To bob or not to bob? It’s a beauty dilemma many women face – and it seems Eva Longoria is no exception. Over the past few months, the actress has been switching between shoulder-skimming lengths and waist-length hair. Now, in Cannes, she’s officially back to long locks following a fleeting three-week stint with a bob.
Of course, Eva can pull off either style with ease. She proves that while bobs can be incredibly flattering in your 50s, long hair can be, too. ‘There’s a long-standing myth that women should go shorter as they get older, but in reality, it’s far more about the shape, movement and how the style frames the face,’ says hairstylist Jason Collier, founder of Studio23 and key opinion leader for Jerome Russell Bblonde.
Last night at Cannes Film Festival, the actress stepped out in a breathtaking sequinned gown – the halterneck silhouette perfectly complemented by a swishy, artfully undone ponytail. ‘Eva’s Cannes ponytail is the perfect example of how longer hair can be just as youthful and flattering as a shorter cut,’ says Jason.
Simple yet timeless, the ponytail is a beauty staple. According to Jason, it comes with anti-ageing benefits, too.‘The ponytail itself creates a subtle lifting effect. By drawing the hair up and back, it naturally opens up the face and enhances the cheekbones and jawline, giving a very elegant, sculpted appearance,’ Jason explains.
But we can’t give all the credit to the pony – it’s the strategic cut behind it, too. ‘Eva’s longer layers also add a youthful quality because they bring fluidity and bounce to the hair,’ says Jason. ‘Hair with movement tends to look healthier and more vibrant, whereas a blunt, overly structured style can sometimes feel harsher.’
He adds: ‘What really makes this style so flattering is the curtain bangs. They part softly around the face and draw attention to the eyes and cheekbones while adding movement and softness. The overall look is effortless and romantic, which is incredibly flattering on women at any age.’
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Luckily, it’s not a style that requires a glam squad or an arm workout. ‘To recreate the look, you want to start with the bangs,’ says Jason. ‘Start by blow-drying the front sections with a large round brush or velcro rollers to create that signature curtain shape. Keep the centre part soft and allow the fringe to sweep away from the face.’
Next, get your hair tie at the ready. ‘You want to gather the rest of the hair into a mid-to-high ponytail at the crown.’ Jason also notes: ‘Positioning is key here as placing the ponytail slightly higher gives the most flattering lifting effect.’
To finish, Jason recommends wrapping a small section around the base to conceal the elastic for a seamless look – just use a bobby pin to keep it in place. ‘For the effortless, undone feel, gently pull out a few face-framing pieces. Mist with a lightweight hairspray for hold and movement.’
‘The beauty of this style is that it looks polished, but it doesn’t need to be overly perfect,’ he says.
Ageless, effortless and red-carpet-worthy – it’s everything we could want from a hairstyle.
