Drawing inspiration from Kyoto, Japan, Kyoto Purple is a deep shade of violet that complements the rich history of this unique location. At AURA, we consider this city a true gem steeped in Japan’s traditions, culture, and history.
It is the birthplace of geisha culture, houses more than 400 colorful shrines, and visitors can indulge in traditional, multi-course meals called kaiseki ryori—but perhaps one of the most enchanting draws in this corner of the world are its gardens.
Designed for both pleasure and relaxation, Kyoto’s collection of serene and well-manicured gardens is simply divine. Cherry blossoms might be one of the more well-known local flora, but the Japanese Wisteria is equally breathtaking. This small but mighty flower can bloom in a rainbow of different shades like pink, white, or blue, but purple is its most iconic iteration. In the springtime, pops of purple wisteria line the gardens of Kyoto, leaving a whimsical trail of petals at every step. And ultimately, it’s this unique blossom that inspired our Fantasy shade, Kyoto Purple.
When many people think of summertime in France, they can’t help but reminisce about the lavender that effortlessly blooms in the countryside. You may have seen dried lavender at the grocery store or even seen a few plants in real life, but nothing compares to the endless sea of purple fields in the South of France during summer.
Many make the journey to towns like Valensole, Luberon, and Sault from June to August to indulge in this yearly floral phenomenon. These summery lavender fields were the vision behind our French Lavender Fantasy pigment.
A destination that is on many people’s travel bucket lists, The Arctic is a place filled with serenity and wonder. This icy stretch of land and ocean actually covers seven countries in total—Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, and the United States—so there is no shortage of inspiration.
Throughout this vast region, you can find everything from polar bears and glaciers to lush tundras and caribou. It all depends on which country you choose as your final destination. At AURA, we didn’t want to just choose one part of The Arctic.
One of the consistencies that unite this region is a soft, gray-colored rock that often lies beneath the ice or the small patches of green. Its striking color stands out from both the snow and the greenery, making it easy to spot in almost every corner of the Arctic. It’s this hue that provided the spark for our top-selling Arctic Gray Fantasy shade.
Known for their luscious red wines, it’s no wonder why Sonoma County, California stands as the inspiration for our Sonoma Red Fantasy pigment—a deep crimson hue, fit for blondes and brunettes alike. Although many flock to this grape-drenched town for a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir, it’s not just the wine that inspired this popular semi-permanent pigment.
In autumn, this Northern California destination comes alive. Nestled amongst the rolling hills and valleys along the coastline, the endless rows of vines start to turn a vibrant blend of yellow, orange, and of course, a rich red. This time of year is not only awe-inspiring, but it is also harvest season, making it the perfect season to take in the sights and the sips.
Last but not least on our list of wanderlust-inducing Fantasy pigments, we’re traveling back to Japan—but this time we’re stopping by Mount Fuji to find our source of inspiration for Fuji Fuchsia. This hot pink pigment doesn’t get its name from the legendary mountain itself, but instead from a yearly festival dedicated to the shibazakura flower (pink moss or phlox moss in English).
With Mt. Fuji as the backdrop, the Fuji Shibazakura Festival happens in the springtime when this fuchsia-colored flower blooms its brightest. Approximately 800,000 stalks of shibazakura of five varieties are on display, producing dazzling fields of pink and purple colors in different shades. Pop-ups selling pink moss flowers, shibazakura-themed souvenirs, food, and local produce complete this inspiring experience.
Mentally, we’re traveling to each and every one of these destinations—so until we can go there in person, grab a Pigmented Masque to match the getaway of your choice. Whether you’re thinking of making a road trip to wine country, an arctic adventure, or somewhere in between, you can explore endless color possibilities with our entire collection of wanderlust-inspired Fantasy pigments.