By Brooke Wenrick

April 2nd, 2012

Pantone broadens color reach with Sephora partnership

Pantone broadens color reach with Sephora partnership

If color is your business then it is only rational to expand your business into as many color outlets as possible. Take Pantone, for example. The absolute authority on color for design professionals worldwide has already launched its own range of household goods (who doesn’t love their color block coffee mugs?) and is now teaming up with cosmetics giant, Sephora. While I was slightly perplexed at first, after further thought, this partnership makes perfect sense – and not only because I’m am frequent Sephora customer!

And as a follower of Pantone (I spent many hours scouring Pantone color swatches as a high school yearbooker), I am always curious to learn what it will name as ‘color of the year’. For 2012 Pantone chose a rather saturated shade named ‘Tangerine Tango’, which it explains, “marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy”. So there. It will also apparently “provide the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward”, which does make me think of the tango – a possible inspiration for the name?

On the back of the partnership and the 2012 color launch, Sephora will now carry a limited edition line of products that will turn into the ‘Color of the Year’ collection, starting with Tangerine Tango. According to Gilbert Soliz, lead artist for Sephora PRO, this year’s collection is intended to “represent uninhibited expression while still remaining completely wearable for everyday makeup looks”. A challenging combination, especially since orange isn’t exactly ‘my color’ and my offices mates would most likely stare…

I’ll still check it out though – like I said, a frequent customer. If you’re a Sephora lover then check it out on the Sephora website. Just click on the ‘brands’ button and chose Sephora Collections and then head to the ‘Sephora + Pantone Universe’ page.  While makeup may not be my personal avenue, I’m still planning how to incorporate Tangerine Tango into my wardrobe this spring.