Miguel Julio

Miguel Julio: Bubbling to the Top

A PASSION FOR BEAUTY, TRANSPARENCY, AND INTEGRITY

BY BETH ILAGAN // PHOTOS COURTESY OF LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

Who is Miguel Julio? Most of you have probably seen him on the local FOX 5 KVVU- TV’s “The More Show” every other week. Some may have been his clients at his mobile beauty studio. Yet others had met him through the Raiderettes, the official cheerleading squad for the Las Vegas Raiders professional American football team. Mostly, people know him simply as the funny, charming, crazy, over-the-top, vegan person. However, the other side of that is an independent, disciplined, and organized person—with very high standards! Miguel has a commanding presence of a natural-born leader. Born on January first, he comes in with a bang! I wanted to know more about him and find out what makes him so interesting, fabulous, and lovable.

What are your accomplishments?

MJ: “I have been a make-up artist for twenty-eight years. I started as a make-up artist at the Estee Lauder counter of the Macy’s Department Store in Seattle, Washington. I traveled all over the country with Dior Cosmetics and Chanel Cosmetics doing make-up. Eight years ago, I started my own beauty company in Las Vegas called ‘Miguel Julio Beauty.’ Five years ago, I became a Beauty Consultant for FOX 5 KVVU-TV’s ‘The More Show.’ Three years later, my Glam Squad was selected to provide mobile beauty services for the Raiderettes. Recently, we were offered to do beauty services for the 87th NFL Draft 2022, a three-day event (April 28-30) in Las Vegas. It is the annual meeting of the National Football League franchises to select the newly eligible players.”

How did you end up in Las Vegas, Nevada?

MJ: “Eighteen years ago, I worked for the Sephora Corporation (a world-famous cosmetic chain) as a national trainer. I traveled all over the country teaching make-up as part of the introductory class for new make-up artists. They offered me a position in Las Vegas, so I decided to stay.”

Describe your family/childhood. Did anyone in your childhood/early adolescence influence your career path?

MJ: “I come from very humble beginnings. During that time, we didn’t have a lot of money, so there wasn’t much food to go around. My mother, Dorothy, always made sure that we were fed and clothed. She used to say, ‘Just because we are poor, we do not have to be dirty.’ During my early adolescence, my sixth-grade teacher Edy Byrne allowed me to draw and create big pieces of wall art during lunch breaks and after school. These were displayed on the walls of our classroom. Ms. Byrne did this to keep me safe and not get bullied in school. She is a very good person, and she inspired me to be an artist. She gave me my creative and artistic freedom.”

What else should people know about you?

MJ: “They should know that I am a former performer. I love to dance and sing, and I am an aspiring comedian. I would like to enjoy that journey later in life.”

Who inspires you?

MJ: “My mother inspires me. She is a very strong woman and single-handedly, with very modest means, took care of four children. That lesson taught me how to make something out of nothing. When clients and colleagues ask me how I became successful, my answer is, ‘I have learned how to operate with almost nothing—that is by becoming highly creative!’ In my business, you have to understand what your client wants and then create something big out of it. That is my philosophy in life!”

What else should people know about you?

MJ: “They should know that I am a former performer. I love to dance and sing, and I am an aspiring comedian. I would like to enjoy that journey later in life.”

Who inspires you?

MJ: “My mother inspires me. She is a very strong woman and single-handedly, with very modest means, took care of four children. That lesson taught me how to make something out of nothing. When clients and colleagues ask me how I became successful, my answer is, ‘I have learned how to operate with almost nothing—that is by becoming highly creative!’ In my business, you have to understand what your client wants and then create something big out of it. That is my philosophy in life!”

How did you get started in the beauty business?

MJ: “I was studying Interior Design at the Art Institute of Seattle, and I needed a job to keep myself financially afloat. I applied for a job at Macy’s and was given a position at the Estee Lauder counter, where I learned about cosmetics and their various applications.”

How would you describe your style, and how is it different from others in the same industry?

MJ: “In this very competitive beauty business, I would say my style has a lot of integrity. I learned that I do not have to be the star of the show or shock anyone. I can create my own path by not pushing anyone out of my way but rather showcasing my unique talent.”
Describe a recent victory.

MJ: “Being chosen as the official glam squad of the Raiderettes is a recent victory. I would never have thought that this would be part of my journey. Helping women achieve confidence is what make-up and hairstyling do. My glam squad signed a three-year contract with the Raiders/Raiderettes, and now the sky is the limit! We are helping in so many ways and doing so many things for the Raiderettes that it has become a year-round commitment.”

What is the highest point/highlight in your career?

MJ: “Anything that I ever dreamed of, I’ve gotten to make it happen one way or another. Traveling on tour with Oprah Winfrey for her “The Life You Want” tour has been the highest point in my career. She has her own make-up artist, but I did the make-up on her guests like journalist/author Elizabeth Gilbert and alternative medicine advocate/author Deepak Chopra. All these spiritual and thought leaders influenced me deeply.”

What motivates you to get up in the morning?

MJ: “My business has never been busier. Upon getting up, I like to have a cup of coffee, have breakfast, then go to the gym. These prepare my mind for what I have going on for the rest of the day. Always being sought after, I answer at least one hundred e-mails daily and give the attention needed by my team. My job never ends. It is a 24-hour day job, seven days a week. We work even weekends because of weddings, parties, and other events.”

What puts a smile on your face?

MJ: “Making my clients happy! Making women beautiful gives them confidence. It’s like giving a person a superpower that they can put on. They can face the world knowing that they look and feel beautiful.”

Do you have a hobby?

MJ: “I would say that make-up artistry is my hobby. I am always looking for new ways to accomplish things and educate myself to keep up with the latest techniques. I love nothing more!”

What excites you about being the contracted beauty service for the Raiderettes?

MJ: “Nothing is more exciting! I have never been so fulfilled in my life! I was a cheerleader in High School. It was a great outlet for me because I was bullied a lot for being different. Being around cheerleaders helps me see how women express themselves through dance and, with our help—through make-up. It is quite a feat to be part of an organization that is so large. I have to say it is one of my life’s dreams come true!”
How do you demand or maintain excellence?

MJ: “My entire glam team is at the highest echelon of the beauty services. We have twenty-two contracted make-up artists and hairstylists that work with Miguel Julio Beauty. They are amazing and are the best of the best! We understand that we can come together and accomplish more as a team. A lot of make-up artists promote themselves, and that’s great, but when you are on a team, you can achieve so much more.”

What is your greatest challenge or barrier in your business?

MJ: “Competition is the greatest challenge. The beauty business is a very saturated field, and the only way you can bubble to the top is to be the best of the best and operate with integrity, grace, and conviction. We know we are the best because we hire the best people and talents. Add to this their great personalities. That is the main reason why we are rising to the top!”

Are there lessons you have learned in life?

MJ: “There are many lessons I have learned in life, and many of them deal with integrity. If you do not have integrity, you do not have anything. I am transparent with my employees, loved ones, and everywhere in my life. Transparency and integrity will take you far.“

Who are the people whom you are forever thankful to?

MJ: “I am thankful for my family, my glam squad, my colleagues in the industry, and all the associations I have met along the way. I would like to give a shout out to the Raiders Organization and FOX 5 Las Vegas because they have propelled my career beyond my wildest dreams.”

What is trending now in the beauty business?

MJ: “Products and services readily available; people want instant/quick results. Both men and women are interested in taking care of their skin and learning the science behind it. Advanced skincare products, light therapy, and exfoliation techniques are popular now. People are also interested in new make-up and hair tips and tricks. These are motivated and influenced by Tik Tok and YouTube channels. We plan to have our own Tik Tok and YouTube channels soon!”

What is your vision for the future in your career/business?

MJ: “My vision is to have our own stand-alone store at some point. We had our boutique before; however, our clients love that we go to them with our mobile glam squad and provide services onsite. If we open a boutique again, it will have to be on the Las Vegas Strip to be more accessible to our clients.”

Miguel Julio Mobile Beauty Studio serves Las Vegas and San Diego. Contact them at 1-866-332-2979 or www.migueljuliobeauty.com.