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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To consider getting a ‘work out your colours’ as a birthday gift

59 replies

ThatWhiteElephant · 07/01/2018 18:09

A present for a female family member.
I don’t know anyone that has had it done, but the birthday recipient has mentioned this is the past.
Are they a load of old twadle and a waste of money, or would this be a nice gift?

OP posts:
AnyFucker · 07/01/2018 18:10

I would not welcome that gift. Sorry.

PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks · 07/01/2018 18:10

What's a work out your colours?

jamaisjedors · 07/01/2018 18:11

I got it for my mum and went with her.

I enjoyed it and found it useful but I don't think she was impressed and seems to mostly ignored the advice for her - and for me when she has bought me presents of clothes.

Depends on the person I guess, my mum is not that into clothes.

shakemysilliesout · 07/01/2018 18:14

I might be offended and the experience itself may not feel like a treat, I'd prefer afternoon tea vouchers

Darkstar4855 · 07/01/2018 18:14

I wouldn’t unless you really, really think they would want to do it - otherwise it puts the recipient under pressure to give up their own time to do something they don’t want to do just so as not to appear ungrateful.

Original poster
ThatWhiteElephant · 07/01/2018 18:21

PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks, sorry I didn’t explain it very well. I have heard that you can see like a stylist who works out what colours work well with your skin/hair colouring.

OP posts:
lanbro · 07/01/2018 18:23

I was bought one for my birthday once and it was crap...4 hrs to discover I'm blue spring which basically means all colours suit me!

Namechangetempissue · 07/01/2018 18:24

I wouldn't gift this unless the recipient had requested it. Could be taken in the wrong way or be really boring for most.

AuroraBora · 07/01/2018 18:24

I’ve had it done and loved it. But I guess it divides opinions! Some people think it’s twaddle whereas I can properly see the difference the right colours make on me.

Could you ask her if she wants it done, so it’s not a surprise, but saves you wasting money? Or get someone else to subtly question her?

TeenTimesTwo · 07/01/2018 18:25

I did this once with a friend. (I'm not in to fashion, don't wear makeup). It was quite interesting and I went away with a a book of swatches of colours that suited me. Mainly it was stuff I had already worked out but there were some others in there I wouldn't have thought of.

Not something to do on your own though.

PerfectlySymmetricalButtocks · 07/01/2018 18:25

It would be wasted on me, if she's more into clothes it might be good.

honeyroar · 07/01/2018 18:27

My mum had it done (think by Colour me Beautiful) many years ago, and loved it. She still goes on about her colours nearly 20yrs later! If your recipient has mentioned it's worth a punt, out of the blue it's a strange present.

ShatnersBassoon · 07/01/2018 18:29

It has always seemed like a money for old rope activity to me, and I wouldn't like to have to go along to get it done. I'd rather have a gift voucher for a shop.

Babyroobs · 07/01/2018 18:30

My dh had his colours done many years ago ( his current gf did it !!! ) and he still will only buy clothing in his colours ! he always looks lovely though !

PricklyBall · 07/01/2018 18:30

When you say she's mentioned it, was this "mentioned in passing", or "ooh, I'd love to have that done but can't justify the expense." Only go for it if it's the latter. Any other circumstance you run far too high a risk of it being interpreted as a really passive aggressive way of saying "I think your taste in clothes is shit."

(Incidentally, I think there is something in it. It all depends on your skin and hair colour. I'm very pale, and a lot of blues and pretty much any pastel shade imaginable make me look like the Bride of Frankenstein. But I don't need to pay big bucks to get a "specialist" to tell me that - it's pretty glaringly obvious when I look in the mirror.)

thecatsthecats · 07/01/2018 18:31

I would think it was ridiculous, sorry.

Your friend is a grown woman who is presumably happy with how she dresses already. I can't imagine anything less enjoyable than someone telling me what colours to wear.

SingaSong12 · 07/01/2018 18:34

I've done it with Colour Me Beautiful and it's true I look best in the colours they suggested. However I'd feel a bit offended unless I'd really discussed and agreed. I would feel like you're saying I don't wear nice clothes/looks bad and need a makeover.

crunchymint · 07/01/2018 18:36

Depends. I would hate this, some people would love it. It does not matter whether it is a load of old twaddle or not. It matters if this person would like it.

NWQM · 07/01/2018 18:40

As others have said it depends if she has indicated she would like it. I was brought it as a present and was a bit hmmm but it was a works gift for everyone and we actually had a fun time. I've also done an experience at one of the big department stores. The voucher got you coffee and cake, bottle of fizz and a personal shopping experience. They did a mini version of the colours and the personal shopper we had was again good. You could also have a make-up session which was at one of the make-up counters so a trail really. We didn't get round to doing that. Great thing was that you could the value of the cost of the present - so the £100 off clothes brought. I know that having your colours done privately can be expensive so maybe something like would be an option as you are actually buying the recipient an outfit or part of an outfit.

user1495490253 · 07/01/2018 18:43

I'm very in to clothes but I would hate this.

IrkThePurist · 07/01/2018 18:44

I had it done as a gift and was skeptical but went anywahy - it wasn't twaddle. The colours I used to wear made me look sallow.
Your face has a colour. (Think of a pointillist painting) If you know colour theory you'll get that you can pick colours to wear that suit your skin tone, rather than ones that clash.

Original poster
ThatWhiteElephant · 07/01/2018 18:44

The comment in the past was interest at having it done, but considering the majority of your comments (and that they are not really into clothes) I think I will pass on that idea.
You’ve made me remember that when I’ve been taken shopping for a clothes gift, I’ve never been in the mood for clothes shopping so it felt like a bit of a waste. Thanks for the input Smile

OP posts:
redexpat · 07/01/2018 18:47

I had it as a present and loved it. House of Colour.

Knittedfairies · 07/01/2018 18:47

I did it about 20 years ago - I know where the swatch is even now - but I did it for myself. I think I would have been a bit offended if someone had bought the experience as a gift for me.

KipperBalloon · 07/01/2018 18:48

I've been "draped" (as the professionals call it!) and it was great fun. It's also not just about the colour clothes you wear, but also makeup. I'm a Light Spring, which you wouldn't think to look at me as I have very dark hair. I think it might be common sense to some people to know what colours suit them, but it wasn't to me at all.

If the person has mentioned wanting it done, then it's not a weird present. Although it might be if it was completely out of the blue and not the recipients cup of tea.