Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

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

Getting my “colours done” on the cheap?

97 replies

OnceAgainWithFeeling · 10/03/2022 20:08

I have the chance to get my colours done for a bargain price (£50 - on a voucher site). Will mean about 3 hours round trip for a 1ish hour appt. online reviews are good but no mention of getting fabric/color samples to take away afterwards. I can’t really afford to go to the fancier places that charge £150-200.

So, I guess I’m wondering how good it can be without the take home bits? Any thoughts?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Original poster
OnceAgainWithFeeling · 10/03/2022 20:09

Also, I have brightly coloured hair which I will have had re-done a few days before. It’s always darker for the first 8 washes or so. Will that make a big difference do you think?

I’ve wanted to get my colours done for so long.

OP posts:
SlipperyLizard · 10/03/2022 20:12

I’d be totally lost without my colour wallet (ie I wouldn’t remember which colours were best/how to spot them) but I don’t think I have a very good perception of cool/warm tones etc.

If you’re already good with colour perception/putting colours together then it might work without it.

Brogues · 10/03/2022 21:29

Is it with a reputable company? Does it say?

colourlady · 10/03/2022 21:50

I used to do colour analysis years ago. Once you get good at it you can tell just by looking at someone what their season is.
I always covered my client's hair with a white turban, so that a non-natural hair colour wouldn't distract from skin tone.
I also drape with a white gown - a blank canvas is important, also I make sure all make up is removed before analysis. I would then do a full make up in the right colours once the analysis was complete.
I provide a colour wallet and I would expect that to be included in the price, but if not, it is easy to order swatches online from a number of companies.
Lighting is very important and I used to use daylight bulbs if the light in the room isn't good, and prefer to do analysis in daylight rather than evening.

2020nymph · 10/03/2022 21:53

Style me happy will do a full analysis for £50 but she also does mini versions. Look her up on Facebook or insta.

colourlady · 10/03/2022 21:57

The best book on this is called "Colour me beautiful" and tbh, If you study it, you can do your own colours.

lilmishap · 10/03/2022 22:04

@colourlady how do you 'learn' this? Is it like a sommelier where some are just born with it?

sairiegamp · 10/03/2022 22:10

[quote lilmishap]@colourlady how do you 'learn' this? Is it like a sommelier where some are just born with it?[/quote]
Somms are trained. Massively trained. They are not born a mini Somm!

colourlady · 10/03/2022 22:13

I was trained by a company that combined colour analysis with skin care and make up. However, I had my own colours done some years prior to learning to do it myself, with a more expensive company. To be honest, the first company was better, I like to think I brought that experience to my clients later on. It really isn't difficult once you learn how to do it though.
Basically you either have a warm or cool skin tone, then within that you will be someone who suits bright or soft colours. Then you can pick the best colour families out of those groups.
It is all done by using coloured drapes to reflect light onto the skin. You start by using a strong pink (cool) and strong orange(warm). Then silver/gold.
Then you work through the bright/soft colours in each category.
It is really fun to do.

colourlady · 10/03/2022 22:14

I agree, there is NO comparison with a sommelier!

Geranium1984 · 10/03/2022 22:19

I recently had mine done, was £300 (was a gift) and I came away with a colour wallet with swatches of all my colours I can take shopping.... just can't find any clothes I like at the moment let alone having the colours suit 😅

Was a great experience, I wish I'd had it done in my late teens/early 20's. Would have saved a lot of buying clothes I never really wore!

Original poster
OnceAgainWithFeeling · 10/03/2022 22:23

@Brogues

Is it with a reputable company? Does it say?
She seems to be a personal stylist who offers these sessions as an option. Make up is extra.

Reviews on her Facebook page are all 5*.

It’s advertised as being central London, which is ideal as I’m there for meetings, but when I rang she said she is working from home about an hour outside London. :-/

OP posts:
colourlady · 10/03/2022 22:24

I also did face and body shape analysis which was very helpful when choosing jewellery , neck lines etc. For example, I look much better in a V neck than square or round, my sister really looks better in a round neck style. I would tie a scarf differently than she would. We are different seasons too.
I once analysed 3 sisters and they were all different seasons.

lilmishap · 10/03/2022 22:26

@sairiegamp. So how do you know if they're any good? £50 is a lot of money to pay someone to tell you "That colour makes you look crap" or "you should buy everything in this colour"

How do I know if they've got it right?
I love yellow, it makes me feel brilliant. But I always get asked questions like "is everything ok with you? how are you feeling...in yourself?" and "aww you coping alright?" whenever i wear it so I know it's wrong for me.

I know there is a real science to it, I'm not trying to be flippant. But as someone who is totally blind to style and colour..how would I know if they're any good?

colourlady · 10/03/2022 22:27

Everyone can wear every colour. It is the shade and brightness that matters.

OutlookStalking · 10/03/2022 22:27

I would so love this.no money oops.

HeyGirlHeyBoy · 10/03/2022 22:28

Colourlady that all sounds amazing! I would love to get mine done. I was wearing a top today that I think suits me and later put on a shamrock green hoodie, the 'lift' was incredible, it was so obvious! I looked less tired, brighter etc. I am in Ireland, no idea where or who to go to. Would like the swatches for sure OP, and personally I'd like a recommendation on best hair colour too so colourlady's approach sounds good. I would go for it!

lilmishap · 10/03/2022 22:28

@colourlady As someone who is totally blind to it I suspect you must have a gift!

Original poster
OnceAgainWithFeeling · 10/03/2022 22:29

@HeyGirlHeyBoy

Colourlady that all sounds amazing! I would love to get mine done. I was wearing a top today that I think suits me and later put on a shamrock green hoodie, the 'lift' was incredible, it was so obvious! I looked less tired, brighter etc. I am in Ireland, no idea where or who to go to. Would like the swatches for sure OP, and personally I'd like a recommendation on best hair colour too so colourlady's approach sounds good. I would go for it!
This doesn’t sound anywhere near as in depth as colourlady’s description. :-/
OP posts:
MinglingFlamingo · 10/03/2022 22:30

I would love this. I didn't realise getting your colours done was still a thing. I remember my mum and her friends getting them done in the 1990s

YourTruthorMine · 10/03/2022 22:30

I did mine for free. With a ancient Color Me Beautiful book from the library. Love my bright, clear spring colours

colourlady · 10/03/2022 22:34

Yes. The Colour me beautiful book is probably the oldest, but I think it is the best. I think I gave my copy away. I must have a look around. I used to do it when my dc were little, haven't done it since going back to work full time though.

HeyGirlHeyBoy · 10/03/2022 22:37

I get stuck on the veins thing.. Is that still relevant?! My skin has changed massively also over time. I was v tanned/sallow as a child and teen but with suncare and spf I am now the palest foundation shade. I think sometimes I think I'm still tan skinned! OP I'd still do it tbh!

OP posts:
WellWhoopDeDoop · 10/03/2022 22:40

There are two books called Color Me Beautiful on amazon.com. One by Carole Jackson and one by Joanne Richmond. Which is the right one? (I'm in the USA so it can't be from amazon.co.uk).