How to Nail Charlize Theron’s Punk Pompadour This Summer
In a post- mini mullet mania world, Charlize Theron is rocking her own version of the grunge beauty revival.
With the help of her hairstylist, WWD Style Awards honoree Adir Abergel , the 50-year-old actress has perfected what's now been coined the "punk pompadour," an edgy, side-slicked updo similar to Kristen Stewart's signature aesthetic.
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Charlize Theron poses at a red carpet event for the film "The Odyssey" in Seoul.
Theron was spotted sporting the look at "The Odyssey" press event in Seoul on Tuesday, clad in head-to-toe Celine. In a comment sent exclusively to WWD, Abergel said the hairdo was designed to "borrow the glamour of the '50s" and juxtapose it with the attitude of the '80s. "Charlize wears both worlds so effortlessly, and that's what makes the look feel powerful and modern," he added. "The goal was a pompadour that looked polished enough for the red carpet but still had enough movement and texture to feel alive."
A closer look at Charlize Theron's "punk pompadour."
To start, Abergel coated Theron's hair in Virtue Labs Damage Reverse Serum , working the product in from her mid-lengths to her ends. On top of the hairline and over the sides, he added a "dime-size amount" of Virtue's Un-Frizz Cream . "Blow-dry with the TYMO Airhype Blow Dryer on medium heat and high airflow, drying the front up and back to start building height and smoothing the sides down flat against the head," he noted in an official breakdown.
Once the hair is dry, "make a V-shaped section at the front — start above each temple and bring both lines back to meet at a point toward the crown," Abergel continued. This section will later become the pompadour.
A side view of Charlize Theron's hair.
Next, Abergel said you are to form a "tight pintail" with the sides and top, behind the "V" section. "Pull it straightback into a very tight, sleek ponytail high at the crown; secure it with a clear elastic. Leave the bottom layer of the bob — if applicable — loose underneath so it falls in a clean, straight line from ear to ear," the artist said, adding that a flat iron should smooth over the pulled-back sides and bottom line.
The final step is to build the pompadour. Using a few drops of hair oil — preferably Virtue Labs Healing Oil , Abergel said — and more of the Un-Frizz Cream, unclip and comb out the "V." "Backcomb gently at the roots for height, then sweep the section up and back over the crown and pin it down just behind the pintail, smoothing the top surface so it stays polished but textured," Abergel said.
If the punk rocker look isn't your vibe, but you're looking for hair inspiration from another decade past, try Amal Clooney's "bell-bottom blowout." Here, WWD speaks with stylists about how to achieve the aesthetic.
Best Hair and Makeup Moments from 'The Odyssey' Red Carpet, Live Updates [PHOTOS]
Launch Gallery: The Best Looks From the Odyssey Premieres
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