The Dress

Laila Hamidi, Stylist to the stars at the Cannes Film Festival

Stylist Laila Hamidi, who is an international ambassador for Sisley, welcomes me in her styling suite at the Hotel Martinez in Cannes during the busy Film Festival. This year she is representing the designers Escada, Guido Maria Kretschmer, Hugo Boss and Elie Saab with which she dresses stars like Karolina Kurkova, Iris Berben and Julia Stegner. She is going to style my outfit for tonight and I am curious to find out how she prepares a perfect styling.

Read her tips and get inspired for YOUR glamorous night:

Find out your type and get focused. Which part of you would you like to emphasize? Your legs, shoulders, décolletée or waist. Once you have decided, choose a dress which emphasizes this part and makes it look even more beautiful and strong. It is the same with your make up, focus either on the eyes or the lips, never on both.

If you have decided on a very dramatic and opulent dress, keep the make-up simple and your hair easily pulled together.

Do you research when you are invited to a glamorous party. Which guest might attend and what are they going to wear? Has there been a similar party last year and are there any pictures which you can take as references? Of course you do not want to copy styles and outfits but you want to stand out in harmony just perfect for the occasion.

If you do arrive at a party and you feel overdressed, just try to be even stronger because of that. Do not play down your dress. Maybe later during the night you want to take off your heels or choose a pair of flats to an opulent dress which works perfectly.

A toned skin is the best base for your make-up. Start three days in advance with peelings and masks to tone and hydrate your skin. Use serums and toners to minimize pores and to have your skin glowing. Sleep of course helps a lot.

Hairstyles are back in fashion. Give your hair some texture and movement instead of letting it hang down straight. A classic chignon always looks good and gives your look a certain sophistication.

Be confident in your dress and walk well in your heels. The best beauty trick is self-assurance, so wear your ball gown as if you have been born with it….