Chappell Roan has solidified her status as the ultimate “Midwest Princess,” not just through her synth-pop anthems but through a visual aesthetic that is unapologetically camp, high-drama, and deeply rooted in drag culture. Her hair is never just an afterthought; it is a structural masterpiece that defies gravity, logic, and minimalism. Whether she’s channeling a 1700s aristocrat or a 90s mall rat, Chappell’s locks are a playground for self-expression.
If you are looking to inject some theatrical flair into your look, here are 16 of Chappell Roan’s most iconic hairstyles and how you can bring them to life at home.
1. Renaissance Curls
Chappell often leans into a “pre-Raphaelite” aesthetic, featuring massive, unruly red curls that look like they’ve stepped out of an oil painting. This look is all about volume and texture over perfection.
- How to Recreate: Use a small-barrel curling wand (1/2 inch) to curl your entire head in alternating directions. Once cooled, brush the curls out vigorously to create that signature “frizz-chic” volume. Set with a heavy-duty salt spray for a gritty, authentic feel.
2. Space Buns
The “Space Buns” are a staple of Chappell’s festival performances. They are playful, functional for high-energy dancing, and provide the perfect canvas for accessories.
- How to Recreate: Section your hair down the middle. Secure two high ponytails and twist them into loose, messy buns. Secure with bobby pins, but let the ends poke out for a punk-rock edge. Sprinkle biodegradable chunky glitter along the part for the full “Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” effect.
3. Marie Antoinette Updo
Chappell’s love for historical drag is most evident in her towering updos. This look is about height, decadence, and total absurdity.
- How to Recreate: This usually requires a “bumpit” or a foam hair donut placed at the crown. Wrap your hair (or a synthetic hairpiece) around the foam structure. Use a temporary white hair spray to give it a powdered, ghostly finish, and pin in every craft-store flower you can find.
4. Crimped Mermaid
The 80s meet the ocean in this ultra-textured look. It’s a way to get maximum volume without the traditional curl shape, giving off a slightly “feral” yet polished vibe.
- How to Recreate: Invest in a wide-plate hair crimper. Work in small sections, holding the iron for 5 seconds on each part of the hair strand. To keep it from looking dated, leave the very ends of the hair straight.
5. Flaming Mullet
The mullet is the unofficial haircut of the queer pop revolution, and Chappell wears it with a fiery intensity. It’s short, business-in-the-front, party-in-the-back realness.
- How to Recreate: If you aren’t ready for the scissors, you can “fake” a mullet by pinning the sides of your hair back tightly with gel and ruffling the top layers forward to create faux-bangs. Use a texturizing paste to give the back a piecey, lived-in look.
6. Jeweled Forehead Curls
Drawing inspiration from the flapper era and FKA Twigs, Chappell often uses “baby hairs” and forehead curls as a canvas for jewels.
- How to Recreate: Use a strong-hold hair gel and a fine-tooth comb to “draw” a swirl of hair onto your forehead. While the gel is still wet, use tweezers to place flat-back rhinestones along the curve of the hair.
7. Pink Pigtails
This look captures the “hyper-feminine” satire Chappell often explores in her music videos. It’s “doll-like” but with a chaotic energy.
- How to Recreate: Use a temporary pink hair wax or tint. Tie your hair into two high, symmetrical pigtails and use a 1.5-inch curling iron to create large, pageant-style curls. Finish with the largest ribbons you can find.
8. Gilded Crown Braid
For her more ethereal, “Casual” vibes, Chappell wears a crown braid that makes her look like a woodland goddess who just finished a drag show.
- How to Recreate: Create two pigtail braids (Dutch style for more volume). Wrap them over the top of your head and pin them securely. Take a piece of gold craft wire or a necklace and weave it through the loops of the braid using a bobby pin.
9. Wet-Look Grunge
Seen in her more “angsty” performances, the wet look provides a sharp contrast to her usual fluffy volume. It’s sleek, dangerous, and modern.
- How to Recreate: Mix a high-shine gel with a drop of hair oil. Apply it generously from the roots to the mid-lengths. Comb it straight back, but use your fingers to pull a few “strays” down by the ears for a more natural, “just-out-of-the-rain” appearance.
10. Butterfly Clip Chaos
Embracing the Y2K aesthetic, Chappell uses butterfly clips not just as tools, but as the main event.
- How to Recreate: Start with your natural texture or messy waves. Take random 1-inch sections of hair, twist them slightly, and clip a butterfly clip at the base. Repeat until you have at least 15-20 clips scattered across your head.
11. High-Volume Beehive
Chappell’s “Beehive” is a nod to the girl groups of the 60s, but with a modern, “draggy” twist that makes it feel fresh.
- How to Recreate: Backcomb (tease) the crown of your hair until it stands up on its own. Smooth the top layer over the “nest” you’ve created and pin it at the back of the head. Hairspray is your best friend here—use a firm-hold spray to defy gravity.
12. Neon Tinsel Extensions
When she’s under the stage lights, Chappell often uses tinsel to add a “disco ball” effect to her movements.
- How to Recreate: You can buy “hair tinsel” kits online. Use a simple slip-knot to tie individual strands of tinsel to a few hairs near the root. They stay in for weeks and add a subtle shimmer every time you turn your head.
13. Side-Swept Curls
This is Chappell’s version of “Red Carpet Glamour.” It’s sophisticated but still retains that signature vibrant red punch.
- How to Recreate: Create a deep side part. Curl all your hair in the same direction. Once the curls have cooled, brush them out into a single wave. Pin the “short” side back behind your ear with a statement hair clip.
14. Pastel Pixie Wig
Chappell is a fan of wigs to completely transform her persona for different “chapters” of her show. A pastel pixie offers a softer, more avant-garde look.
- How to Recreate: This is best achieved with a high-quality lace front wig. If you’re styling a wig, use a razor tool to create those “choppy” ends that give it a punk-rock edge rather than a polished “mom” cut.
15. Ribbon-Laced Pigtail Braids
The “Coquette” aesthetic is huge right now, and Chappell puts her own spin on it by using ribbons that match her hair color for a monochromatic, textured look.
- How to Recreate: Tie a ribbon to the base of your ponytail before you start braiding. Treat the ribbon as one of the three “strands” of the braid. When you reach the end, tie the remaining ribbon into a bow to secure the hair.
16. The Star-Spangled Afro-Texture
In one of her most famous “Statue of Liberty” inspired looks, Chappell opted for massive, sculptural hair that showcased height and symmetry.
- How to Recreate: For those with curly or coily hair, use a hair pick to maximize volume into a rounded shape. For those with straighter hair, you can achieve this by using a “crimper” and then backcombing the hair into a spherical shape. Spray the stars on using a stencil and temporary glitter spray.
