If you're a regular on the Kibbe internet boards, you've probably heard the term "essence" thrown around.
"I'm a Soft Classic with Natural essence." "My essences are G-N-E." (Gamine-Natural-Ethereal)
What is this???
Something pretty cool, actually! It's a way to narrow your style down even more. Think of your Kibbe type as your SHAPE, and your essence as your VIBE. It makes the system way more fun, because you get to join your own personality and desires to your actual physical person.
There are six essences: Kibbe's original five - Dramatic, Natural, Classic, Gamine, and Romantic - with the addition of Ethereal, which is kind of angelic and otherworldly.
(Some systems add Ingenue, which the dictionary defines as "an innocent or unsophisticated young woman." I leave it out, because I agree with Rachel Nachmias that those are not things that a sane adult woman would aspire to be. Also, in practice, every "Ingenue" photo I've seen is just some blend of Gamine and Romantic.)
Most women will have 1-3 essences. Your first one is your Kibbe type. The others could be drawn from your physical features, your personality, or even your"type envy" type!
Okay, so how do you figure out what your essences are? There's no one right way, so here's a whole bunch of ideas in the hopes that one of them works for you!
Make a Pinterest board of your dream outfits. (Be as unrealistic as possible, you need strong vibes here.) Write down three essences for each picture. Look to see which essences you pinned most - these are your subconscious desires!
Post photos of yourself to the Freely Kibbe facebook group and ask them what they see you as.
Is there a Kibbe ID that gives you "type envy?" Snag it as a second or third essence!
Is there a "dream you" that you want other people to see you as? Wise, sultry, powerful? Find the corresponding essence and claim it.
Get lost in the Truth Is Beauty website for hours.
And of course, email me at KibbeGuide@gmail.com! I'm happy to help you figure this one out.
Next week we'll be talking about those named style aesthetics, like "Cottagecore" and "Dark Academia," and breaking them down by style, essence and color season. You might find your new self among them! Stay tuned!
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