By Ruth Funnell - Violetta

I was working down in Rye last week and luckily managed to find time to visit beauty editor, Karena Callen's gorgeous new boutique Violetta. 

It is definitely worth making a special visit to Rye to see her little haven of beautiful pefumes and carefully chosen skin products.

Karena has chosen products that she loves and believes works, and knows each one thoroughly and will happily speak about the virtues of any one of them.

I particularily love the Serge Luten's perfume range ( in particular the addictive spicy scent of  Five o'clock au gingembre).

Karena has chosen Paul & Joe's gorgeous makeup range, which not only has totally wearable colours but also is packaged in extra cute retro styling. 

I very luckily have been trying her exclusive Frankincense Night Serum, which not only smells wonderful, but my skin definitely feels softer and less dehydrated from the winter weather.

If you aren't lucky enough to get down for a weekend - how about a day trip to the gorgeous town and book in for a facial through her shop, using chosen products specifically tailored to you.


Now thats a perfect Valentine present.........

By Anna Cofone - Working with Lana del Rey

Only a few weeks into the new year and its already been a busy one… Flying to New York to shoot Lana Del Rey with Terry Richardson with Mel Ottenberg styling, for the New York Times and style her hair for numerous video interviews and performances. Just before we left for New York, Lana made a flying visit to London to perform on Jonathan Ross and what an experience that was!

Ever since I started doing Lana’s hair, 6 months ago, it has so far been an incredible journey…

Her vision and direction is inspiring, not to mention her unique look which has attracted many a fashion magazine to want her gracing their pages. Just before Christmas we shot with the amazing Sean+Seng for Interview (out the end of this month) styled by Jodie Barnes.

Out now, in V magazine,  is a beautiful story shot by Karim Sadli and styled by Jay Massacret. Lana, like most of us girls, loves dressing up and when she gets in front of the camera she truly is a natural!

Other great experiences have been working with the legendary Jean Baptiste Mondino for French magazine Next

And shooting the video for the Born To Die single with director Yoann Lemoin in the spectacular Fontainebleau Chateau in Versailles.

Working with Lana has been a dream come true… For so long I’ve wanted to work with an artist that had great vision and huge aspirations! Look out for her album, out on Jan 30^th.

'The Artist' - Maria Comparetto's tips on how to achieve the Twenties look

By Maria Comparetto.

If you havent seen it already go and see The Artist! It is beautiful and inspiring with amazing performances all round!

The leading lady Bérénice Bejo, blew me away with her charm, wit and I loved her glamorous makeup. For those of you who fancy playing... this is my version of her look.

Skin should be slightly matt, use a foundation that suits your skin tone or go one shade lighter then lightly dust with loose powder (Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre is perfect for this).

Contour the brow and cheek bones with a pressed powder highlighter such as Mac iridescent Pressed powder.

To accentuate the face contour under the cheek bones with a Matt ‘biscuity’ tone.

Sisley Phyto-Sourcils Eyebrow Pencil

Then time to tackle the brows. To achieve this look you must be realistic, if your eyebrows are sparse it will look more authentic as you are able to recreate the thin pencilled brows easily. 


However don't let that put you off ! It works just as beautifully if you slightly mask the brows by lightly brushing some foundation through them with a mascara or brow brush. With a brow pencil, a tone slightly lighter than your natural brows delicately draw a thin line through your natural eyebrows & over your browbone, you can create whatever expression you like depending on the shape you draw, slightly arched is best so as not to appear to stern or angry!

Go over the line with a brow powder, this softens and sets the look.

For the eyes use a graphite grey or browny black close to the lashes and blend the eye shadow onto the lid to create a rainbow shape/hue of colour but keep it light as it's all about the brow! Givenchy Eye & Brow Prism is perfect for this. 

Curl the lashes and apply a gentle coat of mascara, top and bottom.

Lips should be kept quite dark (Sisley Long Lasting Lipstick in Plum or Chanel Rouge Allure in 'La Faschinanante' or 'L'Exquise') with a semi Matt lipstick for the best results but attention must be paid to the shape. Keep the cupids bow slightly pointed as lips were thin and angular around this time.

Finish off with a tiny beauty spot using a sharpened black kohl or Bobbi browns black ink for durability! 

Then shine like the sparkly star you are!! Have fun with it.