Creating Brows for Hawaii’s Top Surfers

How old were you when you paddled out for the first time? Whether you were a beach baby dropped straight from the crib to the swells or simply enjoy watching your favorite surfer on TV, everyone can admire the passion and drive of pro surfers. When I found my business growing in Hawaii, my heart became set on creating a technique that not only looked incredible on these athletes but could elevate their look while outlasting the surf and sun.

“Wow, how does she ride a wave like that ...AND look stunning the whole time?!”

Professionals are more than just slow-mo shots of impressive cutbacks and tube rides; they want to look amazing on the beach or their board. And we are here for it! A part of self-care is using beauty products and procedures that make you positively GLOW. Athletes do not have to sacrifice feeling beautiful because of their active lives. The amazing women I’ve met that continue to surf and give back to their community, all while looking fierce, have proven that.

Brow techniques like permanent makeup have become a complete game changer for Oahu’s surfers. Microblading for brows and lip-blushing really solves all the problems of traditional makeup and water sports. No more runny makeup or washed-out faces! Microblading deposits pigments directly under the skin, so that makeup is long-lasting, waterproof, and can survive all the elements of any outdoor adventure. For other clients, brow waxing and threading still works best. 

I remember one day when I was watching tv, and I first heard the name Coco Ho. Right away, her name and signature style caught my attention. My immediate second thought was, “She has to be my client!”

Coco is a real-life #ICON for many aspiring surfers, hitting the waves when she was just seven years old. She is the youngest woman to qualify for the World Surf League (WSL) Tour and was the 2009 Ripcurl Search Portugal Champion and Rookie of the Year. I am a big fan of Coco because she is an incredible athlete, but also a wonderful human being. She is a huge supporter of small businesses while being an entrepreneur herself. It has been a dream to give her brows that look flawless anywhere on the Seven Mile Miracle. 

“I loved my experience at Lu’s Studio. She makes you feel beautiful and has the best brow education custom to each person’s desires. I personally love to have my brows look maintained and natural. And she does just that!”

-Coco Ho

I also have had the pleasure to use my technique on other top female surfers like Alana Blanchard, Bethany Hamilton, Honolua Blomfield, Zoe McDougall, Kirra Seale, and many others. I can’t forget the day I was at the beach and saw this tall girl flying on her board. It was beautiful to watch, and I couldn’t take my eyes off of her! My friend Monique Saens was taking pictures of her that day and informed me who this sea goddess was, “That’s one of the most talented female surfers; her name is Honolua Blomfield.” Honolua is another North Shore native with a natural gift in the water, winning her first Longboard World Title at 18 years old. 

Zoe McDougall, a Sunset Beach native, also uses my Brow techniques to feel beautiful even though she is always in the water. Zoe has been traveling and participating in international competitions since she was 14. Zoe was a double winner in 2018, winning the Women’s Title and Junior Women’s Title with back to back event wins, a rare occurrence in the WSL. 

“I love going to Lu to get my brows done! As a surfer, I am always in the ocean, but beauty is still important, and Lu makes it easy to feel pretty on land and in the water. Her office always feels so clean and comfortable, and I always leave feeling great!”

-Zoe McDougall

Working with these talented women has been one of the best parts of my career. Not only do they inspire at every surf competition, but they have proudly continued the legacy of their families and community while radiating the aloha spirit. It has been amazing to be a part of the sisterhood of surfers that encourage one another on the North Shore. Creating a brow technique to support these legendary ladies has been an aspiration, and I can’t wait to continue to create for all the new surfers finding their next great wave.