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Reinvent Yourself with Color Me Beautiful: Four Seasons of Color, Makeup, and Style
It wasn't luck that propelled the first Color Me Beautiful guidebook to become a major bestseller, creating a sensation that continues to change lives today. It introduced a whole new way of looking at clothes and makeup. Like the first book more than a decade ago, this updated guide will change your outlook on life. The concepts you'll find here will give you the right tools to make the right choices at home and in the store. If you haven't organized your closet for a while or find yourself unsure about what to buy, this is the book for you. This handy guide provides a springboard to the concepts, colors, and regimens that can make you look your best. Inside, you'll find great new information and perspectives...and a few all-new colors too.
The Color Me Beautiful concepts have been refined and developed to give you more flexibility than ever before. The author has blended two all-new color concepts, warm and cool, with our tried-and-true Four Seasons color palettes: Winter, Summer, Autumn, and Spring, to help you better understand and choose the shades for you. Do you color your hair? Well, then we've got you covered. Do you need to update your makeup? This is the place to learn how to do it. Do you need some direction when shopping through all the amazing new colors―and determine whether they are really "new"? We give you ideas on how to wear colors in ways you never have before. You will find our color anlysis life-changing. Learn what generations of women have known about this revolutionary approach to make a change of a lifetime.
The Color Me Beautiful concepts have been refined and developed to give you more flexibility than ever before. The author has blended two all-new color concepts, warm and cool, with our tried-and-true Four Seasons color palettes: Winter, Summer, Autumn, and Spring, to help you better understand and choose the shades for you. Do you color your hair? Well, then we've got you covered. Do you need to update your makeup? This is the place to learn how to do it. Do you need some direction when shopping through all the amazing new colors―and determine whether they are really "new"? We give you ideas on how to wear colors in ways you never have before. You will find our color anlysis life-changing. Learn what generations of women have known about this revolutionary approach to make a change of a lifetime.
160 pages, Paperback
First published August 25, 2006
58 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 13, 2023
It was eye opening and informative, but in some aspects overly simplistic maybe? Or I could just be an idiot and overthink everything. Either way, everyone should figure out what season they are, it’s life changing.
December 15, 2024
As with all guidebooks, take with a grain of salt 🤷🏻♀️ Hell to the no am I gonna start wearing white gold jewelry, but now it makes more sense why 10k and 14k (yellow) gold look better with my complexion than 18k. I'm wearing more bright colors now, and sometimes they look better. I'm happy to have found a shade of pink that won't wash me of life entirely. Worth looking into, at least as a place to start, if you're interested in *cultivating* your personal style.
August 25, 2025
Handy paperback book that will help you choose the colors that are best suited for your natural features. Breaks down which color season palette you belong to and helps with jewelry choice also. Will reference this again if need be. Turns out I am an Autumn. 🍂
September 13, 2021
Outdated and Patronising!
I, like many older ladies have attended at least one colour analysis event and I've always been frustrated with the results. They take one look at my natural red hair, pale skin and green eyes and go AUTUMN! The traditional autumnal colours look either alright or totally meh! So having seen this 'updated' book I decided to dive right in.
This time I am a 'warm spring' which is slightly better fitting than autumn but still just does not work!
The best lipstick colours that look well on me are rosewood, red-browns and warm pinks. According to a warm spring I should be wearing peach, coral, mango and melon but let me tell you they look HORRENDOUS on me! Apart from making my teeth look yellow they completely wash my hair colour out so it looks orange not a vibrant coppery red!
Some of the colours suggested for clothes just does not work. I cannot wear any yellow bar ochre or mustard. Orange is a absolute no go unless it's more of a russet colour. Mint makes me look like a corpse!
I think the perception when it comes to red hair is to think of autumn but I personally believe that the colours are too similar to my hair to make it work. Image having brown hair, wearing a similar colour eyeshadow, mascara, lipstick and clothes. It would all meld together and look desaturated and dull.
There was no mention of the colours that do work for me such as teal, emerald, muted rose pink, rosewood again for clothes, khaki, camel, coppery browns (the only browns that do look good on me) rust, navy, black (yes black! even though that is meant to be a forbidden colour. I get loads of compliments when wearing black), burgundy, red, aubergine, plum, cobalt, indigo and on and on.
Regarding the actual writing, it was so patronising in parts and almost read like a good housewife's guide from the 1950s! "all women should wear lipstick and never leave the house without it on" "your hosiery should never be darker than your shoes" "all women should have at least one good leather handbag" (matched to your season of course!)
Then to top it off there was a guide on which gemstones and pearls to buy ("one must get the "right" colour of pearl according to their season") and then a scarf tying guide.
All in all I feel like I've fallen back into the 80s or 90s! A complete and utter waste of my time and money!
I, like many older ladies have attended at least one colour analysis event and I've always been frustrated with the results. They take one look at my natural red hair, pale skin and green eyes and go AUTUMN! The traditional autumnal colours look either alright or totally meh! So having seen this 'updated' book I decided to dive right in.
This time I am a 'warm spring' which is slightly better fitting than autumn but still just does not work!
The best lipstick colours that look well on me are rosewood, red-browns and warm pinks. According to a warm spring I should be wearing peach, coral, mango and melon but let me tell you they look HORRENDOUS on me! Apart from making my teeth look yellow they completely wash my hair colour out so it looks orange not a vibrant coppery red!
Some of the colours suggested for clothes just does not work. I cannot wear any yellow bar ochre or mustard. Orange is a absolute no go unless it's more of a russet colour. Mint makes me look like a corpse!
I think the perception when it comes to red hair is to think of autumn but I personally believe that the colours are too similar to my hair to make it work. Image having brown hair, wearing a similar colour eyeshadow, mascara, lipstick and clothes. It would all meld together and look desaturated and dull.
There was no mention of the colours that do work for me such as teal, emerald, muted rose pink, rosewood again for clothes, khaki, camel, coppery browns (the only browns that do look good on me) rust, navy, black (yes black! even though that is meant to be a forbidden colour. I get loads of compliments when wearing black), burgundy, red, aubergine, plum, cobalt, indigo and on and on.
Regarding the actual writing, it was so patronising in parts and almost read like a good housewife's guide from the 1950s! "all women should wear lipstick and never leave the house without it on" "your hosiery should never be darker than your shoes" "all women should have at least one good leather handbag" (matched to your season of course!)
Then to top it off there was a guide on which gemstones and pearls to buy ("one must get the "right" colour of pearl according to their season") and then a scarf tying guide.
All in all I feel like I've fallen back into the 80s or 90s! A complete and utter waste of my time and money!
August 15, 2018
Love it...finding my style identity
At almost 50 I have been struggling with social anxiety and finding my way to wearing the right colours has been amazing. I am just at the begining of my style journey but psychologically I have taken a great leap with this book.
At almost 50 I have been struggling with social anxiety and finding my way to wearing the right colours has been amazing. I am just at the begining of my style journey but psychologically I have taken a great leap with this book.
September 1, 2024
I’m a big fan of seasonal color analysis (namely the 16 sub-season system), participate in online forums on the subject, and have been professionally color analyzed myself by House of Colour (I’m a Leaf Autumn, if anyone was curious). So, I have more knowledge and awareness of the general concepts than the average person who might pick up this book at their library. I figured it would be interesting to read a book from Color Me Beautiful since they were so influential in the huge seasonal color analysis boom in the 80s.
Sadly, I was disappointed. By the 1-star you can tell I don’t consider this to be a book worth reading, as someone who obviously believes in the power of seasonal color analysis in personal styling. I’ll _try_ to keep the reasons why brief:
* Many absolute claims are confidently asserted despite being as untenable as they are audacious. Ex: knowing your color season (one of four in this system) will make you spend less money because you will like everything you purchase. What a ridiculous thing to say with your whole chest.
* Often dramatic, silly, ageist, overly prescriptive, arrogant tone
* Terrible formatting in E-book causing accessibility and functionality issues (color of text being too similar to the color of the page, text being small and awkwardly aligned, difficult to highlight text, photos are terrible quality and colors do not seem true to life)
* Dated (photos and styling tips especially) even for 2008
* Not enough photos nor sufficiently descriptive text to explain makeup techniques, styling strategies, colors, and more (what the hell is the difference between a cool hazel eye and a warm hazel eye and why don’t we have photos for that?)
* Presents the vein test as a valid way to determine your undertone (it is not accurate and very difficult to accurately assess)
* Incorrectly implies that you can accurately determine one’s main season (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter) based on their features alone and never mentions that the gold standard is draping (physical being best) aside from suggesting that you drape gold versus silver to determine warm vs cool, which I think is silly because metallics can be tricky and it’s a lot easier to drape orange vs magenta
* Uses a lot of food-related terms to describe the skin tones of POC women (Mocha, Latte, Cocoa, etc) which gave me a little bit of an ick, though might just be a me thing instead of an actual issue, especially given that they use the term almond to describe a type of pale skin
* Says you cannot be a blonde autumn (I am one) or a brunette summer (there are many) … this is another issue with going by features alone and not actual draping
* Suggests variations of navy (either true or “light”without any explanation as to what that means) as a universal neutral … this is not the case in the systems I use, though I do have an autumn navy (Marine navy, which is yellow-based)
* Bizarrely, an entire section on determining skin type and skincare tips even though 1) author shows no relevant credentials or experience 2) no sources and few reasons given for any prescriptive advice and 3) absolutely irrelevant to seasonal color analysis
Some parts were good but they were really the bare minimum so I won’t go into detail.
Sadly, I was disappointed. By the 1-star you can tell I don’t consider this to be a book worth reading, as someone who obviously believes in the power of seasonal color analysis in personal styling. I’ll _try_ to keep the reasons why brief:
* Many absolute claims are confidently asserted despite being as untenable as they are audacious. Ex: knowing your color season (one of four in this system) will make you spend less money because you will like everything you purchase. What a ridiculous thing to say with your whole chest.
* Often dramatic, silly, ageist, overly prescriptive, arrogant tone
* Terrible formatting in E-book causing accessibility and functionality issues (color of text being too similar to the color of the page, text being small and awkwardly aligned, difficult to highlight text, photos are terrible quality and colors do not seem true to life)
* Dated (photos and styling tips especially) even for 2008
* Not enough photos nor sufficiently descriptive text to explain makeup techniques, styling strategies, colors, and more (what the hell is the difference between a cool hazel eye and a warm hazel eye and why don’t we have photos for that?)
* Presents the vein test as a valid way to determine your undertone (it is not accurate and very difficult to accurately assess)
* Incorrectly implies that you can accurately determine one’s main season (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter) based on their features alone and never mentions that the gold standard is draping (physical being best) aside from suggesting that you drape gold versus silver to determine warm vs cool, which I think is silly because metallics can be tricky and it’s a lot easier to drape orange vs magenta
* Uses a lot of food-related terms to describe the skin tones of POC women (Mocha, Latte, Cocoa, etc) which gave me a little bit of an ick, though might just be a me thing instead of an actual issue, especially given that they use the term almond to describe a type of pale skin
* Says you cannot be a blonde autumn (I am one) or a brunette summer (there are many) … this is another issue with going by features alone and not actual draping
* Suggests variations of navy (either true or “light”without any explanation as to what that means) as a universal neutral … this is not the case in the systems I use, though I do have an autumn navy (Marine navy, which is yellow-based)
* Bizarrely, an entire section on determining skin type and skincare tips even though 1) author shows no relevant credentials or experience 2) no sources and few reasons given for any prescriptive advice and 3) absolutely irrelevant to seasonal color analysis
Some parts were good but they were really the bare minimum so I won’t go into detail.
March 30, 2023
A little simplistic/overly prescriptive, but I liked it as a good introduction to the topic. I skipped the chapters on makeup/skincare (we have so much better information now than in the early 2000s!) and accessories.
As I attempt to break out of my work-from-home uniform of leggings and sweatshirts in search of more professional attire, I jumped on the social media trend of color/season analysis as a starting point. (Considering how long I had to wait for this book from the library, seems like many other people in my region are, too!)
After years of thinking I was an autumn and seeking out muted earth tones, based solely on the fact that I have rosacea, I am a bit shocked that I'm very likely wrong. At least according to this book, I'm more likely cool and deep = winter: blue veins in wrist, cool/blue red undertones in skin, dark brown hair with minimal highlights, and brown/cool hazel eyes.
As a winter, the colors are dark, bright, and clear: emerald green, bright turquoise, royal blue, pine green, fuchsia, burgundy, and lemon yellow. Also, black, navy, and pure white are good choices. I'd been avoiding white all my life and focusing on ivory, and yet always frustrated at how washed out I looked in ivory. (Related: my eternal plea for clothing manufacturers to make white shirts that aren't sheer!)
I'm looking forward to reading more on this topic and learning more, but I'm very happy to have read the first few chapters of this book as a start.
As I attempt to break out of my work-from-home uniform of leggings and sweatshirts in search of more professional attire, I jumped on the social media trend of color/season analysis as a starting point. (Considering how long I had to wait for this book from the library, seems like many other people in my region are, too!)
After years of thinking I was an autumn and seeking out muted earth tones, based solely on the fact that I have rosacea, I am a bit shocked that I'm very likely wrong. At least according to this book, I'm more likely cool and deep = winter: blue veins in wrist, cool/blue red undertones in skin, dark brown hair with minimal highlights, and brown/cool hazel eyes.
As a winter, the colors are dark, bright, and clear: emerald green, bright turquoise, royal blue, pine green, fuchsia, burgundy, and lemon yellow. Also, black, navy, and pure white are good choices. I'd been avoiding white all my life and focusing on ivory, and yet always frustrated at how washed out I looked in ivory. (Related: my eternal plea for clothing manufacturers to make white shirts that aren't sheer!)
I'm looking forward to reading more on this topic and learning more, but I'm very happy to have read the first few chapters of this book as a start.
January 10, 2025
MY HANDS ARE CRIPPLED AND EXTREMELY PAINFUL SO I CAN ONLY TYPE IN ALL CAPITALS.
ALTHOUGH THIS BOOK IS PRESENTED AS A FASHION COLOUR BOOK FOR WOMEN, IT SHOULD BE OF INTEREST TO MEN, ARTISTS, AND COLOUR PSYCHOLOGISTS [IT COMES UNDER THE HEADING PSYCHOPHYSICS, WHICH DEALS WITH SENSATION AND PERCEPTION.]
THERE WAS ONE PRINTING OF THIS BOOK WHICH ACCIDENTALLY PRINTED THE SAME COLOUR CHART FOR TWO SEASONS. CHECK YOUR PURCHASE, OTHERWISE IT IS OF NO VALUE TO YOU.
THE WAY A PERSON'S "SEASONAL" COLOUR PALETTE IS DETERMINED HAS CHANGED. NEWER EDITIONS MAKE IT EASIER TO ASSESS.
THE FIRST EDITION WAS BASED ON GOETHE'S COLOUR THEORY, WHICH WAS LARGELY CENTRED ON BLUE AND YELLOW. SO, YOU HAD TO DETERMINE IF THE PERSON'S SKIN UNDERTONE WAS BLUE OR YELLOW. THIS IGNORED THE FACT THAT MOST ANGLO-CELTIC AND WHITE SKINNED WESTERN EUROPEANS HAD A RED/PINK UNDERTONE.
THE MORE RECENT EDITION HAS MOVED AWAY FROM DETERMINING THE BLUE/YELLOW SKIN UNDERTONE MODEL, MAKING IT EASIER TO USE.
I HAVE SEVERAL BOOKS ON FASHION COLOURS, FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN. THIS IS ONE OF THE EASIEST TO USE, AND PROVIDING ALL OF THE PAGES ARE PRINTED CORRECTLY, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.
ALTHOUGH THIS BOOK IS PRESENTED AS A FASHION COLOUR BOOK FOR WOMEN, IT SHOULD BE OF INTEREST TO MEN, ARTISTS, AND COLOUR PSYCHOLOGISTS [IT COMES UNDER THE HEADING PSYCHOPHYSICS, WHICH DEALS WITH SENSATION AND PERCEPTION.]
THERE WAS ONE PRINTING OF THIS BOOK WHICH ACCIDENTALLY PRINTED THE SAME COLOUR CHART FOR TWO SEASONS. CHECK YOUR PURCHASE, OTHERWISE IT IS OF NO VALUE TO YOU.
THE WAY A PERSON'S "SEASONAL" COLOUR PALETTE IS DETERMINED HAS CHANGED. NEWER EDITIONS MAKE IT EASIER TO ASSESS.
THE FIRST EDITION WAS BASED ON GOETHE'S COLOUR THEORY, WHICH WAS LARGELY CENTRED ON BLUE AND YELLOW. SO, YOU HAD TO DETERMINE IF THE PERSON'S SKIN UNDERTONE WAS BLUE OR YELLOW. THIS IGNORED THE FACT THAT MOST ANGLO-CELTIC AND WHITE SKINNED WESTERN EUROPEANS HAD A RED/PINK UNDERTONE.
THE MORE RECENT EDITION HAS MOVED AWAY FROM DETERMINING THE BLUE/YELLOW SKIN UNDERTONE MODEL, MAKING IT EASIER TO USE.
I HAVE SEVERAL BOOKS ON FASHION COLOURS, FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN. THIS IS ONE OF THE EASIEST TO USE, AND PROVIDING ALL OF THE PAGES ARE PRINTED CORRECTLY, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.
February 16, 2021
I figured out my colors on the blog The Concept Wardrobe, which helped me really pin point it. Then I read this book to go a little bit deeper.
POSITIVES: It did exactly what it was supposed to do, I know what colors specifically to shop for, what types of jewelry looks best, and even what shades of eyeliner, eyebrow makeup, + lipsticks I can pull off. Quick read. It confirmed why some colors always looked good on me (burnt orange) and others made me look awful (anything neon).
NEGATIVES: There's a section on skincare, which didn't really make sense to me. Why even include it? Also, some of the makeup advice was geared towards white or tan skin. I'm pretty much used to it by now, but it would be nice to be included on how to apply the advice if you are darker skinned.
POSITIVES: It did exactly what it was supposed to do, I know what colors specifically to shop for, what types of jewelry looks best, and even what shades of eyeliner, eyebrow makeup, + lipsticks I can pull off. Quick read. It confirmed why some colors always looked good on me (burnt orange) and others made me look awful (anything neon).
NEGATIVES: There's a section on skincare, which didn't really make sense to me. Why even include it? Also, some of the makeup advice was geared towards white or tan skin. I'm pretty much used to it by now, but it would be nice to be included on how to apply the advice if you are darker skinned.
October 26, 2021
I've read a lot of them...maybe all starting with Carole Jackson's original back in the 80s, then her update, then her Colour for Men. There was one called Metamorphosis that I can no longer find, several by Leatrice Eisemann (the worst of the group though very pretty) but this is the best. It was so good that it stunned me. I was so entranced, I started reading it and could not put it down. Colour me happy.
October 17, 2019
An interesting concept. I am a soft summer - and have been thinking that certain colors were too severe (such as stark white or black). I appreciate knowing which colors to look for in a wardrobe. Definitely not a rule to follow, but I already appreciate the importance of color selection in interior spaces and design.
September 1, 2017
I learned so much from this book! I wrote notes for every page and would have never considered myself fashion conscious, but I feel certain I can bring my A game to styling my clients with confident!
September 26, 2017
Fast read confirmed I'm a Winter as I'd suspected and taught me that I'm "cool" and "deep" which is useful and also sounds great out of context :-)
September 19, 2018
interesting but not as in depth as desired. also randomly about skin care. would have liked more photos.
January 23, 2019
Classic
This color system is still relevant, and makes looking your best a snap. The addition of cool and warm palettes, as well as information on makeup and hair is very helpful.
This color system is still relevant, and makes looking your best a snap. The addition of cool and warm palettes, as well as information on makeup and hair is very helpful.
June 27, 2019
A bit more superficial than I expected, but contained good info.
October 1, 2021
color analysis 101
March 22, 2020
This is made in America by the lady who bought out Carole Jackson but, if you are looking for the same stuff well, it is and it isn't. She doesn't write as good as Carole but, the writing and info that way is still decent. You should know however that she has gone back to the 4 season method. I hate the swatches in here, almost as much as the colored pencil swatches in that other CMB book. The problem is that they are printed on funny paper. The clear bright seasons (winter/spring) can't be represented right because the paper and ink used is incapable of it. For the best color swatches and most accuracy you really need glossy paper. Every swatch in this book has a drab undertone and some colors have the wrong name. It focuses too much on weather you are warm or cool and your hair color. These are not enough to properly type you and today practically everyone dyes their hair which can skew everything. You need to be fully versed to get this book but, if you are fully versed it could irk you like it did me. I didn't chuck it but thought about it several times and I still might.
Her line of makeup focuses too much on colors for Warm, or Cool, or All four seasons at the expense of individuality. In my opinion all the good Spring Colors are gone. Why wear ok colors for everyone when you could wear great colors of your own. I miss my copper pink lip pencil, true red lip pencil, warm violet and warm pink eye shadows, orange sherbet lipstick etc. Colors for autumn/spring aren't clear enough or are just too brown. Anyways. It's not like she's hideous but, I just don't think she goes in a way I like. I can't rant about her for ages like I can others. It's just subtle annoying things.
Her line of makeup focuses too much on colors for Warm, or Cool, or All four seasons at the expense of individuality. In my opinion all the good Spring Colors are gone. Why wear ok colors for everyone when you could wear great colors of your own. I miss my copper pink lip pencil, true red lip pencil, warm violet and warm pink eye shadows, orange sherbet lipstick etc. Colors for autumn/spring aren't clear enough or are just too brown. Anyways. It's not like she's hideous but, I just don't think she goes in a way I like. I can't rant about her for ages like I can others. It's just subtle annoying things.
April 16, 2015
I read the first Color Me Beautiful when I was a kid, and I remember sitting in the cupboard under the stairs (where all the family books were kept) trying to figure out my "color season". I wasn't happy to be an Autumn at the time; I liked the brilliant jewel tones of Winter much better. I've come to terms with being an Autumn now, and wouldn't trade my personal color palette for anything. There wasn't much new to me in this updated version, but this book is still fun to take over to friends houses to "analyze" them. It's unintentionally almost like a party game for when you're having a casual get-together. It was fun to have my memory refreshed and to introduce friends to color analysis.
July 30, 2019
Good, concise summary of the 4 season color theory. If you want the truly concise version, you can skip all of the chapters on makeup and such, as they don't add much useful information unless you are a beauty novice. I liked the fact that they included plenty of colored pictures, making the comparisons between meh colors and your best colors come alive. I was disappointed that this book didn't include the updated 12 category method, but it explained the old 4 season method well.
November 15, 2008
I really like this book. It is helping reinvent myself and become the person that I always have wanted to be. I would recommend it so anyone who wants help in this area. Really glad that Mom introduced me to it from when she did the same thing years ago. Thanks Mom!
Read
January 27, 2010This is an updated version of Carole Jackson's classic. Love the better-quality pictures, especially of "my" colors. Spoke with author over the phone...very helpful to me (especially since I'm color-blind!). She determined that I'm a Summer. Fun!
August 30, 2016
I first read the original Color Me Beautiful in college, and thought it was revolutionary. Now the four season palette seems too broad. It doesn't expand into soft, deep or clear types, which I've found more helpful. The make-up also seems a little dated.
March 28, 2015
Not very useful. As printed, the seasonal and makeup colors on the page weren't very vivid. some looked so similar it was difficult to differentiate. Also, the book seemed out of date in both clothing and makeup.
October 5, 2015
Not realistic for some of us. According to the Color Me Beautiful theory, my nearly black eyes and hair mean I can only be a Winter, yet my warm complexion clashes with that and would throw me into their Autumn category. These two categories do NOT mix.
February 23, 2023
Some helpful advice but limited. Warm and cool are not black and white—it’s a continuum and for someone who’s more neutral these tips don’t really work that well. Take it as a suggestion with a grain of salt.
October 29, 2008
I own quite a few of the colors that wash me out. It's time to clean out my closet and shop for color!
Read
December 18, 2008Liz says that this was the "best gift given to me while preparing for my first job search."
May 27, 2010
This book changed my wardrobe
August 24, 2012
It's very eyes-opening. This book explained that everyone has their own complexion as well as its matching colors.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews