play with the power and elegance of Emerald with this high-pigment shadow for allover color. The water-resistant formula promises to stay put, without creases or smudging, yet the silky texture blends beautifully for added versatility. No matter how you wear Emerald—from subtle to dramatic—its universally flattering tone complements and intensifies every iris.

Color Theory Sculpting Blush - A futuristic pressed powder blush that delivers comfortable wear and pure hues inspired by the Color of the Year.  Wear powder perfection with this lightweight blush featuring a duet of complementary tones especially formulated to harmonize with Emerald looks. This powder is enriched with actives to preserve skin elasticity and packed with brown seaweed extract for a soft and supple complexion. The slim compact includes a hidden mirror that snaps magnetically in place for easy application anywhere, anytime.
- dusty pink/pink mist

Colorbyte Lip Wands - A set of four luscious lip glosses with an ultra shiny finish and complementary tones that enhance Emerald looks.  From soft and neutral to bold and bright, this set of glosses has been specially formulated to highlight and harmonize with the Color of the Year. This innovative gloss coats lips in stunning, glossy color while moisturizing with vitamin E and hyaluronic spheres. The non-tacky formula improves volume and softness and the universally flattering shades promise always-radiant results.
- touch of emerald/cameo brown/georgia peach/crocus

Holographic Dobbie - A versatile cosmetic bag and storage tote with a glimmering reflective finish.  Keep all your beauty essentials by your side with this chic, holographic bag perfect for travel and at-home storage. The two-toned faux leather will protect your favorite brushes, makeup, and hair accessories, and the special hook on the inside flap allows you to hang the bag for added convenience. 

Color Block Beauty Box - A stunning bag drenched in the vivid and energizing Color of the Year.  Keep all of your beauty supplies safe and secure with this gorgeous case decorated in Emerald, the color of possibility and power. The sturdy design zips closed to keep beauty essentials organized while you’re home or away and a smaller case inside can be removed for travel or the gym.

Horizon Light Brush Collection - A delightful five-piece brush set that changes colors in the palm of your hand or when exposed to light.  This impressive brush set was designed to provide a super soft feel against the skin and flawless application every time. The synthetic bristles contain fine cuticles on each filament that mimic natural hair and help ensure excellent powder pick up for both wet and dry formulas. The heat-activated, color-changing handles turn from violet to white in your palm, and the brush hairs turn violet when exposed to the sun or UV light.  The brush heads have been treated with an antibacterial spray to guard against buildup and can easily be washed with alcohol, mild soap and water, or a brush cleanser.
- Angled blush brush
- Large shadow brush
- Smudge brush
- Crease brush
- Angled liner brush

I am actually disappointed with this range of colors, I am not seeing anything that I am in love with and nothing that I really consider that I must have from the color products.  The accessories are my favorite pieces of the collection and these are the parts of it that I really feel that I need to add to my product collection.  That color-changing brush set is just amazing beyond belief and I must have this the next time that I visit Sephora.

I like many of the color products in this collection but I don't love them enough to track them down.  My favorite piece is the eye shadow palette that I have pictured here, the Shadow Block in Eclipse.  I would get lots of use from this bronze and deep moss green palette but none of the shades are very unique and I know that I could find very similar shades from many other companies (that probably have better formulas at the same time), I have never had much love for Sephora brand cosmetics and would only really buy items from this company if I find the colors or products to be very unique.  There is nothing in this collection that find worthy of the chase, the blush is very pretty but again, I would not have to look hard to find these shades from many other companies.

Perhaps I was too excited about this collection and that is why I feel so let down but this just isn't really what I was picturing when I first saw pictures on blogs and emails from Sephora...

photo courtesy of Sephora

Pantone Color of the Year 2013 - Emerald

I am not pretty much done in my head with 2012 and am ready to move onto 2013 and start checking out the newest looks and trends of the spring season.  The Pantone Color of the Year for 2012 was a bright tangerine color that I completely hated and basically ignored for the whole year, however the color choice for this year is a very different story for me.  The Pantone Color of the Year for 2013 is one of my favorite colors already, I love emerald and I wear clothing and accessories in this color all the time.  And now I can start mixing it into my beauty product routine, there are some visions of emerald manicures and eye makeup colors in my head already!

First of all...what is Pantone?  "Pantone LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of X-Rite, Incorporated, is the world-renowned authority on color and provider of color systems and leading technology for the selection and accurate communication of color across a variety of industries. The PANTONE® name is known worldwide as the standard language for color communication from designer to manufacturer to retailer to customer.  In 1963, Lawrence Herbert, Pantone's founder, created an innovative system of identifying, matching and communicating colors to solve the problems associated with producing accurate color matches in the graphic arts community. His insight that the spectrum is seen and interpreted differently by each individual led to the innovation of the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM®, a book of standardized color in fan format.  Since then, Pantone has expanded its color matching system concept to other color-critical industries, including digital technology, textiles, plastics, architecture and contract interiors, and paint. Pantone continues to develop color communication tools for a variety of industries and aggressively adopt new digital technology to address the color needs of design and production professionals.", states the Pantone website in a company description. 

The Pantone website also provides a full description of the color and I loved it so much that I wanted to share it with all of you.  "Emerald, a vivid verdant green, enhances our sense of well-being further by inspiring insight as well as promoting balance and harmony.  Most often associated with brilliant, precious gemstones, the perception of Emerald is sophisticated and luxurious. Since antiquity, this luminous, magnificent hue has been the color of beauty and new life in many cultures and religions. Also the color of growth, renewal and prosperity, no other color conveys regeneration more than green. For centuries, many countries have chosen green to represent healing and unity.  The most abundant hue in nature, the human eye sees more green than any other color in the spectrum," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. "As it has throughout history, multifaceted Emerald continues to sparkle and fascinate. Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today's complex world. This powerful and universally-appealing tone translates easily to both fashion and home interiors."'

I am not looking to use this color in decorating my home but I will be adding much more emerald hues to my wardrobe and I think that my first big purchase of this color will be either a new pair of flats or a great purse.  Sephora is as inspired by this color as I am, they will be launching a full collection from their House brand later on this year.  I am not a huge user of the Sephora Collection color products but being able to find some great hues in this color will inspire me to try a bunch of products from this collection.

As of right now, we will be waiting at least a few more months for that collection and Sephora has decided to tide us over by putting up a list of their best emerald shades in all kinds of makeup items.  The first product that caught my eye is the Illamasqua Nail Varnish that is offered in this shade, Nomad.

"A nail varnish.  Leave your mark with bold, rich, vibrant colors that stand out. The formula is hard wearing and chip resistant and contains individual finishes from matte to high gloss. Apply two coats for high intensity and use with Illamasqua Nail Base Coat and Illamasqua Nail Top Coat for the perfect finish. Make a statement and talk with your hands!"  Nomad is a bright jade cream polish with a glossy finish.  I must own this shade and start off my emerald obsession off right!

photo courtesy of Sephora