Reading all of this made my afternoon! I'm one of the redheads that was forced into the Autumn colors with horrible results. I ended up looking completely monotone and washed out. I always chose bright clear colors for myself against all the advice I got over the years, so it's a huge relief to find that I am a high-contrast redhead! I have dark brown eyes and somewhat ruddy skin with my red hair.
This was great reading!
Janet

Janet, I'm so glad you enjoyed it! The more I think about it, the more I believe that contrast/intensity is more important than relative warmth/coolness of a shade.

Now, since you are a high contrast redhead, get thee to the Rocks! page - look at those eye shadow colors! Detination Unknown is such a beautiful purpley blue - and Googoomuck is a tremendous green. Velvetgoldmine is pure papaya goodness, and I bet would be gorgeous on you, along with ringoffire. And Sundaygirl in the blushes is probably just waiting for you!

Anyway, whatver you choose, have fun!

-b.

I just placed my order for Rocks! and I can't wait to get all of my goodies!
This is so exciting .. Christmas in June for me

Janet

Excellent, Janet - Be sure to post back regarding what you choose and what your experiences are! And remember - even if something in the baggie or jar looks like it is just not going to work, play with it, or ask for other recommendations. I have found that even colors and textures I never thought I'd like, I end up really enjoying. Expansion - I think that's what Aromaleigh is about. Play.

-b.

hi, bridget! thanks for all this!- wish i could stick out my tongue at all those dept. store cosmetic ladies who say i must wear peach makeup! i should have looked for this forum before i posted, maybe! i am new to AL and trying to figure out my voile match. i posted yesterday on new to AL and my post was entitled something like "very fair people- please help!" i guess i am closer to your "english rose" but i actually like red lipstick on me, not pinks. i had Qs about what i had been called when i had my colors done- an "indian summer". any other auburn- haired women get called this, and if so, what color foundations do you suggest?

Bridget -- I am not a redhead but I still read this because I love reading all of your color analysis posts, it is always very interesting! I've never really had a reason to think about redhead color typing before, but what you say makes sense. I have a friend who is a definite English Rose (very pink and very pale skin, strawberry blonde hair that actually turns more reddish in the summer sun and fades to blonde in winter) and she looked great in pinks! Everyone was always telling her "no one looks good in a Barbie-doll pink" but then she would wear a pink shirt and they would concede that she did actually look good in it She also had a hard time finding foundation that was pink enough for her -- this was back in the 90's/early 2000's where it seemed like most companies only made yellow or yellow-beige foundations (esp drugstore brands). Now it seems like there a lot more options for pink foundations. (I don't keep in touch with her often enough now to discuss things like mu!)

And I think if I dyed my hair red, I would be a Peaches and Cream myself ... the colors you recommended (esp the clothing colors) are already the colors that I think look best on me

quote:

Originally posted by SusMat:
I am a natural blonde, medium to dark now at age 48, but was once asked by a makeup and clothes consultant if one of my parents was a redhead (two of my aunts were)... she said I had cool hair but warm skin. They considered me a 'spring'. And I do look great in the peachy-pinks, turquoises, lime greens, but I can also wear well straight blues, greens and pinks. And true red is one of my best colors according to everyone. Taupe washes me out, but chocolate looks good.

Actually it sounds like we might have similar coloring ... I use have light, cooler blonde hair when I was younger, but every year it is getting just a little bit darker and it seems to be a bit warmer than it used to. In the last few years, I've noticed that it sometimes looks red in photos! (But other times it looks blonde or light brown -- depends on the lighting and the camera I guess.) I also have a warm peachy skintone -- the peachy-yellow undertones of 1W are great for me. I have light blue eyes with a hint of grey, and navy along the rim which I think is kind of cool

It took me a long time to figure out I was warm though ... Since I have blue eyes and blonde hair, and since my cheeks and nose tend to have a permanent pink flush to them, everyone assumed I was cool and tried to sell me cool makeup, but those colors just never looked good on me. After a lot of experimentation during the past few years, I've discovered that most of the clothing colors I like best are from the traditional "Spring" palette. For clothes, I tend to prefer light to medium (but not pastel), fairly clear colors. Things like bright turquoise/aqua, apple green, bright peachy oranges or yellow-oranges, and poppy red (fairly clear red with a hint of orange) look great on me. Most muted and pastel colors wash me out, but salmon pink and pale yellow are two exceptions that look great on me. Really dark colors (e.g. burgundy) or more mid-tone clear colors (e.g. royal blue) are too strong for my light coloring. All neutrals near my face wash me out, but tuape is probably the worst -- a warm camel color would be a bit better. Likewise, for eye makeup, warm browns, bronzes, coppers, and peaches/peachy-pinks (e.g. Wish eyeshadow) are great. For lips and cheeks, warm pinks / rose and peachy-pinks are best (e.g. Nectar blush).

Bridget I would love to see your color analysis for other hair colors! Obviously I pay more attention to blondes since that's what I am .... While most color analyses tend to lump all natural blondes into Summer, there's definitely other kinds of blondes -- Skintones ranging from warm and clear, warm and muted, cool, etc. Haircolor ranging from platinum / white-blonde, bright yellowy blonde, muted ash blonde, darker reddish blonde, darker brownish blonde ("mousy"), or like my friend I mentioned above -- light yellow blonde with reddish highlights.

For another blonde reference for you, my mom also used to be blonde when she was younger, at my age she had dark blonde hair similar in depth to mine, and now her hair is definitely some shade of brown (though she dyes it so I'm not really sure if it's a warm or cool brown ). However, her skintone is naturally darker than mine (I'd guess an AL level 2 or 3), she tans very easily, and I think her skintone is warm and muted. She also has medium brown eyes which add to her more muted look. She looks much better in browns than I do -- she even looked good in browns when she was younger with blonde hair. She can wear colors that are darker and more muted than I can, but she still looks good in some clearer colors -- she has a few red shirts that look good on her too!

I'm not quite sure where I got my coloring from though, because there are no redheads in my family and I am also definitely the palest. My dad has blue eyes like me, and while he is naturally very pale, he still tans much easier than me. He had blonde hair when he was younger but it was already brown by the time he got married in his 20's. However, since he's a farmer and works outside all day, in the summer he will get very light blond streaks in his hair while it stays brown underneath! (My hair will also get light blonde streaks in the sun, but now I spend my summers in the office so it doesn't change color with the seasons anymore!)

As a totally random blonde coloring note, I have stumbled across several websites or articles lately that recommended olive green for blondes. But olive green looks sickly on me ... I guess it would work better on more muted blondes? I've always thought olive green looked much better on brunettes myself!

Anyways, I didn't mean to hijack the thread and turn it into a blonde thread, but you did mention you were working on threads for blondes and brunettes

EDITED TO ADD: D'oh! Just noticed that this is a super-old post! Did you ever do your threads on blondes and brunettes?

acms, I'm glad something here struck a chord with you! It's very interesting to really really really dissect one's coloring, isn't it? I think htat once you look at all sorts of different aspects of a person's coloring - the degree of contrast, the degree of clarity of tone, the relative warmth or coolnes of skin, hair and eyes - you find that you really can't be assured of finding good colors based on warm vs cool alone, which seems to be the primary factor for cosmetics companies.

And girl-geek, I would love to put together a similar typology for other hair colors! I've been thinking about this for (quite) a while now, and it hasn't quite gelled for me yet. But perhaps this fall and winter I'll be able to winnow it down a bit and get something posted.

Always always always I LOVE to hear feedback - even the sort of "nah, this just doesn't make sense for me one bit." Especially if that sort of feedback is accompanied by a "But here's what seems to work for me" part.

It's an interesting thing - my mom, a natural redhead herself, has become much cooler as she's gotten older. Her hair was always lighter and more "coppery" than mine, which is darker and more mahogany but still red. She was classified as a Clear Spring when she had her colors done, and I was sort of put off by the nearly primary colors that were culled to be her "best" colors. Anyway, as she's gotten older and stopped covering her greys, her hair is now more of a silvered blonde tone, and her skin looks quite pink. If she were to be redone, they'd probably call her a summer. And I love the way she looks in those deeper slightly muted tones. But def. not pastels, though.

Both my sisters are blonde, but it's been such a while since I've seen them that I've lost track of their coloring.

Anyway, I'm glad this thread has resurfaced and is still generating interest and discussion!

-b.

quote:

And girl-geek, I would love to put together a similar typology for other hair colors! I've been thinking about this for (quite) a while now, and it hasn't quite gelled for me yet. But perhaps this fall and winter I'll be able to winnow it down a bit and get something posted.

I would love to see this!! Pretty please! I got a little annoyed with Carmindy's book that she only covered coloring for women with "blonde" hair, "brunette" hair, "red" hair", "black" hair. When it goes SO MUCH deeper than that! I am brunette but what worked for the "brunette" model, wouldn't necessarily work for me. No one ever pays attention to us gals with light or medium brown hair, or even dark blondes. The blondes are always really blonde, the brunettes are really dark brown. I understand Carmindy probably had her limitations for her book obviously and don't blame her, and it is a really great book and lots of great info, but you can't divide women up into 4 categories (much like the seasons!).

Ok off my soap box...It would be wonderful to see you do something for blondes, brown haired, and black and gray hair.

Someday I am going to gather all this information and print me a "Bridget Book".

You're the best!!!

I am not a redhead, but my dad is (auburn). I have some of his redhead complexion, freckles and blue eyes. My hair is naturally light brown that lightens easily when I am in the sun or water. If left alone I will get golden highlights. Okay My hubby jetskis alot, we live in Florida, we are at the beach or in the pool. Of course sunscreen is in my daily routine. Anyway I think I am a light spring when I take the color test. Everyone thinks I a spring. I can wear a lot of warm colors and look good in them, but not on my eyes. I always thought I was warm. I used peach tones in my blush and lippies. I also look good in rose tones on my lips and cheeks,but not around my eyes. I have to get the perfect shade of brown to look good on my eyes, so it won't look like my allergies are bothering me. Now I think I am cool tone. My eyes are blue, I go with blonde hair because it lightens so much on its own as well as my brows. My nailbeds are pink. My veins on my wrist are well I have blue and green ones. I am just really confused. I think I know what looks good, but I might be missing out on a lot more!!!
My one sister has reddish hair and hazel eyes, my other sister was a toehead and now is darker and tans really well, and has hazel eyes. My mom has brown hair, hazel eyes. All of us seem to have different coloring, and yes we are all related!
I would like to use more pinks in my shadows, I don't think I could use orange or a red on my eyes but I can wear them well in my clothes. Should I just be happy with the blues and teals?
I know that I am confusing everyone else as well, but everyone seems to really know what works for them.

quote:

I would like to use more pinks in my shadows, I don't think I could use orange or a red on my eyes but I can wear them well in my clothes. Should I just be happy with the blues and teals?

As you buy samples and try the free samples, I think you gradually learn what looks well on you and what doesn't. I have seen warm complected women wear too much warm. They will wear say an apricot sweater with a warm cheek color and lips and eyes ect and it ends up looking a little strange. You must somehow find some balance and contrast, so I think that is why blues and teals work well on the eyes since it contrasts with your cheeks and lips. Keep in mind also that you could be neutral and wear some cools and warms quite well. Try colors that indicate "neutral" either neutral/cool and neutral/warm. Another thing to look at is clear vs muted, do you look better in brighter clearer colors or more subduded makeup. I can wear both warm and cool colors well but as long as they are clear. I have to be much more careful with colors that are muted. Here are some Bridget links to explain the whole color typing thing:
Which color do I try now?
Further explanation

I wanted to add that a good pink to start with if you want to try pinks would be Edie Lustre, it is neutral/cool so it would offset your eyes and cheeks a little better than a coral or warm pink. I think you should try Fox PH as well, it is such a beautifully balanced neutral in every way.

Thanks again Melissa!! You and everyone here are a wealth if info.

I do have Fox PH and love it. It was one of my first PH that I ordered, I think it was pushed aside while I was trying others, I'll have to bring it out again.
I will try Eddie Lustre, there were so many nice pinks I didn't know where to start.

Any ideas on eyebrows? I'm afraid the tints are going to be too dark. I scares me when my brows are so dark it really changes my look, and I'm not use to that look. Right now I'm using Smashbox Taupe for brows. It's okay but not quite right and it's also very expensive for what you get. It seems to be a dark gray on me, but the clerks in the store say it looks great! (of course).
What colors would you suggest that I try for a nice dark blonde, or a taupe that isn't gray?

Oh, I might be neutral (duh) why didn't I think of that?

Hey Lyndz,

I know you were asking Melissa, but I'll chime in here...

I am currently auburn haired, but i did have blonde hair, I'm a natural blonde and my hair lightens naturally the same way yours does.
And I'm a 3N.

Blondes and redheads are very difficult to have the right brow color. I currently use the brow products here at AL and i love them. I use the cherokee indelible pencil (lightly) and then I follow up with the auburn brow tint. The trick with the brow tint, is a very light hand, and really wipe off a lot of the excess from the brush onto the opening of the tube. then I let it dry (put on mascara during that time) and then brush them out with the spooly on the end of the pencil. So. with that being said, maybe you should consider trying the blondi or taupe pencil and then the blonde tint. You may be happy with just one. Then again the brow is back this season, so the nicely defined one may be a great look on you!

Thanks Kelli,
I wasn't asking just Melissa she was the one I was thanking for the other info. I want to put it out there for all you with brow experience, especially with simular coloring. I use level 3 and 4 mix. I have never used a brow pencil before, just powder, and usually forget that. The ideas of what to try are greatly appreciated.

Lyndz, brows are something so many of us struggle with. So much so that I'm going to start a dedicated brow thread! Watch for it appearing soon at a forum near you!

-b.

There are times my brows can take me longer than the entirety of my face and hair !
geesh.. and I am constantly asking my work friends if I got them too dark or heavy.. they always say no.. but I still wonder at times.. I hate to say those ladies with those caterpillar brows , especially if they "talk with their brows" Groucho Marx style..
Often blonde brow mascara or pencils are still to much on the brown side or dark for me. Auburn is to red, brown is way off. Mostly I have to mix mmu colors with my mmu. or use a waxy brow pencil I found at CVS by another makeup company and go over it with MMU..then brush it out a lot, then use a clear mascara with a bit of AL blonde eye brown mascara mixed in.

As I have gotten older , cooler colors look good on me too . Up to a point that is.. Still cannot do blue reds, which I love. But pinks, etc are now looking good !

This thread was fascinating to me! I was a towhead as a child, but there are now definite red undertones present in my hair naturally (they showed up as I grew). I have the same issue that Pamelaj mentioned with highlights - if they aren't lifted all the way to beige/champagne, they turn out a brassy orange. There are a number of redheads on both sides of the family, so my coloring is no shock. Though my son's coloring raised a few eyebrows - despite my paler coloring and blue eyes, people expected my husband's classic Italian olive skin, black hair, and dark eyes to win out. Nope! The little one has blue-hazel eyes and indeterminate hair that sometimes looks reddish-brown and sometimes blondish.

Anyway, I tend to instinctively reach for the red colors when dying my hair, usually either a bright golden-strawberry or an intense mid-auburn.

Reading over the categories, I immediately identified as Peaches and Cream (I wear straight 2N, after all) but...both the eye color and the suggested clothing/makeup colors didn't quite gel. Reading back over Bridget's original post, I'd say more of the colors I instinctively reach for in clothing are in the High-Contrast category: peacock blue, bright apple green, slightly burnt orange, deep garnet, etc.

But the makeup colors in Peachs and Cream sound more "me". Now I'm confused! Maybe I should stop going for the red dye and wait for you to come out with your Blonde Breakdown!

Glad this thread was revived - so much great information!!

Most of my relatives are redheads with blue eyes - although the men tend to be more blondish than red, the girls ranging from carrot top to deep auburn. Ian's got strawberry blond hair that's just starting to turn more light brown than blond.

Bridget, I wasn't sure whether I wanted to laugh or cry at your description

quote:

I was so gosh darned ugly and weird looking. Not really, but you know how it is when all the world is blond and blue eyed and tan and straight haired and taller and thinner and more gifted with womanly curves, and there you sit, redhaired and curly and freckled and spotted and acned and braces (with headgear) and nothing looks good on you.

I wore a back brace (for scoliosis) for 4 years, so I can relate to the ugly duckling theory, as well as being left out of everything due to being in practically a body cast. This was a major factor in setting me on my path of gothiness....but there's another story!

Now & then hubby & I will run into former classmates - The men are all bald with huge bellies, while the women look 10 or more years older than they really are, no makeup, bad hair, just terrible. Hubby always says "they peaked early". Isn't it great to run into people looking as fantastic as you look now? Ahhh, sweet revenge!

Patiently awaiting other color analyses from you....

FoxFyre -

I'm with you in the in-between color thing. I think I'm somewhere between a peaches & cream and a high contrast. I always get compliments when I wear teal/turquiose or plum/burgandy clothes. BUT, coppers, peaches, etc. look great on me make-up-wise. Ah, well, gives me more colors to choose from , right?

i'm a little confused, too- in an intrigued way, not a bad way. i think i qualify as an english rose without mu, but i like to make myself look like a high contrast. should i wear red lipstick and jewel tones?- maybe i look too harsh. but then i don't do the pastels, and the lighter lipsticks wash me out. and i hate pink and dusty rose- ye gads! one thing is for sure: i am sick of everyone telling me to wear green. what a cliche. anyway, this is a great thread! keep it up!