I used to be a winter - but have I changed?

[Torrorosso]

I had my 'colours' diagnosed ages ago, before my hair started going grey and before I used to spend a fortune on having it coloured.

I was a winter, and have a wardrobe full of winter colours.

Now a personal shopper, who is also a colour consultant, has told me she thinks I have changed, and am probably an autumn.

She says it's hair colour which makes the difference - my hair was a bit faded/warmer when I saw her - I go for a lighter base hair colour than what was my natural one, with blonde highlights, as darker brown now makes me looked washed out.

I had been under the impression your colours don't change - once a winter, always a winter.

Any idea? I'm not ready to stop dyeing my hair - it's a peppery, uneven mix under the dye job, and I work in a young environment.

As far as I understand it's all to do with skin tone not hair colour as when you are diagnosed with HOC they cover your hair. I guess it's possible you're skin tone may change over the years but I always thought that it meant that you'd suit different colours in your palette. Do you think your winter colours still suit you?

I'm sure a colour expert will come along and give a proper answer!

Yes, I do think winter colours suit me though I no longer wear so much black as that does drain me if it's next to my face.

I thought it was skin tone too.

Any colour consultants out there please?

I have been told you don't change seasons, but your best colours will change over the years. Change in hair colour will not make a difference but using the wrong hair dye will change how your skin looks - I know that using warm coloured hair dye makes me look sallow. Did the personal shopper do a proper analysis on you with drapes etc?

There is a thread on here for HoC winters and it has tips about how to colour your hair/tone down the reddish tones from dyes.

Some consultants offer colour re-rates where they check which colours are your best ones which could be useful if it has been several years since your analysis.

Thanks Mad, that makes sense. The shopper didn't re- do my consultation with drapes, but has offered to do so. I'll look up the tips about dye. I have it professionally coloured, but the hairdresser uses what she feels is right rather than me choosing the shades.

What it is about hairdressers wanting to add warmth to your hair?! That was one of the reasons why I went down the DIY route.

Also another thing I found was wearing the right lipstick - I think with some winters, high contrast is important and can look washed out if they don't wear any.

I wouldn't believe this colour consultant. If you remember who did your colours and it was HOC then they do a colour rerate for about £40 I think.

It was more than 25 years ago and a company called Colour Me Beautiful. I still have the swatches.

I think hair colour is my mission now - tricky to get right because the dark contrast I used to have will age the hell out of me - it needs to be softer, but not warmer. Maybe I'll fork out for a new consultation.

I'm inclined to believe Mad. I am a winter but black too close to my face doesn't look as good. I still suit winter colours , but some of the other colours in my palette look better