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Original poster

HOC colour analysis. Worth the money?

67 replies

WiseKneeHair · 16/10/2014 10:34

I've often seen threads on here about HOC and which season people are.
I've looked into it and to have a colour analysis is £110 for 3.5 hours.
Now, I don't mind paying that if it will help me.
I just wondered what those who have done it think?
Fwiw, I'm mid 40's and sometimes think I dress reasonably well but at other times think WTAF was I thinking wearing that!
So, worth the money or not?

OP posts:
Stokey · 16/10/2014 10:40

I had it done this summer.

I find it really useful when shopping as I just disregard swathes of clothes that aren't in my colours. And it's made me wear a few clothes I had in the "right" colours a bit more, and I do normally get complimented. It's also helped me match clothes a bit better - for example I probably wouldn't have worn dark green and navy together before but they actaully work really well - all your 36 colours are meant to work together.

On the neagtive side, there are a few things I have in the "wrong" colour that I still want to wear, like a pair of brown boots, but I know now don't quite work. Also my session was more like 2.5-3hrs and was with DM too, so a bit more if you are looking at the hourly rate.

carrie74 · 16/10/2014 10:47

I agree with Stokey. I had mine done nearly a year ago, and as I buy new things, it's quite good to be able to pick the right colours straight away (and in hindsight, I was largely getting it right, with a few leftfielders which always felt slightly wrong). I like how co-ordinated my wardrobe has become - much more mix and match rather than a series of standalone outfits.

Milmingebag · 16/10/2014 10:58

I personally think they charge too much money for what is offered. £30 would be reasonable for wafting a few colours around and giving you a swatch book with little strips in.

Original poster
WiseKneeHair · 16/10/2014 10:58

Thanks for your replies.
I've sent an email off enquirering about classes, so I'll wait and see what the reply says.
Stupidly, I feel a bit nervous about this but also excited. Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
WiseKneeHair · 16/10/2014 11:00

milminge sorry, didn't see your reply.
I understand what you say about the cost. If I do do it, hopefully I won't feel ripped off. I guess I won't know unless I give it a go.

OP posts:
carrie74 · 16/10/2014 11:03

Milmingebag I don't know if I agree. Your consultant is self-employed, therefore has an hourly rate. She provides you with items that she has paid for (swatch booklet and the other book that tells you which of your colours are best, as well as other advice), has samples of make-up you can try and feeds you. Presumably there is also a franchise fee to be paid. She also needs to have a space to hold her consultations. So £30 works out at £10/hr, which I don't think would make it financially viable.

Milmingebag · 16/10/2014 11:04

It's not hard to work it out for yourself and then you could buy a lovely cashmere jumper with the money instead!

Milmingebag · 16/10/2014 11:09

Carrie - most of these consultations take place in a group setting of around four people. I think £10 an hour is reasonable. As for being fed-most people can manage to go that long without food and frankly a cup of tea and cake would suffice!

Once they have the equipment -the costs are low. The make-up is just a promotional thing to sell more products and is expensive too.

carrie74 · 16/10/2014 11:09

When I worked it out myself I came out as the complete opposite to my HOC determination (which in hindsight does look miles better!). Grin

It seems like a lot of money, but if you think about the clothes you may have bought in the wrong colours that never feel quite right, so you don't get as much wear out of them, having the right colours prevents you from making the wrong purchases. But it's horses for courses, I acknowledge I felt a bit indulgent when going on my colours analysis, but I'm really glad I did it now, and my wardrobe is becoming lovely and co-ordinated.

AmberNectarine · 16/10/2014 11:11

Oh bollocks it's not hard. I thought orange really suited me... Until I was draped. The different between a scarlet drape and an orange one was astounding. Also, even working on the basis that Joe Random had the necessary skill set to determine warm/cool and the variations therein (which I emphatically did not - I am yellow, you'd think I had a warm skin tone, I don't) most people don't happen to have 144 precision dyed drapes hanging around the house.

I think £110 to stop you making future mistake purchases is a bargain! I had my colours done, then the style day and I now understand fully why things I liked didn't necessarily like me back.

AmberNectarine · 16/10/2014 11:14

As for costs are low, well aside from the initial set up costs, franchise fees, training etc, most consultants require a studio in their home or rent the space - do bigger properties come for free nowadays?

I have also never heard of a 4 person class and I have two friends who are HoC consultants.

Milmingebag · 16/10/2014 11:14

I am sure you could have worked it out for yourself and still have a co-ordinated wardrobe that works for you.

I have read a lot about people who already knew what season they were or unhappy with their 'diagnosis' which actually when it comes down to it is just a personal opinion.

I think people are better trusting their own judgements as to what looks good. If they need to expand upon that their are plenty of resources available online and that where the seasonal palettes can be really helpful.

Most people can name five colours that look fantastic and five that look grim on them and work it out from there.

Milmingebag · 16/10/2014 11:18

There are even!

Amber -I am glad it was a positive experience for you. I still hold the view that this stuff isn't rocket science and most people can work it out for themselves.

It is almost cultish on here now.

SorrelForbes · 16/10/2014 11:24

I honestly did try to work it out myself, roping in friends and using various on-line guides. None of us could diagnose me. I've tried again using links on the other thread and I come out as (variously) Spring, Summer and Autumn. I am in fact a Jewel Winter. I have mid tone skin, mousey hair with some warmth and green eyes, yet the brightest colours look great on me.

Since my colour day (I was the only one there on my day) I've never had so many compliments about my skin, outfits and general appearance. It's also saved me a fortune in mistake buys.

If you're confident about do it yourself then great, but for me it was brilliant. I honestly couldn't have named five colours that looked bad on me. I used to buy things because they were in fashion and not because the colour suited me. To be frank I tended to look a bit of a mess!

Original poster
WiseKneeHair · 16/10/2014 11:25

I didn't mean to start a bunfight Grin
I guess part of the issue is that I am lazy. I want to wear clothes I look good in but don't want to spend the time researching what that is. I also feel thAt by my age if I was going to work it out for myself, I would have done it by now.

OP posts:
specialsubject · 16/10/2014 11:30

TBH most people will neither notice nor care what colours you are wearing. Loud neons and pinks will get noticed but that's it.

everybody has to make a living, go ahead and pay for the consultant if you want.

msdolittle · 16/10/2014 11:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

msdolittle · 16/10/2014 11:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Milmingebag · 16/10/2014 11:45

Special- that just creased me up Grin

BlairWaldorfLovesShopping · 16/10/2014 12:01

For £110 you get:

  • Leather swatch booklet to keep in your handbag
  • Booklets explaining your diagnosis and how to combine colours
  • Lunch and drinks
  • Say 1.5-2 hours of focused time with the consultant
  • To try their makeup (ok you might not buy it, but with the drapes it really helps you cement the diagnosis in your mind, which is helpful as you won't see it as well after)
  • Future 30% discount of all makeup purchases
  • Future help from the consultant (you can email them after with questions)
  • To save money and time while shopping (and feel smug as you whip out your swatches in the shop just me?)
  • The confidence that it's been done "properly" (you should really be able to see it in the natural light)
And
  • A day out (potentially with friends or family) which is just fun in itself. It's an experience.

So yeah I think it's totally worth it. Not for people who don't want it but if you are considering it, you won't regret it.

Disclaimer - all refers to HoC

Original poster
WiseKneeHair · 16/10/2014 12:03

special Grin
msdolittle yes, I guess it is as much about how I want it to make me feel as about how I look.
Mmm, a psychologist would probably have a field day

OP posts:
Original poster
WiseKneeHair · 16/10/2014 12:05

Thanks blair I will await the reply from my email.

OP posts:
AvonCallingBarksdale · 16/10/2014 12:06

I really liked it. My friend contributed to the cost as a present, and it came at a time when I'd lost quite a bit of weight, so it was a lovely "reward" to myself in some ways. I'd got stuck in a cycle of "fat" clothes - ie dark. I've had loads of compliments since I've started wearing "my" colours, and it's meant I've been more likely to actually wear stuff I buy.

KittyB52 · 16/10/2014 13:40

I think it is worth it, as I couldn't tell which colours suited me. I had been told I was a few different seasons, but this time I actually saw a difference with the coloured drapes. It's not cheap, but I see it as an investment. And it's made me think more carefully about what I buy. So it will save me money over time. Plus it was nice for me to spend some time and money on myself - I don't do spa treatments or get my nails done.

QueenCardigan · 16/10/2014 13:56

Why do people who haven't had their colours done get so judgemental about those of us that have. As others have said, it's an experience and no different to spending money to sit in a spa all day or jump out of a plane.

Some of us can't work out which colours look best on us which is why we're happy to pay someone to help us. Totally worth it imho.