I Took The Dive!

That’s right! I’m so totally confident in this new Soft Autumn thing that this past weekend I dove through my closet and got rid of basically everything that’s not at least at the bare minimum Autumn in color!

Under normal circumstances, I would have washed everything and donated it. However, we do not have a washer or dryer, so all of our clothes are washed by hand. All the non- matching clothes, alas, went straight into the dumpster.

I don’t even feel like I need to buy any more makeup, looking for that perfect match. Everything I’ve got now is right on target.

And all of this happened simply because in Jen Thoden’s Your Color Style group on Facebook, I asked how I could be Cool when an antique gold eyeliner I have looks so great on me. There were no great, obvious answers to the question.

But I found the answer on my own!

And I’m Back… Again!

It’s been a very long time since I’ve posted anything on this little blog. SOOOO much has happened in the last couple years!

I have discovered a lot about color stuff! Over the past couple years, I’ve kind of settled with Soft Summer as my general season type, though I knew I lean toward the deeper end of the spectrum of colors. Something about it was never quite right, but I was endlessly frustrated trying to figure it out. So when I say I settled, I really do mean I SETTLED. Over about the past month, my dissatisfaction at what I was seeing in the mirror made me take another really hard look at Seasonal Color Analysis again. There were a couple things I knew for sure:

I’m definitely neutral seasoned.

I’m definitely Soft on the scale of things.

I could see a few things wrong with SSu that I frankly kind of ignored. The biggest problem is a look I call spaghetti mouth. When wearing SSu recced lippies, even if I wore a lipliner (which tbh I’m not so very inclined to do), I always noticed a faint red ring around my mouth, like the lipstick color was bleeding outside the lines. Or like a little kid looks like after they’re done eating their plate of spaghetti. Even though their little face has been washed, that faint reddish-orange ring around the mouth persists. I tried True Summer for a bit, thinking the red ring meant the color was too warm. Ooooh, that was even worse!

The only other option was to look in the other direction. If the redness wasn’t caused by a too warm color, perhaps it was caused by a too COOL color! And what season is warmer than Soft Summer while still staying Soft?

Could I really be a Soft Autumn???

I thought, no way. But only one way to find out! I went on some Facebook color groups and surfed the WWW for some quality lippie recs. I learned from the Soft Autumn group that the lippie most often recced to trial SA- MAC Twig- is almost universally disliked by most SA’s. I recall that I bought this color as THE SA color to try many, many years ago, and it was soooo bad that I threw out the whole idea of SA from there on out.

What a mistake!

I really should have looked for more natural-looking recs. Most megapale ladies of Irish and Mediterranean discent like myself have anything remotely resembling Twig- straight brown for lips! Nooo! I should have remembered that 90s classic Toast of New York looked like a pretty natural dark brick red on me back in the day. I haven’t tried it again…but I’m kinda curious to.

Here is the list of makeup recs that I’ve tried out so far:

Lippies: CG Outlast Wine to Five
Clinique Chunkiest Chili
Lancome Rose Petale
MAC See Sheer
Avon Cantaloupe
NARS Banned Red
Blush: Benefit Dandelion
Covergirl Brick Rose

Every single one? SPOT ON PERFECT IN EVERY WAY! The dreaded spaghetti mouth is GONE! It’s just perfectly blended, harmonious color on my face! And the blushes- a perfect extension of my actual skin without looking garish or like it’s just sitting on top there!

I almost still cannot believe it! I could have saved myself literally HUNDREDS of dollars in makeup had I only known waaay back in the day that MAC Twig is not such a good or well-liked color amongst even draped SA people!

And now, on to the pics!

CG Wine to Five

MAC See Sheer

CG again

More CG

NARS Banned Red

No blush in any of these. Just my natural face sans foundation. Probably a smidge of translucent powder to combat shine.

So, after all these amazing results, I went through my makeup bags and…threw everything away that isn’t obviously warm or recced for SA! Hundreds of dollars’ worth of makeup is in my dumpster right this moment!

Even things that I bought recently for SSu that were barely used! All the Winter makeup I bought because other people in Facebook groups said that I “look like a Winter subtype of some kind”, gone! All the spaghetti mouth lippies, adieu!

It kind of hurt a bit to throw out so much money, but truth be told, I threw my money away the moment I bought it! And the Autumn thing next will be…my wardrobe! It’s difficult to buy online, but I will be pleased enough to have an Autumn wardrobe, generally speaking!

Fleshing Out My Style

DYT.

Oh how I love you.

Oh how I loathe you.

Around and around I go, but I think I’ve finally landed. Style cues are a huge hint for me. I’ve been thinking back to the kinds of things I’ve always liked and felt most like me in. They’re my clue to my secondary, and part of the reason why I was kind of uncomfortable with my primary.

Clogs. Clunky boots, like combat boots. Lightweight cargo pants. Medium sized jewelry, which looks quite large on me since I’m so petite. Courderoys. Comfy flannels. Short hair that’s blended but has loads of texture.

Yup. It’s 2/3.

I know I arrived at this result a long time ago, but I’m back again. I don’t know why I ever left off the idea of this type combo. I’ve been thinking about it so much lately, and it just makes sooo much sense!

Why DYT Is Kinda Full of It

Sooo. I’ve been thinking about all this typing stuff again. I know I had decided I was a Type 4 not too long ago, but yet again, I’m having some real doubts. T4 just…feels like a whole lot of work to me. It’s not effortless whatsoever. It’s the full schebang, every single day. Hair, perfect. Makeup, ESSENTIAL. Outfit, in your face. Attitude…”seriously” bitchy, cold, and unapproachable.

I realized over the past few days that I’ve been letting random people on the internet bully me into believing I’m something I’m not. I’m not saying they did it intentionally, and I’m not saying I didn’t ask for it…because I did. I did the number one thing CT says to never, ever do in this system.

I let other people tell me who I am, when I already know who I am.

Yeah. I’m a Type 2 primary. Secondary is 3. But I DO have all the types in me, and they’re all visible.

Right. On. My. Face.

Watch this:

Look, I’m a Type 1! All those circles and star points make it so obvious!

No, wait! Type 2! S-curves everywhere.

Or maybe I’m a T3. Check out all these triangles!

No, it’s got to be Type 4. …right? I look so serious. And what about this symmetry?

Yup. “Face mapping” is complete garbage. Any person at all can make themselves look like any type they want. And if you ask other people…they can make you look like any type they think you are.

So what to do? Ditch DYT altogether? Piecemeal some parts with other systems? Just follow the rules the way they’re laid out and hope for the best?

Or do you follow the program the way it was intended to be? A personality and movement based system.

Well. If I’m going to continue to follow the DYT system, I’m going to do it the way that feels best for me.

That’s right. The most important thing to me is…how I FEEL. I’m a Type 2. I feel like a Type 2. I think like a Type 2. When I’m in person with others (not random selfies with random people on the internet), people treat me like a Type 2. People come to me. They confide in me. They tell me things you wouldn’t tell anybody else. They tell me how calming and relaxing I am to be around.

That’s Type 2. Not 1. Certainly not 3. And definitely not 4.

Synergy

I love it when things just…work together. I saw this chart a looong time ago, but I was in denial about a lot of things related to my color and style, so I kind of disregarded what it was trying to tell me. Now, the chart itself isn’t perfect, ie: there’s no such thing as a pure DYT Type. We are all a mix of them. But still. I saw it, saw something I didn’t like, and decided the whole thing was bunk. However, the one thing I’ve rarely ever doubted is my MBTI type. 

I’m an INFJ. It also turns out that in seasonal color analysis that I’m a True Winter (I’m not sure why they distinguish between True and Cool Winter, because in the 12 season system those two terms are synonymous). I’ve also recently (two days ago!) realized that I am a Type 4/2 in Dressing Your Truth. 

Now that I’ve finally let go of some of those negative stereotypes, everything is just falling right into place!

I Can’t Even…

​Okay. I know I’ve said this before…but I had a major DYT epiphany today! I’ve been thinking about it all day long, and…

<p align="justify" I am a 4/2!

<p align="justify" I was sitting here pinning DYT Type 4 stuff when the realization just kind of…settled onto my heart. And my heart was like “Ah, what took you so long?” with the most gentle feeling of peace settling over me. I’m incredibly peaceful but at the same time very emotionally overwhelmed. Why, why, why was I so resistant to this?

I think it’s part of the reason I resisted Type 4 for so long. Pure Type 4 is too harsh and hard for me…because I need to soften it. I can’t stand to wear a blazer (even though I do look good in one that’s well fitted) but a comfy fitted cardigan gives a similar look, just softer. I struggled with my hair all the time: I can’t make it behave or make it perfect because of the subtle Type 2 waves in it. Nor can I keep my bangs straight across my forehead. They’re far more natural swept gently to the side and give a much more approachable look.

Also I have always been drawn to anything that’s super soft and comfy on my body. Give me plush fabrics, give me angora and cashmere. Give me a velved faced sherpa throw and a book beside the fire with a hot cup of herbal tea. Yesssss.

Oh my gosh, you guys. I can’t even explain how I feel right now. My heart’s been thrown wide open.

Guess Who’s Back? Back Again!

​I’ve been off groups (and color blogging) for quite a while (real life stuff in the way;  cancer has sprung up in the family, and we also had an early pregnancy loss) but a lot of things have been coming together in the style & color department lately.

Firstly, I have discovered I’m a True Winter. 

I’m so surprised; everything until now has been “too” something. Too warm, too soft, too light, too bright, too brown, &c. Then of course I found that the only thing that I wasn’t too much of is COOL! So now I have a pretty good collection of TW makeup that all looks just so natural and fabulous on me.

I never thought in my life that I could wear grape lip gloss and it would look so normal on me! Heck, I never even thought of grape anything, and now I’m seriously rocking it!

I’m also narrowing down what I like in clothes & styles. Seems like maybe some kind of gamine/classic blend. My best and most comfortable outfit setup so far is like: classic round necked cardigan (cute details ok but not necessary), fitted tank or sleeveless blouse, and slim or skinny fit crop or ankle slacks. Shoes, who knows? I’ve found quite a taste for tiny/small repeated geometric patterns and love them in shirts. Some pintucks at the neck are ok, but tons of crazy stuff going on around my face isn’t. Lace overlay is definitely ok. A loose or flowing blouse is only ok if I can cinch it in. All my tops are best when body skimming. I can do v-necks but definitely prefer round necks or straight necks (like boatneck). Hair has to stay short. I recently let it get almost to my collarbone and it was terrible. I was literally buried in hair. So I’m going to keep it about jaw length. I’m teaching myself how to cut in layers. I have sooo much hair and I really need them. No layers equals curtain hair on me.

Contrast of course is medium to high.

Don’ts are long, too. Super loose & flowy stuff. Drapy neck stuff. Overly cutsey stuff like puff sleeves or peter pan collars (SG) or tees with sayings on them. In fact, of all things I really loathe tees with sayings on them or graphic tees of almost any kind. What other people think is cute or clever makes me feel extra super stupid. 

A short skirt might look good on my frame and proportion (SG to always have short skirts and I shudder), but I’ll never find out. In a short skirt I feel trashy, kinda like I’m walking around with my vagina hanging out. I watch these girls at work walking around in their short skirts, constantly tugging them down, and I wonder why they would do this when it’s so clear that they’re uncomfortable. My preferred skirt/dress length is tea to ankle length.

I don’t know what kibbe or zyla those things make me, but I’m not sure I care at this point. I kinda have it figured out for the most part, you know?

That Astro Stuff – What It All Means

I got my hands on the computer, so this will go a hell of a lot faster than trying to do this on my phone!

Last post, I talked about my astrological natal chart and promised that I would explain what all of this means. This will be a quick breakdown, with the signs I have the most elements in first, going down to last. My breakdown, as described before, is fire/air/water/earth.

Fire Signs: Five in this element.

Sun
Venus
Mars: Aries – positive traits: fast, fiery, adventurous, confident, dynamic, enthusiastic, candid, assertive, urgent, courageous, eager, self-starter.negative traits: pushy, impulsive, rude, selfish, lacks direction, quick tempered, impatient, daredevil, headstrong.

Moon
Neptune: Sagittarius – positive traits: adventurous, idealistic, optimistic, free-spirited, good-humored, honest, straightforward, zealous, philosophical, spiritual.
negative traits: tactless, rambling, careless, exaggerating, irresponsible, restless.

Air Signs: Three in this element.

Jupiter
Saturn
Pluto: Libra- positive traits: balanced, artistic, fair, beautiful, lighthearted, charming, sociable, idealistic, refined, easy-going, romantic.negative traits: indecisive, lazy, codependent, gullible, flirtatious, easily swayed.

Water Signs: Two in this element.

Mercury: Pisces – positive traits: mystical, imaginative, kind, compassionate, intuitive, sympathetic, dreamer, wise, selfless, spiritual, visionary.
negative traits: spacey, insecure, plays victim, escapist, weak-willed, vague.

Uranus: Scorpio – positive traits: focused, determined, intuitive, powerful, passionate, exciting, magnetic, secretive, mysterious, intense, sexual, purposeful.
negative traits: elusive, calculating, possessive, manipulative, dark, resentful, OCD, secretive, forceful, headstrong, emotional.

Earth Signs: One in this element.

Ascendant: Capricorn – positive traits: dependable, serious, practical, prudent, unbreakable, hard-working, ambitious, careful, sincere, humorous, reserved, accomplished, competent, sophisticated.
negative traits: pessimistic, cold, rigid, miserable, grudge holder, competitive.

My Astrological Profile

I’m down the astrology road again today. This post will be pretty succinct. A breakdown of my natal chart.

And there it is! Lots of people poo-poo astrology, but that’s because the modern Sun Sign interpretations for almost everyone are bogus. To understand the whole self, you have to look at the full chart!

So here’s my breakdown, for those that can’t read the chart.

~*~*~

Sun in Aries, 3rd House

Moon in Sagittarius, 11th House

Ascendant in Capricorn, 1st House

Mercury in Pisces, 2nd House

Venus in Aries, 3rd House

Mars in Aries, 3rd House

Jupiter in Libra, 9th House

Saturn in Libra, 9th House

Uranus in Scorpio, 10th House

Neptune in Sagittarius, 11th House

Pluto in Libra, 9th House

~*~*~

Sounds like mumbo-jumbo, doesn’t it? Trust me, things get more exciting when you start to decipher what all these things mean.

I’ll start doing that in the next post, along with an explanation of what the hell any of this has to do with color!

It’s Been a Looong Time!

Just like me. I get so gung-ho with stuff, then I drop it like a bad habit. Hi, my name is inconsistency. 

It’s not that I haven’t been into the color world this past almost-year. I’ve been waaay into it in a variety of different aspects. I’ve gone on and off seasonal color a few times, but my major focus has been DYT.

And believe me when I say, I’ve been all over the map with DYT, too!

So far, I’ve been almost every type combo there is. And that’s just this past year or so. I can’t seem to settle no matter how hard I try. I don’t understand how a system that’s so simple can be so bloody HARD!

Well.

I wrote a huge, long post to one of the DYT subtype groups this afternoon, and it says enough about where I’m at to post it on here.

The first post was regarding DYT and astrology. I’ve been getting really into astrology stuff lately, so when the topic came up I jumped right in!

~*~*~

I love synergy and how things just come up seemingly coincidently!

Lately I’ve been getting really into astrology stuff. I’m looking at my natal chart very heavily. From all that I’ve gathered so far, I am VERY fire heavy! I have five planets in fire signs, including my Sun, Moon (your inner motivation), Venus (planet of relationships),and Mars (planet of action). In fact, I have quite a few of those as Aries. Aries is interesting because it has typical traits of both T3 as well as T1. Aries is the sign most often said to look very youthful (a T1 trait).

My secondmost element is air (T1), namely Libra. I have three planets placed there. Those two combined would make me fire/air, or 3/1.

I think I get things confused when I bring in my Capricorn Ascendant. This is an earth element sign (T4), very serious looking and reserved. The ascendant is the first impression others get of you before they get to know you better. I fully believe the Capricorn Ascendant is the reason so many think I’m a Type 4 when I’m so certain I’m not.

One thing I must say, though, is that plain old Sun sign astrology is total hogwash. You have to look at the full chart with all the different planets in their aspects and houses to get a full picture of the person.

What type am I? Who knows? lol I feel like 1 right now, but I’m already wondering if I am a lot more 3 intense. My face, I don’t think supports a T3 designation. However…it definitely fits the Aries designation.

~*~*~

The second post was on the 1/3, 3/1 group, but it turned into a general frustration post/cry for help.

~*~*~

The crazy eyebrow and lots of asymmetry in my face. I also don’t think I have the T1 smile, but I do have the cheeks. Face is not heart shaped, it is inverted triangle (T3). Skin is very T3 hormonal with lots of deep cystic acne, but lots of random freckles. Very deep v smile lines on both sides, but a very T2 blended cheek and jaw line. Always told I’m cute, not hot, beautiful, or stunning. At age 36, I’ve decided to embrace my cuteness.

Very intense emotionally. Quick to anger but I usually bite my tongue out of social convention. Lots of ideas but very little follow-through. Faster than 90% of anybody out there, despite being only 4’11” tall. Slow people in my way, frankly, piss me off. I’ve got places to go and stuff to do. Despite quickness, a huge tendency to be epically lazy. Extremely impulsive, especially when excited about a new idea. Or shopping. Burn out really fast. Race around the house cleaning then exhausted two hours later. Hubby always complains for me to slow down. Piles EVERYWHERE. Love reading but tend to skip to the exciting stuff. Skim over action sequences all the time. I can literally read the same book over and over because I skipped through most of it.

Oh yes. When I write, it’s a virtual novel. And when I tell a story, I have to include all the details. Getting interrupted really messes me up and I might forget what I was even saying.

Most think I’m a T4 and I disagree 100%. I have very little 4 in me, though I can see some aspects in my personality (especially criticism of self & others and tendency toward calling stuff “stupid”). 

I think I might be a 3/1, but I’m not sure my face supports it. I never gave T3 a real try. I’ve figured I have “been” almost every type combo by now. The only thing I can think for sure is that my face and voice are quite yang-ey.

Lord have mercy. I’m so lost in the DYT world. And I highly doubt most of my posts get read. Hell, I wouldn’t even read my posts if I were me. Which I am, I guess.