The styles and cuts of Cannes 2013

The past week has seen the stars of the silver screen strutting the red carpet in Cannes. Festival de Cannes presents the most anticipated films of the moment, which this year included the premiere of The Great Gatsby (can’t wait to see it!).

But the Cannes Film Festival is not just about motion pictures - it also provides a stage for glamorous starlets to display up-to-the-minute styles that can offer inspiration for our next haircuts or styles for approaching weddings and soirees.

There were numerous standout looks over the course of the 2013 Festival and this week we are presenting some of our favourites. So as the season of rendezvous and celebrations draws nigh, glean some inspiration from these stunning cuts and styles…

THE STYLES WE LOVED...
Marion Cotillard's sky-high beehive at the Blood Ties screening was retro chic perfection. Just look at that double French roll, divine!
Carey Mulligan looked simply ravishing for the Llewyn David’ photo call, with her hair modestly swept up into a twisted chignon. Her pretty and polished up-do is pure fresh-faced loveliness.
Loving Cheryl Cole’s take on the classic French plait. The bouffant, loose braiding and specially placed fine black ties made for the perfect combo of romantic girlish charm. Her hair colour is fantastic too!
The Great Gatsby actress, Isla Fisher’s classic loose curls were simply beautiful…and that colour! Amazing!	Oh! Isn’t this dishevelled halo braid just stunning! Twisted into a knotted side-shignon, Freida Pinto looked fabulously feminine with a whimsical edge at the opening of the Festival.
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THE STANDOUT CUTS... (above the shoulder styles won!)
Milla Jovovich’s wavy lob (long bob) is such a great cut! A versatile and easy maintenance style with a fringe that really just tops it off!
Audrey Tautou’s pixie crop is just the sweetest thing. Light and carefree, this cut is a great option for curly hair, heart shaped and round shaped faces.	Ms. Cotillard’s bob is a picture-perfect example of why this cropped ‘do is 2013’s golden choice!

Stay tuned: Next week we bestow the honour of Wellbeing’s Queen of Cannes to Ms. Nicole Kidman – who in our books stole the spotlight whenever she graced the red carpet at Festival de Cannes.

Get the look: Diane Kruger's chic and sassy summer braid

[caption id="attachment_737" align="aligncenter" width="320" caption="Image courtesy of Smarter.com"][/caption]

 

When you’re in a rush but you need to look slick for a meeting, lunch date or evening out, it’s always handy to have a few go-to hairstyles up your sleeve. Diane Kruger’s relaxed side-laden plait is one to add to the list - it exudes both feminine elegance and bohemian glam.

Braids are a great choice for creating an instant statement style without having to rely on assorted hair-stylers and products. As well as being super on-trend this season, plaits are also a great option for protecting your hair from sun and heat damage.

Diane’s braided beauty is reasonably easy to fashion and provides a versatile, carefree style, perfect for hitting the beach or attending a fancy summer soiree.

Emulate the look by following these simple steps:

1. Roughly blow wave your hair for volume and texture. Run a matte styling product through your locks for added texture and hold.


2. Create a deep side parting to form 2 sections.


3. Braid a French plait down each side of your head, beginning just in front of your ears.


4. Create your French plaits by taking a small section of hair and parting it into 3 equal sections. Commence with a regular English braid and slowly draw portions of hair into the left and right strands.


5. Continue this process until the plaits meet at the nape of your neck.


6. Join the loose ends from both braids together and then section the hair in two.


7. Create a fishtail braid by taking a small piece of hair from underneath one of the sections and wrapping it around and over to join the second section.


8. Reset your hands, so you’re always holding two sections and repeat process with the other section.


9. Continue taking small portions of hair from under one section and transferring them over to the other section, until your braid is finished. Secure with a hair-tie.


10. Conceal your hair-tie by wrapping a small piece of hair around it.


11. Lightly tug the edges of your braid to create a wider, fuller looking plait.

For a slightly easier version, simply weave a loose English braid that rests over your shoulder, leaving wavy strands to frame your face.

Don’t worry too much about making it perfect – the tousled carefree look is all part of the charm.

 

Inspiration for your spring and summer soirees

We just love a good gala event for surveying the hottest trends of the red carpet. The world-renowned Festival de Cannes, not only boasts the latest and greatest films of 2012, but also hosts some of the world’s most esteemed celebrities and their fashion-forward flair.

As we head into the season of soirees and BBQs, we’ve taken cue from Cannes and collated a few of our favourite looks from the gala as inspiration for your party and evening style lookbook…

[caption id="attachment_542" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Image courtesy of Vogue UK"][/caption] Eva Longoria donned an edgy retro beehive - a super trendy look this season. Her smoky eyes and bronze beige highlighting complete her dramatic but fresh look.	[caption id="attachment_540" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Image courtesy of Vogue UK"][/caption] At the Killing Them Softly premiere, Diane Kruger was simply elegant. Her high chignon bun was modest chic, and her subtle smoky eyes and rosy lips made for a fabulously feminine ensemble.
[caption id="attachment_539" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Image courtesy of Vogue UK"][/caption] We absolutely loved Marion Cotillard at the screening of her film Rust & Bone. She was belle-of-the-ball perfection with a polished feature bun bejewelled with a dainty floral chain. Her porcelain complexion with defined eyes, flushed cheeks and matte berry lips completed her look.	[caption id="attachment_541" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Image courtesy of Vogue UK"][/caption] With classic, vintage curls loose around her shoulders, Lana Del Rey looked both sultry and sophisticated. Her cat-eye eyeliner was clean and classy, and her porcelain complexion and natural lip colour proved that sometimes less in more!
[caption id="attachment_544" align="aligncenter" width="186" caption="Image courtesy of HJI"][/caption] Kirsten Dunst was ‘pretty and bright’ at her photo call for On The Road. Her super sweet milkmaid spin-off was picture perfect with loosely pinned-up curls and a darling tiara adorned with roses and pearls.	[caption id="attachment_545" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Image courtesy of Glamour UK"][/caption] Diane Kruger really suits old Hollywood glamour doesn’t she?! Her simple half-up, half-down style at the Cannes premiere of Amour was vamped up with a side-swept wave that was just divine! (Her custom-made Vivienne Westwood sequin gown was absolutely gorgeous too!)

Jessica Chastain: Queen of Cannes 2012...so far

The 65^th Cannes Film Festival commenced mid last week. We’ve been following the events and drooling over the numerous styles gracing each day’s proceedings. Next week, we’re going to do an overview of some of our favourite red carpet looks - perfect for your mid-spring/summer soirees - but for now, we just had to shine the spotlight on an actress who in our opinion, has been the epitome of style and grace at every occasion.

Jessica Chastain, best known for her roles in The Help and The Tree of Life (both worth seeing if you haven’t already), transitioned effortless between day and evening events, with retro glam waves and elegant up-dos. And with that beautifully sweet smile, how could you not fall in love with her!

These are the luscious looks of Jessica Chastain…

[caption id="attachment_519" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Image courtesy of Vogue Germany"][/caption] On opening night of the festival, Jessica looked simply ravishing with her wavy tresses swept back into a low plaited twist. With dewy, understated make-up, she looked positively radiant.	[caption id="attachment_521" align="aligncenter" width="208" caption="Image courtesy of Zimbio"][/caption] For the photo call of Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted, Ms. Chastain highlighted her feminine elegance with classic loose curls and earthy neutral tone’s that accentuated her natural beauty.
[caption id="attachment_522" align="aligncenter" width="207" caption="Image courtesy of Zimbio"][/caption] At the premiere of Madagascar 3, Jessica graced the red carpet with old Hollywood glamour, adorned with vintage curls smoothly swept to the side. Her make-up was porcelain doll perfection with defined eyes and rich red lip colour. Simply stunning!	[caption id="attachment_520" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Image courtesy of Vogue UK"][/caption] For the copious TV interviews and press conferences, Ms. Chastain looked vivaciously fresh with soft, natural-looking curls, and minimal make-up, utilising rosy pink tones that made her shine!
[caption id="attachment_516" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Image courtesy of Glamour Magazine UK"][/caption] At the Calvin Klein party, Jessica highlighted her stunning bone structure with a polished, ultra-sleek and chic up do, with pinky beige make-up to soften the look.