I’m later than I want to be on this post and I’m sure you’re already sick of hearing about Pantone®’s Color of the Year,  Marsala, but my fragrance pairings with the Color of the Year is a yearly tradition on EauMG. Pantone describes this shade: Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability. Marsala is a subtly seductive shade, one that draws us in to its embracing warmth.

This shade is a mix of savory and earthiness. Pantone’s picks of the past few years have been very pigmented and bright. They’ve finally reached out for something more neutral. And I must admit that this shade works for me, especially with cosmetics. And I like this color in home decor. In comparison to other Pantone Colors of the Year, this one is much easier to pair with perfumes. This shade is all about robustness, richness and earthiness.

Robustness

In this category, I’m thinking of robust flavors such as red wine or black coffee.

Kelly & Jones #3 Notes of Cabernet EDP – This is a line of perfumes inspired by wine. #3 is like a spiced cherry jam with leather. Retails for $50 at Kelly & Jones. Full review here.

Olympic Orchids Cafe V EDP – This is a rich coffee and vanilla with spicy cardamom. Retails for $65 at Blackbird. Full review here.

Humiecki & Graef Blask EDT – Like many of the other H&G perfumes, Blask is an unusual combo of baklava and red wine. Retails for $220 at Bablu. Full review here.

Richness

In this category, I thought about perfumes that are rich and luxurious. This category brings to mind spicy and decadent notes.

YSL Opium EDP – I mean the bottle works, right? Well, so does the fragrance. It’s a rich, spicy floral scent. Retails for $92 at Nordstrom.

Viktoria Minya Hedonist EDP – “Rich” is a word that I would use to describe this honeyed fragrance. Retails for $200 at Indigo Perfumery. Full review here.

Amouage Lyric for Women EDP – I love rose scents because they are “luxurious” to me. So many petals used to distill such a small amount of oil!  Amouage knows how to delivery luxurious fragrances. Lyric for Women is a rich sandalwood rose with incense resins. Retails for $280 at Osswald.

Earthiness

When I think of earthiness, I think about patchouli, mushrooms and dirt.

L’Artisan Parfumeur Voleur de Roses EDT – When I first saw Marsala, I immediately thought of Voleur de Roses, the grandfather of the rose and patchouli perfumes. Retails for $145 at Beautyhabit. Full review here.

CB I Hate Perfume #704 Wild Hunt perfume – This smells like a campground. Exactly like a campground. And that is really earthy. Retails for $125 at CB I Hate Perfume.

House of Matriarch Forbidden EDP – This perfume is made from “outlaw” ingredients. It’s a woodsy tuberose with mushrooms. Really unusual and possibly addicting. Retails for $160 at House of Matriarch. Full review here. 

So, what do you think of Marsala? Which perfumes do you think pair well with Marsala?

Here’s my guide for:

2014 Radiant Orchid

2013 Emerald

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*Pantone swatch from Pantone.  Nordstrom and Beautyhabit contain affiliate links. Thanks!