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House of Colour v. Colour Me Beautiful

109 replies

SunnyUpNorth · 24/07/2013 22:32

I have found an old thread discussing this but just wanted to ask what the main differences are and which people think are better.

I really want to get my colours done and have found a few local people from both companies.

From reading old threads it seems HoC is more popular but the pictures of the local HoC people are really off putting. The ones near me are all in bright jewel toned outfits with lots of scarves, lipstick etc. ie v OTT and a bit cliched.

There are two Colour Me Beautiful reps near me. Both of their photos are very natural. They look really nice, young and friendly and much more 'me'. So I am much more drawn to having my colours done by one of them. But I am hesitating due to people not really seeming to rate CMB.

Help!

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ItsNotUnusualToBe · 27/07/2013 13:56

I'm a House of Colour Sultry Winter ( think of colours a bit deeper / darker than jewel bright) and a Romantic Classic.

Very happy with HoC 'diagnosis' though agree that I think the consultant looked a bit clichéd.

Not sure I look much better style wise yet. It's so hard to buy stuff when 'that'll do' isn't good enough anymore!

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Talluawiththehoola · 27/07/2013 14:08

I went with my sister and we payed for a package 1full day colour analysis. 1full day style and half day make up, it cost approx. £219 in all. This was a Christmas pressie to myself. I found it really good to have an other opinion as we both could see the dramatic changes during the draping and feel I wasn't just being swayed by the consultant. We were the only 2 there and got lots of advice and guidance. We went to an information evening first to see what they were like as I was a bit skeptical. Although we got colour swatches, booklets,notes etc its useful to have someone to remind me cos its a lot of info to take in.
I think we get it into our minds that we suit certain colours and shapes and really don't look at ourselves critically, it was quite an eye opener for me.

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Talluawiththehoola · 27/07/2013 14:17

Celticclan I could do with losing a stone but the consultants encourage you to shop for the figure you have, not the one you would like.So I am reluctant to buy ' it will do clothes' and I find if I follow their guidance my clothes are more flattering, well I think they are!

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SunnyUpNorth · 27/07/2013 15:33

Thanks Tallua.

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nooka · 27/07/2013 18:02

I'm terrible for buying 'it will do' clothes. One of the things my consultant told me was only to buy clothes I love and instinctively feel great in, but it's hard when you are in a hurry (and I have a habit of only going shopping when all my previous favourite clothes have fallen apart).

Colour wise there are some colours I learned that although I love they really don't work for me, and I should keep them for home decor (so great for cushions but not for t-shirts!)

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BeginnerSAHM · 28/07/2013 12:15

Seasonofthewitch - just seen your photo! V pretty! I'm a bit fairer than you but not much...

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Iwantmybed · 28/07/2013 15:48

Sunny - please update after you've been. Id love to know how you got on.

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BeginnerSAHM · 28/07/2013 16:41

Celticclan - just read your post properly... Sorry you feel like that but I bet you could adapt your natural sense of style to your current shape. You shouldn't need to change "style personality" if your weight changes.... Although I haven't done the style day myself! I'm sure your body shape determines they types of styles you buy but sure you could still be mostly style personalities.

I think it's worth having your colours done and maybe a style day too - if you have somebody who looks good in your area, they might be able to suggest things that would suit you now AND would not leave you feeling like you are in fancy dress. (I know what you mean, by the way - I just feel ridiculous wearing some outfits, although they look fab on my friends with similar figures!)

Hope you feel better about things soon!

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Iwantmybed · 28/07/2013 20:43

Celtic - I'm a size 18. Ive been holding off buying good clothes for years in case of losing weight. Ive accepted it's not going to happen right now and have bought some lovely new clothes which I feel (and hopefully look) great in.

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SeasonofTheWitch · 30/07/2013 20:08

Thank you Beginner! Most kind of you - tis probably all in the blur though Grin Are you fairer skin or hair?

celtic there's a site which gives descriptions of each style type (it's not by HoC but it's pretty similar) but tbh, I didn't get mine anywhere near correct just by reading that list.

It's so worth having your style done. Your weight won't matter at all as it's all about making the most of your shape (and lifestyle/personality).

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BeginnerSAHM · 01/08/2013 19:48

Don't be so modest Season!! Wink

My hair is a bit fairer. I'd say naturally mousey brown - about 6/7 on the hairdresser colour scale apparently, if that means anything to you! I have a few very subtle highlights though. Skin colour probably similar to yours! And eyes darker blue - quite a lot more definite dark blue than a lot of my blue-eyed friends, who have paler sky blue eyes.

The style day is tempting but I don't really like the sound of any if the style types, to be honest...! However, I do like the Pinterest examples from Martha's Vineyard so it probably is worth a go! And I do struggle with feeling like a ageing primary school teacher with the 'bright and light' approach to colour coordination. I don't actually like wearing contrasting colours - prefer toning then (different blues or neutral colours with a bit of colour...). Think I might be a lost cause in terms if style as I don't seem a natural spring in terms of colour preferences! Besides, i totally admit, colours like bright coral and turquoise make me look far less tired and do make me look a bit younger - like I'm wearing make-up. WinkSmile

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SeasonofTheWitch · 03/08/2013 23:09

I really struggled with the springy cbeebies presenter bright thing til I read 12 Blueprints stuff about Bright Springs needing light/dark contrast. It all clicked then. Now, I nearly always wear a darkish neutral like navy as a base with some bright and some light.

I honestly, could not see me fitting into any of the style types beforehand, except possibly Romantic just because I'm curvy but it didn't really sound like me.

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SunnyUpNorth · 09/08/2013 19:31

So, I have my appointment with HOC tomorrow!!!

I am very excited, even though everyone I tell looks at me like I am mad. I shall report back on what I have been diagnosed as and how the appointment goes.

In the meantime I have to decide what on earth to wear to it. Having read that apparently no one ends up suiting black, white or denim I can't really go for the blank canvas look. But at the same time don't want to wear any colours in case I get it totally wrong! Don't worry, I am not actually fretting about this but was wondering what others have worn?

I have a nice navy dress that is quite plain that I might wear. Is navy a pretty safe colour?

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GreenSkittles · 09/08/2013 20:07

Neither HoC or CMB have an operative in my town, I would have to travel too far for comfort for either.

So I'm probably just going to have to try and self-diagnose!

If you're an Autumn going by all the likely evidence, but you look terrible in murky colours like dull green and beige, does that make you a Spring by default?

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BeginnerSAHM · 09/08/2013 20:09

Ha ha ha... They seem to delight in telling you what you are wearing is not right Wink but it's actually good to see the contrast against better colours. I agree, navy is pretty safe! Most people look at least 'ok' in it!!

There seem to be loads of Winters on the S&B boards so they must all look good in black. Maybe? Confused And I'm supposed to look ok in it - as a 'clear and warm' or 'blue(ish) spring', as I'm not as far down the warm scale as most springs. But I need lots of skin showing if I wear it so rarely do in the day.

And I'm pretty sure most people are 'allowed' to wear jeans - just not denim tops, necessarily! Don't worry at all. I'd just wear something you'd normally wear. And have fun! Hope you find it useful...

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BeginnerSAHM · 09/08/2013 20:17

Ummm, quite likely greenskittles. The red lipstick test is quite a good one to see if you are warm or cool. If orangey-red suits you (makes your skin look clearer, eyes brighter etc., you're warm) - if blue red suits you better, you're cool. Go to a good Bobbi Brown counter and ask to try one warm red lipstick and one definitely cool. (A 'true' red should look ok on most people but don't try that - you actually want to see which one makes you look ill so you can work out what season you might be Wink.)

So, if you are warm, and muted dusky colours don't look good, you may well be spring. Try coral. There was loads of it in the shops recently and think there is some still around. If a coral top does NOT suit you (think skin clarity, eye brightness, looking tired etc.), you are unlikely to be spring. I think most springs look good in coral. Likewise with turquoise. (Personally, don't like either massively but they both make me look younger, fresher etc - mind you, that could be because i resemble a cbeebies presenter.)

Rather a generalisation but it might help!

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SeasonofTheWitch · 09/08/2013 23:07

Do NOT forget to update us sunny Enjoy!

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Joycey29 · 10/08/2013 07:42

CMB did mine four weeks ago. Colour revolution!! I m a clear warm which has a great set of minty, teal and turquoise colours i d never have looked at. Loving the fact I know what to buy, so much more confident that I m getting it right.
Would recommend to anyone but friends all look at me as if I m mad! Grin

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MadAboutHotChoc · 10/08/2013 09:16

How exciting Sunny Smile

As a winter I can wear black, white and dark denim.

The navy dress sounds good but it won't make a difference to your analysis as your hair and body will be covered up anyway.

Have fun!

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BeginnerSAHM · 10/08/2013 09:26

Snap Joycey! Grin (Means you are a spring in HoC)

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BeginnerSAHM · 10/08/2013 20:13

So sunny??!

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SunnyUpNorth · 11/08/2013 09:10

Morning all,
Well I am a strong jewel winter!
I am relieved I can wear white, black, navy and grey. I do like bright colours but any pinks and greens I currently have seem to be more spring colours than the very jewel colours I am supposed to wear. So that will take some getting used to.

My friend and I thought we were very similar, but she ended up being a strong dark autumn.

I did enjoy the day and will definitely be more aware when I am shopping. But I did find their make up attitude a little old fashioned. She was very insistent we should all be wearing lipstick/gloss at all times. But I have never liked the look or feel of anything on my lips and it would not be practical at all with my lifestyle.

I personally don't think many people can pull off a heavy lipstick look without it being quite ageing. I also don't think it is a particularly fashionable look. So just because it is the right colour lippy for someone, I don't think that means that everyone should wear it. We all have different shaped lips, faces etc and may not want to overplay out lips. I actually wear very little makeup so would feel really wierd going to toddler groups with bright fuschia lipstick on. So that was my only gripe. I happily tried on the lipstick but as I knew I would not wear it again I didn't really feel happy with my diagnosis of which type of winter I am being carried out with the lipstick on.

Is it obvious the lipstick thing annoyed me?!!

But other than that it was good and definitely useful. Unfortunately we had guests staying this weekend and we were talking about it on Friday evening. My guest has had her colours done years ago and she said I was definitely a strong winter! So I kept hoping I would be something else so I wouldn't feel like I was wasting my money.

So off to buy some blue and purple now!

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KosherBacon · 11/08/2013 09:15

I've booked in for a House of Colours consultation at the end of the month. I emailed a few different consultants, and half of them haven't gotten back to me! I understand that its school holiday time and people might be away, but at least have an out of office on!

I suspect I might be a winter too, but am going in open minded.

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MadAboutHotChoc · 11/08/2013 13:49

Re the lipstick thing, I can understand your reservations - it took me a while to get used to the idea of wearing it during the day. However, the winter look involves contrasts (think of a wintry scene with snow, bare trees, pine trees and red berries) and I do look a lot more finished if I wear lipstick.

I think its worth trying the other lipstick colours - at HoC I remember trying on carmine and it was far too overpowering whereas the cherry looked better. There is also a purply one - can't remember what they called it, that is good for an every day look. Also stain type lipsticks may work better for you.

As for your friend - the thing with a full analysis, HoC tells you which of your colours are your best ones and which are not so great and also how much of each colour you can wear so your day has not been wasted.

Kosher - bet you are excited!

There is a HoC Winters thread on here so come and join us on there if you need further advice or have any tips to share Grin

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SunnyUpNorth · 11/08/2013 15:20

Thanks choc, I've been having a look at that winter thread, it's really useful.

I am glad I did the day and don't think it was a waste at all. It is just hard to get my head around my new colours and I keep thinking of favourite things I have in the wrong colours :(

Think I might try the revlon tinted lip butter thing mentioned on the winter thread as a non scary way of trying lip colour.

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