Clik here to view.
Rooney Mara has one of Hollywood's top secret weapons — and it isn't an acting coach, wellness guru, or superstar manager. (Although, she probably has those things, too.) We're talking about hairstylist Adir Abergel — an icon in the industry and the man behind some of L.A.'s biggest hair trends.
Adir, who is also the creative director for the new luxe hair line Virtue, has a knack for creating a signature look for each of his clients that is thoughtful and powerful. In a world where many stylists have a few go-to updos and blowouts they give their entire roster, Adir's work is far more bespoke.
"I do not homogenize any of my clients," says Adir, who also works with Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Garner, and Kristen Stewart. "Each one is very much an individual." But it's what he's done for Rooney Mara that we just might love the most — a series of futuristic, sleek updos inspired by his travels, his Moroccan roots, and a library of photography books he collects.
Adir is a research junkie — and we're not talking about the Instagram popular page. "For Rooney, I tend to pull a lot of images [that feature] architectural and linear looks," he explains. "Anything that has an organic, line-based feeling." The execution process is similar: He finds the looks, interprets them for her, and presents his ideas. "And then it becomes a collaboration," he says.
To celebrate Rooney's upcoming birthday, we asked Adir to break down a few of his favorite looks on her. From his $3 hair gel secret weapon to the chic adornment that inspired an entire line of accessories, he's sharing all his secrets, ahead.
Clik here to view.
Segmented Chignon
" The secret with the style is really about creating very clean partings," Adir says. "So rather than having your hair slicked back into nothing, having it sectioned off really adds a lot more style and a great detail — and it's a very easy look."
To score a similar updo, heed his advice: "Create three separate ponytails that all connect together," he says. And don't skimp on the shine spray.
Photo: Stephen Lovekin/FilmMagic.Gilded Bun
"I wanted to keep it classic, but I didn't want to do a low pony or an updo," Adir told us about this look. "I wanted something that felt modern with great architectural lines... and the gold thread looks chic without being glitz-y." Naturally, adding real gold thread to Rooney's looks set off a domino effect in the industry. (You can read the entire breakdown here.)
Clik here to view.
Twisted Topknot
That same month, he created a similar look, this time placed on the top of Rooney's head. The strategy was the same: wrap the gold thread over the elastic to create a fuss-free adornment.
From this little experiment came an entire line of hair accessories that Adir designed to allow anyone to get a similar look — minus a trip to the craft store or even Morocco for supplies. "The cuff was directly inspired by this look," he says.
Photo: Noam Galai/WireImage.Clik here to view.
Double Pony
Segmented ponytails are definitely having a moment, but Adir is quick to give credit where credit is due — and note that this is not a passing trend. "For this [inspiration], I started looking at a lot of tribal hairdos — American Indian, a lot of North African, and Bedouin. A lot of the times, they would wear their hair in two, sectioned ponytails."
To get the look, "make sure that the top ponytail is very flat when it connects to the second ponytail," he says. For a soft finish, it's vital to prep the hair with a cream-based formula, like Virtue's Polish Unfrizz, which is Adir's pick for copying this look.
Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images.Clik here to view.
Power Braid
"For this one, I was thinking, How do I make her hair feel longer than it really is? " Adir muses. "When you make two separate sections, it elongates everything."
Turns out, it's pretty simple to execute. "I started it on the top, and then I just braided the bottom braid into the top braid," he explains.
Clik here to view.
Slick Twists
The beauty to this look is sharp, perfect partings and a totally smooth finish — a breath of fresh air in a red carpet full of soft, breezy updos.
Here, Adir replies upon his longtime secret weapon: Gorilla Snot Gel, a $3 gel that keeps hair smooth and shiny — and never flakes. (You just might not want to leave it out on your pretty bathroom counter.)
Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.Want more Adir? (We don't blame you!) Surf over to his R29 tutorial for even more tips and tricks.
Clik here to view.
Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and news on the Refinery29 Beauty Facebook page. Like us on Facebook — we'll see you there!
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
How To Get Rid Of Cystic Acne, According To Top Derms
The Beauty Look That'll Make You The Coolest Girl In The Coachella Crowd
We Tried Kylie Jenner's 3 Most-Famous Makeup Looks — & We're Exhausted