Is there another way to know your colours?

[myotherusernameiswittyandgreat]

I can't afford a consultation yet but I want to stop wasting money on clothes that probably don't suit me.

I'm 5ft4, size 16 so quite big. I'm pale skinned with dark hair.
I have no idea what I should be wearing. Has anyone managed to teach themselves without paying HOC?

I'm curious: how do brown, black and 'oriental' people find their colours? Genuine question.

Thanks milminge- I was going through some of your links & that was my hunch too :-)

Strawberry split- here is one that for the most part seems to fit. Can you wear oranges well?

Usual- it doesn't matter what ethnicity you are you will still have a high/low/medium contrast to your colouring and be cool/warm/neutral in terms of skintone.

I know what colours suit me, as I can see in the mirror what a difference it makes.

Can you not try all the colours in your house close to your face, standing by a mirror?

For me colours that really favour/enhance me are army/olive green, camel, baby pink and cream. Whereas black, beige purple and navy wash me out.

I guess it is different for everyone though! But you can really "see" it in the mirror, IMO.

But I am intrigued now and happy to be educated.

I have olive skin (quite yellow compared to most), tan very quickly, and light golden brown hair with natural highlights (ahem...or random blond bits) and green-grey eyes.

Chandon - absolutely agree to swatch yourself.
By the way you sound like a soft autumn from what you describe ( but you probably know that anyway!)

Ususal I had my colours done with my south Asian Mum - my Dad is Irish and I've inherieted his freckles so have much fairer skin.

We were both assessed as winters but she was a jewel winter - much brighter colours - while I was a sultry winter, so suit the darker end of the spectrum, dark green, dark red and charcoal.

I think a lot of Asian and Afircan people are winters but you get some Autumns too, IIRC I think Beyonce and Rhianna are Autumns.

Nope orange looks awful on me! From looking at one of the other links I seem to be a mixture if that's at all possible. I was white blonde as a child if that makes a difference?!

strawberry - you sound like you need saturated cool colours but with an element of warmth. If bright/clear winter is too much then light summer might be a better fit.

FWIW before having my consultation, I did the online stuff. I don't have obviously high contrasts, my brown hair has a tendency to go reddish, I have freckles and beige coloured skin. I was pretty convinced I'd be some kind of warm toned colour. Turns out I'm a winter. I'd NEVER have guessed it - I thought I couldn't wear black (I can but charcoal is better near my face), it explained why pure white was so much better than cream. TBH it explained the subtleties of the differences in colours to me - it wasn't just about being able to wear blues - it was about wearing the right kind of blue etc.

I agree with hopefully, if you can't afford to have it done, look at the palettes for each season and then choose the palette that you think works for you (you'll probably have a leaning towards one or the other). If nothing else, your wardrobe will be co-ordinated.

Thanks Milmingebag, those are the 2 that I've been looking at.

For those who want to try draping at home, the combination that made me see most clearly the cool/warm difference was white and navy vs brown and cream.

So a navy or brown jacket/cardie and a white or cream top/shirt.

Good advice Stokey.

Strawberry - I am personally favouring light summer looking back at your description of your colouring/colours that do/don't suit. Pinterest has some great boards which are helpful to get more of a sense of palettes.

mil I think I look ok in brightblue, navy and grey and a brightish pink.

Look awful in dusky pink and not so good in camel.

Chocolou- have a look at true summer colours. Sounds like you have a medium contrasting but cool colouring.

here does that seem to be about right?

Please would you do me as well? Pale pale skin, always the first 2 lightest shades of foundation, usually pink based but when I have a tan I wear a yellow toned BB cream. Not sure what colour hair is, its dyed so I've attached a pic..... my veins look blue so I think I'm a cool but no idea beyond that....

Shit sorry that's an Instagrammed one, here's the untouched up one (way more mousy!)

Magrats- can you let me know your best and worst colours to your mind. The black seems too much for you IMO.

Magrat-There is a softness to your colouring and you seem very neutral hair and skin wise.I would say overall medium contrast. It's between soft autumn and soft summer to my mind.

You are a tricky one, though!

Magrat you're gorgeous . Not that I'm biased, but your colouring looks a bit similar to mine. Would you say your eyes are green but with golden flecks?

^For those who want to try draping at home, the combination that made me see most clearly the cool/warm difference was white and navy vs brown and cream.

So a navy or brown jacket/cardie and a white or cream top/shirt.^

That's really good advice. For me, it was holding up silver foil and plain gold wrapping paper next to my face - I've never worn yellow gold jewellery since!

Thanks mil, that's great. I tend to gravitate to jewel colours and pastels usually.

temporary thanks very much yep hazel eyes

Itscurtains Thanks for the link re what colour are you.
I'm a Spring but I don't know whether I'm warm, clear or light as all three examples of colour they give, suit me.