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Original poster

Wow - really seeing the effects of getting my colours done!

103 replies

ADefiniteMaybe · 27/05/2013 12:25

Just a witter really! I had my colours done a few months ago and have really found it has made a difference to my approach to shopping and clothes in general. The proof of the pudding came last week when 3 of us (me, dh and dd) went away for 6 nights with just 2 locker sized cases. Because my wardrobe "works" so much better now I was able to travel with so much less and still look coordinated and together. Really, really pleased. (And, no, I am not a colour consultant - just a happy p/t teacher who has really learned to dress better.)

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BigBoobiedBertha · 27/05/2013 12:31

That't interesting - I always fancied having it done although I have a pretty good idea already I think. I could be very wrong though!!

What palette (if that is the correct term) are you?

Did you have to ditch much of your old wardrobe?

Original poster
ADefiniteMaybe · 27/05/2013 12:52

I'm an autumn. The big lesson I have learned is to keep away from blacks and white. I am replacing them with a lovely bitter chocolate brown, navy and cream or ivory. I haven't ditched all my clothes and I will probably keep wearing black skirts and trousers but I will avoid it next to my skin. I had my colours done at John Lewis and the lady there also talked to me about dressing my body shape which I found really useful. The other big change was to wear more gold coloured jewellery instead of silver.
I can honestly say I do feel more together and that everything is working better for me. now I just have to shift 6kgs and I'll be a goddess

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BigBoobiedBertha · 27/05/2013 13:06

Interesting.

I think I am an autumn too and I don't wear black next to my face either. I used not to wear white - I preferred to wear cream - but as I have got older I am less pale and more weather beaten and wrinkly and I wear it more often now. Plus cream seems harder to find these days. Like navy/dark blues which I favour over black, they seemed to go out of fashion for a bit although they seem to be making a bit of a come back.

My faults are probably wearing the wrong shades of the right colours iyswim - bright red instead of deeper shades or the wrong shade of green and blue. I am a bit dubious about browns and yellows too. Are there any colours you don't like in your palette?

Having your shape assessed as well would be excellent as that is a big struggle for me but I have a lot of weight to lose so I might not be able to stand the honesty!Smile

SingingSilver · 27/05/2013 13:24

I think I'm a spring - pale skin colour but warm tones in my skin and a bit of red in my hair. And I look terrible in murky khaki and beige clothes, and blue toned pink lipstick. Jewel coloured clothes and peachy coral makeup colours look good on me. That's a spring isn't it?

My reference guide is my aunts Colour My Beautiful book from the 80s!

Nehru · 27/05/2013 13:25

it is true - the right colours means you need less slap too

chubbymomie2012 · 27/05/2013 13:33

sounds great! where can i get my colours done? and the 64 million dollar question is How much does it cost?

CointreauVersial · 27/05/2013 13:36

I haven't a scooby what season I am, but I know what colours do and don't suit me - isn't that sufficient?

Khaki, olive, yellow, taupe....muddy colours make me look sallow. Red clashes with my cheeks. Jewel colours look good on me, and I can guarantee compliments when I wear certain shades of blue.... I'm not sure I'd want to spend ££ to have someone tell me I'm a "cool Spring" or whatever. Isn't it just common sense and a good eye for what you see in the mirror?

Nehru · 27/05/2013 13:37

i went to a woman near Winchester. She was terrifying but right. I was rather moody teen about it and was reluctant to agree that red didnt suit me

MarshaBrady · 27/05/2013 13:38

I can see the difference when I wear aqua blue, and red should be treated with caution. Wine colour is terrible.

Original poster
ADefiniteMaybe · 27/05/2013 13:39

BigBoobied - the shape assessment was great and done very gently. It was really about helping you make the best of yourself, not scolding you or telling you to change. She tied ribbon round me, so no nasty measuring tapes, just to identify where all my natural "features" are and then she talked about the proportions. So, for example, I have a very high waist which was getting lost under my monster boobs and I also have narrow hips in a very relative fashion. She gave me advice about where my tops should hit my body, always wearing shirts with pointed collars, not rounded ones to detract from my heaving bosom etc, etc, .......
I am colour blind struggle with colours so am still carrying my colour chart round with me but,as a generalisation, I am getting better at seeing the "warmth" in some colours and am choosing them and not the cooler versions.
Nehru - very true, I'm not sure I'd realised this until I read your comment but I am definitely wearing much less make up than 6 months ago probably because my colours are working better for me. (And thanks for the Gap trousers advice on another thread - am now the proud owner of them :) )

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Nehru · 27/05/2013 13:41

plus evrything goes.
My best advice was to be toning not contrast. If I wear black and white struped top I look just wrong - like I am dressing up in somoene elses clothes.

Ujjayi · 27/05/2013 13:41

Agree with CointreauVersial. It really is as easy as taking an assortment of different coloured garments into a changing room and seeing which ones make you glowing and which ones make you look ready for the slab.

Original poster
ADefiniteMaybe · 27/05/2013 13:41

Chubby - I went to John Lewis on Oxford Street and it cost about £90. I know that is a lot of money but I can honestly say I have saved more that that in the last 6 months by buying clothes that are actually good for me and by buying considerably fewer clothes.

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Original poster
ADefiniteMaybe · 27/05/2013 13:44

Ujjayi - I wish it really was that easy for me. I am not good with colours and wouldn't have spent my adult life buying the wrong things if I could have remedied it so easily. I do realise that some people can "see" colours - I'm just not one of them :(

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MarshaBrady · 27/05/2013 13:47

I haven't had it done but I can see why it works. I can also see on my dc (blonde and olive) that they suit different colours. Not that I stick to it of course.

BigBoobiedBertha · 27/05/2013 14:02

I can see why spending £90 might save you money - I do tend to buy different colours of the same thing, e.g. Different coloured t shirts, all in search of the 'right' shade. It takes the faff out of choosing.

I think I sort of know what I should be wearing (have read the Colour Me Beautiful book too) but there is the grey area around the colours I like but probably shouldn't wear that confuses me.

ADefiniteMaybe - has it made you start looking at other people critically too?

I always think too many people wear black next to their face whatever their palette. I suppose it is the myth that it is slimming and professional looking but if it doesn't suit you it is neither imo. Smile

Ujjayi · 27/05/2013 14:35

ADefiniteMaybe - sorry if I came across as flippant :) I was trying to suggest an alternative to spending £90+ :)

FannyMcNally · 27/05/2013 14:43

Isn't it just common sense and a good eye for what you see in the mirror?

But some of us haven't got that!

Also with me, it's the case of just finding anything that's big enough and can cover lumps without looking like a marquee. I rarely think about colour, just grab something in a 16. Grin

FannyMcNally · 27/05/2013 14:46

Would a CMB consultant also comment on whether the colour of your hair is suitable? Although the hairdresser occasionally recommends a new tint I never know whether it suits or not.

Original poster
ADefiniteMaybe · 27/05/2013 15:16

Ujjayi - no offence taken :). It should be that easy but for me, it's not. I really don't see colours very well and I am not good at skin tones etc!!!
BigBoobied - I do look at other people more "knowingly" now - I think I am more aware of when people have pulled a look together well rather than just throwing colours together hopefully like I did for sooooo many years. Nehru is right - toning is a good approach for me too.
Fanny - my hair is highlighted but not coloured so it didn't really come up in my colour/style session. She did say though that your colours came from your skin tones, not your hair colouring if you had changed it.

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LaundryLegoLunch · 27/05/2013 20:24

John Lewis do a colour-me-beautiful thing? I had no idea, I've always fancied having it done but would want someone who knew their stuff as I'm guessing this area isn't massively regulated Wink

OP - what section do you go to?

sassytheFIRST · 27/05/2013 20:32

For those who should wear cream, not white, I have a Take a Break TopTip for youse.

Buy white tops in styles you like, save em till you have 3 or 4 in wardrobe, then dye the lot cream.

I claim my £25.

QueenCadbury · 27/05/2013 20:33

I had my colours done recently with a house of colour consultant and it was fab. I knew that blues/greens suited me but was scared of pinks/reds as they never looked right. I also thought I was a summer and so went for muted shades. I'm actually a winter and it has been great finding the pinks and reds that suit me that I would never have considered trying on before. I also suit high contrast stuff. It cost £99 but was worth every penny.

Pusspuss1 · 27/05/2013 20:39

I had mine done a few years ago by a CMB consultant in Guildford. I really enjoyed it and still often think about what she recommended and consult my palette when I'm thinking of buying something new.

Original poster
ADefiniteMaybe · 27/05/2013 20:46

Laundry - it's not available in many shops but here is a link to the style advisor.

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