The Tuesday Tip: Budge-Proof Brows

A great set of eyebrows will get you far in life; you only have to look at Audrey Hepburn and Beyonce to know this to be true. Creating a gorgeous brow is quite simple but keeping that brow intact, throughout the day, is not always so easy. Now, achieving a lost-lasting brow obviously requires a good eyebrow pencil (or powder, wax, gel etc.) and a clear brow gel to keep it in place. However there is another quick trick you can do to guarantee staying power. When applying primer to the face, simply take it all the way up into the brows - that's all. Easy and super effective!

To keep my brows strong, I use the Paul & Joe Eyebrow Liner (£15.00 Selfridges / $25.00 Dermstore), MAC Brow Set in Clear 8ml (£13.50 Debenhams / $17.00 maccosmetics.com) and DHC Velvet Skin Coat 15ml (£17.00 feelunique.com / $22.50 dhccare.com). I have been obsessed with the Paul & Joe Eyebrow Liner for the past month. It has an ultra-fine lead (1.2mm) that provides perfect precision. I have the colour Sable (01), an ash brown which helps any extension I make to my brows look as natural as possible. For a while I've known that Paul & Joe Beauté is celebrated for its amazing eyebrow products; I finally understand why.

Weekly Worship: TRESemmé, Shiseido and Paul & Joe Beaute

Price: £2.75 150ml

Stockist: Boots

Speaking honestly, I'm not as clued-up on hair as I am on makeup and skincare. However, what I do know is that healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. So, with this in mind, I always look out for products that promise to keep my scalp in tip top condition. Cue the TRESemmé Nourish & Renew Tonic...

I recently starting using the TRESemmé Renewal Hair & Scalp Range, which includes this trusty tonic. It is formulated with tea tree extract and sunflower seed oil, that work together to nourish the scalp at the surface cellular level. The results?? Soft, shiny and healthy looking hair! My locks are loving it! And these great results aren't the only thing I've fallen for. The tonic provides a lovely cooling sensation the second it's applied and the bottle features a long nozzle, which makes applying the water-thin formula easy and mess-free.

Price: £23.50 / $25.00 6ml

Stockist: feelunique.com / Barneys

When it comes to Shiseido, I haven't got the largest collection of products, I do however love every product I try and this Lacquer Rouge lip gloss is no exception. The colour is Ophelia (PK226), a gorgeous soft pink that compliments just about any makeup shade (have a peek below!).

The consistency is smooth with only a hint of tackiness - once applied to the lips, the lacquer feels more like a lipstick. It also packs a superior shine that is long lasting; I can go a few hours without the need to reapply!

Ophelia is just one of five new Lacquer Rouge shades Shiseido has launched this autumn. I'm already desperate to get my hands on the other four!

Price: £23.00 / $35.00

Stockist: Selfridges / beauty.com

This Paul & Joe Beaute Eye Colour Trio in Stormy Weather is my new go-to palette when wanting to create the perfect grey smoky eye.

This sparkly trio combines shades of white, pewter and dark grey, which, aside from looking amazing together, can be used individually to highlight or add depth to just about any eye look. The colours are highly pigmented, easy to apply and buildable.

I used the gorgeous Stormy Weather palette to create the smoky eyes below. This look also incorporated the Japonesque Velvet Touch Blush in 03 and the Shiseido Lacquer Rouge in Ophelia. I used DHC Liquid Eyeliner EX to line my lids.

Weekly Worship: bareMinerals, Dermalogica and Paul & Joe

Price: £26.00 / $29.00 30ml

Stockist: bareminerals.co.uk / Sephora

When bareMinerals announced it was releasing a liquid foundation, I was intrigued. The brand is famous for providing gorgeous natural coverage with its mineral powders, so I had to find out if they could work the same magic with a liquid. They absolutely  can.

The bareSkin® Pure Brightening Serum Foundation promises a seamless, natural-looking finish and it makes good on that promise. The foundation feels lightweight on the skin and blends like a dream. It feels runnier than other liquids, however as it's so pigmented, there is no comprise on coverage. I have been using this foundation for months now, so it has become a firm favourite. It has all the qualities a great foundation needs and  it benefits the skin.

Price: £36.36 / $46.00 30ml

Stockist: lookfantastic.com / ULTA

There are many skincare products out there that claim to remove spots quickly and effectively, however - as I've just discovered - none seem to do it quite like the Dermalogica Special Clearing Booster. Containing 5% Benzoyl Peroxide concentrate, this zit zapper is pretty powerful. When I apply it to a spot before bed, the spot is significantly reduced in redness and size by the morning and, after one to two further applications, the spot disappears completely.

Now it is on the expensive side, however only a tiny amount is needed per treatment, so it will take a while to get through a 30ml bottle.

Price: £12.00 / $20.00

Stockist: beautybay.com / beauty.com

The Paul & Joe Lip Concealer Duo is so amazing that I struggle understanding why so many brands haven't produced something similar. It is far from your average lip pencil, as it not only keeps your lip colour in place, but corrects and defines the lip line and helps lips to appear fuller.

I achieve the most well-defined red lip with this lip pencil and always have it on hand to correct any mistakes I may make when applying lippy. The one thing I really love about this lip pencil, is that it's perfect for blocking out the natural colour of your pout - a necessity when wanting to achieve a nude lip.

The Tuesday Tip: Face Framers

As far as I'm concerned, well structured eyebrows are key to achieving a flawless look. They not only hold strong and dramatic eye makeup, but they help to frame the face. For example, bringing the eyebrows closer together will help balance wider set eyes, while taking eyebrows further apart will help even out closer set eyes.

When wanting to create a strong and well defined brow, I would always recommend always using a quality eyebrow pencil. My go-to pencil is the Paul & Joe Beauté Eyebrow Pencil Duo (£14.50 ASOS / $24.00 dermstore.com). It features a lighter shade that delicately shapes and defines and a darker shade that fills in gaps and accentuates arches. It is a must for any makeup bag!

Interview: Craig-Ryan French

Craig-Ryan French is an internationally renowned makeup artist who has over a decade of experience in theatre, film, television and fashion. He beautifies models backstage at fashion week and his work regularly features in the likes of Elle, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar and other leading industry publications.

He is also the Artistic Director and Global Makeup Artist at PAUL & JOE, the Parisian-based fashion house that is also home the gorgeous beauty line, PAUL & JOE BEAUTE! If he wasn't busy enough, Craig-Ryan French is also the head makeup artist for SyFy television series Defiance.

Luckily for me, this makeup maestro recently came to London and I was able to grill him on all things beauty. So sit back, relax, and enjoy our little chat...

What inspired you to become a makeup artist? And how did your career journey begin?

I had always loved classic horror movies (Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy etc.) and grew up recreating those original Hollywood make-ups on myself as a child (I know - weirdo!). When I turned 18, I moved to New York to study theatre at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. I used a lot of those early self-taught techniques in the development of my characters on-stage, and further developed those skills through stage make-up training at the school.

After graduation, I enjoyed a brief 'hungry' career as a commercial actor. I once met a make-up artist on-set who said "Craig-Ryan, you are a make-up artist whether you like it or not, it's where your talents are. You will make more money doing make-up than you will ever make in a lifetime as a struggling actor". He was right - I focused my talents on make-up. I manipulated the shading & highlighting techniques I had learned in theatre school to sculpt beautiful cheekbones on a model for an editorial shoot. I have never looked back - makeup has taken me on an incredible journey around the world (and I still love those classic horror movies!).

What is your career highlight?

For the past two years, I have headed up the Make-up Department for the SyFy television series Defiance which has a been an incredible experience. I work with an amazing team of makeup artists and hair stylists to create a full spectrum of makeup looks that range from broken down, dirty humans, to over-the-top, futuristic full-prosthetic aliens (and everything else in between!). It has been a dream job, with a dream crew and a dream cast! It doesn't get much better than this! Season two premiered on ScyFy June 19th, 2014.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to succeed in the industry?

Show up to work on-time everyday, properly prepared, with a good attitude. This quality alone can pretty much guarantee you work and call backs. Never stop learning - always be a student and willing to learn from everyone around you.

Who is the ultimate beauty icon?

Marilyn Monroe. Her cinematic beauty will last forever - she owned the 'close-up' and her enduring style will continue to impact fashion and generations for years to come.

What are your beauty kit essentials?

With just the six listed items below I am prepared to do my job on-set:

• PAUL & JOE Waterproof Mascara #01 Black - you'll remain flawless with this smudge and flake-free mascara for 24 hours until you remove it - all of my actresses love it and request it to use on all their film projects!
• Clé de Peau Beauté Concealers - I scoffed at the price tag until I first saw the on-camera results and discovered they are worth every penny. My kit always contains 'Ivoire' & 'Beige'.
• PAUL & JOE Eyebrow Collection - I make this statement as a professional make-up artist (not a P&J representative) - these are the BEST eyebrow products I have ever used. All of the makeup artists I have introduced them to would also agree - we can not function without them! Try, try, try!!!
• A nude pink/rose lip liner - I recommend Kevin Aucoin Flesh Tone Lip Pencil in 'Medium'
• Nivea Men's Replenishing Lip Balm - (yes, Men's!) this hydrates lips without leaving shine or visible residue.
• A natural bronzer to warm the Face and contour eyes.

What is the biggest beauty crime a person can commit?

Getting trapped in a particular outdated trend. Get a professional makeup consultation from an artist you trust every five years to stay current, looking youthful and feeling your absolute best.

What is your top beauty tip?

Always wear your make up - don't let your make up wear you. If someone compliments your make up before complimenting you, you may need to reconsider that particular colour - make up should always enhance who you are - not hide who are!

Review: Paul & Joe Beauté Fairytale Eye Colour Set

The Price: £27.00/$42.00

The Stockists: Selfridges, Beautybay.com and asos.com

The Collection: Fall 2013 Fairytale Collection

The Review: If Sleeping Beauty actually existed, I'm convinced this eye colour set would've had pride of place on her dressing table. Beautifully packaged in a fairytale book inspired box, the set comprises of a Snow White cream eye colour, a Dusty Rose eyeshadow and Sparkling Silver pigment.

Snow White (1g) is a metallic white cream eye colour that makes the perfect highlighter. It is sheer and has a smooth, blendable texture that is great for use on the cheekbones and lips, as well as the eyes.

Dusty Rose (1g) is a golden pink shimmery eyeshadow that seems to change colour under different lighting. It is not the most pigmented eyeshadow I've ever used and it doesn't have the best staying power, however the colour is really beautiful.

Sparkling Silver (1.5g) is an amazing silvery white pigment. It has really good pigmentation and great staying power, especially when used with a mixing medium. Sparkling Silver can also be applied over another eyeshadow to enhance the colour and really make it stand out.

From the top: Snow White, Dusty Rose and Sparkling Silver

The Pro: Although advertised as an eye colour set, Fairytale is really the perfect highlighting kit. It can take you from subtle shimmer to striking sparkle.

The Con: The Dusty Rose eyeshadow lacks any real staying power, however using a setting spray would help the colour last a little longer.

Are you a fan of Paul & Joe Beauté? Have you tried any other products from the fall 2013 collection?

PR Sample