Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It has been a truly amazing year. I can't believe that it's come to an end so soon. So much happened in 2011 and I'm sure you'll agree that this past year has brought with it some excitement along with some terrible news.
From the Royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton to the sad disasters with Tsunamis and earthquakes that happened in several places in the world....... 
Waoh, What a huge difference 12months can make to a persons life. Everything in life could change in just a matter of minutes.
I must say that I have been truly blessed by amazing friends and family around me this past year. I needed strenght and support with losing my grandma over the summer, and somehow I made it through such a difficult time .
I am so grateful to everyone of you who took the time out to support me. Through twitter, to reading my blog posts, comments on my facebook page, prayers and well wishes. I appreciate them all. You all are my Inspiration for 2012. You help me keep that fire burning to do better than I ever thought I could. 
Thank you!!!

If there's one precious piece of advice I could share with you this New Year It'll be.... CONFIDENCE!!!!!!
Have confidence in your beliefs, yourself and what you stand for. Don't be too stubborn to learn from others yet, don't let situations and other people's failures determine your goals and dreams in life. 
Pretend to be confident until it becomes a permanent part of your personality! Fake it till you make it. Most people  I know that have achieved greatness in life will attest to how important it is to be confident.
No one will believe in you if you don't show them how much you believe in YOU!
Thank you so much for making my dreams come true and allowing me to do what I genuinely Love.
Here's to more Fabulous New Years to come!!!
Have an amazing New year, filled with peace, good health, laughter and Love......................................
Love always
Fran
x

My favourite You-Tube Videos of 2011

One of my favourite videos amongst many was Lisa's Audrey Hepburn Tutorial. There was something amazing about the subtle, yet immense changes she made all through the video to create this look. I found it very inspiring on the old saying that 'Less is indeed more'. It this case, it was a brilliant take on the classic Hepburn look.

The next video that I couldn't help but watch over again was Pixiwoo's Cystal Renn's shoot tutorial. I started off on you tube watching these amazing artists (Nic and Sam) and I have learnt a great deal since. Not to mention the sheer excitement and fun I've had just listening to them share their lives with us. This video was another moment when I was glad I was a subscriber! Honestly.

 

The next video that i was really pleased to see this year was from a very special makeup lover like myself and she's called XXTheIslandBeautyXX. A few of us had been worried about her after the terrible disaster this year in Japan. I for one was glad to see her back in full form and pleasant as usual. Her personality is very infectious. She is so easy to fall in love with and she's got amazing makeup skills too. Here's one of her videos from the past year.

                          

Top 5 Winter Must Haves/ Wish List

Hello Lovelies, 

Hope you all are keeping well and gearing up for the holiday season. I have been sampling some products to add to my Christmas wish list. Yes that time of year has come again, when we needn't have any excuse to give ourselves presents and a little TLC.

Rummaging through the endless christmas sales on at the moment, and the never ending queues in stores. Off I went to sample my Christmas wish list. My favourites so far are unending. But  I painstakingly narrowed it all down for you not to get all muddled up in my Christmas wish 'BOOK'.... (much longer than a list) Fiasco.

I recently came across The SAI-SEI Mineral Deep Moisture Body Cream. It appears very hydrating but not gloppy at all. From my research, it contains amazing ingredients especially for this time of year. It contains essential minerals from Japan's hot spring (Onsen), Uji Green Tea, Rice bran (to keep skin beautifully soft)  and a whole lot more. ..... Probably best not to have a chemistry class on this product......;)

But yes... It is that amazing!

On to Fragrance....I have also had my eye on the amazing ( personal taste applies of course) Aqua Di Parma's Iris Nobile Eau de Toilette. As the name obviously suggests, It is based around the beautifully fragrant Iris flower which I love. It isn't heady or too strong, neither is it too sweet. For me, it has the right balance of what that signature perfume should be. The one bottle you reach for over and over again. So yes, It is at the top of my list and I can see it being a repeat through the years.

Another must have this winter (and all year round) is the famous Eve Lom  Kiss Mix Lip Balm. This is a cult product for a lot of us that experience incredibly chapped, dry flaking lips during winter... (OK: A little disclaimer... I don't suffer from all of the above at a time OK, maybe I do......and if you do, it is absolutely FINE! Join the Lip savers club with this Balm, I have ) 

This protects from UV rays and keeps lips very moisturised not sticky. I often apply it as a lipstick base onto clients' lips, whilst applying foundation, giving it time to sink in before going in with lip colour. Which can often be drying without a good base prior.

 

My next Item, which I have sworn by in my Kit for a little while now, is the By Terry Light Expert. The sheer simplicity of the product makes it very easy for me to carry around and it works wonders on mature skin too! It contains  hyaluronic acid filling spheres, moisturising properties ,anti-ageing and antioxidant active ingredients. 

(Believe me, I do not go to the labs with my note pad and chemistry laboratory glasses)

Put simply, ( Without another chemistry class popping up) it plumps up hollow areas, smoothes wrinkles and fine lines (not permanently, nothing does), and silicones cover the skin with a fine film keeping the effect of supple skin........ What more can you want from a foundation. 

(P.S- Depending in the colour, it can double as an amazing highlighter) Fab!!!!

Finally, I tried for the first time today The Rodial Body Souffle' in Socialite. This is probably the best Body Souffle/cream/butter/ everything else that stands as body cream..... That I have tried in Years/ Ever! It is pure Luxury. Heaven on earth. Infused with pink champagne (yes real pink champagne) & Cassis, It is moisturising and rich but not sticky at all. Not heavy, that it just sits on the skin. It penetrates the skin giving intense hydration. And the scent.......Oh that scent.......Again all I can say is Well done Rodial! As always this brand delivers on quality every time.

I can picture all these heavenly goodies sitting on my vanity this Christmas, can you?

Love ,

Francine

 

Welcome to my new blog.......

Hello Lovelies,
So if you are reading this, I'll say a huge Thank you for checking out my new blog.
That also means one thing, you are a Beauty Lover........ Like me!

 On that note, I promise to make it worth your while (Yikessss!!!!! that's a huge opening commitment).  Seeing that in this day and age, our lives are full of makeup products, skin care regimes and all things health and beauty combined. 
So as you stick it out reading my different experiences with people and products of the beauty industry, (Which you know amounts to a whole lot of blog posts),  I am positive they'll be lots of laughter, excitement, and memorable moments to share.
I am aware that they are numerous, (and I mean thousands of)  Beauty and Makeup blogs out there. But with all the makeup and Beauty Industry has to offer, there must be room for one more 'INTUITIVE' makeup artist!
So welcome and see you on my next post.


Francesca
   xxx