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Original poster

Is colour analysis worth it?

59 replies

Potaytoes5 · 25/01/2023 10:57

As in the title. I know there were previous threads about it. I pretty much decided I want to treat myself to be 'draped' for my birthday, but I can't decide whether to go with House of Colour or Colour Me Beautiful consultant.
The CMB is £180 and is nearer me, whereas I'd have to travel for HOC and it's slightly dearer at £220. CMB is the new tonal one.
Does anyone have experience with both and can recommend or not recommend? I've brown hair and eyes and wonder if CMB will just put me into one of the categories solely based on that instead of draping me well.

OP posts:
LesLavandes · 25/01/2023 21:58

I had my colours done many years ago. She told me i was a 'Spring' and although my hair colour is more blonde now, I think I still am

beguilingeyes · 26/01/2023 10:53

I got mine done with House of Colour and the two main things were no black and gold jewellery rather than silver.
I always knew that black didn't suit me, I'm a pale blonde and it makes me look washed out, but I never wear it now.

buckeejit · 26/01/2023 21:51

Just to add agreement that you need the body/style class too. Colours are great but I'd rather wear a slightly wrong colour that a wrong shape/style. I don't stick to it religiously - I found a beautiful new pure cashmere loose polo neck for £5 in a marine navy & love it.

I'd do it again with another hoc consultant if any of my friends would. Great day too, my consultant was really great & I think they're quite highly trained in their people skills too.

Saunaandsteam · 26/01/2023 22:10

buckeejit · 26/01/2023 21:51

Just to add agreement that you need the body/style class too. Colours are great but I'd rather wear a slightly wrong colour that a wrong shape/style. I don't stick to it religiously - I found a beautiful new pure cashmere loose polo neck for £5 in a marine navy & love it.

I'd do it again with another hoc consultant if any of my friends would. Great day too, my consultant was really great & I think they're quite highly trained in their people skills too.

@buckeejit I'm assuming from your username that you are in NI? Would there be a consultant that you would recommend?

Original poster
Potaytoes5 · 27/01/2023 12:27

Thank you all, I decided to go to my nearest consultant. She's a Colour me Beautiful, not House of Colour but I hope that will work for me. At the very least I will know whether I am cool or warm toned. She seems really lovely via email. Now just need to wait for my birthday to come around!

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buckeejit · 28/01/2023 00:50

@Saunaandsteam I am surely hi. The consultant I went to isn't with HoC anymore but looks to be doing colour analysis as well as shoes. Give her a call & she may be able to recommend someone even if she doesn't suit. Let us know how you get on if you go anywhere. Would like a recommendation to do it again with friends. I had a 1-1 but they say it's easier to see wow colours in other people

Is colour analysis worth it?
Is colour analysis worth it?
Is colour analysis worth it?
buckeejit · 28/01/2023 00:56

@Potaytoes5 good luck. Hope it goes well & please report back - I've not heard any CMB reviews & would be interested to know what you think 😃

Saunaandsteam · 28/01/2023 08:54

@buckeejit Thank you so much, Enniskillen is quite a distance for me so don't know if I could persuade friends to travel that far, however I'll definitely keep it in mind if I'm down that way for a break in the future.

buckeejit · 28/01/2023 20:03

@Saunaandsteam I reckon she'd meet in Belfast if that suited, or another stylist would. Enniskillen is a bit far from most people! 😂

There's also this lady who I follow on fb but am not sure about - a couple of people I don't know well have had sessions with her & been pleased but think they would be likely to have a healthier disposable income for clothes than I do!

Is colour analysis worth it?
Saunaandsteam · 28/01/2023 20:55

@buckeejit thank you! I'll definitely give it some thought. I did get my colours done many (20?) years ago but don't remember much about it. Don't even remember what season I was and have lost (or thrown out?) the colour card. All I remember that she told me was to wear silver rather than gold jewellery and white rather than cream tops - advice I've pretty much followed ever since.

KILM · 28/01/2023 22:04

Just out of interest for those who have their colours done - do you sometimes find it hard to find clothes that fit your personal style/preference in your colours? For example, if you really shine in pastel colours but struggle to find edgier or alternative clothes in those tones? Or find that everything in those colours is never in the right style for your body shape?

CatsEatDogs · 29/01/2023 06:42

KILM · 28/01/2023 22:04

Just out of interest for those who have their colours done - do you sometimes find it hard to find clothes that fit your personal style/preference in your colours? For example, if you really shine in pastel colours but struggle to find edgier or alternative clothes in those tones? Or find that everything in those colours is never in the right style for your body shape?

When id first had mine done, I did go on a bit of a mission to fill all the colour gaps in my wardrobe, for example raspberry is one of my best colours so I’d try to find something that colour, and so on. What I ended up with, was loads of clothes in my best colours but I didn’t love a lot of them, or the shapes didn’t suit me. I’d caution anyone who is having their colours done to watch out and not fall into this trap. For me now, it’s style first, then colour. So I love a jumper for its shape etc, and then I think to myself, is the colour right on me?
it’s been years since I had mine done so knowing a colour is right, is much easier than it was.
so to answer your question, no I don’t find it hard to find clothes I like in the right colours, but I have def made the mistake of buying clothes I didn’t like that much because they were the right colour esp if there was a lack of that particular colour in the shops that season

buckeejit · 29/01/2023 09:27

@Saunaandsteam sounds like cool for you - either winter or summer depending on if you suit bright or muted/pastel colours I think.

@KILM totally agree with @CatsEatDogs. I'd go as far as to say it's very rare to find anything in my great colours and style. I've found a few shops seem to usually have something-I'm an autumn & Boden & H&M can be good for my colours. Also Sainsburys. I don't tend to buy much so not a big shopper. It does feel like a win when I find something great, but also there was a dress in Sainsburys recently with perfect colour & print but the cut is awful. I bought it to alter but it maya just sit there.

I've taken to cutting the necks off t shirts I like to lower the neckline too

Original poster
Potaytoes5 · 29/01/2023 13:21

I made up my mind about going to the colour consultant, but reading these comments does make me wonder whether I should go to a more general stylist instead! I found a local lady who does your colours (although just broadly, one of four seasons) but also suggests lines. I don't want to end up with wardrobe full of lovely coloured clothes in wrong shapes...
After months of reading and doing lots of DIY I am 99% sure I'm one of the cool toned winter types anyway...I've light pink skin, ash brown hair and black brown eyes, and I wear black and white and gem colours very well. Mustard is probably the worst. So I am not sure if that would be as helpful as I thought.

OP posts:
Whalewatcherbch · 29/01/2023 13:25

Potaytoes5 · 29/01/2023 13:21

I made up my mind about going to the colour consultant, but reading these comments does make me wonder whether I should go to a more general stylist instead! I found a local lady who does your colours (although just broadly, one of four seasons) but also suggests lines. I don't want to end up with wardrobe full of lovely coloured clothes in wrong shapes...
After months of reading and doing lots of DIY I am 99% sure I'm one of the cool toned winter types anyway...I've light pink skin, ash brown hair and black brown eyes, and I wear black and white and gem colours very well. Mustard is probably the worst. So I am not sure if that would be as helpful as I thought.

If you think you know, I wouldn't waste your money on an analysis.

There's plenty of free information out there about styles. In case it helps, HoC's is based on Kibbe and yin/yang. It's probably easier to work out your own style than it is to work out your best colours.

Whalewatcherbch · 29/01/2023 13:27

KILM · 28/01/2023 22:04

Just out of interest for those who have their colours done - do you sometimes find it hard to find clothes that fit your personal style/preference in your colours? For example, if you really shine in pastel colours but struggle to find edgier or alternative clothes in those tones? Or find that everything in those colours is never in the right style for your body shape?

It happens a lot but it's also a seasonal thing. For example, springs will be typically pretty happy at the moment as there's a lot more available in spring colours. Winters are probably beginning to sulk...

Original poster
Potaytoes5 · 29/01/2023 16:00

@Whalewatcherbch I was wondering if it would be worth getting it a bit more specific, with the whole 'wow' colours and such.... but the more I read about it, the clearer to me it is I've already got them.
Not sure which 'subtype' I am but does it really matter to me? Not sure. I don't think I'd be walking around the shops with a swatch card. Nothing against anyone who does, but I just don't think I'd do it!
Now my shape has changed after 2 babies, so everything looks bad shape- wise Sad...

OP posts:
Cleethorpes · 29/01/2023 20:13

I had it done, I forget which company I used. It was quite helpful for confirming that the colours I like are good ones for me, but the process was a bit odd. A very over enthusiastic lady, trying very hard to make me be as enthusiastic as her. The make up was a disaster though, she made me look like Aunt Sally from Worzel Gummidge. 🤣

crispinglovershighkick · 30/01/2023 00:40

If possible follow a consultant's SM before you book your session, it'll give you an idea of whether they're a good fit.

Peckhaminn · 30/01/2023 00:42

What's colour analysis?

Espanolespie · 30/01/2023 00:46

Following this!

Appalonia · 30/01/2023 01:23

I did it 20 years ago and it was so worth it! I was wearing black, navy, grey, pink red which made me look washed out. I need to wear warm, bright colours and I look so much healthier in them. I have a beautiful wardrobe of clothes that match and suit me. I don't waste time with clothes that don't work which has saved me a lot of time and money!

Original poster
Potaytoes5 · 22/03/2023 12:17

Hi all, I thought I'd update. So I decided to have it done in the end, as a birthday present. I ended up going to House of Colour last month, as it came very recommended on here...
Frankly I wish I hadn't bothered! I think she was overall right with my 'season' and warm vs cool, but I already had it right.
Half of those 'wow' colours she loved so much on me are not so great, she just smothered my face with lipstick to make it go with them. Honestly I think I know better without being a stylist.
I guess I had a confirmation of my season but it was a bit dear, I wish I had gone with someone local and independent or even not at all. Lesson learnt I suppose. I wish I had bought a nice coat instead :/

OP posts:
Chewbecca · 22/03/2023 13:11

What a shame, sorry to hear that.
I think it is a better experience for people who don't have confidence in what suits them (like me).
It's interesting you say about the wow colours the consultant loved on you. When I did it, the consultant was very careful to get my friend and I to say which we thought were good. I think she led us to her answers but I very much felt bought into my wow colours so I definitely wouldn't say they are 'not so great'.

Original poster
Potaytoes5 · 22/03/2023 13:19

I think I might have enjoyed it more if I had no clue and it was a revelation. Most of my 'wow' colours were great, but I already wore them all the time.
Some of them I really didn't see, she literally said 'I know you don't like it but it looks great on you'!! I still can't see it and I won't wear it.
So it wasn't all bad, but I really didn't think I needed it. I think too much of it IS just a personal opinion after all, not a hard science.

OP posts: