Charlize Theron's hairstylist reveals the most overlooked product in his collection.

      Welcome to The Who What Wear Podcast, your direct connection to the designers, stylists, beauty specialists, editors, and influencers who are reshaping the fashion and beauty landscape. Make sure to subscribe to The Who What Wear Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

      In this episode, celebrity hairstylist Adir Abergel shares his insights on creating Charlize Theron's breathtaking hair looks for her press tour of The Odyssey - YouTube.

      Adir Abergel began his hairstyling journey at a young age, starting around 9 or 10 when he learned to style the hair of the women around him. "I grew up surrounded by strong Moroccan women who loved getting their hair done to manage their frizz," Abergel said. "To earn some extra money, they persuaded me to color and style their hair." Today, Abergel is renowned for working with major Hollywood stars, including Charlize Theron, one of the lead actors in The Odyssey. In this latest episode of The Who What Wear Podcast, he shares with Who What Wear co-founder Hillary Kerr about his beginnings, insights into Theron's memorable press tour styles, and more. For quotes from their discussion, scroll down.

      For those listening for the first time, could you share a little about how you became the fabulous Adir Abergel? I relocated to the United States at the age of 7. Since I didn’t speak the language, I had to adapt quickly, thanks to some amazing teachers who dedicated their time to me. I was fortunate to be surrounded by strong Moroccan women who adored hair styling to combat their frizz. They convinced me to help with their hair color when I was around 9 or 10. At 15, I enrolled in Santa Monica College and cosmetology school. While there, I heard about an assistant position and took the bus to Beverly Hills, where I met Arthur Johns. At that time, I didn’t realize he had previous assistants like Sally Hershberger and Jonathan Antin. I managed to convince him to let me quit school and train as an apprentice, leading to nearly seven and a half years of work with him.

      Let's discuss your approach for working with Charlize Theron on this press tour. Can we start with the London premiere? I always begin the tour by understanding what outfits will be worn and assessing Charlize's hair. I had just completed working on a movie for three and a half months titled Tyrant, where she portrayed an exceptional Michelin-star chef. I had crafted a strong, symmetrical bob that I loved, which I wanted to maintain for the tour. I reflected on historical inspirations and created mood boards. Notably, the dress included a striking gather that created beautiful symmetry, so I aimed to mirror that tension in Charlize's hair. However, achieving that with a structured bob was challenging, as it lacked layers. It’s not the easiest look for someone to replicate at home, but knowing it is achievable for an event makes it worthwhile. My goal was to have a structured but soft style that highlighted the clarity of the bob, focusing on linear lines.

      Now, could you describe the look she sported at the Paris photo-call in front of the Eiffel Tower? Haircuts play a vital role in this process, and investing in a good haircut is essential. The magic comes from having weight, meaning the cut needs to be blunt, creating a heavy foundation. This works wonders for both fine and thick hair, providing that fullness at the bottom. For the top, I didn’t add much volume; instead, I used my fingers to wrap and scrunch the hair, then utilized a diffuser without any curling irons or heat.

      Now, let's have a quick lightning round. What’s the most underrated product in your kit? I absolutely love my Sheila Stotts detangling brush.

      And what's a hair ritual that might seem excessive but can transform your life? Taking care of your scalp is crucial. In the past, it was common to go six days without washing hair; however, the scalp needs regular attention. There’s a microbiome and bacteria present, and to achieve healthier hair, it all starts with the scalp. Most of the time, we focus on washing our hair rather than our scalp. At Virtue, we have fantastic scalp products aimed at enhancing hair health from the roots.

      This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.