The opening night of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday 12 May delivered its usual dose of Hollywood glamour, with celebrities and global ambassadors lighting up the iconic red carpet in the South of France. Among the standout stars this year were Alia Bhatt and Carlos Sainz, both representing L’Oréal Paris with effortlessly polished beauty looks.
Created by Global Makeup Artist Harold James, the duo’s red carpet-ready styles showcased some of the beauty brand’s latest and bestselling products — from glowing skin essentials to statement haircare heroes.
Alia Bhatt’s Cannes 2026 Beauty Look
Bollywood star Alia Bhatt embraced timeless elegance on the Cannes red carpet with glowing skin, soft waves and a neutral-toned glam look that perfectly complemented the festival’s luxury atmosphere.
Flawless Complexion and Glowing Skin
To create Alia’s radiant complexion, Harold James used the newly launched Infallible Cushion Foundation, paired with the Lumi Blush in shade 626 for a natural flush of colour. Her red carpet-ready finish was locked in place using the Infallible 3-Second Setting Mist.
Soft Glam Eyes and Nude Lips
For the eyes, the makeup artist reached for the cult-favourite Panorama Mascara to create fanned-out lashes with dramatic definition.
Alia’s understated nude lip was created using the Infallible Matte Resistance Lipstick in shade 601 Worth It, delivering a sophisticated matte finish ideal for the Cannes spotlight.
Effortless Cannes Waves
Her flowing waves were styled using Elnett Strong Hold Hairspray, while Elvive Extraordinary Oil added shine and smoothness for a glossy finish.
Carlos Sainz’s Grooming Routine for Cannes
Elsewhere on the red carpet, Formula 1 star Carlos Sainz showcased a clean, modern grooming look that balanced effortless style with high-performance skincare.
Hydrated and Energised Skin
Carlos’ complexion was prepped using products from the L’Oréal Paris Men Expert range, including the Hydra Energetic Vitamin C Serum, Hydra Energetic Eye Roll-On and Hydra Energetic Moisturiser.
The result was refreshed, hydrated skin that stood out under the bright lights of the Cannes photographers.
Signature Styled Hair
To complete the look, Carlos’ signature hairstyle was secured using Studio Line Glue-In Spray for long-lasting hold throughout the evening.
Cannes 2026 Red Carpet Beauty Trends
This year’s Cannes Film Festival red carpet highlighted a growing trend towards polished natural beauty, glowing skin and effortless hair styling. With both Alia Bhatt and Carlos Sainz opting for refined, wearable looks, L’Oréal Paris once again proved why it remains one of the biggest beauty names at Cannes.
