Questions answered about Lash extentions

 Eyelash extension professionals specialize in this revolutionary new service that will extend your natural eyelashes and draw attention to your eyes. Extensions are perfect for everyday wear as well as special occasions. They are semi-permanent and made from synthetic fibers. Each lash is applied one by one to your own natural lashes. With proper care and touchup visits they can last a very long time. Normally a person's natural eyelash falls out every 60 - 90 days and a new lash grows in immediately so about every 5 to 6 weeks is recommended to get your new set of lashes, this will vary from person to person. Your natural lash cycle as well as how you take care of your lashes will affect how long they last. 

The extensions are single strands of synthetic eyelashes that are curved to replicate a natural eyelash. They provide length and thickness to your own lashes and are available in varying lengths and thickness. They are applied to your individual eyelashes, one lash at a time. There is no need for mascara even though a water based mascara is fine to use. The result is thicker, longer, eye opening eyelashes that are safe in the shower, while swimming, sleeping or exercising.

Eyelash extensions are great for everyday wear or special occassions

Featuring our Hil Cook Pro makeup artistry brushes on SALE for a limited time !

***SALE***

 Hil Cook Pro makeup brush set with short handle to fit in you bag

After working in the industry for 20 years and taking many workshops teaching women correct application of makeup with the right tools, we decided to hand select our very own favorite pro brushes. We designed our brushes with a professional brush head but on a shorter handle so they would fit easily into any ones handbag. Our Hil Cook brushes come in a soft leatherette brush roll that has our logo embossed in the roll and on the brushes.  There are 9 brushes in total, 6 natural bristle and 3 Synthetic fibre.

We use these brushes in all our workshops and they walk out the door being such a great price. All of these brushes add up to the price of one MAC brush and are of the same professional quality.

You can buy them on our Smallfish  E-commerce store which you can get to through our website or click the title above.

Normally our Hil Cook makeup brushes and brush roll sell for $120 but as a special we are doing them for $95 for a limited time.

 Hil Cook Pro makeup brush set with short handle to fit in you bag

After working in the industry for 20 years and taking many workshops teaching women correct application of makeup with the right tools, we decided to hand select our very own favorite pro brushes. We designed our brushes with a professional brush head but on a shorter handle so they would fit easily into anyones handbag. Our Hil Cook brushes come in a soft leatherette brush roll that has our logo embossed in the roll and on the brushes.  There are 9 brushes in total, 6 natural bristle and 3 Synthetic fibre.

We use these brushes in all our workshops and they walk out the door being such a great price. All of these brushes add up to the price of one MAC brush and are of the same professional quality.

You can buy them on our Smallfish  E-commerce store which you can get to through our website or click the title above

Creating a fuller lip

CREATING A FULL GORGEOUS LIP!!

A great little tip to a full lip is to apply a touch of shimmer to the top of your cupids bow.  Using a flat square brush, place a touch of shimmer right on the outer edge of your cupid line.  This will give the illusion when the light catches, that you have full curled pouty lips!  Trust me this really works well!

*Use lip plumpers. Lip plumpers usually contain cinnamon oil. The heat from the plumpers draws blood to the surface, which helps to create more fullness. Better yet, just buy plain cinnamon oil and use on after you apply your lipstick. If you use it before, you’ll have to wait for the oil to be absorbed and sink in to your lips. **Cinnamon oil will heat up your lips and may cause a burning sensation!

A dab of Cinnamon oil is great for a lip plummping effect ;)

Enjoy Hils x

New FishHead mag out now!

Yay! Our fab Welly mag FishHead, is once again gracing the shelves with its latest edition.

Once again a great team effort on the front cover with our lovely Lea Hoare doing the hair and me (Hil) doing the makeup.

 Race out and get your self this page twitcher, snuggle down and read from cover to cover! Its worth it ;)

Enjoy Hils x

Hil Cook Solution buds

Hil Cook Solution buds

Prosthetics shoot. Not for the faint hearted :)

NB:   THESE PHOTOS ARE JUST MAKEUP!!! :)  hope you all have hardy tums!

At the beginning of the week we were asked to do a fantastic shoot for TV, I cant tell you what yet, just that it was epic!
For all you lovely brides, we really can make you beautiful, this is just one of those other jobs we do when we are not making ladies look gorgeous :)

I had to design up prosthetic pieces out of silicon, paint them up and apply them, I even added a lamb rib into the little finger prosthetic to make it look really authentic.  I had my trusty Ange helping me for the day (thank goodness) and together we made magic!

Our brief was to make a guys forehead skinned alive, a bruised jaw, remove left pinky finger and staple him back together afterwards.  Photos below :)  We reckon they look just the part and so did our producer :)

See he is truly acting and really really happy

Silicon prosthetic applied to folded up pinky with a lamb rib inserted in it :)

A very much alive actor that we scalped

JD all stapled up together again, I used soft wire and eyelash glue for the staples :)

My right hand man Ange Duncan did some fantastic wounds for me 

Anges 3d wounds

Our Shoot with NEXT Magazine

As most of you know, Ange is one of our talented makeup and hair artists in our team and is used to being behind the camera not in front,  so when Samantha Hannah, stylist extroidinear asked if she could steal our Ange for the Hat shoot with NEXT magazine, we were thrilled!
Samantha had a fantastic array of hats and not one, but two Ange's to do make up and hair styles on, which I  had the pleasure of doing .
 We think the girls look simply gorgeous even though our Ange was a wee bit afraid of her lush hot pink Lippie,  Im sure you will agree she is simply stunning!

Our very own Ange Duncan

The other Ange

Angie

Hils x

The Winner of our fishtail braid challenge ;)

Our Hil Cook pro brushes Miranda won

Thanks to all of you that took the time and sent us in pics of your fishtail braids, I was amazed at how many of you had a crack and how good they all turned out.

After the team and I spent several hours mulling over all your photos, we finally all agreed on a winner...

 16 year old MIRANDA RAINEY from Birkenhead in Auckland is our lucky lady :)
Miranda - a set of Hil Cook pro range makeup artistry brushes are coming your way- Keep your eye on the post

Miranda had been practicing on her sisters Kendall's hair and sent us in this fab pic of her braid.  We think you will agree that she has done a fantastic job.  Keep up the great work Miranda!

Our winner Miranda Rainey

Rodney goes to NZ Beauty Expo :)

For those of you that haven't had the opportunity to meet the silent one of our team (although sometimes not so silent!), I thought it was high time I did the honors.  Rodney Cook (aka Rams)  is the voice on the phone that deals with many of you and the man in the know when it comes to our product and makeup! oh and he is also my fantastic hubby :)

Rams is very passionate about our product ( Hil Cook Solution buds) so much so that he decided that even though none of our team were available to go up to Auckland to the Beauty Expo this weekend,  he would go and be the voice of reason :).  How many hubby's, I hear you say, would do such a thing!  I asked myself the same question but Rams quietly took himself off to Auckland, reported back to base sending a bunch of photos for the blog, and made a ton of sales today.  Tomorrow will be day 2 and he is eagerly awaiting it!!!

Rodney is actually a Stuntman/ coordinator and we met on Lord of the rings 10 years ago. Being in front of camera for a good portion of his working career has given him all his knowledge of makeup for film and TV( having to be made up for camera often) which is why some of you who speak to Rodney on the ph, often ask me who is the lovely gay man that looks after our phones, and how helpful he was with his knowledge on different makeup bases he he ha.  Anyway I thought I would share a few pics that he sent back this evening of the show and our stand.

Rodney and one of the Prosperina girls selling Solution buds

The winner of hair , makeup and nails comp with trade show people

 A Back tie evening was put on with fantastic live dancing entertainment

How to do a fishtail braid and win a set of our Hil Cook brushes!

We have had so many of you readers asking how to do a fishtail braid that I decided it was time to give you a detailed description on how to achieve this look your selves. 
Those of you that take on this challenge could be in to winning yourselves a set of our very own Hil Cook Professional makeup brush set in an embossed brush roll, all you have to do is send us in a picture of you and your fishtail braid, with your details, to hil@hilcook.co.nz and the best one will receive our Hil Cook brush set prize. :)


Good luck
Hils x




Like all the best hairstyles, the fishtail braid is one that looks intricate and tricky to do, but with a bit of practice becomes nearly as easy to create as a regular three-strand braid. And like so many of today's popular styles, it actually looks better when it's slightly messed up rather than being perfectly neat and tidy - so no big deal if you happen to drop a strand here or there. Read on for tips on how to make a beautiful fishtail braid, along with the usual gallery of celebrity photos for your hairstyle inspiration.

Minka Kelly's messy side fishtail braid makes her look effortlessly chic.


Step One: Divide your detangled hair into two equal sections.


Step Two: Hold the righthand section in your right hand. With your left hand, take a thin strand of hair from the outside of the lefthand section, cross it over, and add it to the inside of the righthand section.


Step Three: Do the same thing on the other side: that is, hold the lefthand section in your left hand, use your right hand to take a thin strand of hair from the outside of the righthand section, cross it over, and add it to the inside of the lefthand section. You'll need to use gravity to your advantage as you keep changing hands, and if the strands keep slipping then your hair probably isn't 'dirty' enough (running some mousse or styling wax through your hair will fix this problem in a jiffy).


Step Four: Repeat the process until you've reached the ends of your hair, tie the braid with a hair elastic, and voila - you're done!

If you want a single fishtail braid at the back like this, get a friend to do it for you.

One of the most effective ways to wear a fishtail braid is on the side, as an extra-special version of the classic side braid. It not only looks awesome but means that you can do it yourself in front of the mirror, without needing to have anyone else there to help out. The looser you hold the strands, the 'fatter' your fishtail braid will be, giving a more relaxed finish to the overall look.

Rihanna, Amanda Seyfried, and Demi Moore keep their side fishtail braids relatively neat and tidy...

... while Shailene Woodley, Vanessa Hudgens and Leona Lewis choose a more dishevelled look.

Like all the best hairstyles, the fishtail braid is one that looks intricate and tricky to do, but with a bit of practice becomes nearly as easy to create as a regular three-strand braid. And like so many of today's popular styles, it actually looks better when it's slightly messed up rather than being perfectly neat and tidy - so no big deal if you happen to drop a strand here or there. Read on for tips on how to make a beautiful fishtail braid, along with the usual gallery of celebrity photos for your hairstyle inspiration.

Minka Kelly's messy side fishtail braid makes her look effortlessly chic.

Step One: Divide your detangled, second-
day hair into two equal sections.

Step Two: Hold the righthand section in your right hand. With your left hand, take a thin strand of hair from the outside of the lefthand section, cross it over, and add it to the inside of the righthand section.

Step Three: Do the same thing on the other side: that is, hold the lefthand section in your left hand, use your right hand to take a thin strand of hair from the outside of the righthand section, cross it over, and add it to the inside of the lefthand section. You'll need to use gravity to your advantage as you keep changing hands, and if the strands keep slipping then your hair probably isn't 'dirty' enough (running some mousse or styling wax through your hair will fix this problem in a jiffy).

Like all the best hairstyles, the fishtail braid is one that looks intricate and tricky to do, but with a bit of practice becomes nearly as easy to create as a regular three-strand braid. And like so many of today's popular styles, it actually looks better when it's slightly messed up rather than being perfectly neat and tidy - so no big deal if you happen to drop a strand here or there. Read on for tips on how to make a beautiful fishtail braid, along with the usual gallery of celebrity photos for your hairstyle inspiration.

Minka Kelly's messy side fishtail braid makes her look effortlessly chic.

Like all the best hairstyles, the fishtail braid is one that looks intricate and tricky to do, but with a bit of practice becomes nearly as easy to create as a regular three-strand braid. And like so many of today's popular styles, it actually looks better when it's slightly messed up rather than being perfectly neat and tidy - so no big deal if you happen to drop a strand here or there. Read on for tips on how to make a beautiful fishtail braid, along with the usual gallery of celebrity photos for your hairstyle inspiration.

Minka Kelly's messy side fishtail braid makes her look effortlessly chic.

Step One: Divide your detangled, second-day hair into two equal sections.

Step Two: Hold the righthand section in your right hand. With your left hand, take a thin strand of hair from the outside of the lefthand section, cross it over, and add it to the inside of the righthand section.

Step Three: Do the same thing on the other side: that is, hold the lefthand section in your left hand, use your right hand to take a thin strand of hair from the outside of the righthand section, cross it over, and add it to the inside of the lefthand section. You'll need to use gravity to your advantage as you keep changing hands, and if the strands keep slipping then your hair probably isn't 'dirty' enough (running some mousse or styling wax through your hair will fix this problem in a jiffy).

Step Four: Repeat the process until you've reached the ends of your hair, tie the braid with a hair elastic, and voila - you're done!

If you want a single fishtail braid at the back like this, get a friend to do it for you.

One of the most effective ways to wear a fishtail braid is on the side, as an extra-special version of the classic side braid. It not only looks awesome but means that you can do it yourself in front of the mirror, without needing to have anyone else there to help out. The looser you hold the strands, the 'fatter' your fishtail braid will be, giving a more relaxed finish to the overall look.

Rihanna, Amanda Seyfried, and Demi Moore keep their side fishtail braids relatively neat and tidy...

... while Shailene Woodley, Vanessa Hudgens and Leona Lewis choose a more dishevelled look.

Other ways to wear a fishtail braid include as a single addition to loose hair (like Aubrey O'Day has done), in two super-girly pigtails (like Kim Kardashian's), or incorporated into a more elaborate braided style like Diane Kruger's (but unless you're a braiding expert, you'll probably want to leave this one to your hairdresser!) 

The Launch of the new Wellington Wedding show

All of our team were invited to the launch of the new wellington wedding show which promises to be the latest greatest savviest thing around for all those new brides, and we tend to agree with them.  There are lots of changes happening that are very exciting!!  

Lea and I managed to get into Dion Howards Amazing travelling photo booth and capture some magic moments of the night which I thought I would share with you :)

The next wedding show is on October 30th 2011 and then May of next year.

You will see our stand only in the May shows as we tend to be booked out for the season by October so get in fast and don't "dilly dally" ladies! :)

Hils and Lea in the amazing travelling photobooth

Hils x

Fantastic reference from Tre-belle Trio :)

We got sent this fantastic recomendation by Tre-belle

Dear Hil,
I've written this recommendation of your work to share with others.

Details of the Recommendation: "Tre-Belle partnered with www.hilcook.co.nz for Tre-Belle, In Harmony at the St James Theatre in Wellington. Hil and her team are second to none when it comes to their hair and makeup creativity and were extremely impressed by their capability. I would be one happy person if I could have them work their magic on a daily basis! I have no hesitation whatsoever recommending their services." 

Thanks so much
 Tre-belle trio x

Another award!!! Silver in the Australian pro photography awards in the Fashion Category

Yay another award with our Hil Cook hair and makeup for Talented photographer Mandi Lynn from A La Mode photography, a Silver award in the Australian fashion photography awards!. The dress is by amazing designer- Kerry Huges. EXCITING!!

Hair and makeup by Hil Cook, Photography by Mandi Lynn @ A La Mode and Dress design by Kerri Huges

A La Mode Commercial: Who says the Hutt isn't fashionable? Silver Photo...: "Very excited that one of the images from the Dark White Goddess Series has scored a silver award in the Canon Australian Professional Photo..."

Hil Cook Solution buds- 30% off for pro makeup artists

ATTENTION ALL PROFESSIONAL MAKE UP ARTISTS.....30% DISCOUNT FOREVER ON HIL COOK SOLUTION BUDS.

 

If you are a professional make up artist send us your details with proof of work credits and we will discount our Hil Cook Solution Buds by 30% for you...FOREVER!!  www.hilcook.co.nz

 

Hil Cook Solution Buds were born on set in beautiful Rarotonga, during the filming of a TV series.  Our actors were melting in 40 degree heat but the heat was no match of our Hil Cook Solution Buds!!!! They are the fastest and cleanest way to touch up or remove eye make up.

 

 

" Hil Cook Solution Buds are an innovative, convenient and cost effective product that help me keep my celebrity clients red-carpet ready at all times !! " Michael Ashton -  Make Up Artist to Adele, Peaches Galdoff and other noted celebs

 

"Call me for endorsement! I think they are FANTASTIC! THANKS a MILLION" Karen Hopwood - Make Up Artist to Cindi Lauper, The Black Eyed Peas, Lady GaGa, Kings of Leon, Pussy Cat Dolls.

If you haven't tried them yet, go to www.hilcook.co.nz and order yourself a sample!!  We know you'll come back for more :)

30% discount for makeup artists

ATTENTION ALL PROFESSIONAL MAKE UP ARTISTS.....30% DISCOUNT FOREVER ON HILCOOK SOLUTION BUDS.

If you are a professional make up artist send us your details with proof of work and we will discount our Hil Cook Solution Buds by 30% for you...FOREVER!!  www.hilcook.co.nz

Hil Cook Solution Buds were born on set in beautiful Rarotonga, during the filming of a TV series.  Our actors were melting in 40 degree heat but the heat was no match of our Hil Cook Solution Buds!!!! They are the fastest and cleanest way to touch up or remove eye make up.

(put in here link to tilly)

" Hil Cook Solution Buds are an innovative, convenient and cost effective product that help me keep my celebrity clients red-carpet ready at all times !! " Michael Ashton -  Make Up Artist to Peaches Galdoff,  Ardele and other noted celebs

"Call me for endorsement! I think they are FANTASTIC! THANKS a MILLION" Karen Hopwood - Make Up Artist to Cindi Lauper, The Black Eyed Peas, Lady GaGa, Kings of Leon, Pussy Cat Dolls.

If you haven't tried them yet, go to www.hilcook.co.nz and order yourself a sample!!  We know you'll come back for more :)

Paper Lashes! OMG these are amazing!!!

These are my latest addiction, Paper Eyelashes, and the detail on them is so intricate.  You will get to see them in live form when we use them on the fishead mag shoot for October/ Nov edition

Inspired by the traditional craft of Chinese paper cutting, these intricately cut and delicately pretty eyelashes are one of Luna & Curious' most popular items.

The new designs are: Deer & Butterfly, Peacock, Small Peonies and Clown. Captivating and expressive, the eyelashes come in two sizes: small to accentuate the corners of your eyes for a subtler look and the large full lash is a definite statement.

The paper eyelashes are made of FSC certificated paper, the only ethical alternative to recycled paper.

The lashes are £12. The large lashes are sold as one pair and the small lashes are two pairs in a box.

To Order click this link http://www.shoplunaandcurious.com/category/eyelashes

20,000 readers ahhhhhh Party time!!!!!

Hey all you avid blog followers, yes all 20,000 of you!!!

Thanks for your amazing support we are truly grateful :)

Brace for yourselves for all the latest goss right after I have finished my client .  Back shortly
Hils x

Tips for cheeks

natural, rosy radiance

creating a natural, rosy radiance When applying blush, you want the color to look soft and natural, as if it comes from within. Read below for tips on how to put on blush. 1. Tap or lightly blow on the applicator brush to remove any excess blush before applying to prevent a harsh and uneven application. 2. Smile, then apply your blush on the apple of the cheek and carefully blend towards your natural hairline. 3. If you have two shades, apply the darker one on the apple of the cheek first, then use the lighter shade to highlight. Blend well so there is no visible line between colors. 4. Highlight your temples, forehead and chin.  Tip: To know "where to glow" bend over for 30 seconds, then slowly stand up. Where your cheeks are flushed is where you are meant to blush. Apply your blush there and it will be naturally rosy every time.  Tip: Cheek color should be used to enhance your complexion, not to change your natural skin tone. Use sparingly for daytime, then add more or a deeper shade for a more dramatic nighttime effect. For special occasions, dust a light shimmer powder over your cheekbones for a subtle but alluring glow.  Tip: Make sure to blend your blush into your foundation.  By using a fibre optic brush you get the perfect airbrushed blush look, blend in circular motions.  These can be purchased at Farmers for a very reasonable price or if you are after a better quality brush, try the MAC fibre optic :)  Fibre optic brush example for the perfect blend of blush or bronzer Hils x

Just an update on what we are up to

To those of you that are wonderful dedicated followers to our blog, my humble apologies for not blogging of late,  our team have all been sooo flat out and working silly hours on various projects so I thought I would take a mo to fill you all in.

Our Lovely Lea has been working full on with Tom Scott's production, TV Show, " Rage", she has been doing all manner of hours day and night and having a blast. The show is about the 1981 Springbok tour that caused the closest thing to a civil war in NZ.  We will keep you posted when it is due to hit the screens.

Nat has been hard out re creating amazing Pin ups with Photographer Mandi Lynn from La mode photography boutique, they have just launched the latest Neonatal  Pin up Calendar which is sooooo gorgeous and worth every penny ( not to mention the proceeds go to a worthy cause).
We also have Nat bouncing up and down the country doing makeup and hair for all manner of social  butterflies and their high end functions, this has proven to keep her very busy, you Aucklander's have very social calendars!

Then there is our rock, Ange.  I assisted her with the most gorgeous bride and bridesmaids in the weekend, the bride was jaw dropping drop dead gorgeous, as were the bridesmaids.  Ange also has been working with Bella Isdale designing her hair and makeup looks for her latest Album soon to be out.  Bella is one of our talented Kiwi singers that has made it in the singing world and will be gracing the stages of the huge Glastonbury festival in the UK. woop woop.

Me (Hil), I have been bouncing on and off set working in the makeup and prosthetics departments on the Hobbit which has been seriously long hours but recently I have just jumped ships,  I am back at my old Haunt Weta Workshop.  Going back to Weta and getting stuck into some seriously creative stuff has been a whole heap of fun but it totally feels like de jar vu, everywhere I look the same people I worked with 10 years ago are all back, we are all just a bit older and wiser :)
On the days off there is always still plenty of brides and Fishead magazine shoots so yes, things are ticking along just nicely.

Hils x

Check out our girly special with La mode photography boutique

http://alamodemuse.blogspot.com/2011/05/get-your-spot-booked.html

Mandi lynn is a very talented photographer who has been doing all our amazing shoots that have got  us into Italia Vogue.  We have teamed up with her to do an amazing girly day special for anyone that wants to experience this fun girly day, get made up by a Hil Cook artist in Pin up styles, have your hair done, do a photo shoot and then get the canvas photo at the end of it.

The previous days we have done have been a huge hit so please check out the link to enquire.

Hils x