HoC opinions?

[elspethmcgillicuddy]

Not a thread about a thread but inspired by another thread!

I'm thinking of getting my colours and style done but it's a lot of money. Someone on another thread said that virtually everyone who has it done us really glad they did. Is this true? Has anyone had it and thought it was a bit meh?

I've lost a fair amount of weight recently and need some new clothes. Don't have a big budget but wondering if I should ask for this for Xmas.

I would wholeheartedly recommend a colour and style day. I went 3 years ago, after reading about it on MN (natch!) and was quite surprised when I discovered that Spring colours really suit me. Saves you money - on buying colours and styles that just don't help you look the way you would wish to present yourself. And saves you time - you can bypass entire racks of "wrong for you" colours and styles. I can see why you might be hesitant - HOC does have a bit of a frumpy image , plus it is a lot of money - but, honestly, it really is brilliant.

Can anyone recommend someone in the SE area? I would love to get this as a gift but it's a lot of money so would prefer to go with a recommendation if poss.

I would like a recommendation for SE too please.

I'm thinking of taking my mum, for both of us to have our colours done as a Christmas gift.

Do you go to the consultation without make up on? What about if you dye your hair? I change my hair colour every 6 months or so... Does that affect what colours you are?

www.houseofcolour.co.uk/maudjanssen/index.php

I went three weeks ago for the first time! to Maud in Englefield Green, near Ascot/ Egham. She was brilliant and has really changed the way I look for clothes. I am a sultry winter and enjoying trying out the new, bold colours and scaring my children with the lipsticks!

Whereabouts in SE? I had mine done with Alex in Brighton, who is amazing.

whonicked you go with no make up on, and your consultant will cover your hair if it's coloured.changing colour won't affect your result, and your consultant should be able to suggest lots of colours that you can still go that will complement your season rather than fight against it - we won't tell you to only stick to one colour forever more.

I have heard of good things about Alex in Brighton too, a couple of friends went to see her. She really does know her stuff by all accounts and is so very approachable (well worth seeing if anyone is in West Sussex). Have heard of good things about the lady in Devon (I am guessing that is you Hopefully?)

Hopefully Whereabouts in the SW are you? The lady I saw this week is Plymouth and West Devon.

timidviper- hope you love the day as much as I did if you do go with Penny! Let us know how you get on.

Sorrel I'm in Exeter. Jan in Plymouth is fabulous, so kind and really knows her stuff.

Another client of Alex in Brighton and Hove too.It was such a good experience.

I had my colours done last year at a group Colour Me Beautiful session. It was quite good value as there were 6 of us and we only paid about £15 each. I came out as a warm and soft which I think is the same as a soft Autumn in the HOC scheme. It obviously wasn't as thorough as a HOC session but it gave me a pretty good idea of which colours suit me best (I think I am pretty easy to diagnose as I have brown hair with reddish tones, quite yellow skin and green/blue/grey eyes with yellow around the pupil and it's really obvious that strong colours overwhelm me). I quite fancy doing the style day with HOC but is there any way I can do that without paying £100 for the colours analysis?

I've just looked on their website and, although Penny Elger shows as my nearest consultant her classes are all run over the far end of her territory from me and there is a lady called Paula Davies who seems to run events much closer to us. Has anyone tried her?

There seem to be Colour Me Beautiful consultants even nearer but I find their webpage doesn't give much detail about them so I'm a bit apprehensive

Hopefully Yes, it was Jan, and yes she's lovely. I really enjoyed my session and agreed with everything really! I mentioned my interest in bras while I was there and we had a good chat about that too.

Timid Paula is very tall and very gorgeous and elegant! Super stylish. And very lovely and competent too.

Sorrel I was chatting to her about bra fitting recently (as you do) and was talking about all the mn threads on the subject.

Out of interest Travelin what would you say are the main differences between HoC and CMB?

I haven't had a consultation with CMB but my mil did and her swatch is quite confusing. She has so many colours on it and little guidance on how to wear colours together. I couldn't tell by looking at the swatches what season she actually would be. I am very happy with HOC (I am a summer). Actually going for style day next week so hope it's good!

A friend went to CMB - her swatch book is very confusing, loads more colours compared with HoC and none of these were rated (e,g how much of each colour to wear and which are your very best colours). She wasn't told how to use these colours and as a result she still struggles when she goes shopping.

Totally recommend HOC colours day, it's brilliant. I'd never have gone if a friend hadn't randomly asked me to go with her, but it's been a revelation (and yes, when said friend and I get together we often end up talking about it and sound like we're in a cult ). It's getting so much easier to put outfits together now that my wardrobe is mostly in my colours, and I feel a lot more pulled together.

I'm a sultry winter and knew roughly what suited me, except I would sometimes go for muted colours which did me no favours and made me look dull and drab - which made me FEEL dull and drab, although I didn't realise it was the colours doing it.

Don't know much about CMB but fwiw my aunt had her colours done with them years ago and I reckon they diagnosed her correctly as some kind of autumn - she looks great in her colours.

Thank you lovelies for the explanations very helpful .
I have looked up (out of interest) the HoC team and I gave to say they all look so lovely and really walk the talk! I love seeing people dressed in colours!

Have not gave!

For those in the SE, I heartily recommend travelin (posted upthread), the Chichester consultant. Straight-talking, confidence-boosting, and just supremely helpful.