What 'Republican Hair' Really Means (& The Worst Offenders)

Your hair can say a lot about who you are as a person, but can it even express your political preferences? That seems to be the case when it comes to the recognizable "Republican hair" that is often worn by conservative women, including the female faces of Fox News.

The basis for "Republican hair" includes long, blond, wavy tresses that have structure and give off the appearance of being camera-ready. It encapsulates vintage elements that women would wear decades ago, combined with Dolly Parton's signature "the higher the hair, the closer to God" mantra. Those that choose to wear this hairstyle want it to look effortless and highlight their femininity. The bright-blond locks should flare out from the roots to establish volume and be long enough to fall upon the shoulders in a subtle curl.

This style feels formal and dressy, without being impossible to attain. The large height of the hair will give off a sentiment of glamor, success, and even wealth, expressing the loud-luxury trend of "more is more" through shape and length. It also pays tribute to past trends that those in historic high society would favor. "Republican hair" has become a go-to for many ladies that are choosing to embrace conservative values, including Kayleigh McEnany and Lara Trump.

Fox News hosts are the perfect example of how common "Republican hair" has become. The love of this style may stem from Kayleigh McEnany's desire to look more mature, much like her ongoing makeup mistakes. This could be seen as a contrast from how she looked years ago as the White House press secretary. During her time in the job, McEnany maintained her blond hair color while switching between waves and super straight, almost frigid hair. One thing that hasn't changed is how McEnany still can't figure out how to properly part her hair. It often looks asymmetrical, sometimes with vibes of the Y2K reminiscent zig-zag part. 

Since becoming a host on Fox News, McEnany is most commonly seen with blown out wavy hair that looks like it is achieved with a hairdryer and round brush. Occasionally, she will opt for straighter hair that is styled with a flip at the bottom — paying tribute to another vintage hair style. But it's evident from her dark roots that she must routinely keep up with dyeing her hair a platinum-blond color so she closely resembles her fellow Fox News regulars. She also seems to prefer the glossy finish and volumized height that characterizes Republican hair.

Eric Trump's wife Lara Trump seems conscious of current hair and makeup trends and appears to update her look with cosmetic procedures and hair extensions. She has experimented with hair styles ranging from long to shorter lengths and pin straight to spiraled curls. But the typical "Republican hair" is what Lara always goes back to. Whether at home with her children, appearing on television, or promoting her activewear line on the tennis courts, she chooses to be photographed over and over again with bouncy yellow locks that have that uniform glossy finish and volume to boot. Even her Instagram profile picture sees the Trump daughter-in-law smiling over her shoulder as long blond waves cascade down her back.

It's hard to know what her natural hair type is exactly, but the look of her curls gives the illusion of time well spent with a heavy duty curling iron. Her hair transformation is one of the reasons why Lara Trump looks so different in her engagement photo. When Eric popped the question, Lara had straight hair with a slight side bang and heavy highlights. Now her color is entirely blond toned and consistently sunny throughout.

"Republican hair" isn't only reserved for political voices — it can apply to singing voices as well. Carrie Underwood rocked the boat when she sang at Donald Trump's presidential inauguration in January 2025, and her hairstyle matched the apparent political affiliation many assumed of her (though she hasn't officially confirmed if she's a Republican voter). While singing "America the Beautiful," Underwood donned perfectly quaffed blond hair with a gentle curl that carried down to her ribs. Not a single hair was out of place and her voluminous golden locks were undeniable. She parted her hair to the side which gave the illusion of even more height. Her outfit was paired accordingly with her unmistakable hair choice to give a constant feeling of movement. 

Underwood wore a neutral greige sleeveless gown with draping details and completed the look with dangly jewel earrings. Her Inauguration Day get-up proves how Carrie Underwood has made a stunning hair transformation through the years. From her first "American Idol" audition when she had scrunched shoulder-length curls to her up-dos on red carpets, it's clear that Underwood has become partial to the politically inspired hair craze.