Thursday, May 31, 2012

The Body Shop 超好用保養品分享

 其實自己以前并不熟悉TheBodyShop的產品, 偶然有一次逛街進去看看,就買了3個面膜試試看(因為買2送1的關系), 回家用了之后就愛上了他們的產品,現在幾乎全系列使用, 而且他們常常有優惠,所以是經濟又好用哦,今天就和大家分享一下。
首先是我最愛的蘆薈面膜( Aloe Protective Restoring Mask)
個人建議晚上卸妝,洗臉之后,厚厚的敷在臉上然后去洗澡,熱水的蒸氣可以幫助面膜吸收, 差不多洗好澡后再洗掉,洗臉的時候注意把水溫調涼一點,然后你會發現皮膚馬上變得很滑嫩。 一個禮拜用1到2次,皮膚就會水嫩不干燥。

然后就是他們家的精華素, 維他命E系列(Vitamin E Moisture Serum)
其實整個系列都非常好用,而且很味道很不錯
非常保濕而且質地清爽,吸收很快,而且用量少,用完toner之后使用。

最后就是茶樹面膜(Tea Tree Face Mask)
這個面膜基本是拿來急救用的, 夏天因為天氣關系都難免會出油比較多, 容易長痘痘, 用這款面膜敷在正在發炎的大痘上可以馬上得到舒緩,連續敷幾天痘痘就會消掉,而且它不會強到讓你皮膚脫皮,如果是皮膚很油而且痘痘分布很散可以全臉敷

下次等我再有發現好用產品再和大家分享吧~~~~

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Beat the Heat Hair

Alright, girls...Summertime is sweet like honey, but we all know the havoc that Houston humidity will wreak on our hair.  Easy, messy and pretty is the happening look this summer and JBX Studios is here to hook you up with a few secret tools to help you beat the heat.

First up...
Surf Spray by Bumble and Bumble
This lovely little pump spritz has actual sea salt in it! Spritz and work it through the hair to create beachy, surfy texture that looks completely natural.  Bumble and Bumble products are sulfate and paraben free so not only do they work amazing wonders, but they're healthy for the hair, too.

To control those summer frizzies and flyaways, try a dot (I'm talking pea sized for shoulder-length hair) of Defrizz.
Defrizz is a silicone-based product that works to smooth the cuticle of the hair. When the cuticle is roughed up, frizz and split ends occur. By smoothing it, a sleek, satiny look is the finished product.  In addition, defrizz works as a protecting balm to block attacks from humidity, keeping the hair soft, shiny and beautiful.

Finally, to create some volume, try out a bit of Thickening Spray.
Spritz this into damp hair and work through to add some pleasantly natural - looking volume. Cocktail it with the surf spray and the result will be beachy, pumped up bohemian texture.

Win the war on Frizz.

Items can be purchased at Bumble and Bumble salons and most Sephora store locations.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Why did I become a makeup artist?

Hi there!







       I am writing my bio in the first person to tell you all why and how I become a makeup artist.  What is my story behind my work.

       I grew up in an artists family from Guangzhou China.  Both of my parents sculpted beautiful jade statues and crafts for the state own factory.  Ever since I was little, I was playing with sketches, jades and crafts.  Seeing me with a talent in art, my parents put me through lots of art classes.  During that time, I learn to draw and paint with brushes and Chinese watercolor.  And I received the highest recognition: one of my art works won a national golden price.  Therefore, I was never a stranger to color, forms, and facial features.  Actually, I like to get my hands dirty when I get in the mode of creating. :)

       In early 1990s, bridal and personal photography was first introduced to the Chinese public by Taiwanese photographers.  I always recalled the memory of seeing several beautiful young ladies modeling on a prosperous street.  I can never forget the avant-garde makeup, overly exaggerated hair styles and the highly accessorize outfits.  This memory has planted a seed in my mind - one day, I will open up a photography studio where people will receive a complete transformation as a luxurious experience of a lifetime. 

       In year 2000, I immigrated to the states with my parents and started my high school years in Houston, TX.  It was a very difficult transition with limited English and cultural clash.  One thing I know for sure: my parents work ten times harder to make a living here.  Thus, I knew that I would need to become a professional to be able to stand on my own feet. 

        Like many Asian kids, I graduted high school and got into college to seek higher education as we believe that "The gold mines are hidden in the books".  I entered Bauer College of Business in University of Houston.  I first wanted to major in marketing, and yet none of the material was making sense to me.  I was really frustrated and also intimidated by how extensive the English language you will need to master if you were majored in Marketing.  Although my English became so much better and fluent, I was still very intimidated by others who speak fluent English.  Guess what?  Finally, I chose Accounting because it seems to make so much sense and I don't need to talk, AT ALL, despite I am a people person.  In my mind, as long as I don't need to speak so much English, I would be fine.  Who knows I am speaking English fluently and have to present products and services with English every day!!!

        After graduating with my Master degree in Accounting, I became a tax accountant for a local accounting firm (Although I don't work in the accounting field any more, I still get to use my analytic skill I learned to run my business).  The lack of personal interaction soon made me feel unfulfilled and discouraged.  I was not happy with my job and life.  My boss then had a long conversation with me and advised me to take a personanalysis test to find out more about myself.  Until today, I still thank her for doing that.  After the test, I was told that I would be much happier if my creativity would be expressed and appreciated.  And my personality was actually very suitable to do any job that requires an extrovert's out-going quality. 

         The result from the personanalysis nurture that seed planted.  I knew that I was not able take more art classes.  Combine with the thought of art and fashion, I suddenly realize I can actually become a makeup artist.  Hence, I started to look for ways to become a makeup artist, hair stylist and wardrobe stylist.  In these years, I have been very devastated to learn things about makeup and styling and took all the opportunities that I could to learn.  I have never been a party animal, yet I went to night clubs to do makeup with very minimum compensation, sometimes none.  I took on countless unpaid internships to assist other makeup artists or projects to build my portfolio.  I did many many things just because I was hungry.  I feel like I took a high dose injection of makeup and styling.   All experience was great memories and helped me develope my own style and technique.
 
         In these past few years, I failed and got beat down many times.  There are lots of obstacles and hurdles that I had to come through.  There was times that I almost gave up.  However, the passion of art and creating a beautiful art work on a person continues to encourage me to keep moving forward.  There is nothing happier than seeing someone FEEL and LOOK beautiful in my chair.  It always makes me feel very fulfill when I know they will walk out of my chair with ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE.   I always believe that makeup and styling would bring out one's best feature and make them feel beautiful in their own skin.   We are not here to alter your look but to help you to enhance it!

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Review Nail Polish by NARS

I have been very obsessed with color yellow lately and saw this beautiful nail lacquer from NARS when I passed by the counter today.

So, I washed off my Dior purple limited edition and put on this AMCHOOR! I'm loving it!!! It's almost like a lemon kind of yellow. And it goes on very opaque, takes only two coats to get the color you want

Monday, April 30, 2012

Q&A for JBX Studio

1. What kind of makeup products do you use?  Do you use MAC?

This is the most common question we received.  We do use some of the MAC products.  However, June believes that as a makeup artist, she should not be limited using only one brand of products.  In JBX Studio, we use products from PREMIUM cosmetic lines include: Cle De Peau, Dior, MAC, Artistry, Clarins...and etc. 

2. Do you use airbrush?  And do you recommend using airbrush on my wedding day?
We do provide airbrush makeup services.  Airbrush makeup and application provides a flawless canvas for makeup artists to work on and it is a common application in commercial/editorial makeup.  Does everyone need airbrush?  It depends on your preference.  Some people might find it a little more made up and wanted
 more a natural look.  Some people find it awesome even in person.

June always provide options to our brides with traditional makeup and airbrush.  In JBX Studio, all artists are highly trained to apply traditional makeup and we are confident that our traditional application are as good as the airbrush application.  All of the pictures you see from our portfolio video have traditional application so far.  They are flawless and natrual.  Whether using airbrush or traditional makeup really depends on your preference.  June believes that airbrush does create a more precise image or higher definition for photos while the traditional makeup would look more natural and like a second skin through our eyes.  The best way to tell is by trying out both methods and see which you like the best.
(Pictures below are accomplished by traditional makeup application with HD makeup. )


Published in UH Clear Lake magazine 2011

SPIA

3. What makes JBX Studio special?
Our makeup artists and hair stylists are highly trained.  In JBX Studio, you will receive professional consultation on makeup, hair style, skin care analysis for your upcoming project.  We have done many photo shoots and weddings in the past.  We understand your needs and provide you services and advices best to our knowledge. 

In addition, JBX Studio stands on high quality.  Many of June's makeup works have been published in the U.S. and in China (see credits).  She strives to improve her works and leads her associate makeup artists to do the same by example.  To better her craftmanship, she went to Hong Kong and took classes under a renown celebrity makeup artist in Hong Kong. Thus, our works are recommended by many established photographers and event planners, i.e. Blessed Events, Dulce Life Photography, Platinum Water Photography, SPIA, Michael Bou-Nacklie, and etc.

4.  What's the difference between editorial makeup and special event makeup?
Nowadays, the digital cameras are very advanced and it can pick up all the details.  Thus, HD makeup and application became more crutial.  The goal for photoshoot makeup is to create more definition for our faces as the camera can basically pick up everything.  Thus, the makeup products and technique we apply for photo shoots do differ from a "daily" makeup, i.e. special occassions.  In JBX Studio, we offer both HD traditional makeup and HD Airbrush Makeup for our clients, in which June believed will provide more options.  In June's opinion, HD traditional makeup provides a more subtle and natural finish and more suitable for wedding days.  However, HD Airbrush makeup provides a more photo-perfect finish and some customers would also like that effect for both engagement photo shoots and wedding day. 

5. Why Should I hire a professional makeup artist to do makeup for me rather than going to the mall?
       Going to the malls does provide you a more economical way of makeup application and sometimes, artists working in the cosmetic department can provide you with good results too.  However, they are trained to mainly use their own products and sometimes it would limit the range of work that an artist can produce.  In addition, there is no one cosmetic line that provides everything you need for photography purposes.  These cosmetic lines provide products on a daily use basis and they don't always have a full range of products.  Thus, June trained all of her makeup artists with excellent products knowledge so that they can provide high quality results under different circumstances.  And she believes that a good makeup artists should not and would not be limited to certain line of products.  They should have a wide range of product knowledge to facilitate them in creating all sorts of makeup works.

       Further more, a professional makeup artists/hair stylist has the ability to discuss and advise you the style of makeup and hair that would go with your preference and your outfits.  That's why trial run is so important, because no one bride would want to spend four hours on their wedding day to change makeup looks and hair styles.  In that sense, a professional makeup artists/hair stylists would be able to offer a CUSTOMIZED service to you on your special day. 

      At last, most professional makeup artists/hair stylists would travel to wedding site to do makeup and hair.  And they are very experienced with the procedure of weddings so that they can quickly deliver their services to you.  It is a great One-Stop-Shop for the brides, which would save you money and time.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Boudoir Photography

Recently, I was contacted to do makeup and hair for a young lady for her boudoir photo shoot as her marriage anniversary gift to her husband. 

Boudior is a French term for bedroom.  In photography, it created a rather popular trend in many countries.  Many women love to have their boudior pictures taken both for themselves as memory of their youth and womanhood and for their beloved ones as a gift for anniversary, valentine's day, and etc. 

I love doing makeup and hair for boudior photography.  Our job in boudoir photography is to create more defined features and reflects one's true personality and femininity.  Thus, makeup and hair can either go natural or glam, depends on your personal preferences.  Of course, your outfits would play an important role as well.  Like I always ask my clients: "Are you a fun girl or a good girl?"  From there, I would determine how glam you want to look and color scheme that I can play with as well.

Many girls are shy away from boudoir because in the back of their mind, it is sexy or revealing.  However, my personal opinion is that it really depends on the right professional team to deliver the most feminine side of you.  There are many photography techniques and styles in boudoir that don't always reveal the body yet implying this is a boudoir session.  In addition, human body is beautiful and it really depends on the artists' interpretation to enhance this beauty.  Thus, it is essential to community thoroughly with your photographer and makeup artist of what your expectation would be.

During the process, we discussed hair style and makeup looks according to one's outfits and personality.

She has a beautiful personality, sweet and reserved yet independent.  I love working with her!  For her overall style, she expressed that she wanted something soft looking and not too glam.  I reviewed her outfits and also advised her that we can certainly make it happen.  We decided that we will go with soft waves for her hair and we will leave it down as she would like it more romantic and "boudior" like.   And she can pin her flower on the side or to play with her hair during the shoot.


Because she only wears makeup occasionally and like a more natural style, I suggested to use earthy tone on her makeup to give her a fresh and natural look with more defined features for editorial purposes.  The final product turns out great!  She loved how she looked and felt beautiful!

Please note, this HD makeup application is achieved without AIRBRUSH, although we do offer AIRBRUSH makeup application.   In photography, traditional HD application provides more options for the model and makeup artist because it allows you to make changes to the look, whether it will be more energetic or more elegant.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

JBX Studio is going international!!!

This March marks a significant milestone for JBX Studio! We are going international!!!! We have entered a contest in a Chinese national magazine, Studio Today and being selected to be published on the magazine as one of the winners.

This is a HUGE recognition to our efforts and I truly truly feel very proud of this production!!

Thanks to everyone for all the supports!!!