Stop Being a Slave to Trends. Start Dressing for Your Unique Face Type.

Have you ever tried on a “must-have” piece that looked incredible on your friend or favorite influencer but felt… off on you? That’s not because you’re doing anything wrong. It’s because trends don’t account for something far more important than “what’s in.”

Enter John Kitchener’s essences system. Think of them as your style DNA—a mix of facial and vibe qualities that make your beauty feel authentic and magnetic. Instead of trying to squeeze yourself into fleeting aesthetics, essences help you understand your unique vibe and why certain clothes, haircuts, or accessories just click.

So what’s your essence? Let’s break them down. Thinking in terms of movie archetypes can really help!

1. Dramatic Essence

If you were in a movie, would you be cast as the powerful queen, the CEO, the femme fatale? Dramatics command the screen with intensity and elegance.

• Celebrity Examples: Lucy Liu, Anjelica Huston, Gwendoline Christie. 
• Facial features: These beauties have features like high cheekbones, a sharp jawline, an elongated nose, and intense, deep-set eyes.
• Style Note: Sleek lines, bold colors, and architectural shapes match her commanding presence. Trends with sharp tailoring or minimalism usually work beautifully. If this sounds like you, try Mae Threads’ Cloverfield Denim Dress.
  
  

2. Natural Essence

Naturals are the free-spirited adventurers, the girls next door, the laid-back heroines. They feel approachable and grounded.

• Celebrity Examples: Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, Brie Larson.
• Facial features: These lovely ladies have broad features, wide-set eyes, a strong but not sharp jaw, and an open, friendly expression.
• Style Note: Easy silhouettes, breathable fabrics, and relaxed tailoring highlight her effortless energy. She’ll shine in casual-chic pieces rather than anything too fussy. If this sounds like you, try Mae Threads’ Raffin Woven Set in Olive.
  
  

3. Classic Essence

If you are a classic, those who know you might cast you in a movie as the dignified leading lady, the elegant professional, the timeless icon. She always looks polished and poised.

• Celebrity Examples: Audrey Hepburn, Michelle Yeoh, Anne Hathaway.
• Facial features: These beautiful women have an overall balanced look, often including balanced proportions, oval face shape, symmetrical features, medium eyes and lips.
• Style Note: Symmetry, balance, and refined details flatter her. She doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel—simple, chic pieces will always serve her better than “loud” trends. If this sounds like you, try Mae Threads’ Briar set.
  
  

4. Gamine Essence

Who would a gamine play in a movie? The witty best friend, the mischievous trickster, the youthful rebel. She’s quick, lively, and magnetic.

• Celebrity Examples: Emma Stone, Winona Ryder, Zoë Kravitz.
• Facial features: These beauties have features like delicate bone structure, big expressive eyes, a pointed chin, and lively features.
• Style Note: Cropped cuts, playful details, and bold contrasts enhance her spark. Trends with quirky twists or sharp tailoring often feel like home. If this sounds like you, try Mae Threads’ Bristal Pants.
  
  

5. Ingenue Essence

Ingenues look like the romantic dreamer, the sweet protagonist, the ingénue (literally!). She radiates innocence and delicacy.

• Celebrity Examples: Elle Fanning, Halle Bailey, Meg Ryan. 
• Facial Features: These beauties have features like round cheeks, wide or upturned eyes, a soft jawline, and a youthful, delicate look.
• Style Note: Soft colors, dainty prints, and delicate textures harmonize with her. She’ll thrive in whimsical or feminine trends rather than anything harsh. If this sounds like you, try Mae Threads’ Fienna Ruffle Blouse in Yellow.
  
  

6. Romantic Essence

Romantic faces make sense playing the sultry starlet, the love interest, the magnetic beauty with softness and allure.

• Celebrity Examples: Elizabeth Taylor, Salma Hayek, Scarlett Johansson.
• Facial Features: Romantic beauties have full lips, rounded cheeks, almond eyes, and a softly curved jawline.
• Style Note: Curved lines, draping, and sensual fabrics highlight her. She can lean into trends that emphasize curves or softness without ever looking “too much.” If this sounds like you, try Mae Threads’ Annabella Polka Dot Dress.
  
  

7. Ethereal Essence

You’ll often see ethereals playing the mystical queen, the otherworldly muse, the timeless goddess. She seems to float rather than walk. Think the elves in Lord of the Rings. 

• Celebrity Examples: Cate Blanchett, Florence Welch, Gwyneth Paltrow.
• Facial Features: Ethereal beauties have features like a long, narrow face shape, luminous eyes, delicate bone structure, and an almost translucent quality.
• Style Note: Flowing silhouettes, sheer layers, and unusual color pairings enhance her dreamy presence. Trends with shimmer, transparency, or fluidity often resonate. If this sounds like you, try Mae Threads’ Glitzy Sequin Party Dress.
  
  

When You’re More Than One Essence

Most of us aren’t just one type—we’re a blend. Maybe you have the approachable vibe of the Natural, but with a hint of the Romantic’s softness. Or the sparkle of the Ingenue balanced by Classic poise.

That’s the beauty of essences: they explain why your friend and you can wear the same exact dress and project completely different vibes. Blends also help you spot which trends to adopt and which to skip without guilt.

• Anne Hathaway: Mostly Classic, but with Romantic softness. She looks balanced and poised, but you see a lot of romantic softness in her lips and eyes.
  
• Zoë Kravitz: Gamine with a touch of Dramatic. She’s got the cute, perky look with intense eyes and sharp bone structure.
  
• Florence Welch: Ethereal mixed with Romantic and a hint of Dramatic. She looks timeless, like she could have been the inspiration for an ancient Greek statue. She also has the soft edges of a romantic with the structure of a dramatic. 

When you learn your mix, shopping stops being about chasing trends—and starts being about celebrating your unique beauty type.

Use code essence10 to get 10% off the items in blog 

You don’t need to force yourself into every new look to be stylish. Trends will come and go, but your essence is timeless. Dressing for it means every outfit feels intentional, flattering, and most importantly—like you.

So instead of asking, “What’s trending?” try asking: “What’s my essence?” Once you unlock that, style becomes less about fitting in and more about standing out.