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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:
passata · 21/02/2014 16:49

You'll never look stylish and put-together you know Grin

santamarianovella · 21/02/2014 16:51

I'm not a big wearer of bright colour,so maybe I don't get, but what about multi coloured clothes, what if two colours ,one is a spring and the other is winter are used in a dress do you wear it? Confused

RonaldMcDonald · 21/02/2014 16:54

also tbf there seems to be bollocking loads of it on mumsnet now
previously it wasn't like this

Original poster
FrugalFashionista · 21/02/2014 16:58

I've been out working all afternoon writing something a lot more boring than this thread. Enjoying your posts now and giggling incontrollably Grin Grin Grin

Lots of good points here. Floisme I really like your musings. I believe image consultants can be genuinely helpful but 'explosion in a clowns factory' really sums up the person I saw and I believe in Plastic's theory that it's basically the color blind leading the color blind Wink I felt so embarrassed about taking advice from her that I never told about the experience to any RL people. So if color analysts want to continue to make a living they will need to make it feel a lot less naff. And I feel there is quite a lot of pressure to make second visit, ie, pay for the style day.

Wally loved your retail insights! I'm genuinely interested in the views of someone else who works with color professionally - artists, makeup artists, decorators, graphic designers, artists, architects...

MrsCB I wonder whether I've ended up with color choices that resemble yours, your coloring sound quite similar.

I think some of us feel really angry because we feel deceived. I've learned a lot after having my colors done but sadly very little of it stems from the 'analysis' per se - rather, I've had to unlearn quite a bit.

Rather loving the Mac Photobooth idea and the Bon Marche makeover Let's start franchising it and create a cult following...

Navy mascara, anyone?

OP posts:
charitygirl · 21/02/2014 17:16

Well, there you go, that does sound angry-making. My experience was fun, reflective, and completely non-pushy, so unsurprisingly I do recommend it enthusiastically.

I do also like to dream that it more people were more interested in colour (both in general and in terms of what suits them) we might get a greater range in the shops. Too much bloody black and grey (even if you adore wearing them).

Flangeofmingetown · 21/02/2014 17:18

Electric blue surely - to tone with the HOC lipsticks Wink

RalphRecklessCardew · 21/02/2014 17:23

It's not evil, but it is singularly pointless. If you want to know if a colour makes you look how you'd like to look then try it on. I also don't like how it implies that all women want to look blandly perky. Bah to that.

Flangeofmingetown · 21/02/2014 17:24

charity you have had a great experience because ultimately things have been categorised and simplified for you- which is great if that is what you wanted to achieve.

You could pick a palette that you like and go with that and achieve the same outcome.

WallyBantersJunkBox · 21/02/2014 17:24

Explosion in a clown factory......ooh Lordy, I've got a stitch!

No, not Per Una. Think older persons Surf Shop. Wink

passata · 21/02/2014 17:24

I don't understand why you would feel 'really angry' frugal Or 'deceived' - who deceived you? Why did you have your colours done in the first place if you were confident in your own choices.

WallyBantersJunkBox · 21/02/2014 17:29

What color palette suits "really angry" skin tone?

Grin
noddyholder · 21/02/2014 17:32

Who says that their idea of healthy and 'alive' Hmm is the best look though. What are they basing it on or comparing it to?

santamarianovella · 21/02/2014 17:35

charity I don't think there is anger,but I think we are getting really tiered of reading things like why don't you get your colours done..etc
I once saw a "personal stylist" with a customer at one of the high end department stores,I will admit and say I lingered a bit to see her suggestions,it was awful really really awful,the poor girl must have spent over 5k on hideous looking clothes,just because the stylist knows best.
Sometimes they really have zero talent and what they practise is just copy and paste without thinking or really looking, and making an individual and honest assessment.

charitygirl · 21/02/2014 17:36

Oh wow, were you there flange?

Forgive the sarcasm, but actually, that wasn't what I got out of it, though I'm sure it is for some.

Ohwhatfuckeryisthis · 21/02/2014 17:37

I like something, if I look ok in it I buy it. If I don't I don't. There. I'm "supposed" to wear pink, I fecking hate pink and it makes me look like a marshmallow.

charitygirl · 21/02/2014 17:38

Well, there obviously is some anger. If people are saying 'why don't you get your colours done' you could just say 'no thanks' as I would if they suggested I check out the wares at Lady V (also happens a lot - very much not me).

But they're only saying it because they've enjoyed it - whether or not it's total BS won't change that.

noddyholder · 21/02/2014 17:40

The colour wheel is just such a dated concept though and does ANYONE wear peacock blue with an orange scarf? There are some google images that are truly eye watering. And they all seem to have newsreader hair and cheap jewellery Why not go shopping and take a mate?

santamarianovella · 21/02/2014 17:41

ohwhat I hate pink too,but it actually look good in pink ,but I can't stand it.

TheGirlOnTheLanding · 21/02/2014 17:43

I'm in!

I feel the same way about HoC consultants as I do about the cosmetics 'consultants' in department stores. If they want to look like that, fine, but I don't get the evangelical attempts to make everyone look like them. I'll stick with my navy, black and grey thanks, and if I feel the need for colour I'll choose one I like not have it dictated by a category dreamed up as a way to sell more stuff.

MissBeehiving · 21/02/2014 17:48

Meh, wear what you like.

Can't see that s&b is being taken over by people banging on about hoc etc - there are a few threads but I don't read them because they don't really interest me.

Original poster
FrugalFashionista · 21/02/2014 17:51

Passata, I paid about 200€ for the colors consultation and €€€€ to redo my wardrobe and makeup after being told that I was wearing the 'wrong' colors. Here on MN, lots of people are binning lipsticks and clearing out their wardrobes after a color consultation. So yes, it was very stupid of me to take 'expert' advice seriously but just wanted to say openly that I no longer follow the 'expert' advice.

Also feel S&B has become a bit too HoC centric of late. I have nothing against the Spring, Winter, Summer etc threads (and promise not to spam them in the future - though curiously the 'Spring' thread was what shattered my belief system...) I just felt that there needs to be a place where people can voice their doubts too.

OP posts:
passata · 21/02/2014 18:02

frugal I'm intrigued. Are you saying your consultant put you into the 'wrong' category - and if so didn't you see that on the day? Or are you worried that future MN'ers who decide to go for a consult might end up binning their lipsticks Confused I really want to understand why you're so angry.

I've been HoC'ed and got a lot out of it. I may have been told that I 'could' wear lots of colours together but my own sense of style and taste prevents that. For that reason I won't do the style day but the colours part was really liberating. I won't wear certain colours that look good on me simply because I don't like them - even if they make my eyes pop!

I'm only sorry you feel the need to save us from ourselves. Not all of us are sheep! Most of us come to a forum called 'style and beauty' to learn and share.

Original poster
FrugalFashionista · 21/02/2014 18:09

Nah, I don't want to quarrel. I've already explained at length why I changed my mind about color analysis and I'm simply withdrawing my endorsement, it no longer works for me.

Everyone else, please go and have your colors done, they need your business

OP posts:
plasticbanana · 21/02/2014 18:15

Flange there is a problem with your idea. My Photo Booth makes me a sort of muddy pink all over, even in daylight. I'm afraid a photograph cannot be relied upon to give an accurate representation of colour. I guess that's why the colour analysis people have full spectrum lights in special rooms etc.

Or maybe I am just muddy pink.

Flangeofmingetown · 21/02/2014 18:20

passata how about this for a concept- there is no 'right' category.

It's a crock and it based on hokum.

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