Salma Hayek, 59, and Daughter Valentina at the Serpentine Event Spark Debate Over Who She Really Takes After – Photos

The actress and her daughter stepped out together in London, and at first glance, it looked like a sweet mother-daughter fashion moment. But once the photos spread online, the conversation took a sharp turn, because many people were looking at Valentina and seeing someone else entirely.

Salma Hayek and Valentina Pinault appeared at The Serpentine Summer Party 2026 in London on June 23, bringing a glamorous edge to the event. Hayek wore a pale silver-gray, almost lavender gown with a dramatic sculptural shoulder detail, while Pinault chose a sleek black satin look with sunglasses and loose blonde waves.

A Glamorous Mother-Daughter Moment That Quickly Turned Into an Online Debate

Together, they made a striking pair. But the internet, as usual, did not stop at the outfits. Almost immediately, people began debating whether Pinault looked like her famous mother or whether she had inherited more of her father, François-Henri's features.

The discussion quickly became one of those celebrity-family resemblance debates where everyone seemed to have a very firm opinion.

On Facebook, one person wrote, "They don't look alike at all, [sic] she sadly takes after her father." Someone else was even more direct about Valentina's resemblance, writing, "Valentina looks like her father. She has a huge [sic] long chin, like him. Nothing from her mother."

Jumping on the bandwagon, another user added, "Twins? They don't even look like they're related." One more commenter echoed, "Do not look like twins her daughter looks the opposite of her. She's got blonde hair. Her face is different. They don't look like twins at all. What are you people thinking my God come on [sic]."

The same debate continued on Instagram, where several users insisted Pinault looked more like her dad than her mom. One spectator opined, "She got her dad's whole face 😂 cute!" Another agreed, "That's her daddy [sic] twin." A third user commented, "Unfortunately, she looks like her dad's mini, respectfully. There will only be one."

Then the Conversation Shifted to Hayek's Appearance

But the discussion did not stay focused only on Pinault. Some observers shifted attention to Hayek's appearance, with one person exclaiming, "Salma did something to her face!"

Another commenter added, "Salma has had some work done," and a reply beneath that comment read, "face is looking tight 🤣." Another marveled, "SH hairline! What IS this???"

Someone else wondered, "Bit [aic] heavy on the filler? Thought she was all natural 😮." Over on Reddit, the comments were focused more sharply on Hayek's styling and overall look. One user penned, "I think the color is beautiful and pairs well with her head styling....I am concerned with how the dress pulls quite a bit 😬."

Another commented, "The first pic looks so painful because she looks so pained! Undergarments too constricting, dress too constricting, hair pulled taught [sic]. The sartorial equivalent of hanging off a cliff by fingernails. I feel anxious looking at all of them. Salma, just breathe! And get a new MUA!"

Someone else wondered, "Is she... in pain?" Another user expressed, "I don't think the dress is supposed to fit so tightly. And she looks great, but enough with the tight ponytails to hide aging eyes. She's Salma Hayek, who approved this? 😤☺️."

A different person added, "Ouch! Her face hurts," while another netizen remarked, "Too severe of a look. Hair and forehead looks backwards [sic]."

What Hayek Has Said About Botox, Beauty, and Aging

Still, while the online reactions were intense, Hayek has spoken before about her appearance and how she approaches aging. In 2023, she addressed the subject during Kelly Ripa's "Let’s Talk Off Camera" podcast, where she firmly declared, "No Botox!"

At the time, Hayek explained that her secret was not injectables but a personal form of meditation. She said, "I know what it is," adding, "Because of a lot of things in my body and health issues, somehow I developed this strange meditation that I keep evolving. I can do it for hours because I don't feel the time. It's so much fun."

She continued, "It's actually feeling the energy. It moves and it dances inside of you, different feelings and sensations." Hayek also said that after practicing this meditation, people notice a difference in her face. According to her, they tell her, "Oh my god [sic]. Again, you look 20."

The actress admitted that when she does not keep up with the practice, she notices changes. "When I don't do it for some time, guess what?" she shared. "The face starts to drop and everything starts to drop. My herniated disc, the problem in my neck, the problem in my hip, my ankles—I start breaking down."

She also joked that her husband does not fully believe in the practice, adding, "He doesn't meditate and he really doesn't want to believe in the energy. He really tries hard not to." Nevertheless, he remains supportive of her regimen.

Then, in 2025, Hayek also spoke about beauty treatments after announcing her partnership with Merz Aesthetics' Ultherapy Prime. The treatment is described as FDA-cleared and non-invasive, using ultrasound energy to firm and lift skin by stimulating collagen and elastin production.

In that interview, Hayek said there was no shame in being open about what she had tried. She explained that while she had not gotten Botox, filler, or surgery, she had noticed her neck changing faster than her face and wanted a non-surgical option.

She also described her broader philosophy on aging, saying, "I've always had a very natural approach to my self-care and have tried to age gracefully. So, I have stayed away from all the trends, not even fillers or Botox."

For Salma Hayek, the goal is not simply to look perfect in the present moment, as she divulged, "I'm an actress and I also have children and a husband. I want it to be very clear to my children when I'm unhappy about something and it shows in my face. I also want them to see my face when I'm so proud of them."

She added, "So my philosophy has been not trying to see what is the best I can look today, but what am I going to do so that I can look my best at 70?"

One Event, Two Big Online Conversations

That makes the latest wave of comments especially interesting. While some viewers focused on Pinault's resemblance to her father, others zeroed in on Hayek's face, hair, and gown — turning one glamorous appearance into a full-blown debate.

And while the latest outing sparked fresh chatter about the 59-year-old's appearance, a closer glance through the years offers a fuller picture — from her signature features and red-carpet close-ups to how her style, beauty choices, and appearance have evolved up to 2026.

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