Rotorua mum gets special treatment

Stephanie Archer has her surprise makeover. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

A Rotorua mother of twin boys who are battling a rare form of cancer was "caught completely by surprise" after finding out she would be made over from head to toe.

Nurse and mother of five Stephanie Archer was given a surprise visit yesterday by TV One's Kiwi Living stylist, Luke Bettesworth, and The Glam Squad.

She said she had never had her makeup done by another person "so this whole experience has been a bit foreign".

"At first I felt quite nervous about the whole thing but as the day went on I was able to relax, enjoy and go with the flow."

Ms Archer said when she found out her "Southern Cross family" had nominated her for the makeover, she did not believe it: "At first I just laughed and thought they were pulling my leg - I couldn't believe they were actually serious, it caught me completely by surprise.

"The whole day has been such a treat and I am so grateful to all these people who have come down to pamper me and my family."

Ms Archer's 10-month-old twins, Laken and Theo Snowling, were diagnosed with juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia after their birth.

Former My Kitchen Rules NZ contestant Aaron Gascoigne was also in on the day of pampering, tasked with preparing an array of tasty treats for Ms Archer and her family.

"Since My Kitchen Rules wrapped up we've been paying it forward, doing lots of stuff with Starship and Ronald McDonald House," he said.

"When I was asked to come down to Rotorua to cook for Steph and her family I said yes in a second."

Mr Bettesworth said Ms Archer was the perfect candidate for the makeover.

"Southern Cross got in touch with us and we thought Steph was really deserving of a bit of pampering.

"Being a busy mum of five, she probably doesn't have a lot of time to sit back and have a bit of 'me time' so we wanted to give her that."

Mr Bettesworth said the concept of the makeover went far beyond appearances.

"It's really important for people to understand that having a makeover is not just about looking good, it's about the confidence it gives people. We want to give Steph that bit of extra spring in her step."

-To see Ms Archer's final reveal, go to www.kiwiliving.nz.