VENDOR SPOTLIGHT // HONOR BEAUTY
Hey everyone! My name is Paje (Honor) Pokjowy and I'm the owner of HONOR Beauty in Niagara Falls. We are an awesome team of stylists providing formal hair and makeup for weddings and special events. We focus on enhancing a woman's natural beauty with cruelty-free or vegan products so that we can feel good about the environment as well as what we put on our face!
Photo Credit: Stacey Kinkaid Photography
How long have you been working in the industry 11 years in the industry and 2 years as HONOR Beauty!
What makes your business unique? When I first launched HONOR Beauty, one of my goals was to stand out in a positive and inspiring way. I've never really understood why cosmetics in this day and age had to be tested on our cute fury friends and decided to ditch my old makeup kit and start fresh with a completely cruelty-free hair and makeup collection for my clients. I now have an amazing following of like-minded clients who care about the ingredients in their cosmetics. My goal is always to enhance a brides natural beauty all the while making sure we do our part for the environment!
Favourite part of your business? HONOR Beauty is also proud to donate 20% of our tips to women who are victims of domestic abuse. It's a topic that has touched my life personally and I love being in a position where I am now strong enough to help in a small way.
What inspires you? I love meeting new people each weekend! I am not a creature of habit so knowing that each wedding will bring a new bride, a new family and a new experience is so cool! Being a small part of a bride's morning is very special and something that is usually reserved for their closest friends and family members. Knowing that each client chose me to be there to help make their wedding experience a great one is something I appreciate very much and will never get tired of!
I've always been inspired by possibilities. Each day we wake up and have so many choices that can determine our happiness and success. I'll be the first to admit that sometimes life is harder than we'd like, but just knowing that I have the choice to create an amazing life for myself and my family is enough to keep me going! If it weren't for my love of the unknown, taking chances and possibilities, HONOR Beauty wouldn't have been born!
Photo Credit: Muir Image Photography
Who is your mentor or hero in the industry? It's not related to the wedding industry, or even the makeup/hair industry, but I admire anyone who is passionate and driven to follow their dreams. Anyone who has had a dream to pursue their passion instead of living out someone else's is my hero. We are only given one life, we might as well follow our hearts, grow from failure, make a positive impact on the earth, help others when you are able and be kind, always.
On your day off, where would we find you? Probably trying to sleep in until my 7 year old son wakes me up to play! I do enjoy relaxing and spending time with my family the most. We don't have to have any special activities planned out, just good old fashioned cartoons and snacks will do just fine...and snuggles, lots of snuggles!
If you weren't a wedding vendor, what would your dream job be? So many things...lol. A psychiatrist, a mediator, a makeup teacher, a full time photographer...the list goes on and on.
What great wedding trends are you seeing this year? From a hairstylist's point of view I am still seeing a lot of braids and loose up-dos (which I love!) as well as long hair. perhaps with the help of extensions. On the makeup side of things, natural makeup is still the focus. Soft shades of peaches and pinks with glowing, flawless skin and of course false lashes. So pretty!
Photo Credit: Young Glass Photography
Do you have any practical advice for couples planning a wedding? Book your vendors early! I'm still getting so many inquiries for wedding dates this summer that have been booked since last year. Securing your vendors ahead of time will ensure you don't have to face the dreaded email reply "We are so sorry, but this date is already booked...". Focus on what is most important to you. It's not necessary to splurge on every avenue of the wedding if you don't want to. At the end of the day, all that matters is the fact that you are marrying your best friend and spending the day surrounded by the people you love most!
