I had the pleasure of meeting Francesca at a brunch at Soho House in LA. She was speaking on a panel about matters of the heart – and dating especially. Francesca’s deliciously positive, sparky and bubbly and has a warmth you can feel a mile off. She shared her story with such an open heart that everyone in the room was inspired to share their own tales of dating gone right…and wrong. On top of being a positive force for love, she’s a kick ass makeup artist with a passion to match her skills! She’s real, raw, relatable and full of briliant gems on all things love!
What do you do and why do you do it?
I work as a freelance makeup artist based out of Los Angeles. I’ve always loved creativity, self expression and people so makeup artistry seemed like the perfect combination of all of those things. I like connecting with different walks of life and makeup is my conduit for that! When I’m not working, I love going on walks with my dog, eating good food, watching Netflix and cooking with my husbear, drinking iced coffee, cracking jokes, taking pictures of flowers and searching for the perfect red lipstick.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever got?
I received a signed book of poetry by e.e. cummings from my ex-husband the first Christmas after we had split up. I will always treasure it although it’s bittersweet.
What’s the worst gift you’ve ever got?
The pair of rollerblades my boyfriend gave me freshman year of college. I thought they were great until I found out they had belonged to his ex girlfriend. It turns out he was pissed he had spent so much money on her right before they had broken up so he went over to her dorm room and asked her to give the rollerblades back. He then passed them along to me. Gee, you shouldn’t have.
What’s your advice for all things love, sex and dating?
My biggest piece of advice is “nobody can be your everything” but that doesn’t mean they can’t be your something or even your lots of things. What I’m saying is don’t rely on one person to fulfill all your needs. You are responsible for your own happiness. Enjoy your life and your own company. If you want to date then go on dates! If you want to have sex then have sex! Obviously, be responsible but try not to overthink things and do what feels right for YOU. Learn to trust your gut instinct and follow your heart. Be honest with yourself and others. Stop listening to what people TELL you and start paying attention to what they SHOW you. If you are true to yourself and love yourself then love, whether it’s platonic or romantic, will find you.
What’s your go to pick me up?
For me, there is no quicker way to refresh than a hot relaxing bath and a manicure/pedicure. It just kinda makes me feel all brand new.
Tell us about your first heartbreak…Tell us about your first heartbreak…
I’d had a couple of boyfriends in high school and college but none broke my heart the way James did. We met my senior year of college at a holiday party and fell madly in love. He was intelligent, quirky, kind and patient. He marched to the beat of his own drum. He wore tie dye shirts and thick black reading glasses and made me peppermint ice cream when the local shop stopped carrying it. I was James’ first serious girlfriend. After a dreamy year of spontaneous road trips and late night studying sessions and about 5,000 cigarettes, he broke up with me. He told me he loved me but was worried that down the line he may wonder what it was like to be with someone else and that he hadn’t had enough experience with dating or seeing the world. I loved him so much that I understood where he was coming from and just wanted him to be happy but that breakup left me utterly devastated and heart sick.
– Tell us about a time you Bounced Back better than ever.
I started dating my first husband when I was 21, married him at 24 and divorced him at 30. I had no idea who I was outside of my marriage and didn’t know what to do with myself as an individual. For the first time in my life, I found myself living alone and going through the range of emotions a divorce can bring. I describe that extremely difficult time as grieving the death of the dream I had envisioned for my life. I realized I had to make a new dream and rediscover myself. After two years of much self reflection, I started to really get to know myself and enjoy my own company. That was the best feeling in the world. No matter what, I knew I’d be okay.
