It's 2012 today we open the book. It's pages are blank. We are going to fill the empty pages ourselves. The book is called Opportunity..... Opportunity to fill your pages with your hopes, your ambitions, your dreams and desires. Today is New Year's Day, and today you begin filling your first chapter, so make each page count! I copied this from a friend’s Facebook post - I thought it was very fitting. A new year to start again. Studio W has some great new classes to offer this year - Special Effects, Body Painting and Portfolio Building!! We will be featuring some of the top industry professionals who will be sharing their talents and knowledge with our students. As we go into this new year what are your new year’s resolutions? Are you following your dreams and aspirations? How will you make an impact on the people around you? For me I’m blessed to be in a profession that I love and have a passion for. This keeps me inspired and on my journey - weather it’s making someone feel beautiful and special with the subtle nuance of doing their makeup or inspiring and motivating others!

As we go into this new year I look for new and fresh ideas on how to continue to give back to others going into this wonderful profession!

Cheers to a fabulous and beautiful new year!

Summer!!

It's that time of year again Summer; and Weddings are in full swing. Make a statement by creating a unique destination wedding in Hawaii. For all of your beauty needs Studio W is the top choice of brides, wedding planners, coordinators, videographers and photographers. Studio W is the preferred vendor for Hawaii’s top rated hotels to include; Sheraton Waikiki, Royal Hawaiian, The Outrigger Hotels, Aqua and Ilikai Hotels, Turtle Bay and Haiku Gardens

To inquire about our bridal beauty services call us at 808-371-8242 or visit us online www.studiowofhonolulu.com.

Studio W won the brides choice award in 2010 and 2011 from weddingwire.com and Martha Stewart for best hair and makeup services in Hawaii!

We look forward to working with you on your very special day!

Warmest Aloha,
Wendy

2011 Year of the Rabbit and Change

Last year was a time for change and new beginnings, so be it. 2011 started off with a bang we had a great turn out at the Honolulu Bridal Expo - we love our brides! I had the opportunity to work with one of the bands I love - The Goo Goo Dolls for the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. The Hilton Hawaiian Village was a great place to people watch, if you’re a football fan. Lots of action there.















Studio W was hired to work on Will Ferrell’s Funny or Die project in Hawaii. Nice group thank you for this opportunity. Isn’t it always the case you’re traveling and you get called for a job. I was called to do makeup for Oprah’s magazine an editorial spread for the May issue in Hawaii, unfortunately I was on my way back to Los Angeles.




Speaking of LA - I had a nice stay with my friend in Santa Monica. Went to the reunion party with the cast and crew from Pacific Blue on the USA network. It was really nice catching up with old friends, no one missed a beat it was like we could have gone right back to the set and picked up where we left off. Great to see everyone. Thanks Paula Tricky for an awesome party!! Darlene adore you - Mario Lopez was missing he was probably busy with the new baby..

















I'm still looking for a unique - boutique makeup studio in the Las Vegas area. Our makeup programs are under way and we've already had a great turn out. From our last program we wish to congratulate Napua who is now doing makeup on fashion photo shoots with Ashley and has booked a few weddings - Great job Napua we wish you continued success with your projects! Congrats to Kathryn who is now working freelance with MAC, working on a print job that could be a billboard and booked her first wedding! Gissel who decided after taking our class she wants to do this as a career in addition to going back to school for esthetics. Nora is well on her way to Miami where she plans to contact Telemundo.. Yay girls this is what it's all about at Studio W. We give you the techniques and tools to succeed in your career choice!

Keep us posted on your continued success..










I have a few film projects in the works. Will post more once I have all of the details.

New* New* New* We will be adding a Special Effects makeup and Body Painting to our schedule. Look for details..

We won again yippee for the second year in a row - Brides Choice award from Wedding Wire & Martha Stewart for being in the top 5% nationally for excellence in service , quality and professionalism.





That's all folks as bug bunny would say.. Let’s hope the year of the Rabbit will bring opportunity and peace to everyone.

Studio W has left the Building!!

Exciting news - We have decided to expand our company’s wedding services working with vendors and brides in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego and Las Vegas. *News *News *News - We’ve moved out of our downtown location on Smith St. This started out as a great place to start our boutique makeup studio. As we discovered the Chinatown district in downtown Honolulu was not the right fit for us. We have a high level of standards and sophistication and the atmosphere we create for our clientele is very important to us. So we bid Chinatown – adieux!!!

Movie News- Wendy will be working on an yet untitled project will blog back with all the cool details.

Studio W is adding new staff as we continue to grow and expand!

I had so much fun in the last master class I can’t remember when I laughed so much, thanks ladies for making this last class a blast! Pictured from left to right - Deva, Angelina, Marylou, Me, Selina and Bianca



Big Congratulations to Studio W Makeup Academy Alumni Mahealani Mika Hirao-Solem who was crowned Miss Aloha Hula 2010 at the Merrie Monarch Festival. Way to go Mika!!


Finished working with Michelle and Mark they were married today - Happy Cinco de Mayo!! What a fun group from Australia. I wish them all the love, joy and happiness on their new journey together. We were working with L’Amour Photography Eric and Wendy you guys always make me smile, I love your energy!! One of these days I just have to make it down under I’ve met so many wonderful people from Australia.

My daughter always the prankster wanted a fake black eye for April Fool’s day as her mom I obliged fun makeup fooled everyone..













Pics from Trina & John's Wedding hey grooms need love too! Jill working her magic.




















I hope you enjoy the new pics, I’ll post more of our wedding pics as we get them.

Happy 5th of May everyone!

New Year - Time of Change

My new year’s promise is to update this blog more often! January was fantastic we met so many awesome brides at the Bridal Expo. Special thanks to all the models; who we were able to work our magic on. They all looked so pretty walking the expo floor in their wedding gowns. We can't wait to get some images from Eugene.



We won the brides choice award for 2010 from weddingwire.com!! We are in the top 5% of wedding vendors locally and nationally who have won this award; for quality, excellence in service and professionalism. Yay..






February finishing up the master makeup class- I had some wonderful students in my class. Wishing them all the best on their makeup journeys.. Tiana Tong one of our students, I have to give her a shout - she placed 4th in the world competition for face and body painting in Austria. Pretty cool. I'll include some pics of them doing what they do best, being creative..


























March we are offering our professional makeup artists classes; on Hairstyling- for brides, commercial, fashion looks and photo shoots.


Studio W became a preferred vendor for Haiku Gardens in Kaneohe. A beautiful venue happy to be a part of this ohana. I love Haleiwa Joe’s they have some of the best food on our side of the island, good eats!

New changes are on the horizon for us. We will be relocating our studio and we will continue to offer our services – On- Location. We will keep you posted and updated with new changes.

Until next time- wishing everyone peace and beauty.

Giving Thanks

I am in awe of how fast this year has gone by. I was looking at the last blog entry and couldn’t believe it was already August, now it's already the end of 2009. As I reflect back on this year I have a lot to be thankful for. My family

















Friends


Brides: Raquel. Meredith we did this shot for a photo shoot with Wendy & Eric. Our Indian bride Ameet from Canada she was referred to us from another bride in Canada how cool is this!!



























































Students and associates who have made this a wonderful year. Forming new friendships, making people smile, giving our students the tools to be inspired, creative and have passion for what they do. I love what I do, it gives me a reason to smile.. Hey I'm thinking of my pal Dave Miyamoto, he makes people smile for a living you gotta love this! Also a big huge thank you to Wendy & Eric of L'Amour photography thanks guys for all the brides you’ve sent us this past year. I can’t express enough how honored we feel to have you refer us. Not to mention you're both so talented and a blast to work with.








































So many new changes for us this year, we moved from our old studio space to the new space. Check out the new place below so much room, yay!! The old space was a bit cozy..








































Students practicing the art of Airbrushing.



We added some new staff to take care of your beauty needs - a hairstylist and esthetician. Welcome Leina - Leina is expert at waxing, facials and eyelash extensions.


Heather our hairstylist has been with us for awhile, she's taking on more salon clients. Heather is great with color, cuts and styling she can even do hair extensions. I feel blessed to have such a wonderful staff in the salon and our amazing team of freelance stylists. Heather, Terri, Toni, Jill and Nathan thank you for all the hard work you do! Can’t wait for our holiday get together.

I’m also proud of the work our makeup graduates have been involved with-

Movies: Finding Gauguin & Coors Light Commercial, Music Videos, Short Films at UH, Various Photo Shoots, Fashion shows at the Honolulu Design Center, Tsunami, Bar 35, Level 4, and a few others.

Keep up the great work and follow your dreams nothing is out of reach.

Speaking of I was asked to speak at the Kailua Windward Boys and Girls Club. Any time I can inspire and motivate young girls to feel better about themselves, it's the best! I talked about what else makeup and the importance of taking care of your skin and good hygiene - start early! Heather talked about the importance of clean hair and scalp. It was a fun day plus we were able to go see the New Moon movie with them - nothing like having a bunch of girls screaming in a movie theater, ok Jacob is Hot!! So is Edward :)


























I've included some pictures of this past year to show our journey with brides, students and well life in general. Hope you like them and a few from my photography class - a new hobby..














Next year I hope to be turning another corner creatively and I'm always up for some new adventures.. Cheers to 2010!

Summer Time

As I sit here reading my last blog entry I can't believe it's almost August. Here’s a re-cap of our summer activities- In April we had the opportunity to expand our space. We re-opened Studio W May 1 our new address is 918 Smith St. Suite A ground floor across from Aloha Tower.

Our June graduating class has already worked on a photo shoot exciting NEWS..

Our March master makeup student Chantel is busy doing makeup and special effects on Maui. She's working as a key makeup artist for the feature film "Finding Gauguin" We are super proud of her accomplishments!!

As the makeup academy grows, I am happy to be able to provide a space for students to grow, learn, and to be inspired doing what they love.. Check back on Summer Time part deux for more blog news and pictures..


Heather and I are busy getting ready for the bridal expo this weekend at the Blaisdale. We will be talking with brides about their big day and doing makeup and hair- offering special discounts. Please stop by and say hello. Thanks Nathan - I just received your text and will be happy to have your creative energy to help us out this weekend!


Brides: Congrats to all of you beauties.. We wish you all the love, happiness and joy!!

Here are a few of our Brides & Grooms..

Congrats to: Mr & Mrs Miyamoto, and Nacholani :) Photo Credits: Dave Miyamoto & CO


















Lindsay & Greg





Alice & Ashraf- Photo Credits: Visionary


















Sukhi & Gordy- This was an awesome experience to be able to create a traditional Indian bridal makeup. Thanks Sukhi for allowing us to be a part of your beautiful day out at Turtle Bay Resort.




I'm waiting for the pics to come back from her photographer Sunny from Canada. This picture was taken from my digital.






Christine & Matt- Photo Credits: Christie Pham























Kelly & Stephen - Photo Credits: Christie Pham













Kelly looking like a princess.






We will be collaborating on a few wedding shoots with Eric & Wendy of L'Amour Photography. Here’s a picture of Wendy taken at the March OWA meeting. We were asked to do the makeup and hair.. It was a lot of fun, always a good time with the OWA peeps :)



I love this look very retro, my favorite.


















This picture from another collaboration with James Anshutz Photographer- Bride Wars



Here's another picture from our shoot:


This picture will be featured in the new Bridal Expo magazine to promote James Anshutz Photography, Studio W and Masako Formals - who graciously loaned us the dress for the photo shoot. Thanks again to James, Kumi and Pauline.

Wishing everyone a fun filled, beautiful weekend..