More Girly Things

Pink is not a normal hue in my own personal makeup bag. I love it on my clients, but it has never been the color I am drawn to-yet, I'm slowly coming around this season!! I want everything ubber-girly pink right now! I bought Nars New Order the other day just because it was pink with glitter in it...I'm addicted. 

When you have a medium tan to deep skin tone you have to choose the correct pastels so you don't look washed out (especially in pictures). Grey is one of my favorite eyeliner colors to opt for when wanting a lighter look...it's not as harsh as black and its not as common as brown. It is a nice change of pace for your daily look (oh and it pairs well with anything pink). I'm going to consider the color grey a pastel for the sake of this post. Light or deep skin tones can alwaaays wear a bold pink lip-I have my eye on MAC's Candy Yum Yum. If you want to create a creamier consistency or tone your hot pink lips down a bit, glosses with a white undertone can help with that. 

For those with more fair tones, feel free to slather on Nars Copacabana Liquid Illuminator. It's wonderful to brighten up the face-and rid of those dark shadows under the eyes. Mixing it with your concealor can add a nice lifting effect as well. Powders can also perk up the skin to give a refreshed glow...I will use a loose or pressed powder, just as long as it has a hydrating property in it. It is really nice during colder seasons, as our skin can get chapped and affected by the wind/cold air. Even us with oily skin need hydration, so any skin type can try Bobbi Brown's new Brightening Finishing Powder.

Nail polish is one way to bring any and every color into your life, and this New Years Eve I decided Strawberry Milkshake by Ciate complimented by tan quite well! It takes a few coats to get the right look, but well worth the effort. 

Here's to a year full of more girly things!

XOXO

Priscilla 

 

Booking Brides {Summer 2013}

While it is only January 9th...2013 seems to be already booked up! My phone calender has too many little dots notifying me of events to come this year.

Looking back, I had an amazing 2012. I was blessed to meet some amazing women, and getting to work with them on their special day was such an honor! Honestly, every single girl I met was stunning-personality wise as well as just straight up good looking. It was so cool to connect with strangers, and once we met, there was a comfortably-like we have been friends for years. Hearing about their proposals, listening to their dreamy honeymoon plans... I love every moment I get with my brides!

Location: Rose Hotel in Pleasanton // Hair by Kellie Gish Renzulli // Photography by Ashley Maxwell

Location: Grace Vineyards in Elk Grove // Photography by Ashley Maxwell

Location: Hecker Pass Winery in Gilroy // Hair by Danielle Derksen // Photography by Ashley Maxwell

Location: Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco // Photography by Ashley Maxwell

Now, on to business! I am officially booking for the summer of 2013-it is never to early to start booking your wedding vendors. The earlier the better, because time sure does fly. If you or a friend are getting married, contact me via email at priscillafrancine.makeup@gmail.com

My commitment to you is picture perfect skin, kissable lips, and eyes your future Hubby will never forget! (...and we will have a great time together too!) Never feel like you are bothering me...this is my job-it's what I love to do. Even though it breaks my heart, if I am unavailable I will help you find another makeup artist that you will love!!

When contacting me, please provide the date and location of your special event. View more details and prices here. I AM SO EXCITED TO MEET YOU! 

Congratulations on your special day,

 XOXO
Priscilla Francine

Flawless Skin

One of the most important things to learn about makeup application is how to achieve a flawless face. ModCloth employee, Molly, was a great face model so I'm going to walk you through the steps before eyes and lips with her. First things first, learn your skin type-Most women are a combination of oily and dry, so I use multiple products to prep the skin to compliment each concern:

1. Prep the skin with Laura Mercier's Secret Finish-Mattifying liquid gel, concentrating on the T-Zone, or wherever skin is the most oily.
2. Apply an invisible creamy gel, like Laura Mercier's Oil Free Foundation Primer or Hydrating Foundation Primer on the entire face to help foundation last longer and lay natural on the skin.
3. The next step is optional, but my favorite...I love the effect Laura Mercier's Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer adds to the dull, dark, or dry skin. (Especially in photos! It adds a beautiful glow to the skin!) I only apply this product under the eyes, maybe a little on the apples of the cheeks, or anywhere necessary to add life to the face.

4. Hide dark circles or any pigmentation on the face with Estee Lauder's Double Wear Concealer 5. Shake and than Spray Dior's Airflash Foundation on a flat, blunt-cut brush and buff onto the skin.

6. Add shape to the face by contouring under your cheekbone, top of the forehead, nose, chin, and under the jaw with a matte bronzer.

7. Add a rosy hue of color to the apple of the cheek, overlapping the bronzer just a bit.

8. Highlight the inside of the nose and sweep Soft Tints by Smashbox over the blush and bronzer. *A great trick to add volume to your lips...dust the shimmery powder in the bow of your upper lip!

9. Highlight under your eyebrow to lift and open up the eye, using Highbrow by Benefit.

10. Softly blend into the eye with a cream shadow brush, or your fingers.

Wedding Season is here-and ModCloth spent all of last week indulging it's readers in Momentous Marrry-ment! I was a guest artist, featured on their blog for the special occasion. Now that you have read all about the first steps to beautiful skin, check out my updated version of Pretty Pastel makeup to finish your look. It's a great look for any bride, bridesmaid, or wedding guest! 

xoxo
Priscilla Francine

Black and White

Even though it is too cold to fully commit to wearing linen and resort wear, I couldn't resist wearing my new white Gibson Linen One-Button Blazer today. I paired it with black pants and accessorized my outfit with a white statement necklace. There is something so classic and chic about the combination of black and white.

Deborah Lippmann Nail Color: No More Drama layered with Diamonds and Pearls

My makeup was in sync with my outfit today, black smokey eye with a nude lip...Follow the steps below to create this look:

1. Use your finger to prep your entire eyelid with MAC's paint pot in painterly
2. Smudge a think line of Bobbi Brown's gel liner in black ink near your lash line using MAC's 214 Short Shader Brush
3. Over lap the liner with Laura Mercier Creme Eye Color using MAC's 234 Split Fibre Eye Blending Brush... you can choose any color, but I would suggest Alloy (lighter) or Cocoa Velor (darker)
4. Apply YSL's Volume Effect Faux Cils Shocking Mascara to top and bottom lashes
5. Apply FAUX Audrey Lashes to your lash line for a complete look
6. If needed... define lash line with MAC's Penultimate' Eye Liner in black by lightly pressing against the false eyelash band.

What white blazer do you have your eyes on this season?

XOXO
Priscilla

Taylor & Joey's Engagement Photos

Back in the day...Taylor and I met each other while working at Abercrombie & Fitch. She was my manager, and she will tell you my only flaw as an employee was that I wore way too much makeup! Little did we know, I would be doing her makeup for her wedding one day.

Over the years, I have perfected the "Taylor" look: She has always favored bright pink gloss over anything else, and she loves having a little wing to her eyeliner. On the day of her engagement session, Taylor came prepared for her makeup application with an image she wanted me to recreate. My first instinct after seeing the images, was to apply Sasha Lashes by FAUX. Definition is super important in photos, and the blend of black and brown makes Taylor's eyes stand out even from afar! Online classes in cosmetology are available if you want to learn more tricks, tips, and trends.

To see more images, visit Style Me Pretty

My main goal was to give Taylor clean, flawless skin. You too can achieve perfect skin with these simple steps:

1. Primer was essential since the shoot was in San Francisco, so I first prepped the skin with a pea size of Laura Mercier's oil free foundation primer (entire face).
2. For a soft glow, I blended Laura Mercier's Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer in Natural Radiance on her cheeks, under her eyes and a bit on the T-zone. 
3. I used Benefit's Play stick like a concealer and foundation.
4. To brighten under the eye, I used YSL's Touche Eclat #2
5. To perfect the skin, I pressed Dior's Airflash over her cheeks and a bit on the nose. (application demonstrated here.)

Photography by Ashley Batz

Since we went bold with the lashes, I kept the eyeshadow classic and sophisticated by using neutral tones.

1. Truth by Bare Escentuals (seen here)
2. Bobbi Brown's Gel Liner (seen here)
3. White eyeliner in the water line (like this one)

I love this girl SO much...and I am so happy she is marrying Joey-He is one of the sweetest guys I know. I cannot wait for your wedding... thank you for allowing me to share in your memories on this special day.

XOXO
Priscilla

An "Exhibit" of My Own

This is the second photoshoot where photographer, Ashley Batz and I partnered with JE Model Management. We had the pleasure of meeting Emmalee Froenlich  this past week! Her own personal style reflects the trends of the 70's and she had the best eyebrows!!

Photographers Kim A. Thomas and Ashley picked out a few favorite pieces from Madewell-while I styled accessories, hair, and makeup. Special thanks to FAUX Lash for completing Emmalee's look with the oh-so fluttery Sasha lashes. SERIOUSLY. THEY ARE STUNNING!

FAUX Lash-Sasha

To achieve this hair style: curl small sections of the hair like this and use LOTS of hairspray. Pull all the hair up to the top of the head and tie with a hair band. Pull the pony tail tight! Braid a small section of the pony tail, and wrap it around the band to cover it (use a bobby pin to secure in the back). To soften the curls, and add more volume...tease the top and middle of the pony tail (in small sections). Set the look with hair spray.

Flutterfall Skirt by Madewell

I have been dreaming of using Exhibit-A blush, by NARS, for months! Ever since I saw the Thakoon Fashion Show-finally I got to paint a face with it!! It is a verrry pigmented product, so if you would prefer a lighter version of this hue, use a loosely bound blush brush. Always ensure your blush and lips coincide with their undertones. Exhibit-A, has a red/orange undertone that pairs perfectly with Laura Mercier's Sunrise Lip Colour (Also seen here).

Creme Lip Colour in Sunrise by Laura Mercier

Normally I would opt for a lighter eye, since the blush and lips are so bold. Yet, something vibrant on the eye was the only thing that seemed right. NARS Matte Eyeshadow in Outremer captivates my eyes! I wanted the color to show it's true strength, so I used MACs paint pot in painterly as my base, and simply pressed the shadow onto the lid. I stopped as I reached the crease, and used a pony tail brush to soften the edges.

Lily Lace Dress by Madewell

What is your favorite product I used on Emmalee?

XOXO
Priscilla