Yes, the gowns at Cannes are way fab, but the beauty? Those red carpet looks created an entirely new level of superstardom. With pretty messy waves dominating overly-styled locks and nude lips making just as many appearances as bold reds, celebs are taking big risks with hair + makeup, and the payoff is nothing less than glamorous. See who pulled out all the stops in the beauty department over every other A-lister at Cannes (+ a well-deserved shoutout to the gorg runners up!).
Kristen Stewart, Runner Up: Freida Pinto: We’re used to K.Stew making beauty + fashion fumbles, but the face of Chanel finally gets it right here with her swoon-worthy side part and glam-girl curls. The effortlesly edgy ‘do has just the right amount of ‘tude without lacking a bit of elegance. And thanks to Freida Pinto, you’ll never catch us out of the house again without a side part in our ponies.
Cutest Crimped Curls
Jennifer Lawrence, Runner Up: Lea Seydoux: Rather than glam out their hair with big and bouncy waves, stars like Jennifer Lawrence are showing that you can totally wow with crimpy curls. Her sideswept updo is the perfect style to show off her wavy, grown-out locks. Lea Seydoux proves that great things can happen when you let your tousled hair down, too.
Most Epic Braid
Eva Longoria, Runner Up: Blake Lively: Eva Longoria brings the fishtail braid to the red carpet, and we’re all completely floored. Plus, her perfectly messy plaits are a gorgeous compliment to that smokin’ asymmetrical cutout. We have to admit, Blake Lively’s Rapunzel-like pony is also quite the head turner.
Most Enviable Updo
Cate Blanchett, Runner Up: Nicole Kidman: From the front, Cate Blanchett appears to be donning the daintiest chignon in all the land. Then turn sideways and BOOM: Wavy braids from out of nowhere! We should have trusted you all along, Cate, to mash-up the most stand-by of all formal hairstyles with a kind of ’90s-inspired cool. Similarly, Nicole Kidman’s posh ‘do mixes retro flair + a pretty messy braid and we love it.
Most #IWokeUpLikeThis Waves
Blake Lively, Runner Up: Cara Delevingne: How can her hair be so bouncy and beachy at the same time? It’s perfect, so we’ll continue to be way jeal of Blake Lively’s mind-bending natural grace. Oh yeah, and Cara Delevingne looks fly. What’s new?
Most Bombshell Red Lip
Amber Heard, Runner Up: Jourdan Dunn: Amber Heard rocks enviable lip of the red carpet all year and of course, we’re obsessed every time. Not only is the hue the perfect shade for her skin tone, but its luster-free finish plays off her dusty gold eyeshadow like a dream. Props to Jourdan Dunn for doing more of the same — rocking impeccably outlined eyes and a dew-kissed face with a look-at-me lip color.
Fiercest Cat Eye
Zoe Saldana, Runner Up: Christina Hendricks: THIS is how to make a retro look timeless: Zoe Saldana mimics a wispy eye flick with dark liner along her inner eye and owns the look with barely-there eyeshadow and a beautiful matte lip. Christina Hendricks embraces the vintage look off the Mad Men set, and — shocker — she still looks stunning.
Best Barely-There Makeup
Hilary Swank + Julianne Moore: What’s the biggest makeup risk you can take on the red carpet? To look like you’re not wearing any makeup at all! Two A-listers tie for best barely-there look — a gutsy move on Hilary Swank and Julianne Moore’s parts. But it’s one that shows that there’s nothing more attractive than a confident, natural beauty.
Boldest (Non-Red) Lips
Lea Seydoux, Runner Up: America Ferrera: In our book, Lea Seydoux is rockin’ the best red pout alternative at Cannes. Orange lips are so in this season, but YOU don’t have to walk the red carpet to try it! If that shade is too much of a detour, then use America Ferrera’s dusty pink color as your new lip inspo. It’s pastel perfection.
Most Luscious Lashes
Lara Stone, Runner Up: Aishwarya Rai: Give it up: It’s just not true that false lashes = tacky. Lara Stone’s full and flirty falsies make her eyes pop in the most un-fussy way — it’s a fresh-faced look we’d rock everyday! Then we’d turn it up like Aishwarya Rai for special occasions. That cateye + false lash combo is a knockout.
Which beauty looks from Cannes caught your eye? Which hair + makeup looks were you Pinning the most? Tell us which celeb looks you liked best in the comments below.