An Overview of and the Role of Yin/Yang in Fantastical Beauty

An Overview of Yin/Yang Style Systems

In the tradition of Belle Northrup, Harriet McJimsey, David Kibbe, John Kitchener, and others; we have a very different system to draw on, using style concepts of Yin and Yang.

While the specifics vary by author, in this tradition:

• Yin is generally described as: small, delicate, round, soft, flowing, light, low-contrast, gentle/yielding.

• Yang is described as: large, long, angular, striking, dark, high contrast, strong/firm.

These terms are used to describe physical features of people, personality features, mannerisms, fabrics, patterns, shapes, and more.  

These ideas of Yin and Yang are then categorized into 5-7 style types/identities for women and their best and most authentic personal aesthetics.

The consistently used types are:

Dramatic - Extreme Yang
Natural - Soft Yang
Classic - Balanced
Gamine - Combination of Yang and Yin
Romantic - Extreme Yin

The variously used types are:
Angelic/Ethereal - Yang (in size) that has yin features (light, flowy) and is not overtly sexy
Ingenue/Youthful - Yin that is not overtly sexy, and has an innocence


Style theorists use these concepts and types in differing ways, either seeing people as a blend of types, or a discrete type. They also have different (sometimes completely opposite) ideas about who (celebrities, for example) belongs in which type.

The Role of Yin/Yang In Fantastical Beauty

Yin/Yang style systems were not a part of the development of Fantastical Beauty, and are not a part of the Fantastical Beauty typing process. This was done explicitly. Having studied Yin/Yang style systems in depth, I saw both their strengths and their weaknesses, and felt a dire need for an alternative tradition.

That said, if yin/yang were considered in Fantastical Beauty, each of the Fantastical Beauty types would be Yin. The personalization of type includes visually incorporating the particulars of the small amount of Yang in each woman. In the Taoist understanding of Yin and Yang, Yin is inherently female, and Yang is inherently male. The Yin/Yang symbol shows how they are interconnected, with one incorporating a small amount of the other, and the two nestling together. This is how Yin/Yang would be considered in Fantastical Beauty. Each Fantastical Beauty type elevates the type of Yin in each woman, and personalizes and integrates the bit of yang in each woman. For typing of men, it would be reversed.








The Role of Yin/Yang Systems In Fantastical Beauty

Because the 5-7 type yin/yang style system has a rich history and familiarity, it is incorporated in typings as an optional secondary vibe.  This secondary typing is called Base 5 in Fantastical Beauty. The five base types (Dramatic, Natural, Classic, Gamine, Romantic) are used, and the client learns whether they are more Yin or more Yang (in the style systems tradition) within their Base 5 type. Types that would be considered Ethereal/Dramatic in other systems are encompassed in Dramatic Yang and Natural Yang types within Base 5, and types that would be considered Ingenue/Youthful in other systems are encompassed with Romantic Yin and Gamine Yin types within Base 5.

This is secondary to the Fantastical Beauty type, rather than an equal alternative, because Fantastical Beauty holds all women to be predominately Yin. Base 5 becomes a potentially useful addition for creating a personal Iconic Image. You could be a Magic Queen whose style is further shaped by being Romantic Yin in Base 5 type, or a Nymph: Classic Yang. If you share a FB type with someone, but not a Base 5 type, you will be able to see your Fantastical Beauty similarities, while also celebrating the smaller differences in yin/yang that make you unique.

Visit the pinboards to see examples, and consider being typed today!

The Role of Personality in Fantastical Beauty

The Role of Personality in Fantastical Beauty

Continuing our Fundamentals series, let's look at personality and vibe in Fantastical Beauty. If you need to, review the articles on Face types and S-Curve types.

By now you have narrowed it down to two or so types you think you might be, but may be unsure of how to fully decide. After all, maybe your face is both full and linear? Or you are in between a subtle and moderate curve? How do you decide which is most prominent? The lovely news is that you don’t have to!

We are now at the point where it’s time to look at the role of vibe. All of the types have mood boards that you can look at here: https://www.pinterest.com/msmagicsparkles/ I encourage you to look through all of them and make note of which resonate with you.

A fun example of the role of the importance of personality are Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. While they are physically very similar, it's instantly apparent that these two have different personalities. It is evident not only in their fashion choices but in the way they carry themselves. So, let’s figure out their archetypes together.

(Left: Ashley. Right: Mary-Kate)

Do you see both length and balance? We will eliminate the full Face category, because they are lacking the fullness/width to carry it off. If you look at photos, you will see that we can also eliminate the Major S-curve category, as they are lacking the body lines to carry those type's off as well. This brings us down to Fae, Magic Queen, Nymph, and Angel.

Ashley Olsen tends toward lighter colored clothing and hair than her sister. She is also more frequently photographed smiling and has a lighter, sugary air about her. Which of the four types are more obviously supporting this and which are in more obvious opposition? This vibe can be found in any of the 9 types, but of the four we are considering, it it a more natural match for Fae and Angel, and a less obvious match for Magic Queen and Nymph.

What do you see for Ashley Olsen? Revisit the Face and Body categories, also weighing visual personality, coloring, and mannerisms.

Mary-Kate Olsen favors darker colors in her clothing, hair, and makeup, and she wears them well. She is drawn toward more drama than her twin. In comparison, Mary-Kate comes across as more serious and reserved in facial expressions and mannerisms. Which of the four types that we are considering are more obviously supporting of these features and which are in more obvious opposition? This vibe can be found in any of the 9 types, but of the four we are considering, it it a more natural match for Fae (Nixie) and Magic Queen, and a less obvious match for Angel (though Dark Angel is not uncommon, the vibe is somewhat different than Mary-Kate's) and Nymph.

What do you see for Mary-Kate Olsen? Revisit the Face and Body categories, also weighing visual personality, coloring, and mannerisms.

QUIZ: Which Fantastical Beauty type did you come to for Ashley Olsen? Which for Mary-Kate? What was the deciding factor(s) for you? Share your thoughts before the answers are revealed.

S-Curve Types in Fantastical Beauty

S-Curves in Fantastical Beauty

Revisiting our 9 type chart here, we see that there are three S-curve designations: Subtle, Moderate, and Major.

The second aspect of narrowing in on your type is to look at your body’s S-curve. S-curve refers to the shape of your torso when viewed from the front. S-curves are formed by the horizontal difference between your bust, waist, and hips. You may find that you fall in-between two of these and that is okay! Your type will be further modified by personality, mood, essence, and your personal coloring (the topic of the next post).

All the types are curvy, and all of the types are feminine. S-curves are simply how pronounced your body’s curves are from a front facing view and are only a small part of what makes you the type that you are. S-curve degree can also change with weight gain/loss and child-bearing, which is why they are only a small part of figuring out your type.

Like Face designations, S-curve designations are used to get you in the ballpark of your type, rather than delivering you a type on a mathematical platter, and by the end of this article, you should have narrowed your personal type possibilities down to four at the very most.

S-curves are mainly about measurements, but are modified by visual impact. If you have an extreme difference between the horizontal measurements of your waist and hips, but you are tall and your hips are more oval than round, the visual impact of S-curve will be lessened. Similarly, if you don't have much of a difference in measurements, but you are short with a high hip, or you have large breasts, the visual impact of S-curve will be more than measurements alone indicate. If your measurements were on the line between two types, the visual impact may sway you over the line one way or the other.

Generally speaking a person will be put in the S-Curve group that is their most obvious fit, but you will find examples in each of the nine types that are in non-obvious S-curve groups for reasons of gestalt. 

On to the examples:

Helena Bonham Carter is a sultry example of a subtle s-curve.

Madonna is a sexy example of a moderate s-curve.

Marilyn Monroe is a seductive example of an extreme s-curve.

QUIZ: What S-Curve designation would you give Blake Lively?
BONUS QUESTION: Now that you also know the Face types, what final type would you give her based on these two factors as well as your vibe intuition about the Fantastical Beauty type pinboards?

Face Types in Fantastical Beauty

Face Types in Fantastical Beauty

Revisiting our 9 type chart here, we see that there are three face designations.

The face types in Fantastical Beauty are primarily derived from the scale of and distance between the main three facial features: eyes, nose, and mouth. Secondary factors can include the shape of the face, shape of the eyebrows, and the arrangement of the three main facial features within.

Frequently people fall in-between face types, or could equally fit two different face types. This is normal. Determining your type uses facial balance to whittle down options. In the next post we will see how body lines further whittle down typing options. Personality, mood, essence, and personal coloring are also used in determining type. Your correct Fantastical Beauty type will be a gestalt that takes facial balance into careful account. On to the facial types.  

The different face types are categorized as: full, linear, and balanced.

Full faces tend to a combination of width (wide cheekbones, wide jaw lines, wide distance between the eyes, broad smile, softly wide nose) and fullness (full and broad lips, large eyes, soft cheeks).

Angelina Jolie is a beautiful example of a full face.

Narrow faces may be oval or long in face shape. The features might give the impression of narrowness by the eyes being spaced slightly closely or the eyes and lips being spaced slightly farther away. Any fullness or balance is secondary to the linearity of the features.

Jennifer Connely is a gorgeous example of a narrow face.

Balanced faces can be characterized by a balanced face shape and by the features being equidistant from each other. The sizings of the features are also often in equal balance.

Marion Cotillard is a lovely example of a balanced face.

Tip: If you are trying to find your own facial type, do not use selfies. Taking photos that close-up distorts your features.


QUIZ TIME

What Fantastical Beauty facial type do you think Marilyn Monroe is?

What Makes Fantastical Beauty Special

Fantastical Beauty was born from the knowledge that all women are beautiful, and that the variety and differences in beauty are to be celebrated. It approaches beauty as finding the more unique aspects to highlight, rather than trying to hide anything. The message that you have anything to hide is a harmful one, and we're far better off emphasizing what makes us each special and celebrating these features in one another. It's a freedom to celebrate your unique beauty, and it's done in the framework of fantasy.

Why fantasy? For two main reasons. The first is that fantasy frees us from the trappings of modern beauty ideals. Fantasy lets us see all of the historical trends that have been, and those that could be. Fantasy has a perfect fit for everyone in a way that is timeless and beautiful. The second reason for fantasy as a framework is that it gives us a wealth of beautiful imagery to work from. Because it isn't anchored to a single point in history, it can be as extreme and creative as asked for. It's a wide-open world to play in, with built-in beings to and settings to be inspired by and draw upon.

With Fantastical Beauty, we take the lines in your body and face, your personality and needs, and build an entire world around you. You're in the center of an epic fantasy setting that echoes your authentic self. You're styled in a way that enhances what makes you you, and prepared to be the protagonist in your own custom fairytale. Each of the 9 types is lush and evocative, and can be tailored to the particulars of each unique person within.

You can have your style taken to it's personalized extreme, so that you have an iconic look that is easily identified from a distance, or you can just slightly elevate and alter what you're already doing to bring it into a more personal alignment of head-to-toe style. You can have your home decor echo your fantastical vibe in shapes, color, and aesthetic.

What makes Fantastical Beauty special is that it is thorough, personal, and freeing in its fantasy bases. It shows each of us the glamour, class, and sass possible in thoroughly celebrating what makes us each unique, and building our story around this beauty.