HoC vs Colour Me Beautiful

[Mumneedstea]

That's it really. I have been thinking of getting my colours done for ages and I finally want to get it done this year. So which one is better HoC or CMB?

Also, would you recommend doing all 3 sessions - i.e. colour, style and makeup? I definitely need the colour and makeup sessions as I have no idea what suits me and how to apply any makeup.

TIA :)

[Mumneedstea]

hopeful bump :)

[Notsandwiches]

I just had mine done with HOC. Not impressed. Initially she said I was an autumn. I said "I would have naturally gravitated to Summer" and all of a sudden she was rechecking me and I became a summer.

I also don't get why you go with no makeup, get your colours done with no makeup and then get plastered in makeup which totally changed your luck.

With hindsight I would save myself the money and go shopping with a friend.

It probably all depends on the stylist though.

[PollyPerky]

I used CMB about 25 years ago. I was disappointed. She was 'thrown' by the fact I had highlights. Put me down as a light spring I think but dithered over whether I was 'warm' or 'cool'.

I bought the book Colour me Confident and found that as helpful as anything.

The only gain from having my colours done was being told not to wear black near my face, and choose lighter colours.

[LadyOfTheCanyon]

You can diagnose ( is that the right term?) so much yourself from looking online and Pinterest etc.
Having someone called Marion drape scarves under my chin and being told not to wear black gives me the rage at the thought.
I'm a cool toned, dark haired blue eyed person. Bingo - Bright Winter ( allegedly).

[Floisme]

I've never had it done myself as I think I'm reasonably good at seeing what suits me plus I quite enjoy working it out for myself. But if I couldn't see it, I'd get it done like a shot. I think what with children, ageing, menopause etc, it's very easy to lose your style mojo and anything that might help you find it sounds good to me. I'm not sure why it should give anyone the rage - it's not like there's a HoC police.

Anyway, to answer your question, several friends have used House of Colour and thoroughly recommended them. They just had the colour and make up advice although at least one of them was thinking of going back for the style session. I don't know anyone who's used Colour me Beautiful.

[highinthesky]

Save your money and go out for a shopping trip with a friend that you think is effortlessly stylish. If you want to splash out you can treat her (or him) to tea afterwards.

[Floisme]

Friends can't always tell though, even if they're stylish themselves. I think I can see what works on me but I'm hopeless with other people.

[Lissette]

I found two books by Jesse Garza and Joe Lupo useful on colour and style categories is bohemian, classic etc

'Life in Color' and 'Work it' are both on Amazon. I preferred Work it more as it was for work clothes. They explain colouring in terms of earth, moon, sun, stars categories.

[Lissette]

'Such as' not is, sorry

[gillybeanz]

I bought a book from Barnados, I think they must have had a job lot.
Some of the styles were dated but the general ethos was the same.
I'm sure it was CMB, but very 80's looking.
It cost me 50p and I haven't made a make up, hair, or wardrobe mistake buy since.
I know my season and what colours/ styles suit me.
The make up colour suggestions were the biggest change in my appearance tbh, they were a revelation and from buying the first proper colour dh asked immediately what was different and how well it made me look.

[Paffle]

I've recently done HOC and found it very helpful. That said, it was probably more about giving myself a kick up the bum to stop wearing entirely navy blue and black (neither of which suit me). I am debating going back for the style thing though TBH I have a fair idea of my style.

[ChicRock]

I had a HOC day a couple of years ago. I suspected I was a 'spring' and had always gravitated towards those colours anyway, and the consultant confirmed that I was, (without my input or leading her).

It was helpful in that it added a few new colours to my wardrobe that I wouldn't have even looked at beforehand and I could see on others (there were 3 or 4 of us, all strangers, on the day) what a huge difference the right colours made.

The HOC make up is shit though, don't waste your money on that.

[FinallyHere]

This is a bit of a hobby of mine. I find HoC makes more sense to me, but I mostly agree with PP that your experience will depend a lot on how experienced the consultant is. I have been done several times, originally by myself then in groups to encourage friends and as part of a corporate induction experience.

The HoC approach gets me correct every time.

I would recommend both colour and style, once you have the hang of those, how to select makeup will be obvious. I thought that colour would make the most difference for me, but it was once I got the style, too, that people started to spontaneously compliment me. I agree with a PP that getting someone really good will make hugh difference, regardless of which system they use.

Loads of people, including my mother and sister, can pick their own colour and style and were astonished that I couldn't. Now I have been shown how it works, I have really got the hang of it, I find it really easy.

Since I got it done, I haven't bought anything which is wrong, so now everything goes together. I never need different shoes to work with a new outfit, as my existing things will work. I don't have to buy whole outfits, as my existing things already work well.

Enjoy.

[Fuzzypeggy]

Hoc is excellent. I don't know anything about CMb apart from various people in here saying it isn't great.

[butlerchauffer]

Personally found the HOC colour analysis more user friendly, especially if you're unsure or surprised by the result - more definite colour definitions if that makes sense! Would have thought there's a bit of make up included in the colour day and I would then take taht info to your favourite make up counter ( although sometimes they don't listen!). I wish I'd done my colours done years ago; wearing the right ones make you 'pop'. The CMB style day is better imo. I think it essential to have both done fairly close together unless you have a strong sense of style already - otherwise you risk rushing out to buy stuff in the right colours only to find it's not really 'you'. Style day should give you tips about what will flatter your body style and help identify your style 'personality'. Take it with a small pinch of salt but embrace rather than rage and you won't look back. Enjoy!

[PollyPerky]

I think it's quite easy to do your own using a book, scarves or borrowed tops etc.

The idea is that the right shades make you look alive and well, whereas not so good colours make you look washed out or the colours overpower you.

You can do some basic stuff yourself like cream or white, olive greens v bluey greens, pinks v oranges etc.

I found my CMB swatch book quite disappointing. Lots of harsh shades I'd never wear (think fuschia pink) and brown/taupe which do not suit me.

[shadesofwinter]

I did HoC and It was a fantastic experience; it's given me so much more confidence. I also did the style day with my mum and SIL and we enjoyed it, although it's made shopping a little bit harder. I wouldn't bother with makeup personally (even though I'm rubbish at it!), as I'd rather go to a makeup specialist for that now I know what colours to look for, which they touch on in the colour session.

[saz9382]

Hiya is there any recommendations for blogs, pinterest pages or any online info on how to do this myself or sample pictures of seasons people please. I would love to have this done but the thought of sitting makeup free in a room full of strangers is a no go for me I'm afraid.

[buckeejit]

I did hoc a few years ago & loved it-colour & style day.

Life changing for me as before I'd've bought anything I liked the look of & often picked wrong colours.

Also best thing ever about it was finding out what tone of red lipstick suits me. I wear red lippy most days & it's been revolutionary!

[Ifonlyiweretaller]

I got mine done online. A lovely lady called Pam who has a website called style yourself confident. I now walk into a shop and scan for my colours - if there's nothing in any of them I walk out! Saves loads of time...
I shouldn't wear black ( but i already knew that!) but have rather a lot - at least putting bright scarves near my face I get away with it now! And I dont 'intend' to buy any more black ...

[Deathraystare]

I have read a few of the books. I am sure I am warm. I have a horrible feeling I might be an Autumn. I hate pumpkin and similar shades! I suit a pinky coral rather than full on orange and I am not fond of browns really. I do love teal/peacock/petrel though.

[Mumneedstea]

Thanks for all your replies and sorry I have been away from MN for so long!!

I am being biased towards those who are saying they had a good experience at HoC as I think I have already made up my mind that I need this ;)
As PP have said, I will skip the makeup session for now and see if I can get an appointment sometime soon :)

For those of you who have said that I need to find a good consultant, do you recommend any? I am based in south east, but willing to travel.

Thanks again :)

[Twooter]

I did all three with HOC and it was the best thing I've done. The makeup was probably the least useful, but for both the other two it helped me understand how I never looked stylish when I tried. I would copy stylish people's outfits but it never looked right as I was a different 'personality' to them, but I hadn't ever picked on the concept. The style day was a complete eye opener in terms of showing me what outlines I needed to wear - and often corresponded to clothes that I felt good in, but didn't know why. I can now walk into a shop and tell immediately if there is likely to be any point trying stuff on.

[Mumneedstea]

Twooter you sound just like me!! I am always trying to copy styles that don't suit me :(
I am really looking forward to my colour and style days now

Any recommendations for consultants?