On the latest red carpets, one detail attracts the eye almost as much as the couture dresses: a thin line of metal that seems to float along the cartilage. This minimalist ear jewel, discreet but very graphic, is everywhere in the photos of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. So much so that we end up forgetting the classic pendants and only looking at this piece which goes up the ear like a line of light.
From Mélanie Thierry to Cate Blanchett, including Adèle Exarchopoulos, they have all focused on this new way of adorning the ear, without making the silhouette heavier or increasing the number of piercings. Behind this very clear wave hides a single object, which has become a signature of the star looks of the moment, which intrigues as much as it makes you want to adopt it in turn.
Ear cuff: minimalist, no-piercing celebrity ear jewelry
The ear cuff is a piece of ear jewelry without piercing that simply clips onto the cartilage, conch or helix. No appointment with the piercer, no scarring to manage: it is applied and removed in a few seconds, purely for the pleasure of styling. In the thin, smooth version, it draws just a metallic line along the ear, enough to catch the light without stealing the spotlight from the rest of the outfit.
When it becomes wider, set with diamonds or sculpted, the ear cuff transforms into a real statement piece. Worn alone, it immediately gives a more couture look to a suit or a black dress. Combined with other earrings, it creates a very fashionable layering effect, which gives the impression of a fully jeweled ear even though no additional holes have been drilled.
Cannes 2026: the looks that crowned the ear cuff
On May 13, 2026, Mélanie Thierry climbs the steps to defend. Her pixie cut and her very simple Dior slip dress are enhanced by a spectacular Tasaki ear cuff in white gold, set with white and yellow diamonds, which creates a sort of palm along the ear. The next day, at the film’s photocall, she chose a more delicate version, punctuated with three pearls, proof that the same principle can pass from the red carpet to a more daytime atmosphere.
Adèle Exarchopoulos, for the photocall of , adopts the chic uniform of the Parisienne – oversized blazer, white tank top, raw jeans, pumps – which she twists with two XXL diamond ear cuffs, one in the shape of an angelic wing, the other enveloping the entire ear. On May 16, Cate Blanchett caused a sensation on the steps of with a Louis Vuitton Haute Joaillerie ear clip worn like a work of art on an architectural black dress. Julianne Moore brightens her red dress with two white gold Messika clips, while Marina Foïs chooses a starry model with celestial accents for the screening of . Outside of Cannes, Pauline Ducruet wore it during the Monte-Carlo Star Festival, Keira Knightley adopted it in her summer wardrobe, and Vittoria Ceretti wore it on the red carpet of .
How to wear ear cuff like a celebrity
To properly fit an ear cuff, the idea is to take advantage of the naturally thinner areas of the ear. We slide it from the narrowest edge, then we move it up until it fits on the cartilage, conch or helix. The jewelry must hold firmly without pinching or leaving a visible mark on the skin, so that it can be worn for several hours, in the evening as well as in everyday life.
Hairstyle changes everything. Loose hair remains the best option: high or low bun, flat ponytail, hair slicked back or simply strands tucked behind the ears to free the jewelry. A few points of reference help you get your bearings:
- a thin, golden ear cuff to accompany a blurred bob and a daytime look;
- a sculptural model set with stones to replace a necklace during a formal evening;
- a duo of matching cuffs to modernize an oversized blazer or minimalist dress.
By playing on asymmetry – a single, very visible ear cuff on one side, a simple chip on the other – we easily find the spirit of the Cannes red carpets, without exactly copying the fine jewelry sets of celebrities.
What exactly is an ear cuff?
An ear cuff is an ear cuff, that is to say a piece of jewelry that clips onto the cartilage, conch or helix without requiring drilling, to create a very graphic jeweled ear effect.
Do you have to pierce your ear to wear an ear cuff?
No, the principle of the ear cuff is precisely based on the absence of drilling: it is fixed by simple pressure on the ear and is removed just as easily.
How do I know if my ear cuff is correctly positioned?
An ear cuff is well placed when it does not slip when moving the head, does not pinch the skin and does not leave lasting redness after a few minutes of wear.
Can you wear an ear cuff every day?
You can absolutely wear an ear cuff on a daily basis, provided you choose a comfortable model, remove it to sleep and regularly check that the pressure is not too strong.
Which ear cuff to choose for a minimalist look?
For a minimalist look, it is better to opt for a thin, smooth or very slightly textured ear cuff, to wear alone on one ear with your hair open.
