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Original poster

Anyone had their colours done?

37 replies

Haziedoll · 01/12/2011 13:34

It is my 40th birthday next year and I will also be starting a business and thought I would get my colours done for my birthday.

I did the basic colour test on the website and it analysed me as "spring". I don't agree. Bright colours look pretty naff on me and make me look washed out. I tend to gravitate towards autumn colours, moss green looks good and I used to wear a lot of brown when I was younger. I also quite like blue (not navy) as it brings out the colour of my eyes. White and pillar box red do nothing for me.

Were you pleased with the results or did it turn out to be a costly mistake?

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DonaAna · 01/12/2011 14:42

Got mine done in August, thought I was a spring, turned out I was a light Summer. It was an initial shock but now everyone agrees that I look better than ever, 10-20 years younger. I got my makeup colors right (bluish undertones), lightened my lipsticks and eyeshadows and ditched black as my main neutral. Before, I was stuck with very few colors - now I've found really lovely and subtle neutrals but also bright colors for scarves that really make an outfit and flatter my skin tone.

If you are between seasons or a soft season, the websites can be shockingly inaccurate. Both silver and gold look good on me; my veins are blue and green; my skin tone is neutral and pale. I look washed out in really many colors, and the color analyst said that many Summers feel washed out in almost anything.

So do yourself a favor and be seen by a professional: as you start your business, you'll want to look at your best.

twooter · 01/12/2011 14:49

I got my done this year - and its fantastic. My wardrobe is now coordinated, it takes a fraction of the time to shop for clothes, and I look better and feel more confident.

I think it should become a normal rite of passage for all women.

PandaG · 01/12/2011 14:59

yes. worth every penny, as was the style analysis. So much easier to shop and dress now.

thecoo · 01/12/2011 15:15

Had mine done a year ago. Was fun and useful, though even a year on I still haven't replaced everything in my wardrobe as would be too expensive. My makeup underwent a big overhaul though, as more affordable, and that's made a big difference. Clotheswise I'm just wearing scarves or jewellery in the right colours to make up for my imperfect wardrobe until I gradually get it right/win the lottery.

Gillybobs · 01/12/2011 15:43

COuldnt agree more, best £99 Ive spent, I through out half my clothes (I had a ridiculous amount mind you), but still felt like Id more to wear as the colours were now "right" and all co-ordinated. Also the make up thing, wow - the difference wearing the tight lippy makes is incredible.

I did manage to self diagnose by reading up on it beforehand but was incredibly useful to have it done properly and all the advice on combining the colours/shopping etc . I also know loads of people who have misdiagnosed themselves, even the consultants who are trained claim they cant tell by looking at someone, it takes a proper draping session with the scarves etc to get it right

Do it!

rubyrubyruby · 01/12/2011 16:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TracyK · 01/12/2011 16:41

I don't spose they ever do special offers do they girls? I'm buying for me and my mum so a bit ££ at 2 x £99. I see colour me beautiful are doing 2 for £150 - but reviews seem to say HoC are better.

Original poster
Haziedoll · 01/12/2011 17:58

Were any of you surprised or disappointed by the results?

The online thing said I was a spring but the description of spring and autumn features is very similar.

Want to go for the style analysis too but want to wait until I have reached my target weight. My body shape is an apple but when I am at the correct weight I don't really look like an apple.

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Gillybobs · 01/12/2011 18:43

I dont think your weight will change the style day outcome, I believe its based on personality and body "type" rather than weight iyswim, so no point delaying it really

Out of interest, how would you describe your colouring? And are there any celebrities who have similar colouring?

Original poster
Haziedoll · 01/12/2011 20:50

My natural hair colour is medium brown with chestnut undertones, however my natural hair colour hasn't seen the light of day for over 20 years! My hair is highlighted, dark blonde with copper lowlights. People describe me as pale although once I had my make up done and the consultant used the third lightest shade as she said I'm not as pale as I appear at first sight. I tan very easily. My eyes are pale blue with yellow flecks. Colouring wise if I had to compare myself to someone I would say Kate winslet although I suspect my natural hair colour is a lot darker than hers.

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Gillybobs · 01/12/2011 21:29

You def sound like a warm season but then you'd worked that out already! I quite like this website here , see if that helps

rubyrubyruby · 01/12/2011 21:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SillySoilySandy · 01/12/2011 21:37

I think you need to go to an experienced consultant. The first time I was done (cheapie session with a group of us) she gave me the wrong outcome and I looked truly dreadful in some of the colours she suggested. It was because my hair had gone a bit red in the sun.

When I went to the second lady, she really struggled at first but then realised she needed to ignore what had happened to my hair, and gave me fantastic advice. Where are you based?

rubyrubyruby · 01/12/2011 21:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

blossoming · 01/12/2011 21:44

I agree, you definitely need to get it done by professionals. I used HoC, and recently did a style day too. I liked knowing 'ah, that's why I hated the boho thing..' Really really useful, especially for a confidence boost before going back to work like I did.

Gillybobs · 01/12/2011 21:51

ruby the EXACT same thing happened to me, I subconsciously let my fake tan wear off, not noticing because I was wearing colours that complimented my skin tone. Fascinating stuff.

And so agree with the others who say it really is worth getting it done properly. Sort of life changing really

Im sort of afraid of the style day. I was convinced I was dramatic classic but my chums on the Springs FB group are convinced Im romantic classic. Im afraid to go and be told to wear flouncy things.....eurgh

rubyrubyruby · 01/12/2011 21:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

moonbells · 01/12/2011 21:59

Had mine done by Colour me Beautiful 20-odd years ago. I was a hopeless case, never had any clue about what suited. I still can't buy clothes for anyone else unless I know what they are! But I pretty much memorised my swatches and so gradually built up a wardrobe. None of which fits any more!

Totally wasted! But the one thing which I always remember is that only Winters should wear black or white. Period. (Unless they are edged round the neck with a good colour.)

I do get cross when people (looks hard at MIL) buy me clothes without showing me them first. They never get the shades right and then tell me I look tired when they see me (because they take offence when I don't wear what they bought!!). I'm currently wearing a blue-red dressing gown (MIL again). I'm a classic spring and I need tomato/scarlet red.

Original poster
Haziedoll · 01/12/2011 22:30

Great thanks for tips everyone. Think I will book myself in for some classes in the Spring.

With regards to the different dress styles i.e boho, romantic etc is there anywhere I can find that information online as I haven't got a clue!

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twooter · 02/12/2011 21:40

If you hate boho, then its probably just not your personality. I always look crap in smart clothes, but as a natural romantic, I should go for more casual stuff anyway. I found the style day just as enlightening as the colour day,

Original poster
Haziedoll · 02/12/2011 23:05

Interesting twooter because I have always felt more comfortable when wearing tailored formal clothes. Even at the tender age of 18 I enjoyed spending my disposable income on business suits and if I was wearing jeans they were teamed with a blazer. I have found the Sahm stage very difficult because I just don't feel like me unless I'm hiding behind a business suit.

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SeeLyon · 02/12/2011 23:09

i never buy stuff the wrong colour now.
only wear black in evenings or with LOADS of make up
wearing wrong is like" hey let me wear something that makes me look shit"

MosEisley · 02/12/2011 23:19

Definitely see a colour expert. Well worth the money. I was a confused Spring / Autumn (I knew I had skin with yellow undertones). The colours woman initially struggled to place me but did various colour contrast tests and eventually pronounced me an autumn. However there are subdivisions which mean not all of your own season's colours look brilliant on you, and equally sometimes colours from other seasons are acceptable.

WhatsWrongWithYou · 02/12/2011 23:24

Colour analysis is definitely worth the outlay.
But the style day is the icing on the cake. Once you know your style 'personality' it's so easy to pick out the exact things that will suit you except when there's nothing to suit in the shops.

And don't worry about the flouncy stuff - if you do have a Romantic element, you don't have to dress like that from head to foot - just a hint somewhere is enough. I think I've seen the info on the 'types' linked to before - will see if I can find anything.

(I'm a Classic Ingenue < preens >)

Original poster
Haziedoll · 02/12/2011 23:26

Mos - The spring/autumn one is tricky isn't it? I really hope I'm an Autumn because I wouldn't feel comfortable in the Spring colours but the descriptions are very similar.

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