Viola - Killer Collection 2013

Killer Art Team are proud to release the 2013 collection Viola which explores the colour violet and its nemesis gold.
Transforming what was punk into commercial.
Discovering shapes, softness and precision with the ultimate shine.
Beauty influenced by the 60s with the volume turned up.

 We looked to create a collection that speaks to where we are right now as a team.
Viola outlines all the things we love.
We love being influenced by something in the past, as it sets a steady foundation for creativity.

We love playing with colour, setting out to make the unexpected respectable.

Killer as a salon team believes in beauty, every woman wants to be pretty, everyone loves a fresh, new look.

Understanding that means such a variety of things to people. 

To some - new is a huge leap, to others a twinkle step in a different direction.

Our annual collection is an artistic exercise where we get to come together under the leadership of Directors Steven and Mimi and produce images that we love, every year a new.

Killer x

Win a Ultimate Killer Hair Package!

Got Hair Envy? Coveting a new colour and style? You need to be KILLER-fied!

Upload a picture of your aspiring do and go into the draw to win a KILLER Makeover.

Give yourself the chance to fall in love with your hair. 
Click on this link to enter.

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The Prize: 

Colour, Glorifying Colour Locking Treatment, Cut, Blow-wave and Davines Oi Shampoo and Conditioner to keep your new do' in tip-top shape.

Make Me Immortal With A Kiss

Check out these gorgeous images from the shoot Ella did the hair for in the latest Remix Magazine!

Publication: Remix Magazine

Photographer: Hayley Bayliffe

Model: Yasmin from Clyne

Styling: Tina Moore

Hair: Ella for Killer Hair

Makeup: Helen for Smashbox

Mind Over Matter

Mind Over Matter

Marathon update 10.9.13

My training has moved into the (serious business) phase ,my aim - to run a half marathon ..21km, from Mt Eden down Tamaki Drive to Kelly Tarlton's and back again.

The thought of 21kms is daunting but it's been a steady build so the feeling is quietly confident.

Previous blogs have spoken of the quiet mind space you get to when going on long runs... most listen to tunes but I prefer to take this time and sort out my headspace, make plans, get ones shit in order so to speak! Previously this has carried me through the pain barrier... today however I needed total visualization.

Its not hard right now to find inspiration in this country, All Blacks, Team New Zealand... our canoeists pushing as hard as they can... hell half my clients are runners, cyclists and mountain bikers and I'm grateful for their tips and resources.

I want to share a moment... a moment of pain (mind over matter)... it was on the way home about the 16km mark, up Stanley St hill, past the hospital to Grafton Rd. My mind suddenly started screaming at me STOP!!....in fact it was more like PLEASE stop - I'm dying!!!

It was at this point I grabbed a mental image of myself on a cliff's edge holding my two kids in my arms... the wind, the rain smashing against us. The girls burying their heads against my chest and incredibly... On came this samurai type metal Armour over us and in like some kind of cool movie scene became like a statue that could not be moved, the steps while still burning became slightly more distant and to my horror realization this next part of the training will be more about the mind than the body.

It truly puts supreme athletes into a whole new category for me... Supersonic is the word that comes to mind, still for mere mortals like me it certainly pushes the bar out to what you can achieve.

Steven x

Peace be the Journey Man- Marathon Training Update

It's three months to go until the Auckland Marathon(holy shit)...and I think I'm finally starting to find a rhythm.

Getting up in mid-winter is one of the hardest things to do, anyone else out there feel the same?
It constantly reminds me that this life we live is all in the mind. I've been watching dynamo on TV lately and he believes in mind over matter- It's a great tool to get your ass outta bed and into the day to start achieving.

I'm really starting to make friends with the cold mornings...just me and the dog, kilometre after kilometre watching the world wake as we run. It's at this point all the little negative thoughts start to creep in like bills I have to pay or more to the point all things I haven't achieved yet. Then blissfully the pounding of the blood through my body returns me to the positive...where my thoughts belong!

A certain mentor of mine keep reminding me that when my thoughts turn negative just think - is your wife OK? Are your children OK? If yes then everything will be OK,
. It's a simple thing- a bit like running!

Peace be the journey
Steven x

Viva Las Vegas!

On March 23rd, my then boyfriend (and 24hrs later Fiancée!) headed off for a 2 week adventure in the great U-S of A. The main catalyst for the trip was because we wanted to attend the annual Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender which is held at the Orleans hotel for four days over Easter. It's one of the biggest Rockabilly gatherings in the world with events like a Jiving competition and burlesque shows, bands, vendor rooms that are open from 9am-Midnight, pool parties and a massive car show.

It was also a great chance for me to meet a few online friends who were also attending. I've got quite a few friends from all over the world that I have connected with through a facebook group and our mutual love of the vintage style and Viva Las Vegas is one of those events that serves as a great meeting place.

We arrived in Vegas at 10.30pm which was fantastic as we got to really experience the splendour of the lights as we flew in. 

We got the cab driver to take us down the strip on the way to our hotel so we could get our first glimpse of the famous hotels- and boy do they live up to expectations! They were so much bigger and more extravagant than I had imagined! 

The next morning we headed to one of the big outlet malls for a spot of shopping, picking up some good designer bargains- Matt bought more than me believe it or not!

We caught a cab to the heart of Vegas, checking out the massive fashion mall outlet (and more purchases of course!) and then we went out onto the strip.
After hours of walking, taking in the grandness that is Las Vegas Boulevard, we decided to head back to the hotel- but not before I quickly hunted down the Bettie Page Clothing  store that I knew was in the Planet Hollywood Mall!
It's one of the stores I buy online from so to get to go instore and try things on was a bit of a treat. Three dress purchases later and we were back at the hotel for a quick tidy up and off again we went!


Onto dinner at Canal Street, a restaurant inside The Orleans where Matt popped the question. Apparently he had been carrying the ring around all day on the strip, trying to find the right opportunity but I kept accidentally thwarting his attempts- whoops!
After dinner and on a bit of a high from the proposal, we went to the Aria hotel for the Cirque Du Soleil show Zarkana which of course was spectacular, as all their shows are!

The next few days we spent on the Strip, trying to see as much of the hotels as we could. Thursday night we went to a Burlesque show at a bar inside the Mandalay Bay Hotel, organised by Pinup Girl Clothing (another online store I buy from) as part of Viva Las Vegas. This was another great chance to meet people I've connected with online, and also very exciting to get to meet the staff and designers of Pinup Girl Clothing.

At the Thursday night Burlesque show with Facebook friends
Angeli, Gail, Michelle and Wendy

Friday night we had dinner at Morton's Steakhouse with the girls from the facebook group and their spouses. It's funny how I instantly recognised everyone and already knew what they were like personality-wise and it didn't really feel like we were meeting for the first time!

Saturday is the biggest day of Viva Las Vegas- It's a massive car show in The Orleans carpark with Vendors and a stage with bands playing all day. It literally was heaven for me.
I bought a truckload of stuff, oogled some pretty cars and just took in the wonderful atmosphere! In the afternoon, I had a photoshoot booked with one of the many Pin Up style photographers attending Viva, Switch Blade Betties. After a quick outfit change I was ready to go and love how the photos turned out!

With Pinup Girl Clothing Designer Micheline Pitt (left) and
model Erika Reno (right)

Matt with his favourite car of the show!

With Pinup Girl Clothing models Masuimi Max
and Angelique Noire

With Pinup Girl Clothing model, burlesque
performer and facebook buddy Ashleeta!

Heading strait for the pretty dresses...

That night we attended the Burlesque Competition which showcased some very talented acts. On Sunday night we also got to watch the singing and dance troupe called The Satin Dolls which was one of the highlights of the weekend for me!

 Our last day in Vegas was spent on the Strip once again, trying to see as much as possible and also going to a shooting range so Matt could fire a few crazy loud guns!

The next day we picked up our rental car and after a quick stop at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign and McDonald's for breakfast, we headed to Los Angeles!
Matt drove, there was no way I was risking it with my track record with cars (the first time I got in my car after our holiday,
I ripped off my front bumper backing down the driveway!) and I was happy to take in the scenery.

We stopped for coffee at Peggy Sue's 50s Diner which had been heavily advertised on billboards and was about 45mins outside of
Vegas. We also stopped for an Antique Mall in Barstow that I had heard advertised on the radio and picked up a Vintage fur jacket for a measly $26!

We got to our Motel in Santa Monica by 4.30pm and since we were right in the middle of a little shopping strip on Main Street, we had a stroll along there and checked out the beach. It was a super early night for us though, as we were pretty shattered from all the late nights and early starts in Vegas!

Los Angeles was fabulous, but especially Santa Monica. We took a trip out to Burbank one of the days we were there as I wanted to visit the Pinup Girl Clothing Boutique on Magnolia Boulevard and went to the Beauty and the Beast stage show at the Pantages Theatre.

We spent a day at Disneyland which was a bit of a dream come true for me. I am a avid Disney Princess fan and convinced that  had I have grown up in the USA, my life ambition would have been to be a Princess at Disneyland.
It was spring break so super busy but we got on most of the rides we wanted to and spent a lot of the time just wandering and taking everything in.

Giant Mickey Mouse Pretzel!

Clowning around in Toonsville!

Sleeping Beauty's Castle!

Pretty lights and view of the Pier from
the rollercoaster

The next 2 days we spent between Santa Monica and Hollywood. Friday night on the Pier was awesome, especially with the unlimited ride passes we bought- not sure that the hot dog right before we got on the swinging ship was a good idea though!
And you had to kinda look past the rusty bolts on the Ferris Wheel...or it might freak you out a little!

Marilyn Monroe's star!

Hollywood itself was a little underwhelming. Great to see, happy to have found lots of the old classic stars like Clark Gable, Frank Sinatra, BB King, the Andrew's Sisters and of course Marilyn Monroe. But after the beauty and calmness that is Santa Monica, it all felt a little frantic and touristy.

We also got to meet up with some more friends from the facebook group for dinner while in LA- these girls hadn't made it to Viva Las Vegas so it was awesome that we got a chance to meet!

At dinner with facebook friends Kirsty, Cynthia, Katherine,
Natasha and Estefania!

The USS Arizona Memorial

After 5 nights in LA, we were Hawaii bound. We had a great breakfast from the farmers market across the road from the motel before catching a cab to LAX.

By this time, we had pretty much run out of money! Luckily I had thought this would probably happen, so had booked us a room in Hawaii with a kitchenette so we just bought some groceries and made our own meals.
We had also booked and pre-paid for a tour of Pearl Harbour and a dinner and show Luau night but the rest of the time we just relaxed and embraced the chilled out Hawaiian atmosphere.

Matt got picked to be one of the dancing
grass skirt men!

Cocktails on the beach!

All in all, the trip was amazing and lived up to my expectations luckily, as I had been hyped about it for almost a year, and made all the more special by Matt's proposal! It was fantastic to make so many new friends, and I would love to attend Viva Las Vegas again in a few years time, once my bank account has recovered!

Now to plan a wedding!

Ella x

Steven's Marathon Training- The First Hurdle!

As much as I love running and the peace of the morning that comes with it, I have found the first 3 weeks of my Marathon training pretty damn tough. 

As if getting up at 6am after a night of broken sleep from my two young daughters wasn't enough, I am now battling with my just-turned-41 year old body. 

I have hurt my right heel, my left ball of my foot is giving me random sharp shooting pains and my shoulders and lower back are giving me grief. 

The pavement is showing me no mercy and in short, I am falling to bloody pieces!

The good news is that I've found a great Osteopath (Ashleigh Mitchell at Body Worx) and she is putting me back together bit by bit. 

It's harder than I thought training for the Marathon but I guess that is why millions of people train for them every year, for that challenge and to really push themselves.

For my motivation, I try to think of the charity I am raising money for, Animals Asia and the abused Moon Bears- but I will talk about that more in a future blog post.

I'll keep you updated on my progress and any tips would be more that welcome!

Steven x

MANSTUFF

So who buys the soap in your house? My guess is it's not him. 

Guys make a fuss when they leave the shower smelling like jasmine flowers, but now they get a choice!

MANSTUFF was purpose built so a guy could smell like a guy. An offering to their fellow man, MANSTUFF has risen from the ruins of Christchurch and been brewed in the rugged surrounds of Marlborough. Crafted from the best of ingredients the range offers up two bars of soap: Handful of Gravel and Whiskey and Mint $12. 'Handful of Gravel' states it will 'clean you up no matter what's stuck to you,' which sounds a little ominous... and 'Whiskey and Mint' contains whiskey extract and peppermint oil, it's invigorating and can be used on the face and the bod. (They like that.)

I had a couple of men take it home and tell me all about it after a shower. As you can imagine it wasn't easy getting a lot out of them, feedback as follows:

Whiskey and Mint fragrance was enjoyed, the soap was soft, the natural ingredient preferred. 

Handful of Gravel had a nice exfoliating thing going on, not as harsh as the name might suggest, very happy to not smell like flowers but be clean. 

It's the sense of humour about this product that's most refreshing and with big plans to add more manly grooming stuff to their line you check out www.manstuff.co.nz 

Next addition to the bathroom: his and hers soap trays. 

xMimi

The Hands Have It

It has been said it's a ladies hands that give her age away. Even Ellen Degeneres who looks amazing and cover girl fresh at 55 says her hands look every day her age. 

When you think about it your hands get it tough. In a 'hands on' profession like mine they take a lethal bashing! Besides dehydration, your five fingered friends are the first to get the dreaded sun spots. This is due to direct sunlight exposure and one the worst activities is driving. You could do like some women in Asian cultures and wear driving gloves, or for a less conspicuous look might I suggest keeping a small sized sunscreen about 50+ in your handbag for on the go protection. For a deep moisture hit try keeping a lovely rich hand cream by your bedstide table to apply just before sleep. That way it's always there to remind you and your hands get about 8 hrs of uninterrupted absorption. After a week of doing this you will be amazed at your soft and beautifully renewed hands. 

After applying a few myself and handing out to friends to try here are my top 3 hand creams:

Kio Kio Hand and Body Lotion $29.90 for 300ml. A light formula for all over, not just the hands. The pure essential oils create an incredible aroma mix and with all this amazing sunshine we're having every application makes for perfect kiwi summer moments. 

Weleda Citrus Hand and Nail Cream $ 19.90 for 50ml. All natural with a lovely zingy fragrance, this cream is ultra rich for hands with added protection for nails and healthy cuticle beds. 

Trilogy Rose Hand Cream $27.90 for 100ml LOVE this brand, they always do such lovely products and have such great ethics. I really enjoy the almost vintage rose scented cream. It's a light but ultra hydrating dream for a girls hands. 

XMimi 

Correspondence for MOR

I'm a true lover of anything with a history. I become enchanted with the idea of where its been and what its seen. Historical houses, Downton Abbey, vintage jewellery and old photographs. I'm into it all! So when I saw the new soap collection 'CORRESPONDENCE' from MOR I was delighted.

Triple milled, made from the purest ingredients and cruelty free, this 165gm bar for $19.95 is a richly scented trip down memory lane. With old world exotic fragrances such as Cyclamen Tuberose, Masala Tea, Kashmir Petals and Quince Persimmon to name but a few. MOR is a beauty brand that continuously delivers that bit more, from their luxury formulations to their exquisite packaging. 

CORROSPONDENCE takes us to a time when there were no emails and cellphones. When with much anticipation family news and more importantly letters from a lover came in neatly handwritten packages with delicate ink printed stamps and wax seals. Celebrating connection with all its traditional trimming. Ahhhh, the wonderful world of MOR. 

XMimi 

Original and Mineral

There ain't much I don't know about shampoo. The hair care market is bursting with choices and my money's on products free from sulphates, parabens and the like, created by companies with compassion for animals, the planet and you. 

Original & Mineral create beautiful formulations free from chemicals but still deliver amazing results. They have a unique 3 step care system.

1. Detox, this is using the Original Detox Shampoo $38 350ml, it smells fresh with Australian river mint and leaves hair lighter, almost squeaky clean and rid of build up from product, oil and pollution. Most importantly it's prepped for the next step. 

2. Cleanse, this is with your prescribed care shampoo depending on hair's texture. I use Hydrate and Conquer $38 350mls which through its sea kelp ingredient delivers tons of vitamins and amino acids that are important for my blonde locks.

3. Care, here is where the hair is treated to the hydration best suited for what you put it through. Again I used Hydrate and Conquer $38 350mls this one smells like sweet almond oil and ylang ylang flower. Not only does it smell delicious but it gives my chemically challenged hair a wonderfully balanced hit of moisture.

The end result is perfect delivery of the essential ingredients. My hair feels fully hydrated but lighter and my colour brighter and more radiant.

Yip, I was pretty impressed and O&M have a innovative backstory where through necessity an Australian hairdressing couple went out to make products and professional colour without using chemicals in a bid to reduce there own reactions through exposure. What they have created is a line that is picking up major fans worldwide. Leading hairdressers and celebs like Miranda Kerr and Rachel Zoe have raved about their love for O&M.

They do the cutest little travel sizes $17.50 50mls perfect if your interested in trying and seeing the results for yourself, not to mention an amazing styling line all professionally tested and adored. So lose the chemicals and use your head.

Mimi x

Cruelty Free Beauty

All you have to do is trawl through the images on Google regarding animal testing for cosmetics and you will be horrified and your heart will be heavy. As a girl who has a lot of love for the animals I ask: 'Is this the cost of glowing skin and manageable hair?' 

Looking on the PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) website and you will be amazed at how many household names and big hitters in the beauty industry are still using this archaic form of testing for safety. It truly is outdated, now scientists can use human cells and other means which require no animals in the laboratory. These methods have proven to not only be cheaper, but are being praised for there accuracy. 

However the real issue lies with all the money to be made with sales in China, you see the Chinese government REQUIRES animal testing to be able to sell in the marketplace. So many companies whose previous stance was against the cruelty of testing on animals have found the pull of possible billions of dollars worth of sales have made them reconsider their ethics.

Every day as consumers we get to make choices in telling these companies what we will support and what we won't put up with, and hit them where they will listen... the profits. 

This whole subject has been fascinating as I took it as a give in that companies just wouldn't go there! So if you feel like I do, then it is really easy to be sure your money is going to ethical beauty industry leaders. You can do a google search or PETA' s site has a huge list.  Also check your packaging, often you will see an 'against animal testing' a similar logo. 

Here are a few of my favourite brands that are bunny friendly: Davines (Incredible and ethical Italian company who do hair colour, shampoo and styling. This is what I use in my salon Killer), O.P.I, Hourglass, Stila, Awa Creations, Urban Decay, Trilogy, Antipodes, Eye of Horus, GROWN, Yes to, Kevin Murphy, Inika Mineral Makeup

This just names a few but there are a lot of people doing what seems commonsensical so let your beauty purchases be led by your heart. 

X Mimi 

Budget Savvy

Saving up for something big this year? Not everything fabulous has to be expensive or hard to get. I love a good tip or trick and have been keeping to a real budget that works wonders. I also asked my girlfriends in know if they could share their top budget beauty secrets.

Fiona McLeod - Director Flaunt PR 

I'm really into oil! Maybe because I used to be a massage therapist. I love lathering up oil all over my bod, it's the best body moisturiser (and possibly the cheapest) and it's great being able to throw a few essential oils in depending on my mood or how my skin is looking. Best of all is to use it on your face as a night oil. Anything from rosehip to olive oil, camellia oil to jojoba oil, these oils have natural nutrients that actually feed your skin with goodness. They work supportively with your skins natural sebum (oil). After cleansing before bed apply a few drops all over your face including your eyes. The next morning you will look fresh with soft supple skin. Awesomeness!

Lately I have been using The Aromaroom 'Peace Oil' it's just what I need before bed right now and helps with a restful sleep too.

Nicola Harvey - Freelance Makeup Artist

If you are wanting to explore a new product line, find a travel set or try mini sizes first. That way you can try a great selection of products and see if they are suited to your skin care requirements at literally the cost of one full size product . A nice bonus is the little bag they often come in which makes it easy to transport your minis for your overnight stays and weekends away! Trilogy is a beautiful organic skin care range that offers a fantastic travel size set of goodies. Also don't look past the supermarket! My ultimate budget savvy product I can't live without is the Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector B.B cream. It's light and radiant and leaves your complexion glowing so naturally. I couldn't even believe the price, especially when you can nab it special with a swipe of your supermarket card, only $12! 

My cheap as secret weapon is 'Aluminium Free Baking Soda', I get mine from Total Health, Dominion Rd, Mt Eden for $5. This has many great uses (that don't include a cake tin) but here are my top three... 

1. Facial Brightening Mask: Mix 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. I do it in my palm and mix to a paste, apply to cleansed skin and leave for 5 mins. To wash off just wet your finger tips and lightly scrub in rotation before washing off with cool water, stand back and be amazed at the glow!

2. Teeth whitener: After brushing you teeth dip your tooth brush in baking soda and apply to your teeth, leave for as long as you can handle the taste then scrub. It removes stains and with prolonged use it gives the best results. It's also great after a teeth whitening treatment to keep stains at bay.

3. Alchalizer: Almost everything you eat except leafy greens is acidic and you can bet that after a cheerful holiday season your body will love you if you take 1tsp of baking soda in half a glass of water, stir vigorously and down the hatch. Do this daily for internal ph balance, your skin will love you for it.

X Mimi

Summer Essentials

Christmas holidays may be all but a memory but there's still a heck of a lot of summer to come. Now it's all about weekend breaks of sun-filled freedom, music in the park, swimming, sandy feet, big smiles and sea salt hair. 

So I'm all for keeping it simple and here are my key 'can't live without' summer necessities.

Model Co for adding a touch more bronze to this babe. It's so hard to find a good one and their 'Gradual Tan Everyday Body Moisturizer' $16.95 is a nice light colour that is streak free and can be easily built up. Personally every day would be a too much for me but 2-3 times a week leads to a nice colour. For the legs I pull out the big guns with their 'Supertan Instant Selftanner' $25. This guy scared me at first as it's a very dark mousse and you look like your entering a body building competition as you get an instant bronze as it's applied. But after 2 hours I washed it off and felt like all my tan had gone, but a couple of hours later I had a great streak free colour and the instant bronze allowed me to see where the product had gone.

Eye of Horus 'Smokey Eye Pencil' $39, in the just released new colours of bronze and charcoal. I love this a dressed eye that's softer than black. Bronze is a great shade for day looking super summery, Charcoal great for night with a lovely shimmer that can be nicely blended out with an eyeshadow and brush in any colour you feel.

Trilogy 'Everything Balm' $24.90, and as this product says, I use it for everything: body cream, lip balm, cuticle oil, to tame a wild eyebrow, highlighter on cheek bones, dry heels, this a wonder product and with the healing powers of rose hip oil it's good for everything!

Kester Black nailpolish in 'Tutti Frutti' $20, a high voltage violet is my choice for toes this season as it's bright enough to go with nothing, creating a wonderful clash that makes you feel wild. 

Surf Life Saving 'Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+' $ 24.99 because you've got to invest in your skin's future and be wise about NZ's powerful sun. The added bonus is you are supporting a great organisation that our beaches just can't be without. 

X Mimi ... Happy 2013