engagements and weddings

The Best Day Ever





Hello friends! I have been in a blogging hiatus since wedding season started.  I am having so much fun traveling around the Bay Area working on site with my lovely brides! Here's a glimpse of what I am privileged to experience every weekend.  It is such a honor to be a small part of a couples best day ever. 


A special thanks to Kim Baker for assisting me at Dominique's wedding // Video by JMarcMedia


xoxo

Priscilla Francine

Vendor Feature: Photographer Lindsey Hahn

While my clients, personality and skin type are extremely important in determining what products I choose to use on her for her wedding day- I do a lot of research on her chosen photographer too. How the photographer captures things, and edits aids me in finalizing my bride's makeup look. When our work flows well and compliments one another-the outcome is mind blowing. I also love working alongside another vendor who maintains the required professionalism needed, can have fun while still getting the job done, and their personality is genuine and caring. 

I had the pleasure of interacting with photographer Lindsey Hahn for a few hours this past summer and she was a joy to work with. Her presence was calm, but her actions were precise-she knows her art, and she knows it well. Lindsey captures the right angle in every picture, whether its an action shot or a posed shot. Every photo from Erin's wedding made a statement to me, intense, fun, sexy, emotional, loving...I can go on and on. 

Individual Variety Lashes by Faux

Bobbi Brown Light Brown Kit
This is one of my favorite pictures!

Maybelline, Superstay 24 Color in Perpetual Plum

As a makeup artist, I really appreciate the fact that Lindsey did not alter any of the colors in the makeup for my bride Erin. The eyeshadow looked gold in every photo, and the mauve lip color stayed the same in every single image. She allowed my artwork to shine through, and captured my work even better than I imagined!






MAC, Eye Khol Pencil in Fascinating (In her waterline)
Mother, Bride, and Sister's Makeup by Priscilla Francine Makeup 
Lindsey Hahn is located in Paso Robles, and while she is a wedding photographer she also has alot of experience working on editorials too-and wow is it amazing stuff!!! I am looking forward to using her at some point for my own personal pictures, and can't wait to see how she captures me and my hubby!!!

Check out her Facebook, Blog, and Website to see more of her artwork.

XOXO
Priscilla Francine

The Lab Event 2013

Tomorrow is the big day! It's a wedding vendors dream-a bridal fair. Not the type of bridal fair with plastic table cloths and outdated inspiration...this is not the type of event where your fiance stands in the corner pleading to leave. Tomorrow is The Lab Event at the Cline Cellars in Sonoma-a bridal fair even married couples should attend just because it's so fun.

This year I will be doing makeup and hair for the runway show...I will post some pictures throughout the event so those who cannot attend feel like they are part of the exciting action. Make sure to follow me on instagram @ priscillafrancinemakeup to see what makeup looks are trending for the modern bride.


Beauty Trends I would like to see for 2013 Brides:

1. Bold Lips!!!  Red, pink, orange...anything somewhat neon. With so many long lasting products on the market now, there is no need to worry about your color transferring to your main man's lips when you are saying your "I dos"

2. Let's overload on the bling!! Statement necklaces galore!

3. The top knot is here to stay, embrace whimsical, messy hair for your wedding day.

4. Bring some color to your special day and try a light blue or even a emerald green nail color.

5. Clean, dewy skin is always my favorite.

6. Bold lashes and intense defined eyeliner.

If you are coming to The Lab Event don't be shy to say "Hello" !!! I'd love to meet new friends!

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 hereI AM SO EXCITED TO MEET YOU! 

Congratulations on your special day,

 XOXO
Priscilla Francine

What Have I been up to...

Summer just started and it's already over! It's been a busy few months, but it's been a GREAT few months. I even got a vacation thrown in the midst of wedding season. I am back and refreshed and ready to blog. I have ALOT of things to catch up on and tell you about. In the meantime, here's what I have been up to...

1. Anna and Joel flew in from Oregon, and I was lucky enough to work with each of them and their bridal party on their wedding day. Their photographer Jamie Jones captured the day, and even a few images of me applying touch-ups in the ivy! During Anna's trial we played around with a few options for a dramatic eye, and she fell in love with a style that complimented her eye shape. To achieve these beautiful eyes, apply Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black on the entire lid (stopping at the crease). Next, set the lid with Nars Eyeshadow in Night Clubbing. To soften the crease, use a pony tail brush to apply a mauve or heather grey matte shadow. You eventually want to fade the color into eyebrow arch, so your color needs to gradually go from black to white. The best way I can translate this look is to compare it to a rainbow! Think dark to light!

2. Taryn and Shelby are the photographers behind Joielala, who also captured Christie's wedding. I cannot wait to see the final results!!! (Check out the engagement session in the meantime...I used nuetral shades with a highlights of gold and rust.)

3. I met Katie, Katherine's MOH, while working on set at ModCloth in SF. This bridal party got ready at the Inn at The Presidio. Because they wore black dresses, I was free to play with color options for their eyes, cheeks, and lips. I wanted to compliment each bridesmaid's skin tone, so each gal had their own version of a natural look.

4. Katherine was inspired by a magazine editorial with Julia Roberts as the model. To replicate the look, we kept her skin clean and refreshed looking, using the appropriate primers before any foundation. I did not use any bronzer, just a plum blush on her cheekbones. For her eyes, I concentrated on keeping all the color (Plums/burgundy hues) on her top and bottom lash line for definition. After I lined the lashes with the darker shadow, I overlapped it with Bare Escentuals Celestine to add a shimmer. Last, but not least, we kept the lips light, but not too light, because I didn't want her to be washed out in photos. My favorite color for bridal season this year was Perpetual Plum, Maybelline's Superstay 24 Hour Color.

5. Meet Adrianna!! Stay tuned for some amazing images on the ModCloth site!

6. Jamie's wedding day makeup was inspired by Carrie Underwood! Dramatic eyes, a bold pop of color on the cheeks, and a lighter nude lip! Carbon eyeshadow by MAC helped me create this sultry look! Ashley Maxwell was her photographer... I'm drooling over the images already and I haven't even seen them yet!

7. My dear friend Taylor got married this August, and I was honored to be part of her special day! I decided that my new favorite blush color for blondes is Gaiety by Nars-it is sooo pretty!

8. This year, I have been doing lots of bridesmaid up-dos! Thank goodness for my amazing Hot Tools curling iron!

9. Stop by the Favour Shoppe Blog for some skincare tips!

10. Every time a bride tells me they are searching for the perfect location for their destination wedding-I can't help but tell them about The Azul Resort in Cabo. It is one of the most peaceful and beautiful resorts ever. Our first visit was for our honeymoon, this time around we went with some friends... so while the boys had their guy time, us girls spent the day at the Paz Spa getting massages!

11. August 21st was my 2 year anniversary with the hubs. Omg! How time flies!! I feel like yesterday we just got married! We spent a night in Monterey at the Clement Hotel. The room came with a fire place, chocolate anchovies, and Elemis bodycare!!

12. I normally get the standard pedicures when I go to the salon... but I decided to try something unusual and out of my box on my last visit to Lavande, and opted for the Chocolate Pedi. While I enjoyed  by chocolate covered almonds, hot cocoa, and all the sweet smelling lotions-my favorite part was the mud masque they used on my legs. My skin looked so bright after!

Make sure to follow me on Instagram!

XOXO
@priscillafrancinemakeup

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