The Luxe Girls & NENAJIMEDIA

Please welcome The Luxe Girls To Houston TX! Samira Larabi Qureshit and Kelly Jack are the powerful and dynamic duo behind The Luxe Girls.  The Luxe Girls is a styling company based in Houston Texas.  This duo has a keen eye for what is HOT and what is "IT"!

The extraordinary styling duo of Kelly & Samira encompasses all personal and professional styling needs; from fashion editorial shoots, model portfolios, corporate styling to image consulting and personal shopping. 

Kelly: Recently graduated in fashion merchandising, background in creative arts (attended the Art Institute of Houston)

Samira: working towards degree in fashion merchandising, background in photography and former model

 (attends the Art Institute of Houston)

NENAJ MEDIA has amazing talent, and a great "shutter eye".  It was so much fun to work with such an easy going and professional Photographer!  Like his NENAJI MEDIA on facebook!

You can also see his complete porfolio at http://www.nenajimedia.com/

Daytime to Evening Holiday Party in 5 min

A Bronze Smokey Eye

A Bronze Smokey Eye from J Zubire on Vimeo.

A Bronze Smokey Eye

A Smokey eye can often be intimidating.  Working with blacks and grey’s can be tricky and honestly I love a black Smokey but I can’t seem to get the picture of ALEXA & OLIVIA from JERSEYLISCIOUS out of my head every time I think about a black Smokey (shiver)!

Here is a how to on a great bronze Smokey that works well on all skin tones!

I start with a great base concealer and yep great eyebrows (Eyebrow blog coming soon).  For this look I applied MAC INDIANWOOD Primer all over lid and feathered it into my crease using my finger.

Start

Finish

Using a fluffy brush MAC 217 I applied MAC Arena all through the crease in windshield wiper motion.

Then I applied with a flat brush MAC Bronze on my lid. I used the fluffy brush again and dipped the dome part of the brush into MAC handwritten and dabbed it into the corners of my eyes in a circular motion to create a deeper contrast in the outer corner. Next I used what was left in my brush and I started from the outer corner of my crease and dragged the left over handwritten into the crease.

Using the flat brush and whatever is left over from the Bronze I gently line my bottom lid. 

I lined with a black kohl liner (I used MAC Feline) on the outer corners of my lid and using an angled brush, soften the edges by dragging the liner into the middle of my eye.

I used MAC mineralize in Medium Dark and my fluffy brush to soften the edges around the crease.  Add MAC naked lunch to the inner corners of your eyes and top with two coats of mascara on top and bottom lashes. Line the waterline and done.

Now for a Night time look add vanilla to the brow bone in this picture I chose to leave it alone. Add a pair of falsies and use MAC handwritten to the bottom of the lid to smoke it our more

J Zubire The Makeup Artist ......Houston TX

J's Makeup schedule for the 2011 IFBB/NPC

Here is the tentative 2011 NPC IFBB Schedule shows may be added or cancelled as the dates come up thank you and look forward hearing from all competitors!

NPC 2011 National Schedule

NPC JR USA Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure & Bikini
May 21, 2011 // Charleston, SCNPC JR National Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure & BikiniJune 17-18, 2011 // Chicago, IL

NPC Team Universe Bodybuilding, Figure, Fitness and Bikini
July 8-9, 2011 // Teaneck, New Jersey

NPC Teen Collegiate / Masters Nationals
July 22-23, 2011 // Pittsburgh, PA

NPC USA Bodybuilding, Figure & Bikini
July 29-30, 2011 // Las Vegas, NV

IFBB North American Bodybuilding, Figure & Bikini
September 2-3, 2011 // Cleveland, Ohio
NPC Nationals Bodybuilding, Figure & Bikini
November 11-12 or 18-19, 2011 // Fort Lauderdale, Florida

IFBB PRO

Fitness, Figure, Bikini InternationalMarch 4-5, 2011 // Columbus, Ohio

St. Louis Pro
March 19, 2011 // St. Louis, Missouri

New York Pro Fitness
April 9, 2011 // New York, NY

Europa Show of Champions
April 28-30, 2011 // Orlando, FL

Pittsburgh Pro
May 7, 2011 // Pittsburgh, PA

Optimum Classic Pro
May 20-21, 2011 // Shreveport, Louisiana

New York Pro Figure
May 28, 2011 // New York, NY

Europa Battle of Champions
July 28-31, 2011 // Hartford, CT

Jacksonville Pro/ DJC
August 5-6, 20111 // Jacksonville, FL

Europa Super Show
August 12-13, 2011 // Dallas, TX

Olympia
September 16-17, 2011 // Las Vegas, NV

IFBB Europa FIBO Power USA
September 30-October 1, 2011 // Chicago, IL

Ft. Lauderdale Cup
October 8, 2011 // Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Houston Pro
October 15, 2011 // Houston, TX

Kentucky Muscle Pro
November 5, 2011 // Louisville, KY

Florida Pro
December 10, 2011 // Miami Beach, FL

Local NPC 2011 Schedule

Adela Garcia Classic
June 25, 2011 // Austin, TX

Take your Daytime Makeup to Evening Time in 5 Minutes

Tis the season for those after work holiday parties!  It’s 5 o’clock and it’s time for a holiday party got to run by the liquor store and pick up a bottle of “something” , run down to your local Kroger or Central Market for a nice bottle of wine or pick up that fruit and cheese tray because no one likes to be empty handed at a Holiday party.  It’s all about “Giving”.  So give yourself 5 minutes to turn your corporate American daytime worker bee look into a nighttime festive diva!

During this time of hustle and bustle make sure your little makeup bag in your purse has these essentials to go from day to night. 

2 lip liners: 1 natural color (MAC sublime culture, whirl etc.)  And 1 a deeper clay earth toned color (MAC spice, 80%)

1 Mascara any kind but I love zoom fast black its extra black

2 lip glosses: a nice peachy pinky natural color and a nice plum or a dark reddish tone

1 blush in soft pink I like MAC mineralize in Super Duper Natural

1 Black Kohl Liner

1 Eye shadow quad with 1 dark 1 medium and one light color and a highlight/shimmery shadow

Here is your five minutes:

Daytime

Daytime

line outer corners of eyes

use your QUAD & Mascara

With your Kohl Liner add a v shape to the outer corner of your eye on the top and bottom lid.  Blend the line so it gently fades naturally.  Take the darkest color on your eye shadow quad and apply it to the outer corner of your eye.  Then take the shimmery shadow and add a bit to your lid and to the arch of your brow bone for a natural glow.  Now grab your mascara and apply a couple of nice heavy coats to your top and bottom lashes. Take the kohl liner and line your top and bottom waterline.  Add some more blush and top with a darker lip liner and gloss and your all set!!

Final look

Ready to party

Here are the items I used nothing fancy!

J Zubire The Makeup Artist

Interning and Assisting Code of Ethics

Difference between ASSITING & INTERNING:

INTERNING: An observation process allowing those that aspire to be professional makeup artist a “bird’s eye view” of the role of a professional MUA.  There is a code for interning but since its fairly similar to the code for assisting let’s just go there!

ASSISTING:  it’s a more active role than that of an intern and requires that those assisting have the basic makeup artistry skills and knowledge and bale to perform them without my supervision.

Assisting in this circumstance is unpaid.  I like to pay my assistants.  Assistants do not earn the same rate as professionals.  So do not expect to be compensated the full rate. So here is the CODE of ETHICS for Assisting.

1.       Arrive 15 minutes or more prior to call time your mentor set. This speaks highly of you and be ready to work. Don’t come in all frazzled complaining about how far you drove the traffic, how your starbucks spilled over you or your kids hollering all morning save it I don’t want to hear it! Come with cash for parking if necessary regardless if I offered to cover that expense

2.       Personal Appearance: Nice toned down makeup that you do not need to keep retouching every 10 minutes.  Do not come in looking like a GLAMAZON it’s not necessary leave that to Alexa on Jerseylicious.  Minimal jewelry earring and a necklace are great. Bracelets often get in the way.  I like my assistants to come in all black or black and jeans or the J Zubire Makeup Artistry T-shirt and jeans.  Look business casual.

3.       No fragrance extra deodorant (we work under hot lights) manicured short nails. It’s not about making a big fashion statement it’s about looking professional. OH & no GUM!!!

4.       Allow your mentor to introduce you. If you are introduced by first name basis  it is expected for you to leave it as so.  Last thing you want your mentor to do is worry about your motives, and as a result cause stress and tension to the working environment. This is the time to build TRUST, INTEGRITY, and CONFIDENCE and build your work ethics!

5.       Do NOT in any case hand out your business card! This is your ticket OUT! No making buddies with the crew in order to create future contacts. Direct your attention and those of others to your mentor.  This is the GOLDEN RULE that will build trust and a professional rapport with your mentor and her clients. The name of the game here is RESPECT!

6.       So with that said don’t bring your portfolio your pictures show off your iphone gallery, or bring your biz cards.  If you are handed any business cards or information it is standard industry protocol to hand it over to your mentor immediately as well as if you are asked any questions or comments direct them back to your mentor, and if they want to contact you let them know that they are to contact you through Me (Mentor)

7.       Do not bring your kit or your camera unless asked to do so. Depending on the assignment I may ask for you to bring your brush set of all hairstyling tools and products but rules of thumb just bring YOURSELF!

8.       Be prepared to stay the ETNIRE TIME!!! No exceptions.

9.       Never be a NO-SHOW I have a 24hr policy and if you no-show you’re out!

10.   Check your EGO at the door, you are here to learn and observe!

There are many more code rules but these are the top! For a full list email me at j@jzubire.com  its about 7-8 pages long I swear! 

My woes as a MUA with Assistants & Interns!

I have had my heart ache and disappointments regarding assistants.  Over the years I have had assistants that steal my clients, those that never showed up and those that told me they were more talented than me and that I’m just lucky to be doing what I’m doing.

About 4-5 years ago I took under my wing an intern.  I took her to a meeting with a film production company.  First mistake: the Production manager mentioned he had other projects of his own and was working on a Playboy set in Dallas.  He asked me to quote a weekend rate and expenses for my work and when I did he said “umm that’s very expensive and not in my budget” I asked him to get back to me and give me his budget and we can work some terms out.  Later after our meeting, I turned to her and asked her this is what you need to bring and what I would like for you to do. The PM approached us to excuse himself for the evening and she held his hand and walked over with him handing him a business card and saying I can do it for less. That really bothered me, but I needed her for this project and I let it go.  Next I took her on a model shoot where she exchanged info with a photographer and told booked him for her portfolio work.  I had a music video and I didn’t even take her to meet the team and somehow she contacted them and told them that while I’m out of town she is to represent me.  She went on to book my clients next music video when I was notified y the lead singer of how aweful she was and how she stirred up trouble on set t was clear to me that I send an e-mail notifying her that her services were no longer and that she is in no way to use my name or represent me.  Aye Dios Mio!

Later on I “hired” a MUA friend that was going to help me prime and finish any client I needed and was going to pay him $300 for about 4 hrs of work.  I double booked myself and he never showed up.  Later he apologized.  He got drunk the night before and did not get up. Luckily all my clients did not mind me running behind 15 minutes and I was able to do both my clients and his. Plus my cousin Gigi helped in any way she could what a lifesaver.

Recently, was the worst heart ache of all.  I hired a girl to be my hairstylist for a show.  I wanted to test her out and see if she could travel with me next season.  I shared with her some personal business information, like how I would like to sponsor a show next year and maybe have my name on a banner on the stage.  Her reply “What about my name? You need to add my name so people can know me too.”  That was the first sign and first pain.  After working the show and paying her she complained that I shorted her $50, yeah I bought all her hair products and styling tools even the ones she did not use which she returned even after I told her I have no use for them I can’t return brushes to the beauty store.  I also bought her a $20 prejudging ticket last minute because she begged me she wanted to go.  Finally, half way through prejudging she gets a call from a girlfriend and tells me ooh I got to go do makeup my girlfriend payed me to do her makeup for her son’s birthday party.  I replied “you said you were staying the whole day and doing touchups which are part of your pay” she said “girl I got to go.”  Long story short she also contacted a client and asked her if she was happy about her makeup.  The problem was not the client was that I was not satisfied with the makeup job she did on the 2 clients had.  She even went on to tell me that that client booked her for Halloween makeup because she was much better than I and said that I was lucky to be in the position I was in and have the opportunities that I have because I am not talented like her.  There were many more red flags but that was the jist of it and the part that bothered me the most was the feeling I kept getting when she would say “I need you DAWG.”  Not to mention that when my best friend (the top athlete in IFBB Fitness) met her she did not get a good feeling about her and immediately felt like she was drama and trouble.   Thank GOD for good friends!

What heart ache! Although I have gone through some arduous times, I am still actively seeking an assistant and a hairstylist to add to my team.   The names of these individuals are keep my secret forever so don't ask because I never tell.  I am trying to share my experiance and share on the ehtics of assisting

Stage Makeup 101: Primers

After your skin is flawless, eyebrows are well groomed, and your skin is toned and ready to start your makeup, a primer is the first step to the process.

Primers have light diffusers, skin smoothers, and refined silicone and high def ingredients to help maximize the staying power of foundation and smooth out imperfections.

There are different primers I carry in my kit: MAC prep and prime, NARS primer, NARS Pro, Primer, and ARBONNE facial primer.

Each on works differently and have different emollients for different textures and needs.

For the most part stick to MAC prep and prime. It's has a silicone base, moisturizes and has tiny light diffusers that u can actually see or as IFBB Amy Lee Martin and I call it "sparkle-ies" and it's a super high def power.

I carry NARS because is super hydrating and very sheer. It has great high def power

The NARS Pro comes in a one inch by one inch compact. It is a solid cream and designed to reduce the appearance of fine lines. I use this primer on the eye area and fine lines around the mouth.

Arbonne face primer, is my favorite. It's silky smooth (ZOHAN lol!) seriously! It's satin finish and has long wear power and smoothes out imperfections to the max. It's nice and thick with a lightweight feel.

Then the trusty eye primers! Eye primers hold eyeshadows on tight for creaseless long lasting power. I love my mac paint pots. I've also tried the urban decay potion but I really love my paint pots and/or liners.

Apply primer to entire face before starting your makeup application. Use paint pots or eye primer before starting eyes. For those with dry skin use a little oil control mac lotion along with primer blend in palms of hand and apply to entire face.

Stay tuned for my next blog: "Stage Makeup 101: Eyeshadows to use or not to use color, that is the question.

J Zubire The Makeup Artist

Stage Makeup 101: Part 2 how to get clear skin!

So in my last blog I talked about toners. Here is a quick and natural facial mask and toner you can make at home to help you combat acne prone skin, acne scars and dry skin.

The facial mask can be used up to 7-10 days prior to your competition date. The toner can be used daily or every other day throughout your entire contest prep and post!

It's quick easy and you make it at home using the following ingredients: Apple Cider Vinegar, sugar, honey, and green tea!

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV): those of us in the health and fitness industry love it's amazing benefits. Well when used in this mask and toner, the alpha hydroxy and amino acids help dissolve dead skin cells and fatty deposits in the skin. Its PH balance and helps unclog pores.

Sugar: helps exfoliate

Honey: it's a natural treatment for acne. It reduces redness and swelling!

Green tea: another favorite of our it detoxified the skin and repairs cells

Facial mask
1tsp ACV, 7 tsp sugar, 1tsp honey, 2 tsp green tea
Stir into a cement constancy use about 2 tsps full and store the rest in a jar refrigerate up to 3 weeks. Apply 2 tsp to face with a cotton ball. Using circular motions and fingertips gently massage mask for 3-5 min. Leave on for 10 min then rinse of. Use 1-2 times a week.

Toner
1part ACV 3parts green tea 1tsp olive oil (oil optional)
If it's too strong for sensitive skin use 5 part ratio 1part green tea 4 parts tea

Shake in jar and apply with a cotton ball my don't rub tap! Store in fridge and use daily.

I promise you will have softer smoother skin with less visible acne for those with extreme acne and for those with mild less episodes during competition prep!

Oh FYI use at night because ACV has a real pungent smell and don't use regular vinegar it's distiller and too hard on your skin. We are trying to get rid of acne not make it worse!

Stay tuned to Stage Makeup 101!
Thanks everyone!
J Zubire The Makeup Artist

STAGE MAKEUP 101: Part 1

So I felt the need to start blogging over the last 6 years doing stage makeup in the fitness industry I've seen it all!

If had to color correct or fix all sorts of problems! So my adventures and learning experiances. Here are a couple of must dos to have a good experience with stage makeup whether someone is doing it or it's a do-it-yourself weekend.

Basic PRE rules:

Peels, facials etc.: when it comes to this subject rule of thumb is if your 2 weeks away don't do it prior to 2weeks out from your competition is fine. The reason for this is your body is going thru some extremes and in some cases your ph balance is off and or more vulnerable to getting sick so that means yup... More breakouts!

Ever wonder why your makeup is patchy some areas are darker than others? Well, there are 3 reasons but the first one is usually the culprit. The use of glycolic peels even the at home kinds strips layers of dead skin and one can't visually see where the peel worked better than in other areas of your face. Normally around the forehead area it peels of more dead skin because the skin is firmer and you probably rubbed over it a few times more than checks or jaw.

The next reason is your TAN! Yup "but J I didn't spray tan my face like you told me too!" I know it is called overspray. There is often a lot of overspray in the air in a tanning room or when the tech is tanning you they taper up through your neck and they don't release the trigger until it's at your jawbone so the residue in the gun gets blown on your face. Ah-ha! (I used to work for PROTAN, this is how I know the in's and out's of tanning & I know why people turn green!)

Solution, if u can cover your face while u tan, do it! If not wash your face immediately or use a cold cream to wipe the overspray off your face!

The third reason is actually one you dont ever think about.  When you use foundation and have been wearing it all day long you can't tell that its patchy because its in the same color of your natural skin color.  When you wear a color to match your tan that;s not your natural color so if it starts wearing off you can definatley tell and you will see patchyness all over.  Some women with good skin hold product better than others.  So please ladies if you look at some one elses makeup I did and its still flawless don't blame me blame thier great skin!

Next step very important! After washing your face use a TONER! This restores the natural ph of your skin. The week of the show and after you wash your face and before your makeup application apply a facial toner. This will help from your skin going patchy!

I recommend NARS toner, MAC toner or Keihls. Also stay tunned to my blog I will give you a HOW-TO on a at home mask and toner treatment that will leave your face flawless for your competition.

Eyebrows!

Yes eyebrow is a must topic for stage makeup.  Please follow my blog/twitter for grooming detail.

So there's nothing like working on a client only to discover wax lines! Ugh! Flawless makeup application then those nasty little lines comes out! Which leads me to ask when u got your eyebrows done "oh like 2 days ago" and the look on my faces causes them to reply with am alarmed "WHY?!" well hunny u have wax lines...

So ladies if you must get your eyebrows done please get them done also 1 1/2 wks to 2 wks out and pluck any strays.  If you are down to the week of the show then get them threaded! Threading is also the best way to groom you eyebrows since you dont over pull the sensitive skin around the eye area.

So here is part 1, I will wrap up the pre prep must do's and dont's tomorrow ...stay tuned!

http://www.jzubire.com/

About J Zubire The Makeup Artist

Hi Everyone I would like to invite everyone to follow my blog!

I felt the need to start a blog after numerous clients asked me to. This blog will be dedicated to my adventures as a Makeup Artist, my trips cross country, where I will be next, HOW TO’s on makeup, My opinion, makeup reviews, product reviews and everything else related to makeup and my life as a makeup artist.

I started as a makeup artist back in 2003 when I worked as a manager at the Victoria Secret Beauty counter. Yes, before there was a PINK store there was VS Beauty.
I have done numerous weddings in the Houston area, and all kinds of gigs as a makeup artist.  I have had some great adventures and many more to come I’m sure.

I got into the Fitness Industry around 2004.  I got thrown into it and I tried leaving but it sucks me back in.  I actually competed in 2000, in my very first figure show yeah weird it was more like what bikini is now and I did not like it.  Although, I love everything about the industry I cannot seem to get on stage since then.  So I just make everyone beautiful.  In 2004, I met Adela Garcia which I looked up to and not only do I have the privilege to be her personal makeup artist I am blessed to have her as my best friend and a big fan of my work.  Along the way I have served over 50+ IFBB Pros (I stopped counting after 50 lol).  I consider myself an industry leader in stage makeup.  I don’t think I’m better than anyone out there but I am truly knowledgeable about product.  The reason I feel I’m a leader is because everything changes and evolves and in order to not become obsolete one must change and therefore I pride myself to be a MAC Makeup Artist and take pride in all the other trips I make across the country to take workshops, classes, etc.

I love what I do that’s why I think there is an immense room for me to still keep growing the last 8 years is not enough……

Visit www.jzubire.com