Okay, so I know other people have raved about getting their colours done before, but it is AMAZING!

[ColdWinterMorning]

I've namechanged so as not to out myself in rl since I've been telling lots of people about this (but have been on mn since 2007, mostly lurking), but I got my colours done recently and it was amazing. Until I started reading the s&b boards earlier this year, I hadn't even heard of it (actually, thinking about it, I seem to be trying to live my life according to s&b, including using the oil cleansing method, coconut oil on my hair, and the wearing of scarves!). I've tended to stick to safe black in the past, but wanted to be bolder, but wasn't really sure what would suit me (and with two dc, time to wander round the shops isn't exactly in great supply).

I saw a House of Colour rep, who went through it all in a lot of detail. The best bit was sitting swathed in the scarves, and seeing the differences that a small change in shading can make to my complexion. Other posters had said that you can really see a difference, but until you see it yourself, you don't realise quite what it's like.

We started with the darker end of the spectrum, Autumn and Winter, as I have dark hair and dark eyes. The scarves were layered up in a mix of the seasons, e.g. a green from Autumn, and a green from Winter, a blue from Autumn, a blue from Winter, etc. As they were removed one at a time (not in a dance of the seven veils type way ), you could really tell which scarves were from the correct season as they really lit up my face. It was kind of like 'okay, okay, wow!, okay, great, okay, wow!' as they were removed and a new one could be seen.

Of the thirty-odd colours in the season, there were about three which didn't look right on me, lots that looked good (including black, thankfully!), and about half-a-dozen which looked amazing (mostly bold, jewel-like colours, although also dark charcoal grey. I am a sultry winter; that may be the only aspect of my life that can be called sultry, but I like it!). It's given me a lot to think about, and I've done a quick bit of window shopping since. I found myself glancing round a shop quickly, and focusing in on areas with 'my' colours in, and ignoring the rest of the shop.


If it's something you're vaguely thinking about, I highly recommend it, and thank you mn, for telling me about it in the first place!

[Disappointedbuyer]

I've been thinking about this for ages but I am scared. Did you wear make-up? My skin looks totally different with and without make-up. Also, does it take hair colour into account or is it just skin tone?

[nobodysfool]

I second the question about hair colour.I alternate between bright cherry red and chestnut brown and worry if I had my colours done with one hair colour they may look wrong with the other colour?....

[ColdWinterMorning]

I'd been told no make-up when I went, not even mascara. I did take along my foundation (it was pronounced a good match, which was reassuring). The analysis was done in a room with no artificial light, north-facing. I was told in advance that it was a very harsh light, but it had to be to get a true match. I was also told that my hair might be hidden, as well as the clothes I was wearing (I had a cloth covering my clothes and arms, like the wrap the hairdressers put you in when you get your hair cut), but in the end my hair was just tied back out the way so it couldn't really be seen. I did ask what happens as you get older when the grey starts to outnumber the brown, whether your colouring changes. She said that you stay the same season, but that the best colours for you may change within that season. Your skin loses pigment as you get older, so that can account for some changes.

I was a bit apprehensive before I went in. The lady I saw normally has a couple of people in each class, but it was one-to-one when I was there. I was a bit worried about having that much attention focused on me, and I wondered whether I would actually see the colours pop when you found the right ones (I'd heard in the other threads that it can be easier to see it on other people than on yourself), but actually, the lady I saw was so nice and friendly, it wasn't intimidating at all, and I could see the changes myself

[Hopefully]

nobody if you have dyed hair it will be covered so it doesn't affect the analysis.

[Itsafineline]

Well done coldwinter Colour Analysis is the biz, is it not? Sounds as though you had a great experience - it's great when you can see it happening - there's no need for doubt then. (And you're a winter - grrr - jealous)
Are you planning on having a style day? I can tell you that it is equally life changing - I think even more so. Don't buy too much in your new colours without it - that's how good it is!!

[alisonsmum]

im all confused about it, where do you go to get it done? how much does it cost?

[stinkinseamonkey]

had it done years ago, totally bored of my shades of colours now so ignore it, was good for a bit but eventually having the same palate of make up or range of shades in your wardrobe gets dull

[stinkinseamonkey]

I do stick to it for jewellery though

[ColdWinterMorning]

The style day does sound interesting it's a fine line, but it's another chunk of money, so I wouldn't be able to do it for a while. I did feel proud of myself during my shopping trip earlier though when I didn't buy a top in one of my colours, as I didn't like the style.

Alisonsmum, I think there are people all round the country that do this. I looked on the House of Colour website to find a stylist near me.

www.houseofcolour.co.uk/

There are different types of classes you can do. I did the colour analysis, it took half a day, and cost £99.

[TickledOnion]

ColdWinterMorning I had my colours done a couple of weeks ago and I'm also a sultry winter.
It was a great experience but I'm a bit disappointed to have such dark colours. I don't quite know how to wear the colours in a casual style. To my mind they look like work clothes or black tie dress colours.
Also, I have seen quite a lot of the colours in the shops but I can't imagine there being anything by spring/summer time.

[MaureenLove]

You've Name changed to do a stealth advert.

[PerryCombover]

coldwintermorning
I like to apply extra dark St Tropez most weekends but during the week I'm really really really pale (hence the fake tan)
I don't know what to do...should I get my colours done extra dark brown or natural Irish pale blue?
I've been wondering for a while, wwyd?

[RayofSun]

Oooh. More sultry winters! I had line done about 3 months ago and love it. Am tempted to also go for the style analysis before I end up buying too many 'wrong' clothes just because they are the right colour. I agree with pp though that they are great formal wear cours but difficult to but casual clothes in those colours. Has anyone got any suggestions?!

[Hopefully]

perry the analysis needs to be done on 'naked' skin, as the consultant is trying find clothes that flatter you, not that flatter the St Tropez - consuktants won't do the analysis if they see you are wearing fake tan (and it is usually possible to tell, when you are 6" from someone's face for any length of time!). You might find that in the right colours you are less wedded to the fake tan anyway.

[ColdWinterMorning]

Maureen, sorry if it comes across like that, but I'm genuine. Lots of people in rl knew I was going to get this done (& that I'm on mn), but I like my mn anonymity, hence the name change. There are other people/companies who do colour analysis, but I named the one I have experience of.

RayofSun, I know what you mean about they seem to be more formal colours. I did find a long-sleeved t shirt in pine green (one of my good colours) in New Look, and I think that will look good with dark jeans. It does sometimes feel a little intimidating, the thought of wearing such bold colours, but then I think, well, why did I do this in the first place? To have more confidence, and not to dress to sink in to the background.

[Hopefully]

Ray adding the greys in always seems to tone things down - grey skinnies and a burgundy tshirt and charcoal scarf, for instance, doesn't seem too scary? Remember to use the other colours in your palette, not just your ** ones.

[MaureenLove]

no prob/
sorry

i had mine done years ago reluctantly.
i always buy the ones that suit - never even think of buying the others, it becomes sub conscious.
I do as a summer find chuffing winter hard and get bored of navy and black.
My woman said , interestingly, that purple suits almost everyone

[cathyandclaire]

I had mine done years ago too...I was winter, but no mention of being sultry or otherwise sulks at not being sultry
Is it just different companies or have thing moved on in the world of colour?

I think it was Colour me Beautiful I did, I still have the book of swatches but haven't opened them for years as I'm terrible with colour and wear my allowed black and navy all the time!

[madmomma]

I recently had mine done at hoc and am a pastel summer. Can't make much sense of it to be honest, and was discouraged by how few colours I feel I can now wear.

[ColdWinterMorning]

I have a lot of blacks and greys in my wardrobe already, especially trousers, cardigans and work clothes. I want to brighten things up, but for me that will be a good colour top with my dark suit. I'm not going to be head to toe in bright colours. I will struggle more in casual clothes, especially with the lack of naturals. I have several warmer cardigans in stone/beige. I'm not going to throw them out (at least just yet), but having seen how much duller I look in those colours, I doubt I'll be wearing them as much as before.

[PigeonPie]

Winters have some nice 'ice' colours which are good as accents. Keep looking through your swatch and you'll suddenly realise that there are quite a few more than just black!

My DH (also a Winter) recently bought a WierdFish jumper in red which he'd never have bought before.

[NormaStanleyFletcher]

Hmmmm

Tempted.

So tempted I have looked up my local consultant.

I wonder how it would fit with me shopping mainly in charity shops

[moonbells]

I had mine done by a friend who was training to be a colour consultant some 20 years ago, so I only had to pay for the swatches and not the consultation. Even then the full cost was prohibitive.
I don't think I was a hard task for her, since I'm a classic bright spring, but it did mean that I've ever since had an idea of what would suit and tend to buy things that coordinate. So it actually has saved me cash over the years, in not buying stuff that was so ill-suited that it got worn once then stuck at the back of the wardrobe.

Now if only I was three dress sizes smaller so I could get in most of the outfits again...

[MorrisZapp]

PigeonPie: 'my DH is also a winter'.

You've taken that too far.

[PigeonPie]

Morris - having seen how my colours worked, DH decided to do the 'men's session' and tbh it's fantastic. I now have his swatch and can go out and buy stuff when I see it and he will accept what I have bought because it's going to be in the right colours and style. Whereas before, he'd reject half the things I'd bought and not be happy with the others!

It's mainly shirts I buy for him as I live near Bicester Village and can run into Charles Tyrwhitt and get him offers which he wouldn't have time to get himself.

It definitely makes life much easier!

I'm a deep Autumn by the way!