Color Me Beautiful by Carole Jackson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Color Me Beautiful
Book Review: Still Working
Summary: 5 Stars
I had a copy of this book when it first came out -- probably still have it, somewhere. I recently reordered it because I recently let my hair go back to its original color -- grey -- I'm much older now. And I find it is still relevant, still works! And now I know what works with my new updated hair and skin color.Book Review: Still relevant after all these years ...
Summary: 4 Stars
[***** = breathtaking, **** = excellent, *** = good, ** = flawed, * = bad]
Well, you may laugh and think of this book as too-1980s! (I think it's first date of publication was 1981.) But unlike big hair and shoulder-pads, this method of determining one's personal colors stands the test of time. (The actual styles recommended in the wardrobe section are outdated, but the color information and photographs make up for this.)
Basically there's four color-groupings named after the four seasons. To find out which group you fall into, have a good look at the color of your hair and eyes. Also, try putting a white sheet of paper under your wrist for a neutral background while you determine whether or not you have a blue- or a gold-undertone to your skin.
This works for all ethnic groups, which are dispersed fairly evenly across the four groupings. What works for your sister or mother might not work for you. Once you're familiar with the color diagnosing you can always use it to help the men in your life shop.
Winters and Summers have a blue-undertone to their skin and look good in silver-toned jewelry. Winters look good in deep, clear colors like black, navy-blue, true red, and pure white. Summers get a lot of blue-gray and rose tones. Autumns and Springs have a gold-undertone to their skin and look good in gold-toned jewelry. Autumns look good in earth tones, and Springs get a lot of off-white, ivory, and pastel.
I'm simplifying greatly; it's best to have a look at the photographs in the book which are amazingly convincing. Especially the ones that have the models dressed in the "right" and "wrong" colors so you can see the difference. Don't bother to buy the hideously expensive color-swatches offered separately from the book as an aid to on-the-spot shopping: the excellent photographs are good enough.
Book Review: Still the Very Best
Summary: 5 Stars
This is THE book to read if you are wanting to look your best. It is absolutely timeless. It is a guarantee for looking your best all the time regardless of what time it is or where you are. It makes the drudgery of shopping more tolerable, or if you enjoy it, a lot more fun. Sure, a lot of people out there are "screaming" it "screams the Eighties." NOT true. Sure, a lot of people out there are "screaming" about how they don't think they or anyone can fit into "one" palette. NOT true. It is probably true that most of us are on a genetic line, between spring/summer, autumn/winter, etc. but the author is suggesting you pick the BEST palette between the possible palettes. I'm between a summer and spring, and I can wear a lot of summer colors well; however, the spring palette is the BEST palette between the two for me. I know there's an update out there, Looking Your Best, and I've read it. It's a fine book, but nowhere near as exciting as the original by Carole Jackson. If you prefer to use that method, that's your choice and that is great, but no one should knock Carole Jackson's book. I find it is a lot more fun, simpler, and the wardrobe falls together better with much more variety this way. The system works best if you stick with one season and give it a chance to work for you. I simply see nothing in this book that cannot be as relevant today as it ever was. For those that have never tried it, read it and give it a chance. You'll love it!
Book Review: Still works after all these years
Summary: 4 Stars
I had my colors analyzed at summer camp, way back in the 1980's, using this book. Almost twenty years later, I still have the color swatches, and still rely on them for choosing what shades to wear.
The book gives the information. Unfortunately, printing methods don't show the dramatic differences that holding the fabric sheets under a person's face does, as we did back in summer camp.
I've seen (and agree with) the complaints here from women of color that this book doesn't meet their needs. I'd suggest "Women of Color" by Darlene Mathis as an alternate resource. It applies the seasonal system with darker skinned women in mind. Carol Jackson, who wrote this book, wrote an introduction to "Women of Color," where she admitted the shortcomings in her book, and endorsed the new book as taking the next, needed step.
Refreshing, to see an author recognize and endorse another author's correction for their own book's shortcomings.
Book Review: Terribly outdated, and confusing for many women.
Summary: 2 Stars
Any woman of any haircolor and ethnicity can be any one of the four seasons. Skin tone determines your season more than anything else.
If you want a book that will really be a big help in narrowing down your season, I highly recommend Bernice Kentner's Color Me A Season. It's much more descriptive, and you will have a much easier time figuring out which colors look best on you. One little secret:
Everyone absolutely loves the colors that look the best on them. If you go clothes shopping, and stick with the colors you absolutely adore, you will always look fantastic. Don't just buy colors you like-buy the ones you go ga-ga over, and you'll always get compliments.