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Which neutral? ETA unfiltered photos

Helena

Veteran

Hi there, hoping I can pester you guys for your opinion. This comes after meeting up with a friend yesterday who wore an amazing neutral outfit that made her absolutely glow. Which neutral do you prefer on me, if you had to choose? I know I am taking them out of context, so really just going for conventional flattery. These are all taken one after another in the same spot with the same, typical-day makeup. Can the black and ink really wash me out that much? Thx for your opinions!
ETA - unfiltered photos. Pls be kind

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Dressing

32 replies

Latest reply was from gryffin

crazyone

Veteran

I like the two dark greys the best, #2 and #3. #2 really made your skin pop! That said, is the camera adjusting the contrast or color automatically to the presence of the dark shades? I think that might be what is going on here...

Helena

Veteran

I will check crazyone, thx

Anonymous

I agree with crazyone. On first impression I think the greys look better, but if you just look at the thumbnails in a row without opening them it's obvious that the camera is adjusting or something, because your skin tone looks totally different in 4 compared to 3 and 5

Helena

Veteran

Thx I've updated the photos - There was a filter on. I still think the grays are the least wash-outy ...?

Anonymous

Oh yes, that's better.

Yup, I still feel like the greys are better on you.

Anonymous

We have the exact same colouring except I have grey-blue eyes.

Mid grey is fine, but these least good.

I think the camera is playing tricks on you and is adjusting the colour of your face to be lighter because of the darkness at the bottom.

I think the ink is better than the black.
I love the light heather grey.

ETA: Hmmm...the mid grey is growing on me.
I still think you look great in black and ink, but the ink is a bit better because it's cooler. You have very cool skin.

ETA 2: Even though you evened out the filtering, the camera is still doing something funky, IMO, or thr lighting changed.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

If you point the camera at a mid tone on your face and get the light reading set before taking the photo, it usually will set it correctly, but it does depend on the camera you are using.

Out of these the first two seem much better than the darker ones.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

#3 is my fave. #1 and #2 are next. #5 is my least fave.

Helena

Veteran

Ok ladies thx and sorry for the tech issues ... I'll have to speak with tech support aka dh when he gets home!!

Helena

Veteran

Ok ladies thx and sorry for the tech issues ... I'll have to speak with tech support aka dh when he gets home!! sounds like some gray experimentation is in order in any case

Joyce B

Veteran

I like 1, 2 and 3 best.

Greenjeans

Veteran

I like the grays best but think they're on the cool side for you. You look like an autumn to me. Check out this palette of autumn neutrals and see what you think. https://s-media-cache-ak0.pini.....92307a.png

Helena

Veteran

Laura, that is interesting ... I do agree that for me, there is a touch of warmth. The very light and dark tones of the palette you posted would work, but those mid-camels and goldy tones would not look good. I think seasonally I am a hybrid ... Either a winter but softer, or a summer but deeper, and with a drop of warmth. Not that I've thought it over much ...

unfrumped

Veteran

I like the lighter and mid-range tone best compared to very dark, for face colors.
But, you've chosen limited "neutrals". You might look at other neutrals such as cool taupes and cool browns and cool camels.
In addition, consider what I call "nearly neutrals" which include deep denim-y blues that are less harsh than navy, and also lighter navy than the deepest ink, olive (there are "cool" olives), burgundies.
And more shades of gray.

Greenjeans

Veteran

Oh, that is interesting. I am looking at your eyes and seeing warmth but photos can be deceiving. FWIW, your eyes look warmer to my eye next to the grays than they do next to the black and ink. I am also seeing pink in your cheeks and lips but that could be your makeup. I agree that I can see you in the taupes and cocoas but not so easily the golden tans.

Have you thought about having your colors done? My stepmom had hers done and the change in how she looks is stunning. Not that she didn't look great before, lovely, attractive person that she is. But the difference, when she's wearing her colors . . . Wow, everything about her just sings. I'm wondering if that is what you experienced with your friend? She just happened, yesterday, to hit on her best neutral.

Helena

Veteran

Yes, that's it Laura - I've had my colors done before though, and it didn't quite sit right, so I had someone else do them and they came up with something totally different. So I suspect I don't quite fit neatly in a box on this one, which is sad because I love nothing more than rules I can follow!! *sigh* I do agree that my eyes are a warm/cool mix, as is my hair. My skin is cool though, but if I go too cool on makeup, it doesn't look right so I'm probably neutral with a strong lean to the cool side. Seasonally, I think this must make me some version of either a soft summer or a deep winter.

unfrumped, you make a great point about the neutrals I've chosen ... that's about all I've got in my closet but i will have to experiment while out shopping. I do love burgundy; in fact, I was just noticing it seems to be the only color that actually earns it's keep in my closet, in terms of frequency of wear (as well as navy, actually).

Thanks all! Color is endlessly fascinating/frustrating ...

Marilyn

Veteran

I like the grays on you best, I think. It's tough when just going by pics.

I'm a Soft Summer and I find your colouring to be similar to mine. Grays, especially charcoal, and navy are great on me. I also wear a lot of black. They say S. Summers come the closest to successfully wearing black although it's not in our palette. Mid-tone, muted colours are best. I look terrible in anything bright and saturated.

Edit.....Just noticed that you love burgundy. I gravitate to neutrals but deep blue based reds to burgundy earn a spot in my wardrobe as well. Love them.

Anonymous

I wish I could glow in a neutral.
There's this woman at work, a blonde, and she glows in black. Wouldn't it be an easy life to glow in black?

Unfortunately for me, I glow in periwinkle, a very hard-to-get colour, and one that I don't even like that much. I also glow in mid-range cool pink, another color that I don't like.

It's sort of conflicting to look good in colours that you don't like...

Anyway, I was looking into colour palettes again, and you could be a winter-summer (aka, cool winter). This category allows for brown eyes. It is very similar to cool summer but black is in the palette!

Helena

Veteran

That's a great insight Smittie ... I always assumed I must have a glowy neutral that I hadn't figured out yet ... perhaps I am not a glowy neutral person either! I find bright-mid blue to be a glowly color for me. Unfortunately it's a pain to wear with my staple jeans I'll check out the cool winter palette, thanks

Helena

Veteran

And yes, I envy anyone who looks glowy in black ... that is the holy grail of easy style right there!!

Joy

Veteran

I like 1 best. The light grey. You look like you have a healthy glow. I like the last photo least.

Gaylene

Veteran

Hmm, to me it really depends on the lighting and your own preferences. Do you like the contrast of pale skin against a dark top? Some see that look as being washed out while others view it as dramatic. I think you can wear all those neutrals depending on the effect you want, your mood, and your physical state.

I remember hating my black sweater when I put it on in a grey morning after being ill, but adoring it just a month earlier when I wore it to a Christmas party where the lights were sparkling and I was rosy-cheeked after a day spent outdoors.

Helena

Veteran

Gaylene, good point - it's like the scene is Coco Before Chanel, when the dressmaker wants her to wear blush pink because he says it flatters the skin, and Coco says, but only black brings out the eyes. She was effectively subverting the whole concept of what is flattering, and even what warrants being flattered (and of course have talked flattery so much on the forum lately).

Ah, how I wish it was cut and dry, but I appreciate the reminder that, alas, it isn't!!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I like the mid gray the best, although I bet the darker shades look better IRL, it's just hard to see them in the photos.

I personally don't think you're an autumn, no way - your skin is too pinkish for that, even if your eyes are brown (? hazel?).

catgirl

Veteran

I am terrible at this! I just see your lovely skin tone. It does look like the camera is changing the lighting in the series. I happen to love the dramatic contrast of dark colors with pale skin, probably because it's not something I can do myself!

Helena

Veteran

AG, you are so nice I agree the camera is still not being entirely fair. It's funny you say that because I love the monochromatic looks that women with more gentle contrast can wear ... so sophisticated. The grass is always greener!

Laura, you're right, my eyes are either hazel, green-hazel, or green-gray, depending on the day, the light, which way the wind is blowing, the alignment of Jupiter against the stars ... it's no wonder I get so confused at times!!

rachylou

Veteran

Boy. Tough. But #4 and 5 do take your colour. You don't look drained, tho. Just a bit glow in the dark... Yeah, you like the way I phrase things, don't you? Lol.

Helena

Veteran

LOL Rachy ... yes, glow in the dark is the one; you should see the color of my legs after a long winter lol. My dad's fave descriptor was pasty ... ok off to the shops to buy some bronzer now ... hahaha

Sal

Veteran

In these pics I like the first one the best, but you look super in high contrast looks with black and white. I see you as a cool toned person- burgundy, black, white, grey, blue, cool green, fuschia- all would look super.

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