Pics Of Kaitlan Collins' Best Hair Looks To Take To Your Next Salon Appointment

If you've ever found yourself watching CNN and thinking, "I need my hair to look exactly like that," you are not alone. Kaitlan Collins has quietly become one of the most reliably inspiring hair reference points on television, offering up a rotation of looks that manage to be both polished enough for broadcast news and genuinely aspirational for the rest of us. Whether she's covering breaking news at the White House or walking a red carpet, her hair is consistently worth paying attention to.

We've pulled together the highlights — the looks that stopped thumbs mid-scroll, that prompted "who does her hair?" searches, and that deserve to be screenshot and saved for your next salon appointment. Consider this your definitive guide.

The Loose Waves Everyone Wants

If there's one Kaitlan Collins hair moment that has transcended the usual conversation around news anchor style, it's the loose waves she debuted at the 2026 Grammy Awards. Effortless without looking undone, voluminous without veering into excess, these waves hit the exact sweet spot that every woman who has ever held a curling iron is chasing. The texture was soft and natural-looking, the ends barely touched and left slightly undone in that way that stylists make look easy but absolutely is not.

The key to replicating this look is working in sections with a large-barrel curling iron, then immediately releasing each curl and allowing it to cool completely before touching. Once all curls have set, run fingers through loosely — never a brush, which will destroy the texture — and finish with a light-hold spray. The goal is lived-in, not lacquered.

The Retro Flip That Turned Heads

Collins has demonstrated a flair for vintage-inspired styling that few journalists even attempt. Her take on the 1960s flipped ends — a silhouette that calls to mind the golden age of television news in the most self-aware, modern way possible — was one of her most striking departures from her usual style. The ends turned out rather than under, adding a playful lightness that felt current despite its retro inspiration. It worked because everything above the flip was impeccably smooth and controlled, providing the necessary contrast.

Pompadour Perfection On The Red Carpet

At the Mark Twain Prize ceremony, Collins arrived with a pompadour that was frankly spectacular. Volume at the crown, smoothly swept sides, and enough structural integrity to last an entire evening — this is the kind of updo that takes real skill to execute and even more confidence to wear. It framed her face beautifully while giving the overall look a glamorous, old-Hollywood authority that felt entirely appropriate for a high-profile cultural event.

For those wanting to bring this one to a stylist, the most important elements are the height at the crown (achieved with a combination of backcombing and strategic pinning) and the clean, polished sides. This is not a look for the DIY route — bring the photo and let a professional handle the architecture.

Hollywood Waves At The Kennedy Center Honors

Hollywood waves — those deep, uniform S-curves that cascade over one shoulder — are one of the most technically demanding styles a hairstylist can produce, and they are also one of the most undeniably beautiful. Kaitlan Collins wore them to the Kennedy Center Honors and looked, frankly, as though she had stepped off a classic film set. The waves were glossy, defined, and utterly precise, with a parting that directed the entire look with architectural intention.

This look requires a Marcel curling iron, professional-grade setting spray, and genuine patience. The process is time-consuming, but the results — as Collins demonstrated — are timeless. This is the look to request when you want to arrive somewhere and have the entire room notice.

Her Signature Curls

Before all the red carpet experimentation, there is Kaitlan Collins' everyday signature: the bouncy, defined curls that have become as associated with her on-screen presence as her pointed questioning style. These curls are tight enough to hold their shape through hours of live broadcasting but soft enough to avoid looking stiff or artificial. They have a life and a spring to them that suggests excellent natural texture worked with rather than against.

What makes her everyday curl look particularly copy-worthy is its consistency. Good hair days and mediocre hair days look identical on Collins, which is the hallmark of someone who has found the exact right products, routine, and technique for their particular hair type. That kind of reliability is genuinely aspirational — and it starts, as always, with knowing what you're working with.

Wherever your next salon appointment takes you, Kaitlan Collins' portfolio of hair moments offers something for virtually every occasion. Save the pics. Show your stylist. Thank us later.