Cult Beauty's sought-after hair and makeup man, Mathew Alexander, has recently set up shop in W1 (feet away from the famed Elemis Day Spa). Years after Mathew's glamorous mum piqued his interest in the world of grooming, Mathew is now widely quoted as a top authority in some of our favourite glossies, including as a panelist for the InStyle Best Beauty Buys guide, but thankfully he's happy to divulge his trade secrets to us...

Mathew recommends test-driving products before committing to them. "Make sure the texture is blendable and actually works with your skin. So often people are seduced by the colours and trends in print without thinking about if it works for them." However, there are a few products he thinks will generally change everyone's life:

"La Prairie Skin Caviar Concealer + Foundation leaves skin flawless, not remotely cakey. Once applied, the formulation stays put and is so good for your skin you could sleep in it.
Nars Laguna Bronzing Powder flatters everyone. It gives a beautiful sheen so you look glowing and healthy. Chanel Inimitable Multi-Dimensional Mascara in Brown has an amazing rubber brush, which helps stop clumping, lengthening and separating well too. The texture of the mascara is fluid, leaving you looking healthily wide-eyed. Yves Saint Laurent Golden Gloss lip gloss no.2 is a sumptuous gloss with tiny, shimmery gold particles suspended in a natural base colour. It makes less-than-plump lips look luscious and kissable. And Q-tips (that's cotton buds to you and me) are honestly the one thing I cannot live without when doing makeup."

The worst beauty error on the streets, says Mathew with thinly veiled desperation, is what can only be described as 'The Rape of the Eyebrow'. "Women of Britain! Give them the TLC they need!" Do it right and go to a professional, even if just the once (in London, try Vanda Serrador or Vaishaly Patel); maintain at home and use brow makeup. Try Clinique brow pencil (soft blonde) and Laura Mercier's brow gel, girls and boys both.

- Jessica Gearhart