The 68th Cannes Film Festival isn’t even wrapping up until this weekend, but we’re already feeling nostalgic about the beauty looks we’ve seen on the red carpet these past few weeks. So while we’re taking a trip down the very glamorous (and very recent) memory lane, we thought we’d reach back even further than Lupita’s bun to the crop of last year’s A-listers and their killer ‘dos (remember Eva Longoria’s messy fishtail braid or Blake Lively’s braided high ponytail? Of course you do). Below, we’ve picked our six favorite hairstyles from Cannes past and present and are showing you how to DIY each megababe look IRL. Scroll through for the swoon-fest of beyond chic hairstyles reimagined with our signature how-to-work-it-in-the-real-world twist, all courtesy of our very own beauty expert Misty Spinney.
Although Beyoncé’s Met Gala ‘do is shaping up to be the high pony to hack of 2015, Blake took the title last year with this messy braided updo. (Photos via Tim P. Whitby + Michael Buckner/Getty)
Step 1: Get A High Pony (But Not Too High!)
The trick to this look is to get your ponytail nice and high, but this is not your average top knot that’s placed directly on top of your dome. Place your tail more towards the upper back side of your head so that you can’t see it sticking up from the front. Then wrap a small section of hair around the elastic and pin it in place to disguise your hair tie.
Step 2: Go Big
Normally I would have you use a rat tail comb to tease your hair, but for this look, we can hack the normal (much more tedious process) by using a regular brush to give some body and texture to your hair. This is going to help give your braid a more unkempt look.
Step 3: Loosely Braid
For this look, begin your braid several inches below the base of the elastic, instead of straight out the gate like usual. Don’t worry about trying to braid loosely out the gate: braid normally and then once you place the small elastic at the ends of your hair, you can use your fingers to loosen the braid.
Lupita Nyongo’s Full Bun, Cannes 2015
Leave it to Lupita to drop a look as iconic as this on day one of the two-week long festival. Click through to learn how to DIY your own total princess moment no matter what your hair type. (Photo via Pascal Le Segretain/Getty)
Eva Longoria’s Messy Fishtail Braid, Cannes 2014
Step 1: Place An Extreme Side Part
For this look, the more exaggerated this part is, the better! Even if you don’t have bangs like Eva, you can still fake it a little by letting your hairs sort of separate when you sweep them over to the side. If you’re looking for a little more volume on top to mimic Eva’s look to a T, use a rat tail comb to backcomb the top of your hair before you begin braiding.
Step 2: Get Your Fishtail On
Place a fishtail braid all the way to the ends of your hairs. To nail this look, make sure you are braiding in fine, even sections to keep the entire braid looking uniform. The messy look will come from the next step.
Step 3: Loosen Up!
NOW you can mess it up! Use your fingers to pull the braid apart. Pull some sections out slightly more than others to give the braid a little bend.
Charlize Theron’s Fancy Low Bun, Cannes 2015
Thanks to Charlize, we now have a complete game plan for dressing up our everyday low bun. Click through to learn how to curl it up and slick it back to a chicer level than ever before.
See the full tutorial here!
Jennifer Lawrence’s + Sienna Miller’s Waves, Cannes 2014 + 2015
Here’s even more proof that the lob — and the most carefree-feeling way to wear it — isn’t going out of style anytime soon. Seen on two badass leading ladies two years in a row, these waves are one look all short haired girls need to master. (Photos via Ian Gavan/Getty)
Step 1: Grab Your Flat Iron
Forego your curling iron or wave iron for this look. Your flat iron creates such a unique wave and it gets SO hot that you can usually get your hair done much faster. Notice how the ends of Jen’s hair are more a little more straight than the rest of her hair. To create this look, you will leave the ends out instead of following through with the wave pattern.
Step 2: Add Texture
Fake a day at the beach with a sea salt texture spray like Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Sea Salt Spray ($5) you can find at your local drug store. Spray lightly throughout your hair and let it dry a little.
Step 3: Tousle Your Hair
Use your fingers to separate and tousle your curls. The messier the better! OR you can keep it tame by using your fingers to smooth through the curls instead.
Eva Longoria’s Slicked Back Down-Do, Cannes 2015
We couldn’t help but put Eva on this list twice after she flipped from her ultra ethereal braid to this sleek Kardashian-Jenner-esque down-do. In fact, our original tutorial was based off of Kendall Jenner’s Billboards Music Awards hair, but just slap on that dramatic smokey eye to make sure this look reads all about Eva. (Photos via Pascal Le Segretain/Getty)
What celeb hair + makeup from Cannes + beyond do you want to see turned into DIYs? Tell us in the comments below!
(Featured Image via Pascal Le Segretain/Getty)
