HOC winter thread. The cool and clear chat continues. Part 4.

[QueenCardigan]

Following on from part 3.

If you're a winter then come and join us for chat and links about clothes/bags/make up/hair....

[Stokey]

Standingonlego the sizing is pretty true at & Other Stories. I have a dress, skirt and shirt all from there in 36 and would say I'm an 8 (sometimes 10 round the bum).

[GingerLemonTea]

Bought this today....
grey Oasis top

Not checked against wallet yet. Saw a couple of other things in store. Going to go back with wallet & no kids!

[Littlemoocow]

Winters, please help. I was diagnosed as jewel winter about 8 months ago, love it. Have been wearing bright lipsticks, fuschia pink and also reds. I think they look great in the mirror but I have just seen some photos of me where I look like a clown! My skin is very pale and the lipstick looked crazy bright. I have totally bought into it and think I look washed out without a bright lipstick, but these photos have knocked all my confidence now

[SorrelForbes]

GingerLemonTea I really like that Oasis top (it has sleeves, yay!). How does it match up against the swatches?

Littlemoocow Another Jewel Winter here. I'm quite pale too and have found that a bright blusher is an absolute must to balance the lipstick. I wear this one from Chanel in shade 65 and this from No.7 in Rose Blossom. I've just received www.lancome.co.uk/_en/_gb/makeup/complexion/blush-and-enhancer/blush-subtil-031019.aspx as a free gift from Lancôme, shade 021.

I put some Benefit High Beam over the top of my blusher which (I think) lifts the whole look.

[Littlemoocow]

Thanks sorrel. My initial reaction is that this will make me even more clown like, but I trust your judgement and will try it!

[carrie74]

Hi littlemoo, another Jewel Winter here. I'm not particularly pale (in fact I'm fairly tanned at the moment, and always have freckles), but if you're high contrast (thinking dark hair and pale skin?), maybe look at pics of someone like Courtney Cox to see how she wears her bright lips. I think you can still wear bright but slightly toned down? I find the colours from HOC were just too pigmented for me, but I'm happy going bright in a gloss, or just dabbing e HOC lippy on IYSWIM? I prefer to look more bright but natural (which seems virtually impossible...).

Also, how many different colours in clothes do you wear? I find I have to keep it to one really, plus a neutral, 2 absolutely tops, and even then it would have to be say bright dress and bright accessory, neutral shoes, low key jewellery. I seem to recall being told no more than 3 colour combinations.

[Littlemoocow]

Thanks carrie. I don't wear many colours at once, tends to be jeans and a bright blue jumper, or grey trousers and a white top for example. I tend to wear a neutral and one bright colour.
Yes I am dark haired and pale skinned. I have been dabbing lipsticks off with a tissue to get a slightly more toned down colour, which looks fab in the mirror, it was just these damn photos which made my lips look fluorescent they were so bright!

[NigellasGuest]

I loved my HOC lipsticks in the winter and spring, but in summer they look really wrong on me. And also a bit frumpy. Is that possible?

[Littlemoocow]

Oh, I was so excited when I had my colours done and I really embraced it. I actually thought it was quite easy. Now I'm wondering if it's actually really hard to get it right even when you do know what colours look right. It's all very well knowing you suit a bright lipstick (clown issues aside) but when everyone around you wears neutrals and bare lips, am I getting known as the crazy lipstick lady?

[Littlemoocow]

Hmm, I've just googled Courtney cox carrie, and there are pages and pages of pics of her with nude natural lips. One with red lips which looks good. Is she def a winter then?

[QueenCardigan]

Hi little maybe it was just the light of the flash? The photos I've seen of myself seem t look ok (or maybe I'm deluded ).

nigella I haven't worn my hoc lipstick so much in the summer either. I've gone for more sheer looks. carrie I aim for the same with the bright but natural lip thing. I think that's the whole point though really is that if you pick the right shade it should look natural in that it belongs to your face iyswim.

carrie is that shopping village you went to worth it? I went years ago and wasn't that impressed but maybe it's changed?

[MrPop]

Welcome little - I wondered if it might be the flash too? Snaps don't always make people look how they do IRL. If you are having a wobble could you ask someone you trust what they think? Neutral lips are kind of 'the thing' but I think bright lips can look very chic. Will find some links:

Rachel WornOut

and again

looks quite natural

red lips

penelope cruz

lana del ray

Didi I also like the strawberry chubby stick, the freebie one. It is kind of natural lip colour but better. In that vein I also like revlon lip butter in berry smoothie.

Does anyone watch 'The Honourable Woman'? She was wearing a mint suit on it yesterday, looked good. She had it on with a beige silky blouse but I thought it would have looked really nice with a bright pink blouse under it instead.

a bad picture of the suit

maggie with bright lips

[AllThePeople]

Lurker here ..... I am definitely a HOC winter, because on a style day the HOC consultant told me so (off the record because it was a style day) --I'd thought I was a summer-

However I have no idea if I'm jewel, sprinter, or whatever. How would I work this out, if it's possible without going for another consultation?

All I can say is that I do look good in black, and certain creams, and that fushia isn't all that on me. ... despite all you winters raving about fushia all the time!

[QueenCardigan]

Hi all cream isn't part of the hoc winter palette. The jewel/sprinter etc is worked out by seeing which your best colours are from the palette

[Littlemoocow]

Ooh yes here's hoping it's the flash! Some nice pics there thanks, that's how I imagine I look in a bright lippy, not as pretty though!

[AllThePeople]

and how do you work out what your best colours from the palette are, QueenCardigan? Is it just the consultant's opinion?
Thanks for the reply by the way !

[pinkflaming0]

I know it's Long Tall Sally which is usually a desert when it comes to style but this is exactly the kind of leather jacket I have been looking for for years.

But, smallest size is a 10 and they're usually generous with their sizing. Will order as it's free delivery and returns at the moment but expect to be disappointed.

On the up side I saw a jersey blazer in H&M today silver grey and it comes in black too online. sleeves a bit short but lined so can turn up. I'm sure not as nice as the Whistles one recommended up thread but at only £24.99 may be worth a pop.

Picked up a royal blue V-neck t-shirt in there - love their t's as they are fitted. No excess fabric gathering up round my middle.

Lots of berry and plum lipsticks in M&S too but resisted - mainly as I couldn't decide which I liked best!

[QueenCardigan]

Hope the jacket is good pink
all yes, it's the consultants opinion. Once you've worked out which season you are all the colours get rated. The blues/greens are best for me and as I'm fairly neutral colouring I'm leaning towards spring hence sprinter winter.

I bought a navy vero moda blouse today but can't find it online to link.

[AllThePeople]

Which kind of Winter looks really fantastic in fushia?
And which kind of Winter looks really fantastic in black?

so sorry to be asking all these questions but if anyone can tell me I will be eternally grateful!! and will give lots of which hopefully will not jeopordise those gamine figures.......

[pinkflaming0]

Am I a bit mad to like this blackcurrant M&S dress?

Saw in store today and was immediately attracted to the colour. The silhouette is 'me' but the neckline, lace and texture are not my usual style - am I being blinded by the colour?

And it's out of stock in my size online which is also of course guaranteed to make it more attractive!

[QueenCardigan]

I like it pink. Very granny chic. If that style is good for you then give it a go if you can get hold of it in your size.

[carrie74]

Just a quick response as about to go out..

QueenC, totally hit and miss at Street. I tend to go to when kids need new shoes, or in the summer there's an outdoor swimming pool so we may go for a mooch after that. It's getting bigger all the time, and as long as you're not expecting much (I wasn't even planning on looking for myself last week at all, and the children "allowed" me 2 shops then they told me they were buggering off to the playground, so I did the last two shops alone), you may pick up some gems.

[pinkflaming0]

Back in town this afternoon and M&S had the dress in my size - sleeves too short and a bit too short in the body. Glad I tried it on though otherwise it would've haunted me!

Bought the H&M jersey blazer in silver grey and a black blazer that's not online - it has turned up sleeves (so sleeve length not a problem) and is long enough in the body so had to be purchased once seen as I really struggle with jackets.

Also got this light grey double breasted jacket fabric seems surprisingly good quality - may not wear well but for that price if it does a season that's fine.

Picked up a pine green t-shirt - my first item in that colour and it's a ** for me.

And this pink blouse - tried on a different style in the same colour yesterday but not right on me - this was new in stock today.

Sometimes I go in H&M and find nothing - other days loads.

Finally Amethyst M&S lipstick - a deep purpley pink, smells lovely and feels comfy.

[LadyWithLapdog]

Hello. Recent purchases:
<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgrefurl=www.lyst.com/clothing/mango-distressed-tshirt-dark-grey/&tbnid=nFHja7O_CbnEPM:&docid=ITuJyORQB9dKdM&h=600&w=360" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">grey Tshort from Mango

and

MAC eyeshadow waft of grey

[QueenCardigan]

I bought another cardi