From Jane Fonda to Sharon Stone, this year's Cannes Film Festival has once again proved that Hollywood's most glamorous women are effortlessly rewriting the rules of ageing. Walking the red carpet alongside stars often decades younger, many of cinema's biggest names appeared remarkably youthful.
But unlike the frozen, over-filled celebrity faces that once dominated headlines, experts say today's subtle aesthetic trend is all about looking naturally refreshed, healthy, and believable. Using observational commentary from Dr Rupert Critchley, medical doctor and founder of VIVA Skin Clinics, a picture is emerging of a new era in celebrity aesthetics, focused less on dramatic transformation and more on subtle, long-term maintenance.
The Shift Towards Natural Beauty
"We are seeing a huge move away from aggressively altered appearances," says Dr Critchley. "Patients now want healthier looking skin, good structural support, natural facial movement and consistency between the face, neck and overall appearance." Under the intense glare of Cannes flash photography, those details become even more noticeable, particularly around the jawline, neck and skin texture, areas that are often much harder to disguise under high definition photography and harsh lighting.
Joan Collins: A Timeless Icon
At 92, Joan Collins remains one of the most striking examples of glamorous ageing in Hollywood. Her facial structure, jawline and skin quality remain exceptionally preserved, particularly given her age. While there are still natural signs of ageing visible through the neck area, Dr Critchley says the overall appearance remains remarkably balanced and believable.
"The important thing is that the neck still feels well matched to the face," he explains. "An overly rejuvenated face paired with a dramatically older neck can sometimes appear unnatural, especially under high definition photography where texture, laxity and skin quality become far more visible." He says celebrities are now increasingly aware that the neck often reveals ageing faster than the face due to thinner skin, constant movement and lower collagen density. Potential treatments that may contribute to this type of result can include facelift and neck lift surgery, radiofrequency skin tightening, laser resurfacing, collagen stimulating injectables and regenerative treatments such as polynucleotides and skin boosters.
Jane Fonda: Sculpted and Refined
Similarly, Jane Fonda, 88, continues to fascinate both fans and aesthetic experts thanks to her sculpted jawline, refined skin quality and smooth neck contour. "Her neck appears noticeably younger than would typically be expected for her age," says Dr Critchley. "The jaw neck transition remains smooth, with relatively limited skin laxity, which can be difficult to maintain naturally over time." He explains that one of the biggest changes in modern aesthetics is the move away from obvious cosmetic work and towards what experts call regenerative aesthetics, treatments designed to improve collagen production, skin quality and structural support gradually over time.
"The modern goal is no longer to look like a different person," says Dr Critchley. "The most sophisticated results now focus on preserving identity, movement and overall harmony."
Demi Moore: Structural and Regenerative
That approach is particularly visible in Demi Moore, whose appearance has sparked major online discussion throughout Cannes. Dr Critchley describes her appearance as "structural and regenerative rather than transformative." "Her face still appears recognisably her," he explains. "There is definition and structural support present, but importantly the overall appearance still feels natural and expressive." He notes that the neck also remains closely matched to the face, with strong jawline definition and relatively limited laxity beneath the chin. Potential treatments that may contribute include RF microneedling, ultrasound tightening, preventative collagen stimulation, laser resurfacing and conservative surgical maintenance procedures.
Heidi Klum: Preventative Approach
Meanwhile, supermodel Heidi Klum represents a slightly younger generation embracing a more preventative approach to ageing. "Her appearance feels maintenance driven rather than heavily rejuvenated," says Dr Critchley. "The skin quality remains consistent from the face through to the neck and décolletage, which becomes especially noticeable under red carpet flash photography." Experts say younger celebrities are increasingly starting skin quality treatments much earlier than previous generations, focusing on prevention rather than correction once severe ageing changes appear.
Marion Cotillard: Natural Movement
Marion Cotillard, 50, retains significant natural facial movement and character, something experts say often contributes more to perceived youthfulness than simply removing lines or wrinkles. Her skin quality appears exceptionally well maintained, particularly around the mid face and eye area, with relatively minimal visible textural ageing. There also appears to be strong facial volume preservation without the heaviness or puffiness sometimes associated with excessive filler use. "What stands out most is balance," says Dr Critchley. "That is often what prevents someone from looking overly treated or artificial." Potential contributing approaches may include subtle Botox use, skin boosters, regenerative injectables, laser resurfacing, collagen stimulation treatments and strong long term skincare maintenance. Importantly, the neck also appears aesthetically well matched to the face, with relatively limited laxity or creping visible.
Cate Blanchett: Elegant Ageing
Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, 57, continues to embody what many experts describe as elegant ageing rather than aggressive anti ageing. Her appearance suggests excellent skin quality and likely long term maintenance rather than dramatic transformation. The skin remains bright, relatively even in tone and structurally refined without appearing excessively tight or overfilled. There is also relatively little lower face heaviness for her age, with maintained jawline definition and strong neck quality. Her naturally angular bone structure may partly explain why the chin and jawline appear particularly sculpted in some images, although subtle structural support treatments and skin tightening may also contribute. Importantly, her appearance still avoids the rounded or overfilled look often associated with excessive filler use. There is natural movement, individuality and visible facial character present, which is often what keeps results looking sophisticated rather than artificial. Potential contributing treatments may include conservative lower face rejuvenation, fractional laser treatments, radiofrequency skin tightening, subtle Botox use, collagen stimulating treatments and medical grade skincare.
"Patients are increasingly asking for fresher looking skin rather than dramatically altered facial features," says Dr Critchley. "Cate Blanchett reflects that shift very well."
Gillian Anderson: Luminous Complexion
Gillian Anderson, also 57, is another strong example of skin quality driving perceived youthfulness. Her complexion appears luminous, even and relatively firm, particularly through the cheeks and periocular region. There also appears to be relatively limited volume loss compared with many women in this age bracket. Potential approaches that may contribute include laser resurfacing, skin boosters, regenerative injectables such as polynucleotides, subtle filler placement, neuromodulators and consistent long term skincare. "She also appears to have avoided excessive volume augmentation," says Dr Critchley. "Ironically, overfilling can sometimes make patients appear older rather than younger." The face and neck also appear relatively harmonious in terms of ageing profile, something experts increasingly consider one of the clearest indicators of successful aesthetic maintenance.
Sharon Stone: Age-Appropriate Rejuvenation
At 67, Basic Instinct star Sharon Stone is frequently cited as an example of elegant, age appropriate rejuvenation rather than attempting to look dramatically younger. She has retained natural facial character and movement, which is often what keeps aesthetic results believable and balanced. Her jawline and neck remain impressively defined, with relatively limited laxity or heaviness beneath the chin. As always, this is observational only, but this type of appearance can sometimes be associated with a combination of consistent long term skin maintenance alongside more structural rejuvenation approaches such as a lower facelift or neck lift. Importantly, her appearance avoids the overfilled or overly tight look sometimes associated with excessive filler use. Instead, the overall effect feels refined, healthy and natural. Potential contributing treatments may include facelift or neck lift surgery, subtle Botox, conservative filler placement, laser resurfacing, skin tightening, collagen stimulation and regenerative treatments alongside strong long term skincare and sun protection.
The Future of Aesthetic Treatments
Increasingly, experts say patients are requesting neck treatments much earlier than previous generations did, not necessarily to dramatically reverse ageing, but to slow visible changes before they become severe. Popular procedures now include RF microneedling, laser resurfacing, collagen biostimulators, skin boosters and preventative tightening procedures. "At VIVA Skin Clinics, we are seeing far more patients treating the neck proactively," says Dr Critchley. "People are realising that facial rejuvenation alone can sometimes look incomplete if the neck is ageing at a different rate." And on the Cannes red carpet, where every line, contour and skin texture is magnified by cameras from every possible angle, that natural looking balance may now be Hollywood's ultimate beauty goal.
