Make-up artist Christabel Draffin (aka The Makeup Mole) is making waves down under as one of the first and biggest Australian Beauty Bloggers and is one of the key artists introducing cult brand Illamasqua to the shores of Australia.  All this and she still has time to give us her New Year beauty secrets.

Happy New Year Beauty by Christabel Draffin...

It's supposed to be the coldest winter for one hundred years and the usual festive excesses have finished, leaving nothing but piles of recycling, some new favoured items, and let's be real, probably a bunch of stuff that will end up on eBay, if you ever get the time. Come this time of year and that's about what I feel like doing with my body as well - that gym membership is looking like not a temptation but a necessity, and my liver needs a trip to Betty Ford (I don't think there would be any takers for that on eBay).

So might I suggest a breath of fresh air through your makeup bag, and a new skincare routine to get you through the cruelest month?

First thing that's required (apart from lots of nights in, plenty of sleep, and three litres of water a day - but you're already doing those, right?) is some serious hydration for that skin that's been so exposed to the elements over winter. My current favourite moisturisers for winter parched skin are Liz Earle Superskin for day, and at night the superior richness of SKII's new Skin Signature Melting Rich Cream which is a magic balm that is as decadent and thick as, well, melting rich cream! Lips can feel protected and hydrated with either Burt's Bees Lip Balm, or for those who prefer an ointment, Lucas' Paw Paw Ointment is always a winner on chapped lips.

A good but gentle scrub can be given to your skin - I like Dermalogica's Daily Microfoliant as it uses ground up rice-based enzyme powder and is gentle enough to use every day (although I think that could be overkill, given the current freezing temperatures).

Once your skin is exfoliated AND hydrated, let the fun stuff begin - it's time to cover up that poor, raw skin with the minimum of makeup that does the job. I like either Myface Mymix Foundation or Bobbi Brown's Skin foundation as they're both creamy and give a dewy finish which is something lacking this time of year, and both foundations come in a pretty comprehensive range of shades.

Noses tend to get red in winter as well, so a good creamy concealer is a must to cover any Rudolph redness. I like Estee Lauder Double-Wear Stay in Place Concealer and Bobbi Brown's Creamy Concealer.

Now for the fun stuff! Once your skin looks gorgeous you can get away with a lot less makeup - or make more makeup look a lot better. I recommend a beautiful cream blush suited to your skintone to make you look lively. There's some fab ones around - my particular favourites are Illamasqua Cream Blushes, Stila Convertible Colours and Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge.

A dab of luminescence on those poor, parched cheekbones never goes astray in the winter months. I like Becca's Luminous Skin Perfectors or Armani Fluid Sheers. If you're fair go for pink or white (Becca Pearl or Opal), or tawnier skins can try Becca Gold or Armani Shimmering Beige or Golden Beige.

I think a deep lipcolour can be a chic way to ring in the new year, and certainly the last runway season was awash with berries, crimsons and wines, either with gloss or without (seen at Marc Jacobs, Gucci and Yves St Laurent). Good ones to try are NARS Velvet Matte Lip pencils - Damned, Cruella and Dragon Girl are all on my hit list for this look, although a good lipbalm first is a must to prevent your lips looking like wine-coloured sandpaper. For lipsticks you can't go past a classic red like MAC's Ruby Woo or Lady Danger for a more daring, orange red colour. Or Chanel's Rouge Coco lipstick in Ballet Russes is the perfect wine coloured stain if you're fancying channeling your inner Snow White.

Curl those lashes, add a slick of mascara and a good dose of black eyeliner and you're ready to face whatever January (and 2011) throw at you. Happy New Year!

Kay Montano has had more front covers than you've had hot dinners.

London is a hive of make-up artists, a veritable hot pot of girls (and boys) who name painting faces as a profession.  Hundreds and hundreds of these are good make-up artists.  There are however very few truly exceptional make-up artists.

I'm not going to boost any egos and reel the select few off but I am going to say that Kay Montano sits quite comfortably among them. Starting her career as a make-up artist at only sixteen (and with a brief interlude in her twenties as a singer), Kay matured as an artist alongside some of the most inspiring creatives in the industry and remains working with them to this day.

Unlike many of the 'made at home' makeup artists, Kay's philosophy is to study the skin.  Make-up blanketing, although removing the skin's imperfections, will also hide the good bits.

Once a week, for your pleasure, Because is picking Kay's brains for techniques, trends and product recommendations.  Don't miss a video by checking out her Kay's Beauty Tutorials section.  Learn from her, be inspired by her.

Kay Montano is on our Line of Beauty.

Van Tibolli, CEO and founder of Global Keratin clears up the confusion about the "Brazilian Blow-dry" and tells us why he thinks London is the Mecca for hair.

Brazilian born businessman, Van Tibolli, became fascinated in the wave of keratin treatments taking over Brazil and immediately knew he wanted to be a part of it. In 2009 he discovered and formulated a blend of Keratin derived from sheep's wool called Juvexin. Today, Ván Tibolli Beauty (VTB) is a multi-million-dollar business with over 5,000 representatives in 45 countries.

What makes Global Keratin different from the other 'Brazilian Blow-dry treatments' on the market?

At GKhair our formulations include a special blend of natural emollients, essential oils, and silicons. The star is our proprietary ingredient Juvexin™, which is a special blend of keratin optimized for hair. Studies reveal that the harsh process of hydrolyzation reduces keratin proteins to inactive fragments that cannot effectively bond to the hair or offer nourishing effects. The outcome of effective repair is diminished to only 7%. Juvexin is non-hydrolyzed, containing intact keratin proteins derived from New Zealand sheep wool through an environmentally-friendly process. New Zealand sheep wool yields the most resilient keratin since it contains Cysteine amino acids. GKhair uses a cold process procedure to extract the keratin proteins while keeping the Cysteine bonds intact, preserving both the large and small molecules.

What impact has the treatment had on the hair industry worldwide?

The Keratin category is fast growing with a number of companies marketing their version. As with any growing product category this one has attracted a number of brands, however there are always a limited few that are among the category leaders. GKhair or as it is better known in the marketplace as Global Keratin, is among this elite group.

We believe education is the key to success. We design our educational programs with the ultimate end user in mind - the salon guest. Our Train the Trainer programs has the trainer explaining to the participants why he/she is doing what they are doing. This gives the participant the education they need and sets up the salon guest with all the information needed to best maintain the Hair Taming System at home with our After Care products.

So you do recommend aftercare?

Absolutely.

Developed to compliment the professional salon treatment, the new Global Keratin hair care line utilizes the revolutionary benefits of the Juvexin™ that were originally only featured in the salon treatment.

The hair care line includes five revolutionary products that work together to nourish even the most damaged hair, revealing smooth, sleek results that last. All products can be used independently to boost hair's strength and manageability, or to increase and prolong the benefits of the salon treatment.

Does the treatment only have benefits on unruly hair or can all hair types benefit from it?

It works on all hair types. Because it addresses hair texture; it takes the hair that you've always had and makes it better and more manageable. Styling time is cut in half on hair that has had the treatment.

Many women are concerned about loss of volume when they have a straightening hair treatment.  Does the Juvexin formulation combat loss of volume?

Our Hair Taming System addresses hair texture. It doesn't reduce volume or straighten and flatten hair, as it works with the hairs natural movement, keeping texture, but removing all frizz and making the hair sleeky and soft. Women do not need to be concerned about loss of volume with the Global Keratin Hair Taming System.

How would you describe your style?

Definitely European; I love a nice tailored shirt, jeans and sneakers.

Aside from haircare are there any other grooming regimes that you follow?

I'm low maintenance. I shave, put on some hair product, usually our leave in cream, and I'm out the door.

You're based in the states but how often do you visit London?

At least 4 times a year. I lived there for 2 years. I love the big city vibe and people are very hospitable. London is a very important market for us; it is the mecca for hair. I really admire the level of professionalism within the hair industry in London.

Any comments on Brit hair?

Brit hair is low maintenance. British girls want something that gives you wash and go hair, so the GK Hair Taming System is perfect. It gives no fuss hair, with volume. Brits also need something that helps combat the weather and frizz, so again our treatment is the perfect solution.

What are you doing after this interview?

We are working on putting together a new photo-shoot for GKhair, then I am taking the team to dinner.

Van Tibolli is on our Line of Beauty

www.globalkeratin.com