Kristi Noem's Rare Pin-Straight Hair Look Was A Major Departure From Her Usual Barrel Curls
She only spent a year in the role of secretary of Homeland Security, but in that time, Kristi Noem became nationally famous. Her divisive policies and aggressive political moves have had a lot to do with it, but her now-signature look makes her stand out as well. In her last few years as governor of South Dakota, Noem grew out her brunette tresses — and seemingly became well-acquainted with extensions — resulting in the image we know her for today. In fact, her thick hair-sprayed barrel curls have become so routine, any deviation from her usual stye is highly notable. Back in July 2022, prior to her joining the Trump administration, she appeared on political commentator Steve Bannon's podcast "Bannon's War Room" with pin-straight hair.
At the time, Noem had yet to establish her barrel-curl standard, but it's still jarring to see her in this sleeker style. However, it appears that Noem was always a fan of voluminous tresses in some form, as there was a small teased section at the back of her crown for this look. Teasing is a quick and easy way to volumize your hair when you're low on time, or if you want to go for a long, straight 'do but worry about it seeming too flat.
Noem was possibly extension-free here, resulting in a more natural final result. Overall, it's quite different from her heavier and thicker style, but it's not the only time we've seen her depart from her go-to.
Kristi Noem doesn't always stick to her long barrel curls
The vast majority of her time spent as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem stuck with her signature barrel curls. However, there were still a few times when she apparently woke up and thought, "Not today." In June 2025, for example, she met with the U.S. Coast Guard in Panama City, Panama, wearing her hair in a messy updo. Her ombré tresses still had waves, but these were much less structured than her usual curls, and were held up in a relaxed style. Like her straight hair from three years before, it gave a completely different energy.
Her 2022 appearance on "Bannon's War Room" was also a good reminder that there was a time when Noem had yet to find her now-famous look. You just have to peek back through Kristi Noem's complete transformation, from farm life to Fox News, to see it. Back in 2016, when she was a South Dakota congresswoman, Noem was sporting a choppy lob. Rather than relying on extensions and large curls for volume, she let her layers do the work. Seeing Noem with this much shorter 'do does make you do a double take, but objectively, this piecey style is one of the best lob cuts for in-between length hair.