Is there anything more to say about the pandemic? We’ve been alternately hopeful, angry, helpless; made jokes and emphatic pleas, have ranted, cried and laughed, found silver linings and bleakness. We talked about Netflix and quarantinis, sourdough starters and vaccines, and I’m just tired, so tired, nowadays. And still, I’m one of the lucky ones. I didn’t lose my job, haven’t been sick and I’ve food on the table.
Into this comes Pantone with their announcement of 2021’s Color of the Year: Ultimate Gray (a mid-tone gray) and Illuminating (a bright yellow): “(…) As people look for ways to fortify themselves with energy, clarity and hope to overcome the continuing uncertainty (…).”
I’m all for overcoming the continuing uncertainty!!!
Color(s) of the Year 2021
Pantone started in recent years to subtly comment on themes prevalent in society with 2016’s Living Coral, for example, a plea for sustainability. Last year’s Classic Blue was a comment on the turbulent times at the turn of the decade. (Seems a bit ironic right now, really.) This year, obviously, uplifting yellow and rock-steady gray are about what the pandemic wrought:
“The selection of two independent colors highlight how different elements come together to express a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting, conveying the idea that it’s not about one color or one person, it’s about more than one. (It) expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude,” said Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute.
Pantone
In Beauty
While I find the combo charmingly old-fashioned (hadn’t that gray-yellow combo its peak in the early ‘10s?!), for people wanting to incorporate a trendy colour combination into their beauty routine, it’s super easy.
Both gray and yellow nail polish are easy to find and to wear. Pay attention to your skin’s undertones with both – try for warmer leaning shades if your skintone is warm, cooler ones if it’s cool.
As an eyeshadow combo, don’t be afraid of it. It’s a look that basically finds itself. Use a yellow shadow all over the lid and add a smokey element with the gray of your choice.
And isn’t it super nice that you can wear both AND a mask and still show off your nice and trendy makeup?!
(If you want to find out what Pantone’s Color of the Year has to do with you, let me show you in last year’s post.)
Illuminating and Ultimate Gray
While I know I’ll do looks with both combos, I’m wearing nail polish today for the first time in weeks because I couldn’t be arsed. And that’s ok too. And maybe, maybe, if I stare long enough at Illuminating, I’ll feel cheerful and hopeful, too? Maybe dreaming about wonderful things to come isn’t the worst way to spend the pandemic winter.
“Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, this is a color combination that gives us resilience and hope. We need to feel encouraged and uplifted, this is essential to the human spirit.”
Leatrice Eiseman, Pantone
Preach it, sister.
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