My Monday morning alarm bells rang. I jumped up and remembered I had an appointment with Frances Jones at Colour Me Beautiful/ Image Matters for a total makeover.

I quickly showered and climbed into my old comfortable clothes as Frances had advised. I felt a little apprehensive as to what advice I was going to receive under the hands of a professional.

I found myself checking my nails, my undone roots and Monday morning bags under my eyes. However once I arrived at the house and introduced myself, I immediately felt at ease as we stepped into her 'beauty' office. Frances and I chatted and I imagine it is important for her to get to know her client's lifestyle.

Though her company is called Colour Me Beautiful, the range of advice that Frances provides is not solely on colours. She incorporates the entire self head to toe, hair, skin, make-up, body type and shape.

Frances invited me to sit in the big chair with a big mirror and big lights. As I arrived fresh-faced Frances was able to determine my make-up needs and she went about choosing my face colours accordingly. She could not stress enough how dry my skin was and I took her advice on how to boost my complexion. She strongly suggested a course of regular facials, just to get started, a course of vitamin C and of course lots and lots of water.

Frances then started my makeup and began with an oyster makeup base, which really evened out my skin tone. She used concealer under my eyes and I noticed the transformation immediately from puffed to at least hidden and only slightly puffed. So far so good.

Frances applied a very natural blush to my cheeks before starting on the eyes. Since it was daytime she used all the neutral browns and shaped my lids with a pencil and underneath my eyes, all very subtly applied. She then accentuated my brow bone with a lovely golden brown shadow, blending, blending blending… she could not stress this enough.

Once this was completed, we started on my colours. Frances has an array of colour charts and she started by holding them up to my face. I learned that spring/ summer suited me the best. This advice is invaluable when I think of the amount of time and money I've wasted on wrong colours and styles. The entire process is simplified by Frances and she is really experienced when it comes to colours from head to toe.

The evidence is very clear when you actually see the difference between a rust brown against my skin to a soft lavender or cream. The rust brown drained me of any colour whilst the lavender enhanced my complexion and picked up the colour in my eyes which, if I say so myself, with the make-up and correct colour, sparkled like I had not seen in a while.

Once Frances had completed the make-up, my colours and had given me very good advice on my body shape we were ready to go to the shop, Aura in Sandymount. Here Frances was going to complete my makeover, swathing me in beautiful clothes she chose.

We tried on lots of variations and finally we both decided on the outfit for the photograph. The services of Frances can be used by anyone who needs to totally revamp themselves or those of us who need a little help just to see what suits them best and bring out the best in themselves. You can bring your wardrobe in your suitcase if this is the advice you need.

Not only does Frances assess people aesthetically and their lifestyle, she seems to have a wonderful gift in amalgamating the two to create a newly-presented you. This can work for your career, after-work wardrobe, glad rags for evening wear or just a general makeover for everyday people just like me. Frances also had some great home maintenance tips like the importance of weeding out our wardrobe on a regular basis.

This is so therapeutic not just for clearing out the old for the new, but it leaves our brain free from the clutter that surrounds us. Keeping our clothes colour co-ordinated as they hang is another simple trick which helps us greatly with those early morning indecisions. Frances's advice is personalised to the individual needs of her client, she will even accompany you as your personal shopper.

She sees clients one-to-one, both men and women of all ages. She also has corporate clients and gives overall advice on personal presentation. She also sees groups of friends to discuss make-up and clothes and have a fun evening swapping unwanted items which is a great way of recycling cast-offs! I really find it hard to express how invaluable and worthwhile these few hours I spent with Frances were.

She is in business over seven years and this is evident in the manner she gives advice, subtly and gently expressed. Her advice is practical and geared to suit individual lifestyles. Frances also provides full hands-on beauty treatments herself, from facials to waxing using all Decleor products.

y Monday morning makeover, what a great start to the week! Frances Jones is available at 2696127 or 0868119698. For more information check out her website on www.francesjones.com Picture: Stephanie after her transformation .