This Mag be out for the Wellington wedding show on April 29th from 10am -4pm.
Dont miss this event, it will be the best thing to check out for all those up in coming weddings.
Our Team will see you there :)
Hils x

Hair and makeup on beautiful bride Peggy, by our very own Lea Hoare :)

All about growing lashes and how they truly do grow!

The definition of what is considered beautiful changes over time and according to where a woman lives. However, thick, full, and dark lashes are a universal sign of femininity and sex appeal. A great set of lashes can instantly improve any woman’s overall appearance by softening her features, accentuating her eyes, and giving her a more youthful look.

I have three different methods of creating thick full lashes, from top shelf prices to complete budget. Now there is no reason why anyone whom wants beautiful lashes cant have them, just listen up ladies as the results are all remarkable. Anyone who takes on this challenge, we would love to see before and after pics and any comments you have.

Okay a tried and tested Li -Lash, I have used this and can completely vow that this products has stunning results!! I could start to see results in less than 3 weeks and now my eyelashes would be a good 3 mm longer at 5 weeks!!! that is long in eyelash terms (Apparently they will get even longer). There was a time when I would never step foot out the door without mascara for my fine blonde lashes, not now, I go out completely free of mascara and wear my naturals with pride!

These type of hydrating and nourishing products achieve their often remarkable results through the use of extracts that have lectin-like activity. This makes these ingredients capable of stimulating the follicles to promote hair growth.

Hil Cook before! No mascara

Hil Cook 5 weeks on using Li Lash with no mascara

Hil Cook 5 weeks on but with mascara woop woop

The next is Dr Lucas's Paw Paw ointment in the red tube, this stuff is magic on everything but apparently is amazing on lashes! Today I met up with our amazing home grown and Internationally acclaimed soul singer Bella Kalolo, our team has had the pleasure of doing her makeup on Dancing with the stars, her album cover and many of her videos and promos. The first thing this song bird said to me was OMG Hil look at my lashes they have grown so much!!! and I have to say she was utterly right. Bella has been using Dr Lucas Paw Paw ointment which every evening she rubs a small amount across her eyelid and onto her lashes, she uses the last bit of residue on her under lashes and I have to say the results are amazing!.

Bella is going to send me a before shot just so you lot can see the remarkable difference.

Last but not least, most of you will have these in your pantry, good old Olive oil or Castor oil. Again you rub a small amount across the eyelid and onto the lashes and apparently the results are fantastic but I have yet to try this one. Anyone that does, please let us know how it goes :)

Specific ingredients to look for if you’re shopping for an eyelash conditioner include hyaluronic acid, glucoproteins, and pro vitamin B5 (panthenol). When all of these are included in a single formulation, the product can hydrate your lashes, make them stronger so they can resist breakage, and actually stimulate growth.

Two key questions women have about eyelash conditioners are “How long will it take to see results?” and “How long will the effects last?” You should start to see a noticeable difference in the look, thickness, and length of your lashes after three to five weeks. And, as long as you look after your lashes, the results should last for months. Once you get naturally longer and more luscious lashes, you likely won’t even be tempted to grab a tube of mascara or a curler, products that deliver unnatural-looking results and can actually damage delicate lashes.

Happy Lash growing ladies :)

Hils x

Our latest video with Stuff.com by the Hil Cook team

Makeup Highlighting

Exfolating on a tight budget

Skin care on a budget

We have a young German woman that has moved in with us to study English for 3 months, she is travelling on a shoe string and asked if I knew of anywhere that sold facial exfoliant cheaper to accommodate her tight budget, this opened a whole can of worms and I decided to show you how to make an exfoliant on next to no budget :) Good Luck Hils x

Are you looking for an affordable way to improve the condition of your skin? You don't have to spend a fortune on spa visits or expensive beauty products to enjoy the benefits of exfoliation. If you're on a mission to beautify on a budget, consider making your own scrubs with low-cost ingredients that are likely already in your pantry. Here are some simple instructions for creating home exfoliation remedies that can be quite effective.

Ingredients for Home Remedies to Exfoliate Skin

Some of the best exfoliates are found right in your pantry. Salt, sugar, and oatmeal all have granules, making them ideal for dead skin removal. Before you make your exfoliate, check all ingredients to make sure there are no sharp pieces. The goal is to gently abrade the skin, not to scratch it. Overly aggressive exfoliating with large or sharp grains can lead to skin irritation.

Home Remedies to Exfoliate Skin

Facial Scrub Recipes

Basic Oatmeal Facial Scrub

Sometimes you want a long, drawn-out pampering session; other days, you want to cut the frills and just see results. A basic oatmeal scrub is perfect for your no-frills days.

Ingredients

2 teaspoons ground oatmeal
1 teaspoon baking soda
Water

Instructions

Combine oatmeal and baking soda.
Stir until well mixed.
Add water, mere drops at a time, stirring until a paste forms.
Apply to face, gently rubbing in a circular motion.
Rinse well.
Pat dry.

Sweet Oatmeal Facial Scrub

If you are looking for the exfoliation of oatmeal, but you also want to be pampered, try this spa-style recipe. Remember, when you are planning to exfoliate your face, you must take extra care to avoid scratching or irritating that delicate skin.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons finely ground oatmeal
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable or almond oil (almond is best)
1 teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions

Combine all ingredients.
Mix well.
Apply to wet face, rubbing gently.
Rinse well.
Pat dry.

Body Scrub Recipes

Sugar Spa Body Scrub

For a pleasing all-over body scrub, try sugar. The fine grain makes for a gentle, yet effective, exfoliation.

Ingredients

1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup oil (almond is best, but any vegetable oil may be used)
Fragrance, if desired

Instructions

Mix the sugar and oil until well blended.
Add 10 to 15 drops of essential oil for fragrance, if desired.
Apply the mix to wet skin with hands, washcloth, loofah, sponge or bath glove, gently rubbing in a circular manner.
Rinse well.

Salt Body Scrub

Like the sugar scrub above, this salt scrub is appropriate for the body, but should not be used on the face.

Ingredients

1/2 cup (sea salt is best)
1/2 cup vegetable oil (preferably almond)
Fragrance, if desired

Instructions

Mix the salt and vegetable oil until well blended.
Stir in 10 to 15 drops of essential oil if fragrance is desired.
Apply the mix to wet skin with hands, washcloth, loofah, sponge or bath glove, gently rubbing in a circular manner.
Rinse well.

Baking Soda Scrub

Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can be used to exfoliate. This is also a very affordable item, perfect for budget beauty lovers.

Ingredients

Baking soda
Water
Essential oil if desired

Instructions

Combine a few a small amount (1-3 teaspoons for the face and 1-3 tablespoons for the body) with just enough water to make the mixture easy to apply to the skin.
Add a drop or two of essential oil if desired.
Apply the scrub with a wash cloth, gently massaging the skin as you scrub.
Rinse completely.

Hair and makeup by Hil Cook

Results.... beautiful clear soft skin, a perfect slick finish to apply your primer and foundation to

Another beautiful bride by Ange Duncan

Hair and makeup by Ange Duncan
Photography by Kate McPherson www.katemacpherson.com

Our latest beautiful bride Renee

Just sharing some of our latest pics of gorgeous bride Renee, her stunning mum and bridal party

Hair and makeup by Hil Cook and Ange Duncan

Hair and makeup by Hil Cook

Choosing the perfect blush for your wedding day :)

How To Choose The Perfect Blush

There's a huge difference between a blushing bride and a bride who's obviously wearing blush. Bridal makeup should always look effortless and enhance your natural beauty instead of overwhelming it. Blush can be the trickiest element to get right.

On your wedding day, we recommend using two different shades of blush: a soft natural color and a slightly brighter shade in the same color family. "Using two hues gives cheeks a pop of color and also helps blush last longer." Apply the natural blush first, sweeping it all across cheeks, then swirl the brighter color just on the apples.

To select the right blush colors for your skin tone, first consider whether you have cool (blue) or warm (yellow) undertones in your skin. Then follow these rules: Don't fight your complexion by picking a shade that's opposite your skin tone (pale skin with cool undertones, for example, won't look good with warm apricot blush). At the same time, don't choose a color that has too many of the same undertones (a pinky-violet blush could make pale skin with cool undertones look ruddy or blotchy).

It's a tricky balancing act! Check out below for help, and remember when you're shopping to pick out a light and a bright version. To double check that you have the right bright shade, hold the blush color next to your cheeks. It should immediately brighten your face.

Fair skin tone with cool undertones: baby pink with hints of mocha or beige; soft rose
Fair skin tone with warm undertones: golden apricot; light peach with a touch of pink

Medium skin tone with cool undertones: cranberry or light raspberry; rosy pink
Medium skin tone with warm undertones: sunkissed apricot; soft coral with brown undertones

Dark skin tone with cool undertones: plum; grape; dark raspberry
Dark skin tone with warm undertones: brown suede; deep coral with a little bronze