Helen Mirren Shares Her Top Red Carpet Tip to Make Events 'Bearable'

Published: May 23, 2025

Helen Mirren, 79, has learned a few tricks to make red carpet events, like the Oscars or Cannes Film Festival, more enjoyable. The L'Oréal Paris spokesperson shares her top tip: it's all about the shoes.

"I've learned over the years, your shoes have to be bearable," Mirren tells PEOPLE. "They don't have to be comfortable. And in fact, sometimes is a bit boring, and you want cool shoes. But they have to be bearable because if you're in unbearable pain, that is going to reflect on your face and your posture and everything."

Mirren adds that once she's figured out her "bearable" shoes, she goes for maximum comfort with her outfit. She's witnessed other stars on carpets, from the massive steps at the Cannes Film Festival to the grand stage at the Academy Awards, fiddling with their clothes or a poorly fit dress, and she simply doesn't have the time or energy for that anymore.

Comfortable and Confident on the Red Carpet

"I've come to a point where I just want [my red carpet outfit] to be comfortable as well," she admits. "Beauty knows no pain. I have been there more than once, you know, sucking up the pain for my vanity. But again, it reflects on your face if you're comfortable. [A red carpet is] a performance. It is like going on stage, really, and I treat it as such. It's a sort of wonderful, fun, silly performance."

Mirren walked the Cannes Film Festival red carpet on May 22 for the Colors of Time premiere in a form-fitting black gown with long sleeves. It was accented by a Tiffany blue sash around her waist that tied into an oversized bow at her back before floating out into a short train. Mirren topped her look off with a statement fascinator, but the boldest part of her look was her jaw-dropping Margot McKinney necklace called the Marina Collier.

L'Oréal Paris Lights on Women's Worth Awards

Mirren tells PEOPLE that it means a "huge amount" to be involved and help support women in film alongside L'Oréal Paris. The L'Oréal Paris Lights on Women's Worth Awards, taking place on May 23, aims to champion emerging female voices in film.

"It's always a very moving evening that we give out those awards and they get nominated by their communities," Mirren shares. "And [the winners] get a financial donation to their charity, a substantial financial donation. Likewise, the filmmakers get a donation towards financing their next movie, which is great. It makes a huge difference, because it's very difficult to raise finance for any film — the most established filmmakers find it difficult to raise money."

Favorite L'Oréal Paris Product

Mirren admits that she's "always up for the latest thing" because the beauty landscape is always changing, but when it comes down to it, one L'Oréal Paris product will always be in her rotation.

"There's an incredible leave-in serum that L'Oréal has done, and it's a beautiful, beautiful product," she gushes. "I think it's called the Elvive leave-in serum. It's beautiful."

Mirren goes on to say that she loves playing around with new products because they quite simply make her "feel good" and at the end of the day, that's what matters most for her.

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