Fresh For Spring

We all want to see the weather get a bit warmer... I mean come on rain and wind enough is enough! While the weather is taking its sweet time, let's forget what's happening outside and bring some sunshine into our lives and onto our faces.

I talked to lovely makeup artist Alana Tsui about what's happening with her favorite luxe brand Chanel, this season...

What is the biggest trends happening this Spring/Summer?
What you see on the catwalk may not be the makeup look you would want to casually wear without putting on a show or doing a photoshoot. There are so many different inspiring looks and there is certainly no shortage of colours for SS12. A few trends that have stood out across the fashion board and stamped authority as this season’s look for every girl are bright colours from all hues of the rainbow, anything from pastel to neon. The colours can be used as a super soft and washed out smoky eye paired with a nude natural glossy lips, or pick one shade and use it on the lips, cheeks, and eyes. Use different textures if you are using a single colour such as powder on the eyes, cream on the cheeks and gloss on the lips.

This season skin is fresh and dewy. The saying 'less is more' never gets old, work for healthy, effortless and natural looking skin that's glowing with radiance.

What are your 3 must have products for creating this seasons look?

1) CHANEL Vitalumiere Aqua: This oil-free ultra-light skin perfecting foundation with SPF 15 is perfect for this Spring and Summer. It glides on smoothly for a fresh and natural complexion with a dewy second skin finish.

2) CHANEL Rouge Allure: This new generation of Rouge Allure Lipsticks have been relaunched with a new formula using concentrated, ultra-thin pigments offering radically intense colour with full coverage and a satin finish in all new Trend-right colours.

3) CHANEL Inimitable Intense Mascara: Define and open up your eyes with mascara regardless of what look you are going for. This Inimitable Intense Mascara gives amazing result to enhance lashes with natural to dramatic effects. It darkens, volumizes, lengthens and curls lashes from the very first application.

Sound good? Pop into A Chanel counter, try for yourself and leave with a little spring in Paris.

Mimi x

Yes To

We all know the feeling of too much week, not enough paycheck. I mean a girls gotta save for the important things in life... the hottest new lip shade, a new summer shoe, a Parisian holiday.

Looking for ways to save on essentials is just plain smart and so I was all 'YAY' when the latest product to hit the shelves crossed my desk.

'YES TO,' that's its name, and it comes in 5 tasty collections: YES TO Carrots, YES TO Cucumber, YES TO Tomato, YES TO Baby Carrots and YES TO Blueberries, caring for the world's varying skin types.

The range was created by two good bro buddies wanting an effective, natural skin care line that's both affordable and ethical. YES TO combines organic fruits and veges with a mineral elixir sourced from the Dead Sea.

They do not test on animals, they all have recyclable packaging, and contain at least 95% natural ingredients, free from parabens, petroleum, and other nasties and all made in San Francisco.
YES TO help make a difference in the lives of others through sustainable agriculture with a portion of all sales dedicated to the YES TO carrots seed fund.

I tried the YES TO Carrots range and I'm currently loving YES TO Carrots Daily Cream Facial Cleanser. It has an amazing creamy texture and is seriously effective, leaving my face soft and hydrated. Plus the bottle is nice and big, and affordable $19.99 for 170mls.

Also YES TO Carrots Nourishing Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF15, is light and quickly absorbed but felt a little dry. That would be the zinc oxide mineral that acts as a sunscreen so with that in mind definitely something I could get used to it at $29.99

Possibly my favourite of the bunch is YES TO Carrots Nourishing Super Rich Body Butter. It has a light soufflé-like texture, it must be those dead sea minerals that rejuvenate your skin in seconds and leave you with a satin-smooth healthy glow. Also $19.99.

It's stocked through out the USA in the iconic beauty superstore Sephora, but you can get it here at Countdown from Oct1st. Exciting!

xxMimi

Aristocrazia... Our Latest Collection

Killers commercial collection of wearable but special occasion styles inspired by the aristocratic women of Europe pre-WW2. Born from Mimi's obsession with period drama characters like TV's Upstairs Downstairs Lady Agnes Holland and Ella's true vintage style.

Women's lives, even those of great privilege were very different from what we experience now. A lady's standing was only as good as her reputation and scandal was avoided at all costs. There was a true essence of femininity, an inner strength with an outer softness. How different from salacious gossip magazines and sex tapes that shoot women to fame now, only 70 odd years later. We wanted to bring this "Lady" back to life, keeping her undeniable elegance giving her a modern disheveled edge.

Hair - Killer Art Team

Photographer - Jessica Sim

Make-up - Nicola Harvey 

Styling - Lulu Wilcox

Models - Victoria and Lily from Clyne, 

Emily and Annaliese from Nova and Sinead (unsigned)

Strong but sweet, a natural redhead with strong centre parting and imperfectly perfect waves.

Her long hair formed into a victory roll at the nape. 

Bouncy curls with a rough edge and rose gold coloured roots drifting into pretty creamy blonde. Smooth, textured and flirty. 

Shanghai Lily. Textured with wine coloured pieces creating a smoky haze thru the front adds intrigue to her dark, boxy cut. 

Smooth from the part into rolling waves and curls, Creating a river of copper, red and mahogany richness. 

A modern take on the Gibson girl look. Rich Chocolate smoothed up into lilac pieces breaking up her light ends and hair is sewn into place with embroidery thread giving a tossed up and easy elegance. 

All Hail The Brows!

Your eyebrows, always there, staring out from your face and either doing you justice or committing a crime. The brow though small, has a big job. They frame your face and in this they trick the eye into seeing symmetry, or create an imbalance that at in some cases can age you and have your features looking off.

I got all this information from Lisa at OFF wax and brow bar located in Newmarket, Takapuna and soon to be Britomart store. I gave OFF a call after a long hard look in the mirror had me thinking my wannabee Linda Evangalista eyebrows that were last shaped some time ago. Rather than plucking things up, I thought I should call the professionals.

Before my appointment I let them grow for 3 weeks and thank you fringe because it ain't easy. Lisa started by brow mapping, this is taking the markers from my facial features to create points at which my perfect brow would start, arch and end. She then looked at my new g!rowth and hooray it wasn't too late, I had new growth were my true brow should be and so a new more natural shape was possible.

We discussed how the perfect brow for any face is the true natural shape trimmed, and any stragglers gently waxed and removed to create a clean and beautiful brow.
Now as a blonde I normally lighten my natural brow just scared of a 'papa don't preach' Madonna look, but Lisa talked me into defining my new shape and going a touch darker which worked wonders. I still have a little way to go to growing back in my high arch but while I wait I'm lightly filling them in with some brow product and I'll see Lisa again in three weeks for her expert opinion to get me where I want to be.

So much has been made of the brow on the runway and in editorial. We see big and full brows which is as nuts in real life as over plucked thin and scary ones. If you feel your brows could be better I tell you nothing will change the way your face looks back at you as much as getting it right. I left OFF and returned to the salon where staff were saying 'wow they look great.' A new brow shape in 6 weeks is not so hard really. www.offwaxbar.co.nz

X Mimi

Scrub Up

There is no denying it, Spring is on its way and what a welcome season it is! It's a time for sweet smelling flowers, baby ducks and getting ready to bare some skin.

Exfoliation is preparation ground work, working in one of two ways:

Mechanical: small abrasives scrub and polish away dead skin to reveal the fresh skin that lies beneath.

Chemical: enzymes and alpha or beta hydroxy acids work to loosen the dead cells away from the skin. Like a facial peel which can really give you back your glow.

There is also the famous dry bodybrushing which helps eliminate toxins in the skin and works as a brilliant exfoliant but personally I think it hurts... It feels a bit like punishment and not the way I wanna start my day! So if you haven't been keeping up with a regime over winter and you need to get your scrub on.

Here are my picks:

Environ Hydrating Lotion $97.80, is like a little peel everyday. Apply it to your face and body for soft skin with great clarity. It can tingle when you start to use it so start with every second day and build up to morning and night and apply straight after cleansing.

La Mav Cranberry Bio Exfoliating Facial Scrub $54.95. This organic and creamy facial exfoliant can be used daily to keep a glow on.

GROWN Reviving Body Exfoliant with Pearl, Peppermint and Ylang Ylang $33.95 has light and refreshing little beads of pearl in a gel-like formulation. Incredible fragrance, organic and super easy to use. Your skin feels beautifully smooth and is perfect prepping for a self or spray tan application.

THE AROMATHERAPY CO. Therapy Range Therapeutic Body Scrub $18. I really love this, you get 4 sachets of a quality salt scrub you mix with the Aromatherapy Co. Therapy Range Body Oil $19. I used lavender, manuka and wild chamomile and then apply for a day spa at home salt scrub experience. Not hard to do at all, the salt feels amazing and the oil leaves your skin silky to touch and smelling sweet.

X Mimi

A New Colour

Yesterday we received the highly anticipated ammonia-free Davines colour called A New Colour. It is enriched with carotenoids, melanin and anti-oxidants for long-lasting, shiny colours. It has even been nicked-named the 'anti-age colour'!

Some would jump to the conclusion that a hair colour that is 'ammonia-free' is going to be natural and free of chemicals. A New Colour still contains chemicals but they are a lot gentler and are perfect for those who suffer allergies to ammonia. The reality is that chemicals are necessary for the colour to penetrate the hair shaft and is particularly important for grey coverage and lifting.

The chemical in The New Colour is monoethanolamine (MEA). It is a hydro-soluble, biodegradable, biological substance, completely oudourless, boosted by a synergy with metasilicate- a mineral quartz agent with remarkable light refraction capacity.

Not only does the new colour range include tints but it also has an ammonia-free bleach! It has very low volatility (meaning mimimal damage to the cuticle) and is enriched with sodium metasilicate.

We are really excited about the range and are attending a workshop on Monday to learn more. Mimi used it this morning to tone her hair and said it was noticeably shinier and Ella is having hers done as part of the workshop on Monday so will be able to give you her feedback on it also.

It is a slightly higher price but it's so special we think it's worth it and we can easily switch you over to it- that's the beauty of A New Colour.

New From M.A.C

Electric Cool Eye Shadows
This limited edition of twelve pearly finish eyeshadows are multi-dimensional and lightweight for superior blending power. With a firm mousse-like consistency they glide on with ease. You can achieve a high shine neutral with 'Pure Flash' a soft champagne or 'SuperWatt' a shimmering taupe. If you want a colour pop try 'Highly Charged,' a violet purple shot with pearly pink, or 'Switch to Blue' a bold cobalt. On sale now for $44 each.

Nail Lacquer

M.A.C's release of its first permanent nail collectio brings about new shades and some best sellers from past limited edition collections. With thirty colours in 3 finishes it means you can fall in love with a shade and not fear it selling out. There's everything from shimmers to glitters, neutrals to fashion trend faves.

My picks - Fiesta Ware' a creamy pastel coral, 'Coffee Break' again a cream finish in a mushroomy mid brown, GORGEOUS!

There are also a few like 'Snob' and 'Saint Germain' that come in a lipshade so you can do your matchy-matchy thing. On sale now for $26.

Mimi x

OPI GelColour Manicure

My lifestyle involves working a lot with my hands so I can expect the average nail polish to last 2 days before the chips set in. However that doesn't stop me from longing for a glance down at brightly glossed nails on well manicured hands.

Last week it seems I have found the answer - OPI GelColour manicure.

These long lasting polish's have been around for a while, and nail care mega brand OPI launched their version in February of this year, taking their time to bring to market an elite version of the gel manicure.

OPI's creation is 100% gel, unlike other hybrids and are therefore kinder on your natural nail. Application is a simple layer of GelColour basecoat, 2 layers of GelColour, 1 of GelColour topcoat with a 30 second curing time under LED UV light between coats. Your manicurist couldn't paint your other hand any faster, so it's not a moment longer than your traditional service.

The launch range comes in 30 of OPI's most loved shades, so you can team it up with your regular polished toes. But the best part is the super gloss finish the service provides.

The official lasting time is 2 to 3 weeks but the healthier the natural nail for the gel to bond to, the longer the chip free result. These babies do need to be soaked off before your next application, this can be done in the salon or at home by wrapping a cotton pad soaked in acetone polish remover around each nail and securing with a little foil, should take about 15 mins.

Well I'm sold, I love the super shiny finish of my " Suzy says Feng Shui " teal nails and I'm up to day 6 without a chip in sight. YAY!

Mimi x

Competition Results!

And the winners are...

Amanda Summersby

is the winner of the $100 Killer Hair Voucher 

Ceili Murphy

is the winner of the Davines Essentials Care Pack containing a Melu Shampoo, Conditioner and Oi/Oil

Valued at $115

Alyssa Scarlet

is the winner of the bridget black skincare collection pack

Valued at $165

Lisa Hughes and Abby Gillies 

are the winners of the Keratin Treatment and Blow-waves with Ella and Tom

Valued at $109 each

Thanks for everyone's participation! And thanks to bridget black for sponsoring a prize.

Competition Time!

We think it is high time for some healthy competition for all our wonderful clients. We want to show you how much we value you and so have some great prizes up for grabs!

Here are the fabulous prizes-

1x $100 Killer Hair voucher redeemable for any service and/or products

1x Davines Essentials Care Pack containing a Melu Shampoo and Conditioner and Oi/Oil
Valued at $115

1x bridget black Skincare Collection pack- It's the combination of the products, matched with your specific skin requirements that will lead to a great, noticeable result

Valued at $165

2x Keratin Miracle Treatment and Blow-wave with Ella and Tom
Valued at $109 each

So what do you have to do to be in the draw to win?

1. Share our blog link on your facebook page - blog.killerhair.co.nz 
2. Register on the bridget black website (bottom right corner of homepage) - www.bridgetblack.co.nz/
3. Like the Killer Hair page on Facebook - www.facebook.com/killerhairnz

Once you have done these three things, simply email win@killerhair.co.nz with your name and mobile number and we will put you in the draw

If you also subscribe to our blog, we will put you in the draw twice - double your chances!

GOOD LUCK!

A big thanks to Sara at bridget black for sponsoring this competition

The Nitty Gritty:

• This competition will run from Wednesday 20th June 2012- 6pm Wednesday 18th July 2012
• Winners will be drawn at random using a online generator for a fair result. The first name drawn will win the first prize listed here, then continued down the list.
• Winners will be announced here on Thursday 19th July 2012. Winners will be contacted on the mobile number they provided for their entry
• The Bridget Black pack and Davines Essentials pack to be picked up from Killer Hair, 24 St Benedict's Street, Newton.
• The $100 gift voucher and Keratin Miracle Treatment and Blow-wave prizes are valid until November 13th 2012.

Killer Hair Editorials in Remix Magazine

The last two issues of Remix Magazine has featured work from Killer Hair, but this latest 15th Birthday issue has really taken it to the next level.

Ella did the hair for a 'Pin-up' themed shoot, with the lovely Tom assisting and since she loves everything from the 40s and 50s, it was a great opportunity for her to show her vintage hair skills. One of the images was also selected for the cover- the first Killer Hair magazine cover!

Photographer- Hayley Bayliffe
Fashion- Sophie Donovan
Model- Rosie @ Nova Models
Hair- Ella Macedo @ Killer Hair
Hair Assistant- Tom Stayton @ Killer Hair
Makeup- Kiri O'Brian @ MAC
Makeup Assistant- Sharon Ngen @ MAC
Rosie wears shirt, knickers and garter belt by Kate Sylvester, earrings by Walker and Hall

There were three models that needed two looks each. It was shot by Hayley Bayliffe and styled by Remix's Sophie Donovan. Hayley had this to say about the shoot-

"The shoot was inspired by old-fashioned pin-up icons and posters, adding a more modern fashion element to compliment the retro 'sexy' feel of the shoot."


Here is the full editorial -

Ella took inspiration for the hair from pin-up artist Gil Elvgren's paintings, but with a few modern twists. Curls and victory rolls were a must with a bit of rockabilly thrown in for good measure with the picture of Rosie in the headscarf and barrel curl.

 Paintings by Gil Elvgren- he is considered the greatest pin-up artist in the history of American illustration. 

Steven and Mimi also did a editorial shoot with photographer Jessica Sim. We have worked with Jessica a few times now- she shot our 'Alchemy' collection last year and was also the photographer for the Urbis Magazine Editorial shoot Steven and Ella did earlier in the year.
We asked Jessica to give us a few sentences about the most recent one in Remix, as she used such a new lighting technique. This is what she said-


 "This shoot with the ever so lovely Kelvin from Clyne was lit using long exposures and I hand painted her with a small torch, moving the torch around her to highlight certain areas and create a moody, haunting vibe.


 I was inspired by one of my favourite photographers, Paolo Roversi who uses similar techniques. It was my first go trying this, and it was a lot if fun, but hard work for Kelvin sitting still for 30 seconds - its not easy!!"

 Photographer- Jessica Sim

Fashion- Hannah Lee-Turner

Hair- Steven and Mimi @ Killer Hair

Makeup- Stacey Lee Ghin using Maybelline New York

Model- Kelvin @ CLYNE

Photographer's Assistant- Karen Ishiguro

Hair Assistant- Majid @ Killer Hair

Steven and Mimi did some wicked hair- they really pushed it to the limit! When they met the model, Kelvin, she had so much lovely hair and so they decided they wanted to go big! The styles are not so much wearable but a modern and ladylike fantasy.
It was a long day but the shots are so awesome and different- it also gave our new Saturday assistant Majid his first experience on a editorial shoot.


Also featured in the latest Remix is our new colour technique, Flamboyage. We having been doing so much Flamboyage since it was released and Stylist and Clients alike have been loving the result!

All in all, it has been an exciting couple of months! We already have another shoot for Remix in the next week and hope to have more. We love working in the salon and the time we have with our clients, but it is wonderful to have opportunities to get creative on a shoot and have our work in a magazine.

For behind the scenes photos of all our photo-shoots, please click here- Killer Hair- Behind the Scenes!

Free Powder Compact with Davines Essentials

For a limited time only and while stocks last, we have an amazing free gift when you purchase a pair of Davines Essentials Shampoo and Conditioner.

Its the Davines Compact Matifying Primer- Valued at $35!

It Fixes Makeup

Gives An Ultra Silky Luminescent Appearance

Minimizes Imperfections

For All Skintypes Throughout The Day

With Hyaluronic Acid To Give Hydration And Preserve The Elasticity Of The Skin

You will get one free just by purchasing a pair of either the MELU, NOUNOU, VOLU or LOVE Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner sets.

If you would like to put a pair and free compact on hold and ensure you don't miss out, please call the salon on 377 9129 (we can hold for a maximum of 3 days)

x

Sailor's Ahoy!

One of the hottest trends this season is the old favorite 'Nautical' theme. Whilst generally associated with the warmer months, this classic theme is easy to pull off in winter too.

Here are my picks for getting some sailor influences into your wardrobe!

1. Go for bold!
I am really excited about MAC's new collection 'Hello Sailor'. Inspired by the glam of vintage pin-up girls, this collection is fun, sassy and cute packaging to boot. A bright red lip is a easy way to add a little pin-up to your outfit!

2. Button up!
Got a tired old navy jacket that you don't wear anymore? Simply change the buttons to some gold navy ones for an instant and cheap transformation- I've bought some at Centrepoint fabrics in Newmarket but I'm sure you can find them as most fabric/haberdashery stores. Better still, get some old gold plated chain and a couple of safety pins and make yourself some cardigan clips!

3. Beach hair all year!
Get a tousled beach look with our Davines No.14 Sea Salt Primer. Spray it into the lengths of your hair when damp, scrunch the hair with your hands and allow it to dry naturally. Alternatively, spray it directly onto the roots and blow dry the hair upwards for some mega root lift.

4. Accessorize!
A simple necklace or pair of earrings can really make a statement. Even just some bright red (or yellow!) bangles with a striped boat neck top would look great. There's a lot of awesome stuff online- go to www.etsy.com and type in 'Nautical' to the search engine for thousands of vintage and handmade treasures.

Found on www.etsy.com

Karen Walker Jewellery

Found on www.etsy.com

5. Get Stripy!

Anything striped screams 'Nautical'! Be sure to add in splashes of colour, even unconventional colour like yellow will look great. If you want to incorporate the stripes in a more subtle way, do it with a bag or shoes. www.shoesofprey.com is a website that allows you to design your shoes online and then they will make them for you. They have just come out with new cotton blend materials in stripes that you can use to create your shoes.

www.wheelsanddollbaby.com

Cotton blend selections at www.shoesofprey.com

www.rebeccaminkoff.com

Ella x