THE BEST IN BEAUTY
FROM THOSE WHO KNOW BEST

VIOLET GREY began with our search for the best eyelash curler. To find the answer, we formed a band of inside-Hollywood experts and editors — from makeup artists to movie stars — to test every eyelash curler against our rigorous set of standards (the VIOLET CODE). We tested on film sets, on red carpets, and in the back of Jack Nicholson’s limousine — and once we learned which curler would make our lashes curve and not crimp (Utowa, it’s from Japan), we moved on to mascara, lip stain, dry shampoo, and everything else a girl needs in her cosmetic wardrobe. On any given day, we are discovering, testing, and approving best-in-class beauty. The result is a discerning curation of products, tips, and inspiration deemed essential — the Industry’s Beauty Edit.

VIOLET LOOK:

THE
WINDSWEPT
Hair TUTORIAL

Hairstylist Adir Abergel conceives a fluid, touseled ’do for Sarah Paulson’s cover shoot.

Written ByJAYME CYK

Photography ByNAJ JAMAÏ

Makeup ByFRANCESCA TOLOT

Hair ByADIR ABERGEL

Styled ByWILLIAM GRAPER

Nails BySTEPHANIE STONE

HAIR Serge Normant Meta Lush Volumizer, T3 Featherweight 2 Hair Dryer, Oribe Rough Luxury Molding Wax, HOT TOOLS 3/4” MARCEL CURLING IRON FASHION MAISON MARGIELA SWEATER, La perla SLIP, KC SUKAMTO EARRINGS

THE ARTIST

Adir Abergel | @hairbyadir

THE INSPIRATION

Capturing the quiet moments and rituals of a film star preparing for a high-wattage premiere, as modeled by Sarah Paulson in her cover story for The Violet Files.

WHERE TO WEAR

To Harvey Weinstein’s Golden Globes after-party, once you’ve slipped into something a bit more comfortable.

MEET THE FACE

Sarah Paulson | Actress | @mssarahcatherinepaulson

the WINDSWEPT
HAIR tutorial

BY adir abergel

Shop Now

EASY TEXTURE

I used this volumizer to create texture at the roots. This is important because without the right foundation, everything collapses. It’s about getting grit and movement.

Serge Normant

Meta Lush Volumizer

Shop Now

Shop Now

EFFORTLESS BODY

After applying the Serge Normant Volumizer, I rough-dried her hair by lifting it at the roots with my fingers and blow-drying upward to create some additional body and movement.

Featherweight 2 Hair Dryer

Shop Now

Shop Now

BEND AND SEAL

To finish off the look, I used the Hot Tools 3/4" Curling Iron and put a little bit of a bend randomly throughout the hair for some added texture. Then I applied the Oribe Wax at the ends of the hair to create some pieceness and separation.

Oribe

Rough Luxury Molding Wax

Shop Now

ARTIST STATS

Name: Adir Abergel
Known For: (Seemingly) effortless, touchable hair
Where to Find Him: Los Angeles

Clients: Marion Cotillard, Rooney Mara, Kristen Stewart
Years in the Industry: 20+
Instagram: @hairbyadir

Mentions in The Violet Files: Polished Party Hair, Red Carpet Beauty: Reese Witherspoon
Agent: Samantha Jeudy @ Starworks

While growing up in California, 11-year-old Adir Abergel styled and colored the hair of all the moms in his neighborhood. Then he documented the looks by taking their photographs with a disposable camera. But when not working on his neighbors’ hair, Abergel was dancing, something he thought he would pursue his entire adult career. But after eight years, he suffered from a muscle injury in his foot and went back to one of his favorite hobbies. “I’ve always been passionate about the art form of hair,” he says. “It is one of the most incredible accessories a woman can actually wear.”

The California-based hairstylist got his first job at age 15, assisting Arthur Johns in taking care of the locks of Olivia Newton-John, Tina Turner, and Chaka Khan. Six years after a steady education in the salon and an apprenticeship with Johns, Abergel went off on his own and landed in the world of music videos, working with Jewel, Missy Elliott, TLC, and Fiona Apple. But when that part of the industry started to dissipate, Abergel moved to London and began to build relationships in fashion, assisting artists like Odile Gilbert, Julien Dy’s, and Orlando Pita. “Through those relationships I’ve been able to shoot a lot of campaigns like Hermès and Chanel and meet incredibly talented photographers,” he says. “That’s how I’ve evolved my career.”

Today, his devoted clientele includes Rooney Mara, Jennifer Garner, Marion Cotillard, and Kristen Stewart, among others. “There’s always an individuality to the hair that I do,” says Abergel. “It’s never homogenized. Hair is powerful. Hair is transformative, and I always make sure that the woman I’m working on is being highlighted.”