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It’s You, Only More Radiant.

December 5, 2013 By Lena

Yes friends, it’s time of year again! Pantone has released the 2014 Colour of the Year.

Radiant Orchid blooms with confidence and magical warmth that intrigues the eye and sparks the imagination. It is an expressive, creative and embracing purple—one that draws you in with its beguiling charm. A captivating harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid emanates great joy, love and health.

Thoughts? To tell the truth, this hue will have to grow on me. While I was instantly captivated by Tangerine Tango (2012) and Emerald (2013), I’m finding Radiant Orchid a bit “soft”. Yes, it’s feminine and romantic, but as a paint on my bedroom walls? Too pretty. Not interesting enough.

Anyhoo, a new colour of the year is an instant excuse to rock the trend. And what better way than on your nails? You just know I can’t resist a good nail polish roundup!


Top Row, L – R: Illamasqua, Velocity; Formula X for Sephora, At Your Own Risk; Alessandro, Pink Orchid; China Glaze, Put a Bow on It; OPI, A Grape Fit

Middle Row, L – R: Color Club, Ms. Socialite;  OPI, Anti-Bleak; ORLY, Plum Noir; NCLA, Laurel Canyon Lolita

Bottom Row, L – R: ZOYA, Paige; Sally Hansen, Plum Power; Butter London, Queen Vic; Spa Ritual, Heliotrope; China Glaze, Drawn to You

Do you love Pantone’s choice for Colour of the Year? Are you tickled purple over Radiant Orchid? 

Filed Under: Beauty Tagged With: Beauty, nail polish, Pantone Color of the Year 2014, Radiant Orchid

Previous Post: « What’s for Dinner? Try Dinnerit.
Next Post: Tis the Season: It’s a Joy to Share »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Holly

    December 5, 2013 at 11:55 am

    I’m with you on it will have to grow on me. I like purple.. but too much of it is just… well too much, haha. It’s funny because when I was a kid, for years the only colour I would wear was purple. I was rockin’ this trend 20 + years ago! :) lol.

    • Lena

      December 6, 2013 at 9:30 am

      Me too! I think purple was THE colour when I was in grade 6 :)

  2. Carrie

    December 5, 2013 at 12:03 pm

    I’m not a big purple fan, so this colour definitely won’t be going on my walls. I had a shirt given to me last Christmas in this colour that I never did wear. I don’t think it will ever grow on me, but then again I’m more of a neutral colour type. Boring, I know lol.

    • Lena

      December 6, 2013 at 9:30 am

      Not boring! Just classic, LOL.

  3. Teresa Claire

    December 5, 2013 at 12:05 pm

    I am more than tickled pink…I am tickled purple! So not funny :) These are my colours to wear and live with. It is a colour that makes me feel good in so many ways.

    • Lena

      December 6, 2013 at 9:31 am

      Oh, so happy to hear that Teresa! 2014 will be your year!

  4. angie smith

    December 5, 2013 at 12:25 pm

    i have and love the Sally Hansen, Plum Power :)

    • Lena

      December 6, 2013 at 9:32 am

      Thanks for the reco! I think I need to pick it up :)

  5. Mohammed

    December 5, 2013 at 1:05 pm

    How do they come up with the color of the year? It’s not bad, but not my first choice!

    • Lena

      December 6, 2013 at 9:34 am

      I’m not really sure!

      “Annually Pantone declares a particular color “Color of the Year”. Twice a year the company hosts, in a European capital, a secret meeting of representatives from various nations’ color standards groups. After two days of presentations and debate, they choose a color for the following year; for example, the color for summer 2013 was chosen in London in the spring of 2012.”

  6. Jenny

    December 5, 2013 at 1:25 pm

    I agree with you… I don’t have a lot of things in this colour. I probably wouldn’t spend too much on a nail polish of this colour, but maybe a more inexpensive one to be in with the trend

    • Lena

      December 6, 2013 at 9:34 am

      Just one bottle is all you need!

  7. Andrea

    December 5, 2013 at 1:47 pm

    I must be one of the few who is extremely excited about this – I’m purple obsessed, especially when paired with a nice grey accent. I will probably lean more towards the jewel side of purple rather than the orchid side, but we will see in the coming months! I typically keep bold colours to my toenails, but I’m drooling over those polishes – especially the OPI Anti-bleak.

    • Lena

      December 6, 2013 at 9:35 am

      I love pairing purple and gray too!

  8. Flora M

    December 5, 2013 at 1:58 pm

    Purple is one of my favourite colours, although in small doses around the house. Nail polish is another story – love these colours :) I especially like the China Glaze Put a Bow on it.

    • Lena

      December 6, 2013 at 9:44 am

      Nice! Enjoy the shades!

  9. Debbie Bashford

    December 5, 2013 at 2:03 pm

    huh well I was way off on my prediction, but I like purple so it’s goooood

    • Lena

      December 6, 2013 at 9:45 am

      Hahaha love that love it!

  10. MV

    December 6, 2013 at 12:44 am

    This just made me love purple even more

    • Lena

      December 6, 2013 at 9:45 am

      Ha! Mission Accomplished!

  11. Nicole W.

    December 6, 2013 at 12:56 am

    I agree with you – wouldn’t be my first pick, but you’re right, it is pretty and feminine! I like the shimmery China Glaze and the ORLY Plum Noir!

    • Lena

      December 6, 2013 at 10:02 am

      I’m partial to metallic shades so I think you’re spot on!

  12. Suzanne G

    December 6, 2013 at 7:46 am

    I have always loved purple and with it being Pantone’s colour of the year I am so excited as it will be everywhere.

    • Lena

      December 6, 2013 at 10:04 am

      Wonderful! 2014 will be a great year for you!

  13. Meaghan S

    December 6, 2013 at 11:42 am

    Oh my 3 year old will be excited :) We’re a purple loving house!

    • Lena

      December 9, 2013 at 2:31 pm

      Love that! Enjoy the shade!

  14. Tricha

    December 6, 2013 at 11:44 am

    I actually like this color, just not too much of it. Maybe a scarf and nail colour combo.

    • Lena

      December 9, 2013 at 2:31 pm

      Ah, love the way you think :)

  15. nicolthepickle

    December 6, 2013 at 12:21 pm

    I really like this colour. The Orly one is my favourite. I would wear this in small amounts, like a feather in my hat or coloured tights.

    • Lena

      December 9, 2013 at 2:32 pm

      Coloured tights… it’s perfect! And love the “feather in a hat” suggestion too!

  16. Soozle

    December 6, 2013 at 7:20 pm

    I have to say, I love the color :) Yes, I wouldn’t be painting my walls with it – but I can picture it on my nails (althought not in the winter months!) and perhaps a soft flowy summer dress….

    • Lena

      December 9, 2013 at 2:32 pm

      You paint a very lovely picture, Soozle ;)

  17. Athena

    December 6, 2013 at 10:21 pm

    I love purple! I can definitely picture me with this on my nails, but I agree that you only need to pick one of the lot that you like the most and it would do for the season.

    • Lena

      December 9, 2013 at 2:33 pm

      Exactly. Just one will rock the trend effectively!

  18. Jen

    December 7, 2013 at 6:51 am

    Not really a fan of the purples but I think this will eventually grow on me.

    • Lena

      December 9, 2013 at 2:33 pm

      Perhaps in small doses? Best way to attack a colour that needs to grow on you ;)

  19. Marissa

    December 7, 2013 at 5:37 pm

    I love purple and the OPI, Anti-bleak colour would go very well with one of my sweaters.

    • Lena

      December 9, 2013 at 2:33 pm

      Nice! Let me know if you grab it!

  20. MrDisco

    December 9, 2013 at 2:22 am

    call me a geek, but i love seeing Pantone’s colour choices and predictions for hot colours in the coming year

    • Lena

      December 9, 2013 at 2:34 pm

      That’s not geeky at all! Very fashion-savvy!

  21. Bcteagirl

    December 9, 2013 at 9:11 pm

    I love the Illamasqua!

    • Lena

      December 12, 2013 at 4:04 pm

      I’ve never used the polish! Is it completely amazing?

  22. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    December 10, 2013 at 6:54 am

    they are beautiful colours the zoya is my fav

    • Lena

      December 12, 2013 at 4:04 pm

      Agreed, it’s a very pretty colour :)

  23. Suzanne G

    December 11, 2013 at 12:19 pm

    I have always loved the colour purple so was excited to see this is Pantone colour of 2014. I will get my fix of purple in the coming year.

    • Lena

      December 12, 2013 at 4:04 pm

      You certainly will, Suzanne!

  24. Amelia

    December 12, 2013 at 11:08 am

    I like purple but I don’t think this shade works for me. Oh well, there’s always next year.

    • Lena

      December 12, 2013 at 4:05 pm

      Hahaha there is :) Also, kind of funny that you were randomly assigned an orchid gravatar next to your name!

  25. Victoria Ess

    December 13, 2013 at 7:53 pm

    I am totally loving this colour choice! Love that Butter London polish too!

    • Lena

      December 14, 2013 at 5:52 pm

      Awesome Victoria! Enjoy the colour all year long!

  26. Alisha

    December 15, 2013 at 12:24 pm

    I am so in love with this color! So girly yet sophisticated!

    • Lena

      December 15, 2013 at 5:26 pm

      I think so too! It’s definitely growing on me!

  27. Judy C (Judy Cowan)

    December 15, 2013 at 4:40 pm

    I actually love purple so these colours are definitely good for me :) Maybe Santa will bring me a bottle or two :)

    • Lena

      December 15, 2013 at 5:26 pm

      Nice! Be sure to drop a hint for ol’ St. Nick!

  28. Darrah Bailey

    January 7, 2014 at 11:48 am

    Ohhh I LOVE purples <3 Great Read .. Thanks!

  29. Susan T.

    February 12, 2014 at 7:55 pm

    I absolutely love it! It is my pedicure colour right now!

  30. Debbie White Beattie

    July 19, 2016 at 5:41 am

    I can’t believe you found this many brands of the same or similar purple

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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