Beauty

[Oznell]

From "Makeup Marilyn":

Whenever this topic comes up, there are a number of people who say, something along the lines of-- "I don't fit in any "category",  or "I'd never confine myself to one look"...... etc. 

But this question is for those who are familiar with this kind of style typing, and who DO think they generally fit in with one or several of them:   

Which one ( or two, up to three) of the "Style Essences" comes closest to you?   Essence is about the aura you project, based on certain physical and personality characteristics.

It seems so easy to spot some clear-cut types-- Lucy Liu is a "Dramatic",  Julia Roberts is a "Natural" ( in some systems, a "Flamboyant Natural" in others),   Taylor Swift an "Angelic" or "Ethereal",  Marilyn Monroe is "Romantic",  etc.

Makeup Marilyn again:

Another fun site, is "Truth is Beauty" , which supplies the handy guide above about the unique "lines" of an essence.  And they continue the idea that many people are the combination of 2 or more types-- and they come up with amusing but descriptive names for these "combo" types: 

I'll use myself as an example, only because my "style" is the one I'm most familiar with.  But you can find equally detailed stuff on your style essence in the sources at the end.

At 5'3",   I've always thought I fit the description *most* of "Ingenue" ( one of the short types).  They tend to be rounder-- round-ish cheeks, small nose, small chin, larger or rounder eyes. But there's a little of the more sporty "Gamine" ( the other short type) in there too, b/c I have a few sharper features also, and affinity for some 'boyish' lines.  And I'm not frilly, like some of Ingenue's stuff.

Both are shorter types, esp. "Ingenue",  and tend to have heads slightly large for their body, almost like a child's lollipop, ha.  That's something I've always noticed about me, too.

Ingenues tend to have a girlish innocence, no matter their age.  Examples of Ingenues would be:

It's very typical of Ingenues to have this darker, contrasting ring around the iris, typical of children, furthering the child-like look of their slightly larger, round heads, and overall softness:

Gamines are also smallish, but have more tomboy mischief.  Examples of Gamines would be:

Actually, I think Michelle Williams could be combo Ingenue/ Gamine--  she's got that gentle look like Ingenues, but she looks fab in a pixie cut like Gamines--

Even though he's tall, "Truth is Beauty" classifies Leo di Caprio as a male Gamine, mainly because of his facial features--

When I first looked up the images for the combo Gamine/ Ingenue style type, nicknamed "Darling Mod",   I went -- hey, that feels pretty close to me, the way I dress!   Much closer than each style separately.

Of course, I'm not young, fab and dewy like these women!  But your style, even if it's "youthful",  lasts all your life, with modification, ha.

The very closest to me I've found was 3 of the styles combined-- Ingenue / Gamine / Classic .   "Truth Is Beauty" nicknames that combo style, "Sassy Nancy Drew".  It's not exactly me, but comes closer at least in "aura" than any of them, I think.

If you roughly fit in any of the seven types, or a combo of 2 to 3, what are yours?

If unfamiliar, but interested, check out:

Makeup Marilyn

Truth is Beauty

Ellie Jean Royden

Gabrielle Arruda

They do a great job of explaining and demo'ing a very complex subject in their many videos.

Or, look even deeper, into pioneer theorists,  Harriet McJimsey, John Kitchener, David Kibbe

I sometimes find myself looking at people and mentally classifying them in my head,  'oh, she's definitely an ethereal,  she's a dramatic classic....'    But I don't know that much, and even the so-called experts in this have their disputes, esp. concerning what certain celebs are.   It's all fun. 

[Desertdi]

I'm a fairly "conservative" dresser. "Retired NUN" would probably fit me...

[Oznell]

Ha, ha, @Desertdi , love it.   Let's see, with that description,  "conservative retired nun",   you could be almost anything, but you might just be a "Natural Classic", their version of "Prep".   I could see a retired nun with very classic taste as being quite preppy....

[Desertdi]

@Oznell 

How about "ageing BEATNIK" ????    I drive a pretty "flashy" sports car, tho...(!!)    di

[Shanus]

@Oznell   Whoa! A lot to think about! Similar to you, gamine, ingenue and classic/preppy. At 5' tall (& shinking), I can look child like and always try to off set that with some sophisticated, even one, element when I dress. Hair, makeup are quite natural and subdued...if anything I play up the eyes which are large, round and green...also a child-like feature. My nose is tiny w/ a low bridge which has made it impossible to find readers since surgery, so I made my print larger on computer, but still making mistakes. 

Body type? Kind of Audrey Hepburn meets Juliette Binoche. Boyish straight lines with narrow hips and no defined waist. Usually wear tops tucked in, 1/2 tucked, a belt to define "waist". I enjoy dressing in neutral colors and shapes very French. Curly hair adds to childish look, but the now straight bob adds some sophistication.

Interested to read others' replies. Very interesting thread and thanks for taking the time to type all the info and pics.

[on the bay]

Well, I can just say as the song in The Greatest Showman sings-

"I am who I'm meant to be,

This is Me!"

[JeanLouiseFinch]

Seems to me, this should be in the Fashion forum,  

[Steffdoggy10]

This is very interesting, thanks for posting!

[wilma]

@Oznell 

Interesting info. I think the style descriptions make sense.
I know people in my life who are good examples of these styles. 

I'm a mix of natural & classic in makeup. I prefer subtle neutral makeup with my fair skin, but I do emphasize my eyes, brows, and add color to my lips. 

My fashion style is definitely classic. I prefer tailored trousers, blazers, jackets, and straight leg jeans. I also love pullover sweaters, cardigans, and wrap dresses. I like some sporty & preppy clothes too, but I don't like anything oversized, too tight, or too revealing. I've never been drawn to romantic or frilly clothing. I want my outfits to look nice and put together. 

I'm 5'6" tall with broad shoulders, narrow waist, and larger hips and thighs. I can wear sizes S, M, 6, 8 depending on the brand and cut. I describe myself as an hourglass shape, but with a bit of a pear shape on the bottom. 

I have a round face with dimples, and I have larger eyes with the darker circle around my iris. I went back and looked at some photos of myself as an adult, and I can see those child-like features, but I never really think of myself as having a child-like face. Maybe my more classic clothing offsets those features some? 

Thanks for starting this thread. 

[Oznell]

How interesting!   Thanks, @Shanus ,  and @wilma ,  for providing your detailed and insightful self-assessments.  

It sounds like you've got yourself well-pegged, @Shanus .  Not a surprise, given your artistic background, sensitivity to color and line, etc.  I know exactly what you mean about wanting to "disrupt" the childlike, 'sweet' aspect a little bit, with something unexpected.  Sounds like you can swing more "gamine" when you want to, based on some of your features.  I have fewer straight-ish lines, and can't go that far in that direction, but do admire the "street-urchin" element.

The uber-Gamine air of Audrey H.,  and also another Audrey, Audrey Tatou, who I forgot to post--

 

By the way, color-wise, are you one of the light Seasons, a Summer, or maybe a Spring ( since you have green eyes)?  Wonder if you have a similar struggle--  if I order clothes sight unseen, thinking they look light enough, sometimes when they arrive they are too saturated or deep.  Washes me right out instead of enhancing.  Usually I can tell if the colors are chalky or "off" enough to suit me, but the ones that creep toward bright, primary shades, no, no NO!   I wish I were a True or a Soft Summer, not a Light.

@JeanLouiseFinch ,  could be.  A lot of this "essence" stuff has to do with facial shapes and planes,  hair silhouettes, etc.,  so seemed apt for either Fashion or Beauty....  there's so much more involved than I could even hint at here!

@wilma ,  I would have guessed Classic for you, based on the stunning pictures you've posted in Fashion threads!  Always quality, always classic lines and moderation, calming symmetry, restrained sophistication.  Sounds like you are drawn to the exact right shapes and lines for you.  Also sounds like you might also be a mix of at least one other essence, which to me, makes things more interesting.

How can anyone go wrong being a Classic, the quintessential examples of which are Grace Kelly and Princess Catherine--

  

Love hearing about people's different styles and essences.