By Eva Longoria's count, she has ascended the red carpeted steps of the Cannes Film Festival for nineteen years. One style directive has kept the event feeling fresh across nearly two decades of appearances: It's the carpet where she can "color outside the lines."
Speaking to me from the L'Oréal Paris suite at Hôtel Martinez, the director and actress describes her trips to the French Riviera's famed film circuit as an invitation to step outside her comfort zone. "I think it's because it's such a global audience that descends upon Cannes, you can take probably more risks on this red carpet and push the envelope," she says. "I feel like in the United States—it's a little, not conservative, but it's just more safe."
But Longoria has a caveat: Her boundary-pushing glamour applies to plunging, crystal-coated gowns by Elie Saab and cutout couture by Tony Ward—not her beauty. While every carpet she's walked has come with a dramatically different look—I've counted eight official outfit changes during Longoria's 2024 circuit alone—she's kept her hair and makeup fairly consistent from her earliest appearances to the present.
"I like a simple glam. I'm really into small head shapes with the hair, very, very clean makeup like a strong lash line, and that's about it," she explains. By keeping her beauty classic, "That kind of lets the fashion do the work then, in terms of making a statement."
This year at Cannes, Longoria has walked the red carpet to support films including Emma Stone's dark comedy Kinds of Kindness and Selena Gomez's musical Emilia Pérez, in gowns coordinated by Maeve Reilly with hair by L'Oréal stylist Stephane Lancien. In the process, she's also set the stage for her next major project: Land of Women, a feel-good series set in Spanish wine country coming to Apple TV next month.
The show is her first since Desperate Housewives ended in 2012. Prepping for her return to the small screen has transformed Longoria's approach to beauty when she's not on the step-and-repeat. "There's been a shift in focus to skincare, and you can't have good makeup or look good on TV if you don't have good skin," she says. As a result, she and her glam team have a longer process—inclusive of de-puffing, hydrating, protecting, and plumping—before she even sits in the makeup chair.
One tool, Facify's six-in-one facial smoothing and lymphatic draining wand, has been Longoria's game-changer. (She tells me she loves products that can multitask more than others.) "I put on my Revitalift Serum and then I just use the tool and it wakes up your under eye, which is important when you're on camera," she says.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Innovative beauty tools and custom couture gowns aren't the Cannes updates Longoria is ultimately the most passionate about. She tells me it's the evolving, increasingly inclusive atmosphere of the festival—where Greta Gerwig is currently jury president, Lily Gladstone is a fellow juror, and women from around the world are directing and leading some of the buzziest film entries—that has been the most "beautiful to witness." Some things in film need to change; her Cannes beauty was never one of them.
Shop Eva Longoria's Go-To Glam Products
Halie LeSavage is the senior fashion and beauty news editor at Marie Claire, where she assigns, edits, and writes stories for both sections. Halie is an expert on runway trends, celebrity style, emerging fashion and beauty brands, and shopping (naturally). In over seven years as a professional journalist, Halie’s reporting has ranged from fashion week coverage spanning the Copenhagen, New York, Milan, and Paris markets, to profiles on industry insiders including stylist Alison Bornstein and J.Crew womenswear creative director Olympia Gayot, to breaking news stories on noteworthy brand collaborations and beauty launches. (She can personally confirm that Bella Hadid’s Ôrebella perfume is worth the hype.) She has also written dozens of research-backed shopping guides to finding the best tote bags, ballet flats, and more. Most of all, Halie loves to explore what trends—like the rise of doll-like Mary Janes or TikTok’s 75 Hard Style Challenge—can say about culture writ large. (She justifies almost any purchase by saying it’s “for work.”) Halie has previously held writer and editor roles at Glamour, Morning Brew, and Harper’s Bazaar. Halie has been cited as a fashion and beauty expert in The Cut, CNN Underscored, and Reuters, among other outlets, and appears in newsletters like Selleb and Self-Checkout to provide shopping recommendations. In 2022, she was awarded the Hearst Spotlight Award for excellence and innovation in fashion journalism. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Harvard College. Outside of work, Halie is passionate about books, baking, and her miniature Bernedoodle, Dolly. For a behind-the-scenes look at her reporting, you can follow Halie on Instagram and TikTok.
-
Joe Alwyn Publicly Discusses His Breakup With Taylor Swift for the Very First Time
The pair called it quits a year ago in 2023.
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Prince William Posts Touching Childhood Photo With His "Pa" King Charles For Father's Day
It's clear from the meaningful throwback photo that the Prince of Wales' love for soccer started early.
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Kendall Jenner Starts Her Own Summer Swimwear Trend in a Tiny String Bikini and Beach-Worthy Wrap
The model and reality television star is rejecting the tankini comeback and choosing her own sunbathing look.
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Rihanna Admits She "Didn't Expect" Postpartum Hair Loss to Affect Her Like It Did
Even the Fenty Hair founder admits she "didn't expect" this side-effect.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Olivia Henson's Wedding Day Updo Subtly Paid Homage to Kate Middleton
She's the blueprint.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Rihanna's Stylist Tested Fenty Hair on Me—and It's a Game-Changer
Yes, it's worth the hype.
By Deena Campbell Published
-
Rhode's First Blush Is Finally Here, and 'Marie Claire' Editors Tested All Six Shades First
We tried all six shades before anyone else.
By Halie LeSavage Last updated
-
Rihanna's Natural Curls Are the Ultimate Ad for Fenty Hair
Ahead of her latest beauty launch, the megastar wore her hair exactly how it is.
By Gabrielle Ulubay Published
-
Sabrina Carpenter's Viral "Please Please Please" Music Video Costars Color-Changing Lip Balm
Prada Beauty is her viral video's most exciting costar.
By Halie LeSavage Last updated
-
Katie Holmes Fully Supports Easy, Undone, Air-Dried Hair for Summer
She’s here for a low-maintenance summer style.
By Samantha Holender Published
-
Cardi B Squeezes More Than 25 Coquette Bows Into Her Hair at Once
Coquette-core lives on.
By Samantha Holender Published