Monday, September 3, 2012

Congrats to Our Summer 2012 Brides!

Summer 2012 turned out to be such an amazing wedding season for MAWBeauty Hair & Makeup Studio! From having only 2 lonely little weddings booked in March for the month of May, we ended up securing 15 amazing weddings, and working with some of the BEST brides around!! We at MAWBeauty Hair & Makeup Studio just wanted to send out a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to our summer brides who were married between the months of May, 2012 - August, 2012!!!

May
Melissa Keyser           Married: May 12, 2012
Melissa Detri              Married: May 26, 2012

June
Marlene Salama         Married: June 2, 2012
Michelle Almeida       Married: June 2, 2012
Wendy Aleman          Married: June 16, 2012
Amber Sharples         Married: June 22, 2012
Joyce Sanchez           Married: June 23, 2012
Kate Horne               Married: June 30, 2012

July
Leslie Barahona        Married: July 14, 2012
Kyla Sullivan             Married: July 20, 2012
Kiley Gosselin           Married: July 28, 2012

August
Marissa Houle          Married: August 11, 2012
Malissa White           Married: August 18, 2012
Allison Horne            Married: August 25, 2012
Jill Bianchi                Married: August 25, 2012


Once again, HUGE CONGRATS to all of our Summer 2012 brides!!!

Wedding Season 2012

I feel like its been such a long time since I've posted anything on this blog. My last post was sometime in May, but that is all with good reason though. I've written about it in a previous post so many already know, but last November, I opened MAWBeauty Hair & Makeup Studio and went full time in March. These past few months, I've been totally hectic having an amazing wedding season.

In March, when I quit my full time job, I literally only had 2 weddings booked for the month of May. I was totally winging it and taking a huge leap of faith by quitting my job to create my dream. Today, on September 3, 2012, I am glad to say that I'm so happy that I trusted myself and God, and went full force with my business.

In the grand scheme of Bridal Hair and Makeup Artistry, it seems to me that many people do multiple weddings in one day, let alone one weekend. That wasnt totally the case for me this year, however, I can say that I'm super proud of where my business is at. Since March, when I only had those 2 weddings booked, I've been able to secure a current total of 24 weddings for the year. I've also been managed to book 2 weddings for June, 2013...one of them being a DESTINATION WEDDING in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic!!! I have to say that, while my goal is actually to do 50 weddings during my first year, I do feel very blessed that I've been able to book as many as I have. I'm half way to my goal!

I think its crazy how, when you put what you want out there, the univers will answer...as long as you're working for it and not just expecting it to come to you. While I'm incredibly proud of what I've done so far, I cant take total credit for it. Through the process of booking and building my business, I put together a very talented team of hair and makeup artists who have helped to make what I've done so far, and what I will do in the future, possible. Some girls came on board, but ended up jumping ship to work with more established businesses, while others waited the course and are still with me today. I'm thankful for each and every artist that I've had the opportunity to work with...because whether they are with me now or not, my business wouldnt be where its at now without that experience.

So, between in-studio clients, bridal trials, weddings every weekend, periodic bridal expos, fashion shows, photoshoots, and such, I've managed to stay quite busy this past summer, and I've managed to have what I'm considering to be quite a successful 1st bridal season!

...and to continue reaching for my goal of 50 weddings for my first year in business, I will just put it out there that IF YOU ARE A BRIDE, OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS GETTING MARRIED, BE SURE TO CALL MAWBeauty Hair & Makeup Studio to handle all of your bridal beauty needs!! We love our brides and are so thankful for those who have already chosen and trusted in us to provide hair and makeup services for them and their bridal parties for such an important day in their lives!!

To inquire about availability for your date, or for pricing, please contact:

Melissa Wilson, Owner/Principle Artist
melissa@mawbeautystudio.com
401.678.0179


Here's to a super successful 2012 wedding season!!! Cant wait for 2013!!

Monday, May 7, 2012

Happy Monday!

Happy Monday beautiful people! I know its Monday, and lots of people have a bad case of the "Monday's". You know, the time of the week where you dread waking up, getting dressed, and spending the rest of your day at the job you dont like, with people you dont like. We've all been there!

Well, its Monday for me too. My day consists of other tasks such as getting my hair blown out and styled by a possible new freelance Beauty Angel for my team, styling a client on my "off" day, running errands, and picking up things for my studio. I have to say that even though I wish I could just hang at home and relax all day, I do feel blessed that I'm able to wake up, drink my coffee, take my time and write this blog to you, do a load of laundry, and then go to "work" on this Monday at a place that I love with people I enjoy being around.

So, while I dont have a full out "new" blog post for you today, I wanted to leave you guys with this little bit of food for though from a previous blog post that I created about a month or so ago. I think its very fitting for a Monday morning. Food For Though..

I'll be working on some new blog posts for you guys, and they will be up very soon. I hope that everyone has an amazing day, and if by chance I dont get a chance to blog again this week, I wish you an amazing week as well!

Peace, love, and beauty <3

Melissa

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Let Me Update You!

Hello Beauties!! Its been a while since I've posted, but with very good reason! Let me update you on the past month or so...

When I began this blog, and also when I opened my hair and makeup studio, I was stuck working a full time job. Actually, I was working a full time job, teaching zumba, doing hair and makeup "whenever", and working my Arbonne business. My life was nothing but hectic. I was all over the place, and I was totally unhappy, and truly worn out. Just plain exhausted. I took a look at everything that I was doing and realized this: I LOVE hair and makeup artistry, I LOVE Arbonne, and I LOVE zumba. What I hated was my full time job. I hated the fact that I answered to a "boss". I hated that there was no advancement opportunities (unless I advanced into a position that I knew I would be fully unhappy in). I hated that someone else decided what my time and efforts were worth. I hated the fact that I spent my days couped up in a store with four walls while there was LIFE happening outside. I hated the fact that I got no help whatsoever with projects within my department, while any other project in my store had 2 or more people on it. I also hated the fact that while I was out of my department for the weekend, I would come back to a disaster because no one cared to help look after it while I was gone. Nothing would get done in my absence, and work would pile up...creating more work, more stress, and less time for me.

On March 18th, I turned 27 years old. I looked back at the first 6 years of my twenties. From age 19-23, I was in a long-term relationship, and really kind of lost sight of who "Melissa" was. I became who I was in my relationship. I didnt do a lot of the things that I loved to do, and I also listened to a lot of what other people had to say and took their advice on how my life should be. From age 21-23, I lived in New Jersey with my ex-boyfriend. During this time, I basically became a real "adult". We had rent to pay, so I did what I had to do to earn a paycheck...I worked in an office for a period of time, then worked in retail. I left my passion and creativity behind because I knew we had responsibilities. I moved home to Rhode Island a few months after my 23rd birthday, and from 23-26, I worked the full time job that I just left. I was really unclear on where my life was going, and what I really wanted for my future. I found myself entering the last 3 years of my twenties, and while I dont in any type of way look at the first 6 years as a waste, I decided that the last 3 would be on MY terms.

I gave my full time job my 2 weeks notice on March 16, 2012...two days before I turned 27. That was truly the scaries thing that I've done in a long time, but it was the BEST feeling. I remembered how it felt when I left Rhode Island to move to New Jersey with maybe $250 in my bank account (that got blown through REAL quick!!) and a load of bills and credit card debt. I was so scared, but I KNEW it was what I was supposed to be doing at the time. That is exactly what I felt walking into my manager's office to tell him that I was leaving the company I had been with for the past 3 1/2 years...the company that paid me every week and gave me health and medical benefits.

I left my full time job, and have gone to work on my dreams. M.A.W.Beauty Hair & Makeup Studio is my passion now. I love working with my team of freelance artists, whom I have named the Beauty Angels, and providing our beauty services using Arbonne's luxury products. We specialize in hair and makeup artistry for bridal, photography, and fashion...and I'm LOVING every minute of it. I am now able to focus on educating people about products that I am passionate about, and offer people a little piece of hope through telling them about the Arbonne Opportunity. I'm also able to offer my Beauty Angels the opportunity to expand their artistry, as well as their personal business with the Arbonne Opportunity (if they decide they want it). I feel blessed. I realized today that I no longer complain about money. I no longer complain about time (well, sometimes I dont have enough time...growing two businesses takes a lot of it!!), and I no longer complain about hatine my job. THAT is how I woke up feeling today, and that was the BEST feeling I've felt in a long time. I still teach zumba because I enjoy it and I love the women who come to my class. Leaving my full time job, and having the faith to pursue my passion was the best decision I've made yet.

I cant wait to see where my life is heading. I'm positive that its going in a direction that I couldnt even imaging...I'm going to heights that I cant even fathom. All because I stepped out on faith.

So, that is my update for you!! And on that note, I encourage you to step out on your own faith! If there is something you've been dying to do, but you were scared or nervous that it wouldnt work out...JUST DO IT!!! You may fail, but guess what...life is not over. I think failing is when you dont even try. You owe it to yourself to try your best! During the month of May, I will be doing my best to blog a little more. I love to write, so I WILL be writing on a more consistent basis. I'll keep you updated on all of my adventures!!

That being said, LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE beauties!!

Peace, love, and beauty <3

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Food For Thought...

...If time and money were no factor in your life, what would you do and who would you spend your time with??

thinkaboutit...

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

My Philosophy On Beauty

I believe that every woman wants to look and feel like the best version of herself. She wants to put her best face forward for the world to see. It is so easy for women to look in a magazine and see images of models and celebrities, and feel as though they must do their best to look like they just stepped out of that magazine too. But lets be totally real and honest; most ordinary women dont have the time, energy, or training to make themselves look that way. But it is a fact that every woman just wants to look beautiful, feminine, put together, and confident.

I have seen other makeup artists literally make women look like drag queens on their wedding day, using heavy foundation or eye makeup or severe lip liner. In my opinion, most women just want to look like themselves...especially on their wedding day. I have seen hair stylists create a look that they think will be perfect for their client, however, the look is totally un-managable for the client to maintain or impossible to re-create at home. All women want is to look and feel fabulous, without having to use tons of products, time, or major skill to achieve the look.

I believe very strongly in simplicity. But I also believe in glamour. Basically, I believe a woman should be simply glamourous. When a woman steps out of my hair or makeup styling chair, they should feel that the look they are walking away with makes them look efforlessly glamourous. They should feel like the world is looking at them for all the right reasons. They should feel confident that the look that was created for them enhances all of their best features, and brings out their natural beauty. They should feel confident that they can maintain their hairstyle at home, even if it doesnt look exactly how I, as a stylist, did it. They should feel that the makeup application that they received made them look like it was just them, only enhanced. And, they should feel like they have taken away a few new tips and skills that will allow for them to make themselves look and feel the same way in between salon visits.

Beauty is not about looking perfect. Beauty is about being you. Because nobody is perfect, yet there is still beauty within everybody. And if I can help to bring that beauty out, whether it be for your wedding day, photography session, special event, or even just a regular salon visit to pamper yourself and make you feel fabulous, then I feel like I am doing my part within the Professional Industry of Beauty, and really conveying the message about what "Beauty" TRULY is.

That is my take on beauty. That is what I believe women want. How do I know? Because I am a woman. And even though I love providing hair and makeup services on others as well as myself, I'm also a very low maintenance girl. I understand that women dont have time for a full face of makeup and to style their hair up. Because I sometimes dont have time myself. I understand that a woman just wants to look and feel like herself, because I want to feel the same way. I get that most women dont really even have the skill or training to create the look that I create for them. Because at one point, I didnt have it either...I just had the interest and passion in order to learn.


:)

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Bridal Photoshoot

Hey guys and girls! I have to tell you about how much fun I had yesterday! I've been dying to just style someone up and take some bridal inspired photos just for the fun of it. So when Lydia, one of the girls on my Beauty Angels Hair and Makeup Squad, told me that she had a wedding gown, I was all over it! I immediately contacted my good photographer friend Kevin Auger and set up a photoshoot.

The shoot took place at my studio, M.A.W.Beauty Hair & Makeup Studio. Lydia arrived early that morning and we got right to work. She showed me her gown and veil, and we decided to keep her looking very classic. Lydia is absolutely gorgeous, and has somewhat of a vintage and innocent vibe to her, so I wanted the photos reflect that. Lydia is also in her early 20's, so I wanted the pictures to also reflect the fact that she is still young. So we went to work!

We had about four or five different looks. We had lots of different accessories to play with, from hair combs, to clips, to earrings, and her GORGEOUS veil. (SIDEBAR: Lydia's veil made me want to go out and buy a veil just to wear on a daily basis...it was absolutely BEAUTIFUL!) Some of the looks we did included having Lydia's hair out with loose curls, then pinned into a low bun, then out and wild, and then up in a high, carefree top bun. The makeup didnt really change much throughout the shoot. We did a natural, slightly smoky eye, and for the lips, we went from a coral to a light pink, to a brighter pink, to a red lip.

This shoot was so much fun for me because my studio was in such dissaray, there were people all over the place (one of my other Beauty Angels, Samantha F. was there, and my friend Nora stopped by as well), and we got pretty creative with just the few decorative items that I had around the studio! This just goes to show how you can create such beauty with just a little creativity.

I haven't seen all of the pictures yet, but Kevin posted a few of them online and I snatched them up really quick! I'm so excited to see the rest of the pictures, and as soon as I get them, I will be posting! But until then, here are three shots that I am totally in love with! Hope you enjoy!!