Journal · Brands and production · Cannes
Cannes Lions hair stylist on the Croisette
Every June, the world’s advertising and entertainment leaders gather on the French Riviera for the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Recently, I had the joy of working there as a hair stylist, creating hair for talent such as Alan Cumming and Lindsay Hubbard between panels, interviews and evening events. Here’s a look behind the scenes.
By Corrie Elle, founder and lead makeup artist · October 2026 · 6 min read
The short version
- I worked on-site in Cannes as a hair stylist during the Cannes Lions festival, alongside makeup artist Sonia. @makeup.sonia
- Talent included Alan Cumming and Lindsay Hubbard, styled for stages, interviews and parties.
- Festival hair has to hold through heat, sea air, back-to-back sessions and late events.
- Cannes Lions 2027 runs from June 21 to 25, and we’re now taking enquiries from brands and agencies.
Cannes Lions hair stylist behind the scenes
For the third time in a row, I was thrilled to join Sonia (@makeup.sonia), a talented makeup artist, who referred me for this job during the festival. While she took care of makeup, I looked after hair. I’m so grateful for the referral, because it’s the kind of trust that means everything in our industry.
Cannes Lions is a week of stage talks, brand activations, interviews and parties, often all on the same day. For the talent, that means hair that looks polished on stage, natural on camera and still fresh in photos taken hours later. As a result, an experienced hair stylist who can work fast makes all the difference.
Cannes Lions hair stylist for Alan Cumming and Lindsay Hubbard
Alan Cumming, host of The Traitors, appeared in front of the LIONS backstage wall, where every detail shows under bright lights. For male talent, hair is all about looking effortless: a clean, polished shape that holds all day without looking “done”. The goal is for him to look like himself on his very best day.
Lindsay Hubbard, known from Summer House, needed hair that worked from a sunny poolside afternoon to an elegant evening. Her signature blonde waves had to survive Mediterranean heat and sea air, so I relied on flexible hold that keeps movement in the hair. Then, as the day went on, I refreshed the waves between events, so they still looked soft at night.
Throughout the week, the rhythm was fast. In fact, schedules shifted, sessions ran long, and talent moved between venues. That’s why being calm, quick and discreet matters just as much as technique.
A few moments on the Riviera
Between call times, I made sure to soak up a little of the south of France. One of my favourite moments was sipping a coffee in the sunshine before heading to set, which is honestly the best way to begin a long festival day.
Walking along the Croisette past the iconic Carlton Hotel, with the sea on one side and the festival buzz on the other, I had to pinch myself. Above all, moments like these remind me how lucky I am to do this work.
Hiring a Cannes Lions hair stylist: our services
Whether you’re a broadcaster, a brand or an agency, we can travel to Cannes and plug straight into your schedule. See more of our film, TV and brand work, including our TIFF festival work.
Stage-ready
Talent and speakers
- Hair styling for panels, keynotes as well as award shows
- Polished shapes that hold, even under stage lights
- Discreet touch-ups backstage between sessions
Camera-ready
Interviews and content
- On-camera hair for interviews, podcasts as well as social content
- Frizz control, especially for outdoor and seafront shoots
- Quick changes when you switch looks or locations
Guest-ready
Brand activations
- Hair for hosts and ambassadors, as well as VIP guests
- Styling stations at beach activations as well as lounges
- Teams sized to your guest list, so no one waits
Party-ready
Evening events
- Day-to-night restyles before dinners and parties
- Elegant updos and waves for yachts and receptions
- Flexible hold, because nights run late
Need makeup as well? We can bring a makeup artist to work alongside your hair stylist.
Booking a Cannes Lions hair stylist for 2027
Cannes Lions 2027 takes place from June 21 to 25 at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes. Since experienced stylists book up quickly, here’s how we plan with you.
01
Enquire early
First, get in touch as soon as your festival plans are confirmed, ideally in the spring, so we can hold dates for you.
02
Share your schedule
Next, send us your talent list, call sheets and venues. We’ll recommend the right number of stylists and how to schedule them.
03
Plan travel and kit
Then we arrange travel to Cannes and pack a complete professional hair kit for stage, camera and evening looks.
04
Be on call all week
Finally, we arrive ready to adapt, from early calls and last-minute changes to late-night touch-ups.
Cannes Lions hair stylist: your questions
Do you travel to Cannes for Cannes Lions?
Yes. We travel for international work, including Cannes Lions. We plan travel around your schedule and quote it with your booking.
Do you style hair for male talent and executives?
Absolutely. Men’s hair is a big part of festival work: clean, polished styles that look natural on stage and on camera and hold all day.
How far in advance should we book for Cannes Lions 2027?
As early as possible. The festival runs from June 21 to 25, 2027, and experienced stylists are often booked months ahead, so spring enquiries are ideal.
What does a festival hair stylist cost?
Our festival and production work starts from $900 USD per half day, before travel. We’ll send a tailored quote once we know your schedule, talent and number of stylists.
Planning your presence at Cannes Lions 2027? Let’s talk.
Tell us about your talent, events and schedule. We’ll reply with availability and a tailored quote for hair styling on the Croisette.