An Everyday Staple
Ah, pink: the perfect hybrid. Pink is a combination of red and white, a hue that can be described as a tint. It can range from berry pinks to salmon pinks. It can symbolize many meanings, such as love or playfulness. It also stands as the official color of breast cancer awareness, which we honor this month and throughout the year.
In almost every culture, one stereotype emerges: pink is associated with girls, blue with boys. However, it’s accurate to say pink is definitely a universal color. Here are some ways to incorporate the hue into your everyday life.
Makeup
Some of us have pink in our skin tones and that can play a big part in what makeup we choose, if you wear makeup. I have yellow undertones, so finding certain pinks to compliment my skin tone is a different experience than that of someone with a fairer skin tone. I can’t pull off hot pink lips, but a woman with fair skin definitely can. On the other hand, I am able to confidently wear nude lipstick with pink undertones, which can wash out a woman with fair skin. If you wear lipstick, glosses, stains or balms, there’s a pink for every skin tone. Same goes for nail polishes and blushes.
The fun part is going to a drug store or even Sephora, plucking a few pinks and swatching them on your hand to see which you immediately gravitate towards. Then, give it a whirl and see which you could easily wear and live with each day.
Tip: The lip tints made by “Fresh” found in Sephora are the softest twist-up lip balms and give you a perfect hint of natural pink. I don’t wear lipsticks. Glosses are my thing, and it’s good to have something to put on quickly that can moisturize your lips. They go on like a chapstick, so I don’t need to worry too much about application.
Wear it
Whether you’re a romper or pantsuit owner, the tone of pink can make a difference. Pink pantsuits offer a feminist statement; they also make power-dressing easy and flattering. Wear the jacket and pants together or break up the pieces as indies. Team the pants with a blouse or peplum tee. Wear the blazer over a dress or pencil skirt or with a T-shirt and jeans.
Pink pantsuits are everywhere — from Topshop to H&M and (yes!) Target — but you can put together a DIY version with any pink pant and blazer. If you do mix, don’t aim for a match, since pinks vary according to fabrics. A light pink jacket and raspberry pink pants send a pulled-together message with creative flair. Same goes for a pair of deep rose cords and a lighter pink cardigan set or T-shirt. It’s not too much of a good thing if it’s done tastefully.
A color I am in love with currently: the deep, dusty rose that looks like it might be too “blah.” But, when paired with creams, grays and bright whites, it’s a color worth having.
At work or working out
Pink softens black, while black turns pink’s innocent quality edgy. It’s a good way to mix evening and casual, old and new, sporty and tailored, and also update your wardrobe with minimal new additions.
You might wear a pink sweater with a dressy black skirt and black platform sneakers or pair a pink sweater with black jeans, sneakers and a bag. Or, do the fun thing like I did, and purchase light pink running shoes from the APL line. Low-key pinks in the rose quartz range have always been urbane, chic and flattering favorites of ours. And, yes, black makes light pink fierce, but you’ll get a more muted tonal effect by pairing it with camel, beige, ivory or dove gray.
Mindset
Stop thinking of this hue as a flash-in-the-pan trend or a seasonal thing. Give it permanent wardrobe status. A touch of pink can elevate any outfit, such as tulip pink pants with a simple white shirt and black pumps, a hot pink scarf as a neckline filler or pink-and-white pumps with a white dress. Pink can make an outfit plush (think about a velvet tunic, cashmere sweater or silk blouse) or give it a casual trendy pop (like pink ankle jeans, a neon-pink leather tote or pink suede loafers).
Move over, leopard print! Pink might be your new style soulmate. SWM
Nichole A. Cavallaro is a Syracuse-based lifestyle blogger. Read more of her work at eneverythingnice.blogspot.com.
