When Callista Gingrich greeted President Donald Trump in Geneva ahead of the G7 summit last week, her hair became the center of attention. The U.S. ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and wife of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, wore a platinum bob that appeared immune to gale-force winds.
Social Media Reactions to the Hair-Off
Observers on social media were quick to comment. "That's got to be pure fiberglass resin. Same stuff you use for boats," one user joked on Bluesky. Next to Trump's equally formidable coif, the encounter became a hair-off, with Trump losing as his hair got wind-swept. Ashe Aurora, a hairstylist in Tampa, Florida, told HuffPost, "This woman is clearly hoarding a trove of Aquanet and I'm jealous. One smell of Aquanet would heal me."
Gingrich's Signature Style
While many women in Trump's circle favor beachy golden blond waves, Gingrich has stuck with her platinum bob for decades. The dramatic swoosh over the left eye has become her personal logo. She previously served as U.S. ambassador to the Holy See from 2017 to 2021 under Trump.
Gingrich isn't alone in her high-hold hair preference. Donald Trump Jr. keeps his hair shellacked, Fox News host Sean Hannity sports rigidly parted throwback hair, and Vivek Ramaswamy wears a voluminous bouffant. Daiva Kasteckaite, owner of Salon Roi in Chevy Chase, Maryland, said, "This look projects confidence, authority, discipline and professionalism." She added, "Clients who choose highly maintained styles often appreciate predictability and structure."
How to Achieve the Look
Tommy Buckett, a stylist at Marie Robinson Salon in New York City, explained the technique: "A stylist would typically rely on a very structured blowout or roller set, strong mousse and voluming spray, and a lot of teasing and backcombing at the roots." He noted, "The goal isn't softness or movement. The goal is shape retention. The hair is treated almost like architecture: Every strand has a job."
During Newt Gingrich's 2012 presidential campaign, an aide revealed that Callista used Kenra Volume Spray 25. Kellyanne Conway, then a senior strategist, praised the hair: "Men say, 'I love your hair,' women compliment her and then say, 'How do you keep it so perfect?'" Preserving the shape for a week requires avoiding wetness. "Humidity, sleep, weather, and everyday activities are going to naturally affect the structure," Kasteckaite said.
Trump's Hair Routine
Trump's high-volume style is equally distinctive. Celebrity hairstylist Losi, who styled his hair in the 1990s, told the Daily Beast, "He gives strong direction about how it should be, and he's not very interested in changing it." She described his process: "He starts from the back. He combs it forward, so it reaches down past his nose, and then he folds it back, and then he sprays it." An insider once claimed he uses CHI's Helmet Head hair spray.
Kasteckaite noted that Trump's look relies more on the haircut than products. "The longer lengths are strategically cut and directed to create coverage and shape," she said. "The haircut is often doing more of the work than the products." Trump's parents, Mary Anne MacLeod and Fred Trump, also had towering hairstyles.
A Throwback to Conservative Style
In an era of effortless textures, Gingrich's and Trump's carefully maintained looks may appear outdated. However, Kasteckaite emphasized their branding power: "Both Callista Gingrich and Trump have something that many people underestimate — a signature hairstyle. Whether people love or dislike the look, it becomes part of their public image and personal branding."
