<![CDATA[Jezebel: handwriting analysis]]> http://cache.gawker.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/jezebel.com.png <![CDATA[Jezebel: handwriting analysis]]> http://jezebel.com/tag/handwriting analysis http://jezebel.com/tag/handwriting analysis <![CDATA[ <i>30 Rock</i>'s Tina Fey Is An Intuitive, Acquisitive, Self-Deceiver ]]> tinafeygreentop051308.jpgEven though there was a Feyvelanche of Tina interviews when Baby Mama came out last month, did we really learn anything about her? Sure, her face was on the cover of Marie Claire, but the interview inside was a farce (example, "Amy Poehler: Is your name Karen Felcher? Tina Fey: Um, no, although I can see why you're confused, because that is my porn name."). We decided to sic graphologist Sheila Kurtz on Tina's handwritten American Express ad to analyze her penmanship and tell us about the real woman underneath all that sharply-perfected snark. Apparently, our Tina is sensitive to criticism, intuitive, analytical, practical, not impulsive and just a leeetle self-deceiving. A full analysis of Tina's psyche is after the jump.

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This is the exceptionally clean, crisp handwriting of a person who thinks matters through and then expresses herself brightly without impulsive emotions muddying up her judgments.

There are several prominent hooks at the beginning of letters. This writer wants to acquire things ~ not simply treasure but power, adoration, applause, even immortality. There are also many tenacity hooks at the end of letters. What this writer earns will not easily be taken away from her.

She is without excessive preconceptions and prejudices and the open loops in her "e"s indicate that she open-mindedly allows new ideas to engage her thinking processes.

The "m"s and "n"s are rounded and indicate a methodical and logical way of reaching conclusions. Method and logic can be slow work, but they don't slow this writer down because of her good intuition (signaled by unconnected spaces between letters within words). Intuition (sometimes called "gut" thinking) allows her thoughts to leap over the stepping stones of logic and arrive at trusted conclusions. Intuition speeds up thinking and allows slower-minded people to compete with the more naturally swift minded. The writer is also analytical (v-shaped) formations in "m"s and "n"s). She hunts and finds her own information and then pulls data together, examines and evaluates the ideas, and then makes up her own mind.

Her goals are in the middle-practical range (the t bars are crossed about midway on the t stem). She's not reaching for the moon. She goes for what she can get without stretching too much. Her drive is strong enough (assertive t bars) to get her through.

The "p" forms have bottom loops: She must be physically active and on the move. Enforced routine deskwork would soon send her to a loony bin.

The inflated "d" loops indicate sensitivity to criticism that's not constructive. She cares about what is thought and said about her, and malicious comments hurt her even when she may not let on.

The left-side loops in certain "a"s signal a slight case of self-deceit. She may not always be frank with herself and tends to rationalize away unpleasantness. Therefore, she may at times be less than frank with others.

Full lower loops on "y" forms signal a good imagination. However, she may stop short of making her dreams materialize in reality.

She will take the initiative and take action on her own without being told (breakaway strokes within words or at the end of certain words).

She is very good with details (closely dotted "i"s) and won't forget or neglect the small stuff.

The writer is relatively comfortable in crowds, but she enjoys her own company even better. This writer is the kind of person with whom intelligent people wish to become friends.

Yes, like us!

Earlier: Tina Fey Keeps Perspective By Cleaning Up Baby Poop
The Future Of Female Comedies May Sit Squarely On Tina Fey's Shoulders

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Jezebel-390055 Tue, 13 May 2008 15:40:00 EDT Jessica http://jezebel.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=390055&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ <i>Heroes</i>' Sexy Kristen Bell Has The Handwriting Of A Hermit; Kidnapper ]]> kristenbellcover050208.jpgJust how many blondes are there on the show Heroes? And how many of them have been on the cover of Cosmopolitan over the past year? I don't know the answer to that first question — I've never watched the show — but as to the second, the answer is, three. (Someone at NBC primetime publicity is giving his/her bosses their money's worth.) In October, we saw Ali Larter; in April there was Hayden Panettiere; and now, come May, we've got Kristen Bell. The 28-year-old actress, like her predecessors, is not only subject to a short cover profile but the magazine's 'Cosmo Quiz', in which she fills out a questionnaire about her likes and dislikes... and gives us a reason have her handwriting analyzed by graphologist Sheila Kurtz. So how does Kristen come off? The short answer: she's extremely protective, ambitious, intuitive and decent. As for the long answer, well, all that's after the jump.

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This writer may be a public personality, but this sample is block printed, the variety of handwriting that tries to keep people from gathering much revealing information from it. (Cursive reveals much more.) Block printing is the choice of ransom note writers for that reason. This writer is very reluctant to allow others to know her until she knows them rather well first.

Furthermore, there are no loops on y's, an indication of a person who may seem to enjoy the company of others, but is very happy, thank you, to be all alone.

The swollen "d" forms signal a person who is acutely conscious of self, and can be wounded by destructive criticism.

Add to this an occasional slant to the left, a sign of one who represses emotions. Mostly the writing is vertical, which indicate a lack of impulsiveness. This writer thinks first, and then takes an action. The straight down-stroke of the y's indicates the determination to make an action succeed.

The bars that cross the "t" stem are placed at the top of the stem, the indication of a person who ambitiously stretches to reach a treetop tall goal. The bars are also heavy, which signals that the writer has the drive (gumption) actually to reach the treetops.

There are umbrella-shaped t bars that indicate extra portions of self-control. The block printing makes it difficult to figure out what the writer has developed controls over. The usual reason to develop such hyper-control is to stifle a recurrent fear, such as stage-fright.

The tops of the "m" forms come very close to needle-points, the sign of a very speedy thinker. Add to this a well developed "gut" intuition that skips over the usual steps of logic to get to trusted conclusions. Intuition accelerates the thinking process and allows the writer to get a handle on other people without much delay. Although some of the answers in this sample may seem dumb, the writer isn't. Some rounded "m" tops indicate that the writer can also be methodical (when absolutely necessary) and there are "V" formation in the m's and n's that signal an analytical mind that will take the time to figure out what's actually what.

Fairly strong final endings to words indicate an ability to make decisions and short t stems signal an independent thinker who makes up her own mind from information she selects.

Clean o's (the middles are without marks or blotches) are a sign of good integrity. The writer lives in the "real" world and abides by most of its rules in a way that is not secretive or devious.

There is what graphologists call a "conscious gesture" —- in this case the z's in "quizzed" are crossed. The writer has either grown up in a European-based country or has adopted the crossed-z as a kind of educated stylistic embellishment.

Sheila Kurtz [Graphology Consulting]
Bell Of The Ball [Cosmopolitan]

Earlier: Dea Cosmo Girl Hayden "Heroes" Panettiere: "Better To Be The Turtle Than The Hare"
Cosmo Girl Rihanna: "Solitary & Self-Involved"
Decoding Cosmo Cover Girl Katie Heigl: "She Refuses To Waste Time With Convoluted Crap"
Cosmo Girl Hilary Duff: Intuitive, Practical And Younger Than She Looks
Cosmo Girl Beyonce Knowles: Detail-Oriented, Thoughtful, Possibly Power-Hungry
'Cosmo' Cover Girl Ali Larter: Self-Involved, Stubborn, Easily Distracted

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Jezebel-386360 Fri, 02 May 2008 13:00:00 EDT Anna http://jezebel.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=386360&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Dear <i>Cosmo</i> Girl Hayden "<i>Heroes</i>" Panettiere: "Better To Be The Turtle Than The Hare" ]]> haydencosmo031308.jpgIt's almost spring, so it's probably fitting that Cosmopolitan has decided to put Heroes actress Hayden Panettiere on the cover of its April issue (right next to the words "SEX GENIUS" in 64-point type!). Not only is Panettiere a budding star — after she gets her first big, silver-screen role her handlers will no doubt go after the cover of the glossier, more respected Glamour — and a budding adult (she's just 18), but, according to graphologist Sheila Kurtz, she's got "buds of an imagination, but no apparent follow through." (Ouch?) After the jump, Kurtz weighs in on the actress' handwriting, as seen on the "Cosmo Quiz" accompanying Hayden's newly-released cover story.

haydencosmohandwriting.jpg

The overall slant of this writing is moderately to the left, an indication of a person who is somewhat introverted. Unless the writer knows you fairly well, you won't get close. It appears that there is little stress shown in the writing, and it's likely that even if somebody gets too close too fast, the writer will fend off and not erupt.

Letters are rounded, the sign of a methodical thinker who likes to take time and does not like to be rushed. No fast deadlines for this writer or she will tend to get scattered in her pursuits.

Writer's goals are alternately high enough to stretch for and low enough to pick off the ground. There are signs of initiative (takes action without prompting by others).

Thinking can be accelerated somewhat by the writer's intuition (indicated by spaces between letters). This writer has learned to skip over many of the logical building blocks of thought and reach, almost mysteriously, a conclusion that turns out to work. The writer has come to trust this gut thinking. Nonetheless, if this writer starts thinking too fast, a lot of confusion results (intertwined lines) that slows everything down again. Better for this writer to be the turtle than pretend to be the hare.

There are buds of an imagination, but no apparent follow through.

Good attention to small details. The writer's usual approach to things is frank and very direct.

The writer probably works well (or could) with her hands, perhaps in the mechanical realms such as carpentry, pottery, glass blowing..

Lines and letters are pressed close together and the e formations are constricted, all indications of a mind with many preconceptions that clog up the arteries to new ideas.

There are also indications of a person who usually tells the truth (as most of us may see it) and is steadfast and loyal to people and institutions she believes in.

Earlier: Heroes' Hayden Panettiere Is An American Everywoman
Cosmo Girl Rihanna: "Solitary & Self-Involved"
Decoding Cosmo Cover Girl Katie Heigl: "She Refuses To Waste Time With Convoluted Crap"
Cosmo Girl Hilary Duff: Intuitive, Practical And Younger Than She Looks
Cosmo Girl Beyonce Knowles: Detail-Oriented, Thoughtful, Possibly Power-Hungry
'Cosmo' Cover Girl Ali Larter: Self-Involved, Stubborn, Easily Distracted

Related: Sheila Kurtz [Graphology Consulting]

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Jezebel-367128 Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:20:00 EDT Anna http://jezebel.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=367128&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ <i>Cosmo</i> Girl Rihanna: "Solitary & Self-Involved" ]]> cosmorihanna021108.jpgGrammy-winner Rihanna is the March Cosmopolitan cover girl! Unfortunately, she shares the space with a huge pink VA-JAY-JAY. Poor thing. Her parents probably won't want to frame that. Anyway, the singer filled out the "Cosmo Quiz," writing that, if she wasn't a singer she'd love to be a pilot, and that her purse is filled with "a bunch of unnecessary shit." Just like us! But we wanted to delve deeper, so we sent her handwriting to graphology expert Sheila Kurtz, who determined that the 19-year-old (born Robyn Rihanna Fenty in Barbados) can be "solitary and self-involved" but also "outgoing" and "detail-oriented." More expert analysis, after the jump.

rihannaquiz021108.jpg

The slant of this writer's letters range from somewhat left to somewhat right, plus straight up and down. These slants indicate emotional moods that can range from solitary and self-involved, to un-impulsive and logical, to somewhat outgoing. One may never know from moment to moment which of those moods will dominate.

There are hooks at the beginning and ends of many letters including the lower case Ys and Fs. This is a writer who grasps to own things and once they're gotten they won't be let go without a terrible struggle.

The writer is a methodical, detail-oriented thinker who takes time with getting things right. Goals are set where they are easy for the writer to reach without much stretching.

There is tendency of this writer to make "gut" decisions, which is another way of saying intuition. Intuition speeds up the thinking of a methodical thinker so that the methodical thinker can compete with much faster thinkers. This writer uses intuition on occasion, but may not trust it entirely. In the same vein, this writer is sometimes open to new ideas, and sometimes preconceptions and fears clog the arteries of communication (narrowed loops in some Es).

Earlier: Decoding Cosmo Cover Girl Katie Heigl: "She Refuses To Waste Time With Convoluted Crap"
Cosmo Girl Hilary Duff: Intuitive, Practical And Younger Than She Looks
Cosmo Girl Beyonce Knowles: Detail-Oriented, Thoughtful, Possibly Power-Hungry
'Cosmo' Cover Girl Ali Larter: Self-Involved, Stubborn, Easily Distracted

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Jezebel-355021 Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:30:00 EST Dodai http://jezebel.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=355021&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ <i>Cosmo Girl</i> Hilary Duff: Intuitive, Practical And Younger Than She Looks ]]> cosmojanuarycover121007.jpgHappy (early) New Year! For its January issue, Cosmopolitan interviews singer/actress Hilary Duff, who talks about her hockey player boyfriend, becoming an adult, and how obsessing about weight just leads to unhappiness. (Something we could all do well to remember.) Not exactly enticing stuff, to be sure, but, as usual, there's another begging-to-be-analyzed, accompanying handwritten "Cosmo Quiz" alongside Hilary's profile. After the jump, graphologist Sheila Kurtz takes a look at the starlet's handwriting so we can better "understand" the young woman behind the lavender Gaultier halter-top dress.



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The slant of this writer's handwriting is basically straight up and down, an indication that she thinks first and acts later, at least most of the time. Yet there are times when the slant is somewhat to the left (introverted and little sharing of deepest feelings) and to the right (responsive emotionally). There is an immaturity about the inconsistency of the writing that is probably because she is so young (just 20).

Her printing indicates she wants to be understood clearly by others, and the printing (rather than cursive) is her way of doing that. But at times her writing intertwines with letters above and below, which indicates a tendency to occasional confusion.

She is very intuitive (she jumps over several steps of logical reasoning to come to trustworthy conclusions) which speeds up her naturally methodical method of thinking. She is not a deep prober; she takes matters as they are and deals with them, much of the time with "gut" instincts.

The straight down-strokes of the "y" formation indicate that she is essentially a "loner" who, while she can be with others, actually prefers to be alone.

Her goals are very practical, and she sets them where she knows she can reach them. She has no particular interest in stretching for pie in the sky, nor does she take the easiest way out.

The close, round dots over her letters "i" indicate both loyalty (not that often seen) and strict attention to details. She holds on tightly to what she believes in (see final hooks on the "f's" of her last name) but not to the point of stubbornness; she is open-mined and will allow new ideas into her mind without hindrance by preconceptions.

She is very direct and does not like to waste time (no wind-up strokes on any letters).

Now and then you see a partly formed lower loop on her "g" formations, a sign that she has the ability to generate creative ideas, but seldom follows entirely through with them.

She has the ability to speak expressively, but more significantly she knows how to listen, which is probably a key to her early success.

Earlier: Cosmo Girl Beyonce Knowles: Detail-Oriented, Thoughtful, Possibly Power-Hungry
Cosmo Cover Girl Ali Larter: Self-Involved, Stubborn, Easily Distracted
Cosmo Cover Girl Jessica Alba: Emotionally Unavailable, Intuitive, Creatively-Unfulfilled

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Jezebel-332242 Tue, 11 Dec 2007 14:30:00 EST Anna http://jezebel.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=332242&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ <i>Cosmo</i> Girl Beyonce Knowles: Detail-Oriented, Thoughtful, Possibly Power-Hungry ]]> beyoncedec07112607.jpgIt's been a while since our last Signature Psychoses, and that's because Cosmopolitan, the magazine we've come to know and rely on for celebrity scribblings, suddenly wasn't serving them up anymore. What a difference a month makes! For its December issue, Cosmo is back with both a celebrity cover model - Beyonce Knowles — and an accompanying "Cosmo Quiz", in which the singer/actress answers cutesy questions by hand. (Interestingly, Beyonce is also appearing in a print ad for American Express that features a hand-written questionnaire.) Not surprisingly, (and as usual), the "Cosmo Quiz" isn't particularly illuminating, so we went back to handwriting expert Sheila Kurtz and asked her to do some stylnalysis on it, and the AmEx ad. What she found: The Dreamgirls star is imaginative, ambitious, self-reliant, but maybe not so quick on the draw. After the jump, images from both surveys and Sheila's analysis.



Part of the "Cosmo Quiz"
beyoncecosmocrop.jpg

The handwriting is extraordinarily clear, rhythmic, meticulous, logical, and open. She may be somewhat secretive about private matters (as signaled by loops on the right side of "o" formations).

The big, plump loops on the "y" formations indicate an imagination that is very creative and because most of the loops finish above the (imaginary) baseline, there is evidence that she has the power to bring her dreams to fruition.

She is not a fast thinker (the rounded "m" and "n" formations indicate a mostly methodical mind), but she makes up for the relative slowness of process with a good and trusted intuition (signaled by the breaks between letters) that accelerates her ability to draw decisions from strings of facts.

The AmEx ad:
beyonceamexcrop.jpg
The writer pays close attention to details and is well organized, even though she might complain that she is not. The rounded "i" dots indicate that she stands by what she believes in and isn't easily swayed.

Although she says she over-analyzes, there is scant evidence in her handwriting that she probes and weighs and digs too much.

Her "f" formations have what we call tie strokes (they look like a tied shoelace) that signal a person who will keep at it, and at it, and at it until she gets it.

Her overall slant is straight up and down, the sign of a person who seldom is swept away by impulse and thinks before she acts.

The tops of certain "p" formations are higher than the round part of the "p" (as in shopping). This can signal a person who might, on occasion, be called argumentative, perhaps in a defensive way. If she argues it may sometimes be with facts, at other times with her imagination.

She underscores her first name, which is her famous one, and this is also a sign of self reliance. She can and will do things on her own.

The writer expresses herself fluidly on many levels regardless of the education, class or culture of others. The open "e" loops indicate a mind that is not limited or closed by preconceptions. She allows new ideas in. She also has the capacity to listen as well as to talk, a rare commodity.

There are hooks at the start of certain words (like card) that indicates a person who wants to have more than she does now, perhaps material things, perhaps power or knowledge.

In some words (like card) there are capital letters in the midst of a word; these are signs of a person who wishes to stand out and to be different.

All in all, the clarity and elegance are outstanding.

Earlier: Cosmo Cover Girl Ali Larter: Self-Involved, Stubborn, Easily Distracted
'Cosmo' Cover Girl Jessica Alba: Emotionally Unavailable, Intuitive, Creatively Unfulfilled

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Jezebel-326174 Mon, 26 Nov 2007 10:30:00 EST Anna http://jezebel.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=326174&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ 'Cosmo' Cover Girl Ali Larter: Self-Involved, Stubborn, Easily Distracted ]]> CosmoOct2007091707-2.jpgAnalyzing handwriting is fun! And once again, it's time for an analysis of Cosmopolitan's "Cosmo Quiz". See, every month "The #1 Women's Magazine" includes a spread of illuminating scribbles donated by that month's cover girl. Up for October: Heroes actress Ali Larter. After the jump, our favorite graphologist, Sheila Kurtz, weighs in on Larter, who may be more like the sexy, self-involved,"Jessica" side of her on-screen split personality than the nurturing, selfless "Niki". (Proving what we've long said about women named Jessica.)


Below: a sample of Larter's "Cosmo Quiz". Following: the analysis.

AliLarterCosmo091707.jpg
The slant of this writing is definitely way to the left (directionally, not necessarily politically), an indication that the writer is very difficult to know beneath what she may show on the surface. The writer is self possessed and mostly interested in how matters will work out for her personally. She may not extend herself sincerely for others. The writer's t-bars (the line that goes sideways) are placed from the top to the bottom of the t-stem. This signals that the writer is unsure whether to set her goals high, where she may have to stretch, or low, where she can achieve them by merely stooping a bit. Although the initial hooks on some letters signal that the writer strongly wishes to acquire things (like money, fame, knowledge, or power), the inconsistent goals may make her unsure as to her direction. The large, full loops on some of her letters show that the writer has an active imagination, when she chooses to use it. Notice the huge loops in "days" and "dogs". There are several incomplete loops, which indicate a person who can dream up interesting and original concepts, but may fail to bring them to reality. Hooks at the end of letters indicate a person who will grip like Velcro to things, people, and ideas they have acquired. The writer will have a difficult time letting go, even after it is clear that the time for letting go has come. There is an intertwining of some letters from one line of writing to the next, a sign that the writer may get scattered and confused if faced with too many projects at one time. To perform best, this writer must take on and finish one task at a time and avoid juggling too many tasks at once. The strong, heavy t-bars indicate that the writer probably has a good share of energy and drive. The loops in the lowercase e's are open. The writer is accepting of the ideas of others and does not filter them out with preconceptions. There are strong, conclusive strokes on the ends of certain letters (see the strong finish to "woman"). This writer will independently reach her own decisions and take action.
Earlier: 'Cosmo' Cover Girl Jessica Alba: Emotionally Unavailable, Intuitive, Creatively Unfulfilled Jessicas Are All Pretty Bitches ]]>
Jezebel-300447 Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:00:00 EDT Anna http://jezebel.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=300447&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ 'The Daily': Just Like 'Us'! ]]> dailycover091007.jpgWhen you show up at the Bryant Park tents, you get a free issue of The Daily Front Row — a fun, splashy, oversized magazine that's super-insidery, like Fashion Week's school newspaper. Imagine our surprise when we opened it up and found a version of our Signature Psychoses handwriting analysis! We're not the first ones to try and find meaning in celebrity scribbles, and we won't be the last, but damn, biters! We noticed that UsMagazine.com analyzed Jessica Alba's handwriting the same day we did, but we were too polite to call them out. But the Daily included magazine editors — totally our beat! After the jump, the offending page.

dailyhandwriting091007.jpg
UPDATE: Editor-in-chief Brandusa Niro e-mailed to tell us that they've doing handwriting analysis "since Jezebel was just a character in a movie." Or at least since 2003. So we take back calling them "biters." But, you know, we only received The Daily Front Row by going to fashion shows and this is our first fashion week, so what do we know?

Related: 'Cosmo' Cover Girl Jessica Alba: Emotionally Unavailable, Intuitive, Creatively Unfulfilled

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Jezebel-298181 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 13:30:00 EDT Dodai http://jezebel.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=298181&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ 'Cosmo' Cover Girl Jessica Alba: Emotionally Unavailable, Intuitive, Creatively Unfulfilled ]]> albacovercosmosept07.jpgAnalyzing handwriting is fun! And while we were all set to have the chicken scratches in Lucky analyzed, we were informed by a Lucky rep that, sadly, staffers do not actually pen the purple-prose laden "Editor's Picks" in every issue. (That "honor" goes to the magazine's art directors). Such is not the case in Cosmopolitan, however. Every month "The #1 Women's Magazine" includes a spread of illuminating scribbles that are, in fact, donated by that month's cover girl for the magazine's "Cosmo Quiz". After the jump, graphologist Sheila Kurtz weighs in on the September Cosmo cover girl, Jessica Alba, the type of woman we love to hate but who, in reality, may be down-to-earth and pretty decent.

Below: a sample of Alba's "Cosmo Quiz". Following: the analysis.

albasignaturesample082007.jpg
The slant of the writing is to the left, an indication that although the writer may seem outgoing and available that is actually not the case. This writer holds emotions in and let's only the most tested and trusted people in with then. The form of the letters is also block-style printing: such writers are consciously careful not to show on the surface what may be bubbling underneath.

The spaces between letters indicate the writer possesses intuition, among the most vital traits of mind for successful people. The writer can leap from fact to fact, and over many unknowns, in order to arrive at trustworthy conclusions. This writer's speed of thinking and reacting is much accelerated by the use of intuition.

There are several Greek e forms, which look like backward 3's. These are indications of a literary bent, and the writer is probably expressive both in writing and orally.

The "V" formation in the m's and n's are indications of a mind that can and will dissect information, weigh it and evaluate it, and eventually come to a decision.

The writer is probably extremely loyal to a set of beliefs (round i dots) and comfortable with details (close proximity of i dots to the i stem).

There are "breakaway" strokes in the sample (after a firm down-stroke, an up stroke that breaks away and upward, like the r in "first".) This signals a person who will seize the initiative and go forward without the urging of others.

The writer is of independent mind (short t's).

There are no initial strokes: this writer likes to get to things and loathes wasting time.

There is evidence in the lower loops of the y's that the writer has a creative imagination, which goes largely unfulfilled. The writer may conjure a fine and original idea, but then is likely to tire and turn away before the idea comes to fruition.

The writer seems frank, lacks signs of self-deceit, and seems of good integrity.

This writer's goals are very high (the t bar is usually at the top of the t stem). The writer's determination is not too strong, but energy and drive (apparent pressure of writing) can pull things through.

The Fantastic Jessica Alba [Cosmopolitan]
Earlier: All Jessicas Are Pretty Bitches
It's Official: Jessicas — From Alba To Z — Suck


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Jezebel-291095 Tue, 21 Aug 2007 14:00:00 EDT Anna http://jezebel.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=291095&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Does 'Teen Vogue' Editor Amy Astley Let Anna Wintour Sign Her Name For Her? ]]> astleywintour.jpgIn September 2000 Amy Astley, then a beauty editor at Vogue, wrote a story about saying "ciao to hanging hair" and cutting a "chic, sleek bob." Know any other editor with a chic, sleek bob, folks? In short, Amy — now the editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue — takes her hairstyle cues from Anna Wintour, which is appropriate for someone who's invariably described by people close to and at arms-length from her as a more of a "figurehead" than an actual editor. (Another oft-used description: "bitch.") As the great helmswoman of the Vogue megabrand, Wintour essentially calls the shots at Astley's magazine, from cover subjects to "strategic direction," leaving Astley to go about the important business of pretending she runs the magazine for the sake of viewers of The Hills. So perhaps Wintour also signs Astley's name for her! After all, as graphologist Sheila Kurtz puts it, Astley's "penmanship" suggests (improbably!) someone who would "go after [opportunity] without anyone else's OK."

amyastleysignature.jpg

This is a tiny sample, with hints rather than clues. The first impression is one of strong competence.

The 'm' form shows 'mountaintops' that signal a person who likes to gather information on her own.

Between the mountaintops is a distinct 'V' formation, the indication of a person who can deftly analyze matters and situations.

The connection between the A and the m is smooth and fluid. She can, if she chooses, express herself elegantly.

There may be a sign of personal initiative (where the first m-line heads downward and then breaks away upward). When an opportunity pops up, this writer will probably go after it without anyone else's OK or urging. The significant tent-like formation in the A and the m signals stubbornness. The writer will cling to what she believes in, right or wrong, long after she realizes that it's better to let loose.

Earlier: 'Vogue' Editor Anna Wintour Not Exactly Playing Against, Uh, Type

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Jezebel-288709 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 11:00:00 EDT Moe http://jezebel.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=288709&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ 'Glamour' Editor Cindi Leive: Smart, Sensitive...OMG We're Really Trying Hard Not To Judge! ]]> cindi1pic080907.jpgCindi Leive was the daughter of a scientist mom who attended the nation's nerdiest and most self-serious liberal arts college and interned at the Paris Review ... all so she could grow up to edit Glamour? Where her crowning achievements include... the online Do's And Don'ts forum, Alyssa Shelasky, Edgy English Teacher. We're not going to editorialize on this matter, because according to Sheila Kurtz's handwriting analysis, she's "exquisitely sensitive" to criticism and very easily "wounded." Also: no one we know has told us she's a bitch. Yet!

cindileivesignature080907.jpg

This writer is exquisitely sensitive to sharp criticism. This sign is visible in the inflated loop of the "d" in Cindi. She cares what others say about her and her work. She is often wounded, and she may be poignantly hurt by barbed, destructive opinions.

There is also a large loop standing for the "C" in Cindi, and another in the "L" in her last name. These indicate an inclination toward the philosophical, but the signature is insufficient to point to what areas.

There is a needle-point in the "n" that signals a person who picks up information at NASCAR speed; she ranks in the 95th percentile. The "i" forms are closely dotted, a sign of attention to detail. Also, the dots are round and precisely placed (even in the last name). This signals a strong loyalty to particular people, values and institutions.

The last name is a loop and a straight line. The line is firm and straight with a hook at the end. This form speaks of caution (the straightness) and tenacity (the hook). The writer will think long and hard before she lets anyone into her realm; once a person is admitted, the writer may be their champion for life.

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Jezebel-287769 Thu, 09 Aug 2007 11:05:29 EDT Moe http://jezebel.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=287769&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ 'Elle' Magazine's Roberta Myers: Creative, Cautious, Constant ]]> robertamyerspic080807.jpgCompared to its fashion magazine cousins, Elle is one tough, slightly-feminist chick. One of the few women's titles unafraid of its own (or its readers') intelligence, Elle is overseen by one Roberta 'Robbie' Myers, who, unlike her editrix peers, is not much of a glamourpuss/press whore... mostly because she wants it that way. Lately, however, Myers has been in the news, due to a string of staff departures, a massive redesign, and, well, a curious choice of cover subjects. But what do we really know about her? Well, not much. After the jump, graphologist Sheila Kurtz finds that Ms. Myers — former boss/mentor to our own Jennifer Gerson — is as careful with her public persona as she is with the content in her magazine.

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This is a hard one. The signature is snarled like a fishing line.

What shows is good imagination (nice loop in the "y"). There are open "e" formations that signal a mind that accepts new ideas with interference from preconceptions or preset limitations. There is a caution stroke at the end of her name to indicate a person who carefully monitors her decisions and the consequences of those decisions. There is also a "tie-stroke" like a typical shoelace knot at the end of what appears to be her first name. It indicates this writer will try, try, try and try again and again and again.


Earlier: 'Elle' Magazine: And Then There Were None
Related: Elle Has A Little Work Done [NYTimes]
Elle-ward Bound [FWD]

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Jezebel-287125 Wed, 08 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT Anna http://jezebel.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=287125&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ 'Allure' Editor Linda Wells: Determined, Impatient, Logical ]]> lindawells080707.jpgHow in God's name does a magazine like Allure survive year after Creme de la Mer-laden year? Well, besides lots of quid pro quo between advertisers and beauty editors, the continued durability of the magazine owes a lot to Linda Wells, who went from being a Connecticut-born, über-blonde beauty/style reporter for the NY Times to a 5th Avenue-residing, über-blonde editor of Si Newhouse's paean to everything pretty, polished, or associated with Patricia Wexler. After the jump, graphologist Sheila Kurtz analyzes Wells' tomato-red scribble (try the aptly-named Fifth Avenue from Essie Cosmetics, $8, to get the look at home!) and finds that behind the fine lines and plumped-up curves lurks a judgmental, direct, suprisingly-deep thinker who is most definitely set in her WASP-y ways.

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What stands out in this signature is that you cannot read Linda Wells' first name. The form she uses seems to be a series of poetic sweeps. There is a hook at the end, a sign of tenacity. The writer will hold on tightly to hard-won gains and whatever else is important to her. There is a slash at the top of the first-name form, an indication of impatience, perhaps born in frustration, perhaps annoyance with a slow pace, perhaps with too many duties and details.

This writer communicates directly and does not like to waste time. The roundedness of the forms is a sign of methodical thinking, where the writer steps from one fact to another and another to reach a logical conclusion.

However, the last name, Wells, is clear and readable.

The "e" loop is closed, a sign that the writer filters new ideas through a screen of prejudgments and/or preconceptions.

One "l" of the two l's shows a narrow loop, a sign of some proficiency in abstract thinking (music, mathematics, philosophy).

The small loop visible in the middle of the "W" is a sign that that the writer tends to worry an issue (and gets impatient with herself and others) until the issue is resolved.

Earlier: 'Allure' Magazine's Not-So-Groundbreaking 'Investigation'
Anna Wintour Not Exactly A Style Icon To 'Allure' Magazine

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Jezebel-286641 Tue, 07 Aug 2007 11:15:00 EDT Anna http://jezebel.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=286641&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ 'Cosmopolitan' Editor Kate White: Infuriatingly Even-Keeled ]]> katewhitepic080607.jpgThe success of the magazine she oversees has long been contingent on exploiting female anxieties (Shouldn't he have asked you to marry him yet? Maybe it's because you're not a good enough cuddler? Or because you talk too much? But it's probably because you can't give a blow-job to save your life!) and then 'solving' them, but Cosmopolitan's Kate White is no Nervous Nellie herself. In fact, according to graphologist Sheila Kurtz, unlike her predecessors at the magazine — the famously dysfunctional Bonnie Fuller and the self-hating Helen Gurley Brown — White is as conventional and sensible as her name suggests. (Maybe that's why, when she's not cooking up back-bruising new sexual positions for America's masochistic young women, she writes mystery novels?). An analysis of White's annoyingly white-bread signature, after the jump.

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Her signature is easy to read, with a good flow, a consistent rhythm. She is in balance emotionally. There are acquisitive hooks at the start of the W in White and the "t" in that name.

The "t" forms are very short, a sign of an independent thinker. She makes her own decisions. The endings of Kate and White are both strong, a sign of decisiveness. The t bars are strong and heavy, an indication of good energy and drive.

'Consistent rhythm... strong and heavy... good energy and drive'? Sounds like Kate is a Hot Tub Hug kind of woman.

Sex Position Of The Week [Cosmopolitan]
Related: Kate White Is A Secret Blonde Genius [Gawker]

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Jezebel-286043 Mon, 06 Aug 2007 11:30:00 EDT Anna http://jezebel.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=286043&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ 'Lucky' Editor Kim France's Asian Influences, Hatred Of Authority ]]> kimfrance080307.jpgLucky editor Kim France has always been something of an enigma to us. A Dinsosaur Jr.-worshipping Sassy editress in our youth, she later masterminded the first magazine to eliminate basically all text in favor of pictures of shit you should buy. She's spent many of the ensuing years making "No no no, no contradiction to see here!"-type excuses like "I believe women are allowed to think difficult thoughts and really superficial thoughts at the same time," and "I'm using my brain a lot more rigorously than I was when I was writing 1,000-word profiles." But does she really believe that? Our handwriting analyst Sheila Kurtz has some doubts. Likening her signature to a Chinese chop, the super-stylized stamps calligraphers use to mark their work, Sheila thinks France is hiding something behind her super-unconflicted public face... Perhaps that most of the marked-up crap in her magazine is made in China?

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This signature, like the Chinese "chop," identifies and authenticates who did the work, but it is actually a calligraphic design, a tiny work of art that hides more than it reveals.

What her "chop" does show fairly clearly (the big "K" with a buckle across the middle) is a sense of defiance to those above her who may be trying to tell her what to do or how to think.

Ha! Kim France totally hates Charles Townsend and Sandy Golinkin!

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Jezebel-285720 Fri, 03 Aug 2007 11:01:58 EDT Moe http://jezebel.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=285720&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ 'Marie Claire' Editor Joanna Coles Has Huge Handwriting, Frontal Lobe ]]> joannacolesphoto080207.jpgTime for another incredibly revealing look at women's magazine editor signatures. Next up: Marie Claire editor Joanna Coles, who took over the helm of the Hearst magazine 15 months ago. After the jump, graphologist Sheila Kurtz weighs in on the blonde British import, suggesting that perhaps that despite her magazine's steadily-declining September ad pages, Coles' good intentions and big ideas (maybe even the plagiarized ones?) might save 'Marie Claire' after all.

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The lower loop of "Joanna" is HUGE. This mirrors the size of this writer's imagination. She can come up with novel ideas and then has the initiative to go out and bring the ideas to reality. Her creativity must include other people. (Initiative is indicated by breakaway strokes at the end of Joanna and the end of Coles.) She will "break away" to get her dreams accomplished. Still, there is a most unusual sign of cautiousness in the breakaway stroke (it is far longer than most). Her caution keeps her grand imagination from getting out of hand.

There is a large upper loop that may indicate a mystical bent. She is probably open to new ideas (the reasonably open "e" in Coles).

There is a double loop in the "o" in Coles. This writer may blow certain matters out of proportion (like a big fairy tale).

Earlier: 'Harper's Bazaar' Editor Glenda Bailey: Smart But Stubborn
'Vogue' Editor Anna Wintour: Not Exactly Playing Against 'Type'
Is A Pair of Jeans 'Ever' Worth $555? 'Marie Claire' Sure Isn't Saying
'Marie Claire' Sees 'Jane' As Role Model, Requests Rolodex

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Jezebel-285110 Thu, 02 Aug 2007 11:00:00 EDT Anna http://jezebel.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=285110&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ 'Harper's Bazaar' Editor Glenda Bailey: Smart But Stubborn ]]> baileysimpsons080107.jpgIt's Day 2 of our stylnalysis (yeah we made that word up) of women's magazine editors' signatures: Today we've got graphologist Sheila Kurtz's take on charmingly batty Harper's Bazaar editor Glenda Bailey (rendered at left as a Simpsons character from the August issue, the one brilliant idea in the magazine in God-knows how long). After the jump, handwritten evidence that Ms. Bailey and the essentially irrelevant fashion magazine she oversees — Paris Hilton & Nicole Richie on the cover of the June issue? What would Vreeland think??? — may be so stubbornly (and sadly!) clueless that both are beyond the point of professional repair.

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This writer shows a presence. The signature is big, clear, and in your face, in a nice way.

The 'e' is very open. She listens carefully to new ideas, lets them percolate in her mind in an analytical (and methodical) way.

There is a long, straight down-stroke of the G, a sign of determination to follow through.
There are tent-like forms in the 'a' in Glenda, and between the 'e' and the 'n'. These are signs that the writer will hold to a position long after she knows she was mistaken, but the signature is too small a sample to say so for sure.


Earlier: 'Vogue' Editor Anna Wintour: Not Exactly Playing Against, Uh, 'Type'
The Harper's Bazaar Index: August 2007
Expert: Paris Hilton Handwriting Conclusive Proof She Is A Retard

Related: Graphology Consulting Group

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Jezebel-284593 Wed, 01 Aug 2007 11:15:00 EDT Anna http://jezebel.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=284593&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ 'Vogue' Editor Anna Wintour: Not Exactly Playing Against, Uh, 'Type' ]]> annawintourheadshot073107.jpgWe've worked at enough women's magazines to know that their letters from the editor pages are rarely written by the editors themselves: Usually, a staff writer or junior editor composes the letter, which is then read aloud to the editor in chief in between clothes fittings and assorted cell-phone conversations. Anyway, since we can't tell who's really responsible for each month's ode to social-climbers, conspicuous consumption and anti-aging techniques we decided to analyze the letters from women's magazine editors in a wholly different manner: By their signatures! With help from our favorite handwriting expert, Graphology Consulting Group's Sheila Kurtz (who memorably analyzed the scribblings of Paris Hilton) we'll be posting an analysis of a women's magazine editor's signature each day for the next 10 days First up (obviously!) is Vogue's grand poobah Anna Wintour, whose scribbling shows her to be icy, vain, and ruthless. (Wait, we needed a handwriting expert to tell us this?)

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The writer of this signature is a private individual and very difficult for an outsider to get to know. A left slant indicates a person who may on the surface appear cordial or sociable, and in reality prohibits the entry of most people into her personal world.

There is a very big hook on the crossbar of the 'A', an indication of a personality that craves to acquire the material. Because the signature reveals so little, we can't tell what she craves. It could be knowledge, power, influence, wisdom, or sapphires.

There are several 'v-shaped formations in 'Anna.' These are the signs of an analytical mind that probes well below the surface for whatever she needs. The writer is also intuitive (there are several breaks between letters), which means she can hop over many islands of methodical facts on the way to her conclusions. She has learned to trust this "gut" response. Plus, fact-jumping accelerates her methodical thinking exponentially.

The tops of the last 'a' in Anna and also the 'o' in Wintour are open, a signal of a person who enjoys voicing her own views but seldom invests the time to listen to others.

The 't' in Wintour is two or three times the altitude of the smaller letters. This is a signal of a personal pride that has ascended to the realm of vanity.

There are hooks at the end of several letters that indicate that the writer is tenacious. Combined with her desire to acquire she won't let go of whatever she gets.

The goals of this writer are practical and well within her fine capabilities.


Earlier: Expert: Paris Hilton Handwriting Conclusive Proof She Is A Retard
Anna Wintour's Heart Of Darkness

Related: Graphology Consulting Group

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Jezebel-284174 Tue, 31 Jul 2007 11:31:23 EDT Anna http://jezebel.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=284174&view=rss&microfeed=true