Diary of a panafrican mom: Cannes Festival : modern day deities under one red carpet

Let the festivities begin.... with classical beauty!

Americans have their Oscars; the French have César!

This time of year is full of glamorous events, spread all over the world. The Cannes Festival is by far, in my opinion, the one that shows real fabulosity.

Hollywood movie stars competing with the French beauties, known for their nonchalant beauty and effortless style, competing with the rest - the Indians known for their exotic features, the Chinese - ravishing with fair and luxurious skin and blackest hair, the sculptural Italian Sophia Lorens of modern days, etc.

Overdone American actresses, with controlled fashion and statement pieces vs. simple, natural-looking flawless skinned makeup philosophy vs. the others. Because, of course, the Croisette is not just for the two categories listed above. Right now, Cannes is full of everyone who wants to be seen, from up&coming supermodels, to wealthy Italian businessmen showing off their latest sports car acquisition, to the Chinese... yes, the Chinese. The Chinese businessmen, the Chinese actresses, and the rest of the rainbow complexion spectrum.... the cake is big enough for everybody!

But let's get back to beauty, shall we?

For me, Eva is the undeniable goddess of the Croisette this year!

Wow factor, made in Eva!

Salma Hayek and husband François Henri Pinault

Made in North Africa

Moroccan native, French actress Leila Bekhti

LEILA BEKHTI, HAFSIA HERZI, SABRINA OUAZANI
and HIAM ABBASS

LEILA BEKHTI and HAFSIA HEFSI

Made in Bollywood

Again, Freida Pinto - did you say Bollywood Dream?

The Freida show

Not a stranger to the Festival, the most beautiful woman in the Universe, Aishwarya Rai strikes again, only a few months after giving birth to first baby girl

The newcomer: Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor

Right now, one can rightly say that Cannes encompasses the crème de la crème in terms of Greek goddesses-look alike(s). And yes, they are all beautiful.... After just about 24 HOURS only after the announcement of the beginning of the celebration of 2011 cinema's finest, here's the beauty bunch that already stepped on the infamous tapis rouge.