In the world of red carpet beauty, there’s polished and then there’s Mara Roszak. Known for her effortlessly chic, natural approach to hair, Mara has quietly shaped some of the most iconic looks of the last two decades. From Emma Stone’s whimsical pixie grow-out to Zoe Saldana’s glossy waves and Olivia Wilde’s undone elegance, her signature style is both artful and intuitive, always enhancing, never overpowering.
But for Mara, great hair is more than just a finished look, it’s a feeling. What began as a teenage obsession in Laurel Canyon eventually led to a career styling Hollywood’s elite, and most recently, to the creation of her own clean, high-performance haircare line: RŌZ (pronounced “rose”). Designed to bring the same elevated, editorial-quality hair home, RŌZ reflects everything Mara believes in: softness, intention, sustainability, and care.
We sat down with Mara to talk about the evolution of her craft, her long-standing relationship with Emma Stone, and why she believes the best hair moments start with a deeper connection to yourself.
You’ve styled some of the most iconic beauty looks in Hollywood. What first drew you to hair, and did you always know this would be your path? I’ve been obsessed with hair for as long as I can remember. Growing up in Laurel Canyon, surrounded by nature kookie artists. I started playing with my own hair afer i turned 13 and developed a frizzy curly mane, post puberty. The trend was very much straight hair at the time, i was determined to “fit in. After mastering my own blow out, i turned to my close friends, styled them for birthdays, bar mitzvahs, prom! It really brought me out of my shell and connected me to my community, sisterhood! I went to beauty school at 16 and began styling hair professionally shortly after. What I love most about hair is the ability to help people feel confident and authentically themselves—seeing the transformation and joy that great hair can bring aloows me to feel fully in my purpose. RŌZ is an extension of that.
You’ve been working with Emma Stone for years. Can you share a favorite hair moment you’ve created with her, and what makes that creative collaboration so special? Trust is key, and it is something that is formed overtime. We also have SO MUCH FUN in the process. I have so many favorites, its hard to choose. We’ve been working together almost 20 years, so there are tons to choose from, we’ve covered sleek modern, to old Hollywood, and everything in between. She is someone who can really take on any style (and color) . However, I am loving her 90’s whimsy pixie grow out right now and am personally having SO much fun collaborating with her on looks and different ways to style it. There really are endless looks and its so cool and chic!
Your brand, RŌZ, is rooted in clean, elevated haircare that performs. What inspired you to create your own line, and what was missing before? I’ve curated my hairstylist kit over 20+ years with the best of the best products that allow me to create ANY hairstyle on every hair type. I noticed nothing in my kit was clean or in sustainable packaging—that delivered the professional level results required on set and red carpet.
Every RŌZ formula is tested on set and in the salon (sometimes for years) before it makes it into the line. Formulating products is a true labor of love, challenging in all of hte ways because there aren’t products that perform like ours on the market. Im so proud of our formulations and truly want everyone to experience them. They will change their hair!
Your line is clean, plant-powered, and high-performance. Which ingredients or formulations are you most proud of, and why? I’m especially proud of Evergreen Style Cream, which we launched earlier this year. It took years of testing, tweaking, and refining to get it just right, and I truly believe there’s not another product out there that’s like it. I wanted something that was lightweight – with flexible hold while keeping hair soft, moldable, never stiff or flaky. It’s infused with shea butter and pea protein, which supports hair health, a key focus for me while formulating. For me, as a hairstylist, that combination is everything: hair needs to move naturally, feel healthy, and still hold shape. It’s such a versatile product – it can be used for defining waves and taming flyaways, or creating a sleek sculptural updo.
Many people don’t know how to style their hair without heat. Which RŌZ products help support a natural, air-dried look that still feels polished? A lot of people want that effortless, polished look but aren’t sure how to get there without heat. For me, it’s about hydration, and smooth definition. That’s where Milk Hair Serum and Santa Lucia Styling Oil come in. Milk gives light weight hydration and smoothing so the natural waves and texture form beautifully without frizz. I like to combine Milk with Santa Lucia styling oil which is also incredibly light weight and adds more smoothing, defining and frizz free shine. BOTH are also clinically proven to protect from up to 450 degrees of heat if you do heat style. Shop Milk Hair Serum Here. Shop Santa Lucia Styling Oil Here
If someone’s new to RŌZ, what should they start with — and why? It always comes back to the foundation of good hair: Foundation Shampoo and Conditioner. Wash days are the most important part of haircare, this is when hair receives nourishment, moisture, and attention. The shampoo cleanses gently without stripping, and the conditioner restores softness, smooths, and strengthens each strand. Starting here sets the stage for everything else—texture, styling, and long-term health. Shop the duo here.
What’s one product every person should keep in their kit for quick styling on the go? Milk Hair Serum. Its the daily moisturizer for your hair. it’s lightweight, nourishing, and versatile, like a daily moisturizer for your hair. I use it on damp hair to hydrate and enhance natural texture, or on dry hair to refresh, smooth, and soften between washes. Its our best seller for a reason, everyone needs it. Shop Milk Hair Serum here.
Are there any surprising ways to use your products, maybe something people don’t expect, but you do all the time? I love using our ROOT lift spray before a blow out for touchable volume, but also in lieu of a dry shampoo-like product. I spray it on dry day 2 and 3 roots and hit it with the blow dryer and my hair is totally revived post traveling and in between washes for beautifully refreshed hair! Shop ROOT Lift Spray here.
What’s your personal hair routine for everyday? I definitely keep my own personal hair routine simple. I often wash my hair at night (it’s the only time I have with two young kids) and I’ll go to bed with damp hair. People often ask if sleeping with wet hair causes damage, and my answer is no, not if you care for it properly. I’ll run a few pumps of Milk Hair Serum throughout my hair before brushing through and then pull it back into a tight bun. In the morning I’ll add Santa Lucia through mid lengths and ends, then fully air dry my waves. On occasion I’ll give myself a blow out which will last for 3-4 days. Before blowing I’ll use Santa Lucia on damp hair before blow drying and it cuts down dry time significantly, and has a huge impact on the effortless smooth results.
What’s your bigger vision for ROZ? Where do you want to take the brand next—more SKUs, salon education, editorial, global expansion This feels like such an exciting chapter for RŌZ. There’s a real palpable energy across the team, and we’re all learning so much and so inspired by all the possibilities ahead. My hope is that we grow with intention—expanding thoughtfully, building trust with our community, and continuing to prove that performance and clean can exist in the BEST of formulations that truly change your experience with your hair.
I want RŌZ to be a brand that shows up everywhere hair lives: in the salon, on set, in your bathroom, and across the world. And I want us to keep leading with care and artistry. We’re just at the beginning of what’s possible.
