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calling all HoC bods...

102 replies

madmomma · 08/09/2012 20:43

Any pastel summers out there?
Went for my colours day today and loved it; just wondering if there are any others out there with 'my' colours?
Any other summers of any other 'type' either?
Would love some tips from those who have trod the summery path before me.

Thanks

OP posts:
issimma · 13/09/2012 13:43

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DonaAna · 13/09/2012 14:19

Issimma does your palette resemble any of these?

Having an individual palette a good thing though. My personal palette is a mix of Summer and Spring. Less pastels, more brights. More me Grin.

Get both of the shoes if they fit well and feel good - patent looks great.

DonaAna · 13/09/2012 14:24

Oh and my color analyst said that any color that closely matches your eyes or hair is a good neutral (brunette Summers do not need to dye their hair navy...)

madmomma · 13/09/2012 21:57

thanks dona for all those links. I can't find any mention of pastel summer though. Is it called something else in the US?

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DonaAna · 13/09/2012 22:24

MM, there are really many different color analysis systems. Most of them subcategorize seasons but confusingly enough each system has their own names for them - see a lot of different Summer palettes here.

madmomma · 13/09/2012 22:32

Confused my head hurts!!! Smile

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tartiflette · 14/09/2012 06:31

Wow... Thanks so much for all the information Dona and Hopefully. Am going to spend some time this weekend getting to grips with it.

There seems to be very little out there about the specific HoC subseasons, but soft summer is maybe the closest thing to the 'brown summer' I've been given.

Would you recommend the style day? I love the idea. Do they reference your colours as well during that?

Hopefully · 14/09/2012 07:40

tartiflette soft summer is a similar thing to brown summer (summer with a hint of autumn about the hair/eyes, often). Remember that you can wear all your Summer colours, so try not to get too bogged down in soft/brown/deep/dark/light/pastel/sweet pea if it's making it harder rather than easier.

DonaAna · 14/09/2012 08:16

One more thing. If you have old bags which you like but don't like the color of their hardware, you can change the color with a enamel paint pen. I have an eBay vintage leather satchel that is lovely but I did not like the cheap-feeling bright gold hardware - have changed it to matte silver with the inexpensive pen (2 euros!). It's changed a bag that was okay but not worn to a bag that I absolutely love and can't wait to wear.
Don't do this to designer bags though!

ellangirl · 14/09/2012 08:29

Hi all, HOC deep summer here. donaAna I love that tip about changing colour of hardware. It drives me mad that so many Navy things have gold or bronze hardware. How hardwearing is the enamel? Could it do a belt buckle do you think?
Also, for those that have done the style day, could you tell me more about whether you'd recommend it? Not sure if it's aimed more towards a certain age group (not trying to be rude promise!). Not rolling in money right now but thinking of asking for it for Xmas Pressie after I have had baby and hopefully returned to something approaching normal shape!

cashmere · 14/09/2012 08:29

Hi I have very dark hair (near enough black), pale skin (lightest or 2nd lightest in lots of foundation ranges) with slight freckles on my nose and green eyes. Very much Nigella colouring.
My most flattering colour is cobalt blue.
I assume I'm winter (from old colour me beautiful)
Would there be any point me having colours done when I think I know what I am?

Hopefully · 14/09/2012 08:50

ellan I was 28 when I had the style done, and seriously found it even more revelatory/useful than the colours. I couldn't believe how much easier shopping was, and how much easier it is to get on board with certain fashions and completely ignore others that just won't work for me. It also helps enormously if you aspire to any kind of capsule wardrobe, as literally every single item in my wardrobe is now (some time later) in my perfect palette and perfect style, so everything goes with everything else, genuinely.

In my case, it made capsule wardrobe-ing particularly interesting, as none of the usual 'classics' trotted out when discussing capsule wardrobes look good on me (I look like a transvestite in a shift dress, cigarette pants make me look stumpy and 'my' trench has to be quite extreme and angular, not just a belted mac).

I get quite excited about the style personality thing Grin

Hopefully · 14/09/2012 08:52

Cashmere I would still recommend it (obviously), but depends on whether you feel you want to expand/diversify your wardrobe or you're happy with what you have. I guarantee there will be colours you hadn't thought of wearing, and information on how to wear colours to best advantage for you.

FWIW I always thought I was a winter (colouring not a million miles from yours) and am a Blue Autumn (autumn, but good in the winter end of that spectrum, so the very soft autumn colours aren't as good on me as the deeper richer ones).

DonaAna · 14/09/2012 08:53

Ellan not super hard wearing I imagine - think nail polish (plus the end result will be matte, not shiny). I would do this to decorative parts that are not weight bearing / under constant friction. My satchel has a decorative buckle (real closure is via a hidden clasp) so the paint works perfectly there. If you get to it, protect the leather with cling wrap / sellotape / pieces of paper. The painting itself is really easy with the felt tip pen, just like coloring.

Matte silver looks awfully pretty against vintage leather - think tanned legs and silver sandals Grin

BTW a good quality leather belt is a great investment. I have two leather belts with steel buckles (tan and mahogany) that felt quite expensive upfront. But I've worn one or the other for most days during the past 4 years and they feel and look better with each wear.

Re: style day, go for it if you feel like the idea. It's definitely worth your time to find out your basic style preferences. I've never done the style day - there are lots of free online questionnaires and style guides - I did a few of them and put the looks I like on Pinterest boards, read a few great style guides (You Are What You Wear, Wear This Now, Nina Garcia's The 100). Then I sorted out my wardrobe (two piles: Love and wear often - Meh/ wear rarely) and analyzed what was common among the pieces in the "Love" and "Meh" piles. I think I really know what suits me and what I like to wear now. Things to take into account: your body shape, your work/ lifestyle, the message you want to convey with your looks, your peer group/social reference group (do you want to blend in or stand out), climate, and, of course, your personal esthetic preferences.

madmomma · 14/09/2012 10:26

help me!
last night I bought a floral scarf from per una because it was my colours (I know, I know, but it is such a lovely scarf)Blush
then I went to Bobbi Brown and came away with a pink lipstick and lilac (!!!)lipgloss not to mention the eye make up
I feel like a walking, talking sweetpea!!
Clearly I've gone OTT

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SeventhEverything · 14/09/2012 11:03

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IShallPracticeMyCurtsey · 14/09/2012 11:40

cashmere I was wondering the same thing. I have very very pale skin like yours, some freckles, grey/green/blue eyes. My hair isn't as dark as yours but would be naturally a medium to darkish brown, and I have dark brows. My best colours are reds - not tomato reds (though I can wear these too) but more pinkish or blueish reds and even bright ice-cream pink. I reckon I'm a Winter too. I'd love to get this confirmed but..and I'm so sorry if I offend anyone, but going by this website (I'm in Ireland) I'm just not sure we're going to be on the same style wavelength.

StatisticallyChallenged · 14/09/2012 11:57

I was wondering the same, I also think I'm probably a winter although I don't know which version- dark brown hair which I think has quite a cook tone naturally, very pale and cool skin-cool vanilla in no7, dark brown eyes. Can have quite pink cheeks if I get flushed, look ghastly in mustard or most browns, suit bold reds,blues, purples etc I think.

Hopefully · 14/09/2012 12:03

Ishall the thing is with HoC consultants (can't speak for CMB as I don't know their training in any depth), is that even if their style isn't the same as yours, they should still be able to analyse your body shape and personality and tell you what styles will suit you. It is not about fitting you into their mould at all.

IShallPracticeMyCurtsey · 14/09/2012 12:28

Hopefully, thanks, that's encouraging. I guess I am just a little wary about the service over here. I think it's very much still seen as stuck in the 80s/only something older women do; I think my friends would fall about laughing if I mentioned I was having this done. Whereas, on this board, lots of you women having it done seem to be young and fashionable!

Update: Have just seen that Courtney Cox is apparently a Bright/Clear Winter. My sister is constantly being told that she is a ringer for Courtney, and since my sister and I have the same colouring and look very alike (we're not quite as fine as Courtney though Sad), I might just hedge my bets that I am a Bright/Clear winter. I'm certainly nodding along to the colours I see!

cardoon · 14/09/2012 14:51

Just jumping back in to say......

My name is cardoon and I'm a BRIGHT SPRING!!! woowhooooo!!!

Loved the day, I have brown hair/eyes so thought I would be Autumn (I look shite in sludgy colours) but no...BRIGHT SPRING GrinGrinGrin

How are you coming to terms with your diagnosis momma?

Gillybobs · 14/09/2012 15:09

Cardoon Im almost a year down the line from my diagnosis as Spring, HoC called me a Paintbox spring but didnt explain at all what that meant....through loads of reading and even more trial and error I've figured out I'm a Bright Spring. The single most important revelation has been that I need so much contrast in my outfits (and my make up) to look my best. Simply wearing a few shades from the spring palette leaves me a bit meh - but when i combine my darkest neutrals with some of the lighter brighter colours the effect is incredible and the compliments flow. Combinations like Charcoal/turquoise/cream or Navy/coral/cream have become firm favourites. Typing that has made me realise I have an actual formula - one dark neutral plus one light neutral plus one very bright. HTH

cardoon · 14/09/2012 15:22

That's interesting Gilly my analyst (?!!) didn't actually say much about how to bring it all together but I suppose that's what she was doing when she was slinging all those dusters over my shoulders Grin

It's a lot to take in though and I've had a headache since I left her!

Are we "allowed" charcoal? Dove grey seemed to be darkest grey in my wallet?...(please say yes or I'll be ebaying till Christmas!)

MadAboutHotChoc · 14/09/2012 16:05

I am a winter too but my HoC analysis was several years ago and they didn't have these sub groups.

Looking at the links, I know I am definitely not a Warm Winter but I can't tell if I am a Clear winter or a Cool winter - help!

issimma · 14/09/2012 16:16

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