When you think of the Cannes Film Festival, you think of glamorous red carpets, priceless jewellery, glittering stars in breathtaking dresses and, yes, sometimes the movies come to mind as well. It's peak fantasy fabulousness and there's one name that sums it up perfectly: Elle Fanning.
Like her on-screen alter ego, Catherine The Great, Fanning has an expert eye for high fashion, an unapologetic approach to hyper feminine haute couture, enviably self-aware intelligence, and a refreshing sense of playfulness not often found in an A-lister who's attended film premieres since they were aged eight. Plus, a love of elaborate hairstyles, minus a penchant for conquering Russia.
As she returns to our screens for The Great season three, we caught up with the actor, L'Oréal Paris spokes person and beauty icon in Cannes to talk main character energy outfits, being more Elle Woods and why she's leaning into her eye make-up era...
You seem to really enjoy experimenting with beauty - what do you love about it?
'You know, I've been going on red carpets for for a while so I think with that comes a sense of wanting to try new things and experiment with new looks. Sometimes they go wrong, but sometimes they go right! I think that's the fun of it. I've always looked at my beauty routine as a form of self care and self love and also an extension of creativity. I experiment most with my eyes; trying new colours and really pumping that up.
'Right now I'm in my eye era! The Telescopic Mascara from L'Oréal Paris is a real go-to product for me because my my eyelashes are super straight, they don't really curl, and this mascara really keeps them up. I've never had eyelash extensions or permed them or anything - I've heard things go wrong with that stuff! So I like that my make-up can do that instead.'
Who's on your beauty moodboard?
'I always skew to old Hollywood glamour, especially in Cannes because the carpet is so classic and special and has so much history to it. Grace Kelly has always been an icon of mine, Kate Bosworth always looks incredible, I love Zoe Kravitz's beauty looks, Tessa Thompson is cool, Sienna Miller... Alexa Chung has always had my heart, I had pictures of her on my wall when I was growing up. So there's a lot of ladies that I look up to.
'The last beauty look I saved on Instagram was Gigi Hadid from Altuzarra's SS22 show. She has these tiny braids at the front of her hair and the make-up is very sunburnt-looking with this cloud of almost gasoline brown eyeshadow. I love that look. I've tried it a couple times now and it works for works for me.'
What role has social media played in your perception of beauty?
'I think social media can be tricky because a lot of the images are doctored or not necessarily the truth and that can cloud your judgement a bit. I think that's the cautionary tale to take away: there's the fun side of it, but also just be wary about comparing yourself to those images. For young girls especially it's really important to keep in mind. But, it can also be a great place to show your creativity and look to others and get inspired. Just don't get too far down the rabbit hole. Keep up, don't get caught up!'
Talk me through your favourite look you're wearing for Cannes...
'The Alexander McQueen dress I wore a few days ago was just absolutely spectacular. Sarah Burton and I have been working on that for a while and it was beyond my wildest dreams. Whenever I'm doing press for a show, I love wearing looks inspired by my character, that kind of main character energy! So for season three of The Great I'm really channelling Catherine - a lot of corsetry which isn't the most comfortable but I do love a corset!
'I wore a Paco Rabanne in Cannes that wasn't corseted but it was full on party girl. I kept the make-up quite simple - I feel like when you wear a lot of sparkles it's tempting to do put a bunch of sparkle on your face as well, but you need contrast.'
In The Great, Catherine wears many elaborate hair and make-up looks - what's been your favourite?
'I mean there's been so many amazing ones. In this third season, during the stag ritual with the baby, Nick (Hoult) and I are both wearing these Russian-inspired almost Christmas doll looks. We're all wearing horns, the baby's wearing horns, I have these incredible bleached blonde braids with embroidery on them, there's fur that's green and red, it's incredible. I liked that one a lot.'
Catherine is often underestimated because of her age and gender, how do you relate to this personally?
'I've learned so much from playing Catherine, I've become even more comfortable with myself and my style. It's like Elle Woods, right? I loved watching that film when I was growing up because the situation is totally Legally Blonde - they want to underestimate you and you have to push against it and just be you.
'I tried to change myself a little bit in high school, you know you go through phases, should I be like this, should I be like that? But now that I'm older, I'm still finding myself but I'm quite comfortable in who I am. You have to not be afraid to speak out and share your opinion. And hey, they'll learn eventually!'
You're known for your signature long blonde hair - would you ever change it?
'I have actually done it before; I went red when I was younger and I've gone brunette before. And hey, I would be open to it again. I definitely go through phases where I want to get a little bob so bad. But right now it's got so long, I love where it is. But never say never!'
