Christophe Robin

As the 66th Annual Cannes Film Festival comes to a close, we've been once again intrigued by all things French. French women are renowned for their beauty, whether it be an insouciant flip of the hair, the evening glamour of a deep red lip, the embrace of "flaws" like gap teeth: all so, French. But what else makes these women uniquely chic? To find out, we asked a few in-the-know people to explain the je ne sais quoi of French beauty. Keep reading.

Over the weekend, the French celebrated Bastille Day, honouring French independence and all things Gallic. French women are renowned for their beauty, which, as anyone who's strolled the Canal St-Martin in Paris can attest, comes forth in diverse forms. An insouciant flip of the hair, the evening glamour of a deep red lip, the embrace of "flaws" like gap teeth: all so French. But what else makes these women uniquely chic? To find out, we asked a few in-the-know people to explain the je ne sais quoi of French beauty. Keep reading to find out what they said.

Oil may be excellent for the face, but it's amazing for your hair, as well. Used once a week maximum, oil keeps colour vibrant and gives a lustrous sheen to lackluster strands. If you think the slick stuff is going to weigh the hair down, however, then think again. When applied properly, oil also prevents breakage and gives back natural lipids to overworked hair. See which types of oils your coiffure craves, along with a few it doesn't, when you read more.

This year's Cannes Film Festival has wrapped up, but we're still amazed by the beauty looks — and much of those glamorous looks were created by a trio of the world's most in-demand hair and makeup artists. Colourist Christophe Robin, hairstylist John Nollet (pictured), and makeup artist Billy B, all L'Oréal ambassadors, tended to stars such as Marion Cotillard and Freida Pinto. Here, they share their advice on how you can achieve a bit of Croisette-level glamour in your everyday life. Read more.

To celebrate 40 years of L’Oréal Paris Preference hair colour, the brand has released a short film starring five of its "Dream Team" ambassadors: Bianca Balti, Liya Kebede, Doutzen Kroes, Coco Rocha, and Claudia Schiffer. All had their hair dyed by legendary colourist Christophe Robin who collaborates on the 88-shade line with L’Oréal's research laboratories, but it was Coco Rocha's high-impact magenta-red that caught our eye. A new hue for the Canadian model — who reveals that she returned to brown after the shoot — that's not the only new thing. The Preference formula has also undergone a makeover; it now features Hi Shine Elixir which helps the colour adhere better. See the short, directed by Paul Gore, with hairstyling by Stephane Lancien below.

Last week in Milan both Prada and DSquared2 had an air of androgynous glamour about them, and in Paris, Givenchy clearly took it upon itself to continue with the trend. The models walked the Spring 2011 runway with one of three different hairstyles: a mod-style, Paul Weller look where the hair was fashioned into "sideburns" and short bangs; a centre-parted slicked-down chignon; and a fuzzy fairy floss style that featured braided pigtails and cowlicks at the part. Huh. Luigi Murenu was the man behind the manes, but Christophe Robin was the name on everybody's lips as the colourist turned Natasha Poly's (right) blonde locks dark for the show. We much prefer her blonde, do you? Oh and before you think it's all hair, hair, hair, the models' faces were kept bare, a deep wine lip being the focal point of the makeup palette. You like?