Style Essences

Musings on the 7 style essence system as interpreted by various consultants and pop culture.

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Susan Saradon essence

She is primarily Natural. Natural creates an overall visual impression of freedom and adventure.

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Eddie Jemison essence

He is primarily Gamine. Gamine creates an overall visual impression of youthful rebelliousness.

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Chita Rivera essence

She is verified Dramatic dominant. Dramatic creates an overall visual impression of power, intensity, and extravagance.

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Carrie Coon essence

She is verified Classic dominant. Classic creates an overall visual impression of refinement, timelessness, and elegance.

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Ethereal inspiration

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Essences and aging

John Kitchener says that, "Your Essences shouldn’t change much at all from now to when you are older. Internet style enthusiasts proclaim that we do change but that really only happens when there is weight loss or gain of 100 pounds. Facially we stay about the same.”

John has said that the blends of certain public figures have changed with age, but it sounds like those blends changed because of cosmetic procedures. For example, Nicole Kidman lost her Natural when she removed her freckles, and Audrey Hepburn's essences remained the same, though her percentages for Classic and Gamine shifted to become more equal in her later years.

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Color Harmonies

According to John Kitchener:

In world population, it is estimated that only 10% of the world is made of Striking Contrast ("winter" coloring) people. Keep in mind that not all dark-haired people are SC. Central Japan and the area of Catalan Spain have the greatest populations that are dominantly SC.

The dominant Color Harmony on the planet is unquestionably Earthy Rich and ER types who have SC fool us by their Illusion of contrast yet it is in the skin where analysis truly occurs. Ultimately, the Color Harmony is determined by the skin tone.

In his system, Earthy Rich is closest to Autumn color seasons.

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Meryl Streep essences

In John Kitchener's system, Meryl Streep is predominately Classic with small amounts of Ethereal and Natural.

She looks utterly herself in timeless and high-quality outfits, and looks perfectly in place within time period pieces. Her small amounts of Ethereal and Natural allow her to blend into both otherworldly and earthly roles, which can encompass the whimsical Momma Mia! musical film.

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John Kitchener has specified that Meryl Streep is actually 55% Classic, 20% Dramatic, 15% Romantic, and 10% Ethereal:

Meryl Streep is 60% Lively Bright infused with 35% Subtle Blended and 5% Striking Contrast. The Striking Contrast will be a surprise to everyone but it can be found in some drama in her bone structure and the refined translucence of her skin. Also she is light and brighter than she is muted which makes her Lively Bright more dominant. In personality consider her upbeat and engaging nature in interviews which also communicates her Lively Bright energy. She is NOT a “summer” color harmony despite some theories.

Meryl Streep’s Style Essences are 55% Classic, 20% Dramatic, 15% Romantic and 10% Angelic. She has an overall impression of refinement and evenness of features which would make her Classic dominant. The Dramatic is in her cheekbones and height. The Romantic is in her skin, femininity and somewhat fuller lips. The Angelic is in her soft light almost ethereal look. Her only Yang qualities come from her Dramatic. And of course Classic, itself, is a visual and internal balance of Yin and Yang.

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Ingenue inspiration

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Comparing Romantic, Ingenue, and Ethereal

The largest difference among the three are that Ethereals are less round and more elongated. Romantic and Ingenues are rounded and soft, but Romantic is more mature and lush.

From left to right, you have dominant:

Ingenue

Romantic

Ethereal

From left to right, top to bottom, you have:

Equal Ingenue, Ethereal, and Classic

Ethereal with Romantic

Ethereal with Classic

Ethereal with Dramatic

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Glasses for each essence

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Comparing Gamine, Romantic, and Ingenue

The left is Gamine (Audrey Hepburn) while the right is Ingenue (Kate Moss). Sometimes Gamine can appear to have wide-set eyes, but they aren’t the same shape as the eyes of Ingenues. Gamine eyes often upturn, while Ingenue eyes are large and wide open.

The top row has primary Ingenue with secondary Romantic, while the second row has primary Ingenue without secondary Romantic. Note that the top row is more lush while the second row is more delicate, but both are soft and round.

The left column has Gamine with Romantic, while the right column has Ingenue with Romantic. Gamine with Romantic is sharper in the corners of the mouth and eyes, and more angular in the brows. Their eyes are often more upturned. Ingenue with Romantic is more rounded.

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Different percentages of Naturals

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Comparing two very similar blends

Jane Fonda is 35% Classic, 25% Romanic, 20% Natural, 10% Gamine, and 10% Dramatic.

Helen Mirren is 35% Classic, 30% Romanic, 20% Natural, 10% Gamine, and 5% Dramatic.

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Sandy Dennis essence

She is dominant Ethereal. Truth is Beauty says Ethereals look very much like themselves when they're looking into the distance, with a knowing half-smile or an air of distraction. One gets the impression they're actually looking inward, or seeing something others can't see.

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Shaun Ross essence

He is verified dominant Ethereal. Truth is Beauty says physically, Ethereals are defined first by the curving line, as all feminine types are. But their curving line is an elongated S or oval. Their faces tend to be long and gently sculpted. 

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Paul Bettany essence

He is dominant Ethereal. Truth is Beauty says subdued colors suggest age, since human coloring naturally fades with age. So muted coloring helps create the ancient or timeless quality that Ethereals have.