Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

The Anti-Color Analysis Thread

432 replies

FrugalFashionista · 21/02/2014 09:18

This is a safe space for anyone who
(tick any that apply)

  • wants to burn her scarves
  • will scream if someone goes semantic on 'Oyster'
  • does not want to be made to wear lipstick
  • is not looking forward to the next Kettlewell catalogue
  • does not identify with any particular season
  • will never ever do a style day
  • has self-diagnosed Stockholm syndrome
  • is tired of the tireless marketing drum of color analysis on S&B

I realize I may be endorsing an unpopular view but this thread here is for anyone who does not want to discuss color.

C'mon, am I the only one?
Raise your hand...

PS I will send a crappy lipstick personally chosen for me by a color analyst to the first taker. It's a shimmery peachy tone that has no staying power and streaks your teeth. But don't worry, it will make you look a million times better.

OP posts:
noddyholder · 21/02/2014 15:50

pmsl @ tethers

Floisme · 21/02/2014 15:50

I don't think it is Flange. For me, they're all part of the same industry but colour analysis at least tries to help you feel better about yourself (and yes, make money because it's a business) whereas the rest of the industry sets out to make you feel crap.

Anyway I'll shut up now. I have no idea how I've ended up defending it when I've never even been a customer Grin

Flangeofmingetown · 21/02/2014 15:54

Quite. However it is a way of establishing what colours you are made of if that's your bag AND IT's FREE.

Doing a close up of just your eye is quite cool- that can give you a guide if you want to reflect them via clothing or a jaunty bastard scarf

santamarianovella · 21/02/2014 15:56

frugal I agree with you, I'm very skeptical about colour analysis too,and what I don't understand is the hair covering thing,why do that? Hair is important too,

Just look in the mirror,ask an honest friend of how a certain colour looks on you,and decide yourself,you don't need someone to tell you,we'll you look good in x or y,if you don't feel comfortable wearing it,then no style day can change your mind,

But I love scarves,i must say that. lipsticks not so much,tend to wear manly flesh coloured ones or none at all,

Flangeofmingetown · 21/02/2014 15:57

balls better doing that than HOC coming out with the same result and being a hundred pounds lighter to boot Wink

bigTillyMint · 21/02/2014 15:58

Bon Marche pastelsGrin

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 21/02/2014 15:59

Pmsl at, 'Manly flesh coloured.' Grin

santamarianovella · 21/02/2014 16:00

Oh sorry! Dam phone! *mainly!

RonaldMcDonald · 21/02/2014 16:02

I was given a consultation as a "prize" in work

I found it all very confusing tbh and none of the colours were in anyway right to me
The lady looked like an explosion in a clown factory and was soo ridiculously upbeat and patronising that I switched off pretty soon into the consultation.

I worked in a very, very conservative environment and arrived wearing a pale blue formal shirt and a navy Austin Reed suit. Everything I had on and seemingly every other piece of clothing I possessed wasn't right for my season.

I know others who have had a brilliant time there and swear by it and I have tried to re-diagnose myself from the internet and had, kind of, a better experience. Maybe it is revolutionary but I think it depends on your consultant.

Flangeofmingetown · 21/02/2014 16:04

Haha hoooo heeee Grin I missed the manly flesh coloured lipsticks.
I am rather partial I'll admit.

Well this is moving smoothly into Friday night territory.....

santamarianovella · 21/02/2014 16:09

You all won't let it slip now,won't you! Grin

But I seriously want to know why cover the hair thing? I think hair is important,in determining what colour works for you,

Flangeofmingetown · 21/02/2014 16:14

The hair thing stems from the idea that this colour analysis thing is all about skin undertone and how it reacts to colour and that is the only thing that matters. Other systems operate differently.

The OP pretty much tackled the scientific validity of this on HOC spring thread.

AmberNectarine · 21/02/2014 16:18

HOC only cover dyed hair, which is obviously not a true representation of your colouring. I don't colour mine so there was no need to cover it.

maillotjaune · 21/02/2014 16:18

They cover the hair? That's really odd - the first thing I notice about the 'wrong' colour on me is what it does to my hair.

I know black doesn't suit me anymore. I know greens and blues look better. Someone at work went on a HoC day, came back thinking she was an expert and suggested I wear a pink which I think looks awful on me and, more importantly, I just don't like it.

Life was much simpler in my teens and twenties before I started looking ill when I wore black!

MrsCampbellBlack · 21/02/2014 16:20

The hair thing is mad, also to not wearing make up.

I do feel its a little exploitive of women who've lost their way a bit. But hey, its their money.

MrsCampbellBlack · 21/02/2014 16:25

exploitative rather.

And its quite refreshing to read that some people have had it done and rejected it - I do think people become such advocates because they've literally bought into it and no one likes to think they've wasted money.

charitygirl · 21/02/2014 16:28

They only cover dyed hair.

So much anger...I just don't get it. And I really must point out that HoC is only 'pushed' by satisfied customers on MN. The two consultants who post here (and all over the boards) are scrupulous about declaring their vested interest.

MrsCampbellBlack · 21/02/2014 16:33

I'm not angry - just bemused.

And yes hopefully and travelincolour are both lovely.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 21/02/2014 16:35

Anger? Where?

All this talk about hair has reminded me that I must buy a hair dye.

RonaldMcDonald · 21/02/2014 16:39

oo I agree that the 'wrong' colour on me can affect my hair...bit green sometimes

Floisme · 21/02/2014 16:39

Getting women to feel bad about how they look and then selling them a 'cure' for something they weren't even worried about until they were told it was a problem - now that's exploitative. I agree with Charity, colour analysis just isn't in the same league.

However I really do have to go now. Have a nice evening Smile

santamarianovella · 21/02/2014 16:41

But hair and skin tone do work hand in hand,so you can not separate them,even if it was dyed. You sometimes change makeup when you dye hair,so I'm not sure its an accurate way to determine your "true colours"

And to be clear,I'm not against anyone who had a colour or style day or anything similar, but its has become a golden rule on S&B to have a colours done.

Flangeofmingetown · 21/02/2014 16:42

No HOC is not only pushed by satisfied customers. Anyone who asks any colour/hair colour/make-up questions is launched on and it is suggested they are draped as 'it is the only way' to know.

They declare their interest so potential clients are steered. At no point do they say there is no scientific basis for this,we all perceive colour differently and it is only based on personal opinion.

I think some people are getting fed up with it being referred to as fact and no other views on colour being valid as they aren't 'trained'.

tethersend · 21/02/2014 16:48

Sometimes, I wear colours and patterns that don't suit me.

BECAUSE I LIKE THEM.

That's right. You heard me.

daimbardiva · 21/02/2014 16:48

Hello! Yet again frugal fashionista starts a thread that speaks right to me! I'm in.