Over the past few years, United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has become a rising star in the MAGA world – and according to experts, she’s totally transformed her look in many ways since entering the spotlight.
Noem began her career in the public eye in 2010, when she was elected as South Dakota’s lone member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
She was then elected as the state’s first-ever female Governor in 2018, a position that she held until January 2025, when she was selected by President Trump to serve in his cabinet.
Since she’s taken on her role in Washington, D.C., she’s been branded as the ‘ICE Barbie,’ known for her long locks, oversized eyelashes and bullet-proof vests that she wears while visiting prisons.
But as Noem’s moved up in political ranks, it appears that her style has as well, polishing her look in recent years.
In fact, she’s been seen sporting a myriad of designer labels since taking her position, even wearing a $50,000 Rolex watch during a March visit to a prison in El Salvador.
It’s a far cry from her previous outfits as a member of The House of Reps, and even Governor, when she would wear flannel shirts and rocked a short, feathered hairdo.
She’s even been accused of having ‘Mar-a-Lago face,’ a term that’s been used to describe many members of Trump’s team, like Greek Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle and Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump.
Over the past few years, United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has become a rising star in the MAGA world – and according to experts, she’s totally transformed her look in many ways since entering the spotlight, seen here just last month (left) as compared to 2011 (right)
In fact, she’s been seen sporting a myriad of designer labels since taking her position, even wearing a $50,000 Rolex watch during a March visit to a prison in El Salvador, as she’s seen here with President Trump in July 2025
Noem is seen here in 2021, as she became a rising star in the MAGA world
The look is defined by what appears to be a copious use of Botox, a Miami-bronze tan, larger lips and silky smooth skin.
Daily Mail previously reported that Trump ‘has long expressed admiration for those who look like they are from Hollywood “central casting.”‘
So, what are the secrets behind Noem’s own MAGA glow-up?
According to multiple experts interviewed by Daily Mail after looking at photographs, there are many different elements that appear to come into play here – including suspected changes to her hair, cosmetics, and style.
Oregon-based plastic surgeon Dr. Sean McNally, who did not examine or treat Noem, told Daily Mail that he suspects Noem may have had a few cosmetic ‘tweakments’ as she’s stepped under the limelight.
He explained that the biggest differences he sees in her appearance are her ‘brow position’ as well as her ‘lip fullness.’
Specifically, Dr. McNally told Daily Mail that he believes that Noem may have undergone an upper eyelid blepharoplasty, which removes excess skin and fat from the area.
‘It’s a bit hard to tell what’s going on with her upper eyelids with the new lashes, but I’d suspect she’s had an upper eyelid blepharoplasty with a brow pexy,’ Dr. McNally told Daily Mail exclusively.
According to multiple experts interviewed by Daily Mail, there are many different elements that appear to come into play here – including changes to her hair, cosmetics, and style, as she’s seen here in January 2014
He explained that the biggest differences he sees in her appearance, seen here in July (left), are her ‘brow position’ as well as her ‘lip fullness,’ as compared to her look in 2010 (right)
‘I think this because her brow is more arched now which doesn’t happen naturally with the aging process and I don’t think she’s had a full blown brow lift because her hairline position doesn’t look like it’s changed,’ he explained.
When it comes to her changing pout, the plastic surgeon suspects lip filler.
‘Simple filler is the most likely reason for the increase in fullness, which also doesn’t happen naturally with the aging process,’ he explained.
Last March, Noem also revealed in a video posted to X that she had gone to dentist Smile Texas to ‘fix’ her teeth, which she needed after a biking accident a few years ago.
She said that the accident caused her front teeth to get knocked out.
‘They were so kind, they wanted to make sure that I was happy with my smile,’ she said of the experience.
‘Not only that the bite was correct, and that I liked the shape, the color, but that it was going to work for me for the rest of my life, and that it was something that I could be proud of,’ she shared.
But besides any potential cosmetic tweaks, some more straightforward things about Noem appear to have changed over the years, like her hair.
In pictures taken in 2020, she appeared to have grown out her hair to her shoulders, getting rid of the feathered layers and keeping it in a simple blowout with curled ends
Chad Cook, hair artist and owner of Chad Cook Hair in Los Angeles, told Daily Mail that over the past few years, Noem’s overall look has become ‘noticeably more polished and camera-ready,’ as she’s seen here in March 2025
When she was in government office in South Dakota, she sported noticeably shorter hair, like a cropped, feather cut in the early 2010s
The hairstylist also noticed that she appears to have updated her color routine, as he suspects that Noem has been getting her hair dyed by a professional, seen here in September
When she was in government office in South Dakota, she sported noticeably shorter hair, like a cropped, feather cut in 2013.
She kept the feathered haircut throughout the 2010’s in various lengths.
In pictures taken in 2020, she appeared to have grown out her hair to her shoulders, getting rid of the feathered layers and keeping it in a simple blowout with curled ends.
Chad Cook, hair artist and owner of Chad Cook Hair in Los Angeles, told Daily Mail that over the past few years, Noem’s overall look has become ‘noticeably more polished and camera-ready.’
She’s stepped things up as she’s been thrust into the national spotlight.
‘As she’s gained national attention, her image has evolved into something far more refined and high-glamour,’ Cook told Daily Mail exclusively.
‘When it comes to her hair and overall look, it feels very intentional and styled strategically while keeping it approachable,’ Cook continued.
‘I feel her all over look went from more simple and natural to strategic styled.’
She’s most likely getting high-quality conditioning or keratin treatments to maintain that smooth, healthy texture,’ the hairstylist noted, as the Secretary is seen here this year
The hairstylist also noticed that she appears to have updated her color routine, as he suspects that Noem has been getting her hair dyed by a professional.
He especially noticed Noem’s ‘beautiful dimensional color’ and ‘high shine,’ which are telltale signs that she could be getting regular touch-ups and gloss treatments.
‘It looks like she has some balayage highlights throughout her mid-length and ends, which shows she’s getting it done correctly or most likely extensions,’ Cook said.
‘She’s most likely getting high-quality conditioning or keratin treatments to maintain that smooth, healthy texture,’ the hairstylist noted.
But in addition to a consistent color, Cook also believes that it looks like Noem is utilizing hair extensions.
‘Her hair has appeared noticeably fuller and longer than before, and that kind of transformation usually takes longer,’ Cook explained.
‘The length and density she’s been wearing lately tells me she’s wearing well-blended extensions. Most likely high-quality tape-ins or hand-tied wefts.’
Finally, the last part of Noem’s transformation is attributed to her personal style.
Veronica Beard, an American ready-to-wear brand founded by sisters-in-law Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard, seems to be a particular favorite among the ladies on Trump’s team, like Noem, here at the Oval Office in April
‘In the early 2000s, Kristi Noem’s style reflected her South Dakota roots, including denim, boots, and a no-frills, ranch-ready aesthetic that matched her image as a pragmatic congresswoman,’ Dupre explained to Daily Mail exclusively, as she’s seen here in 2016
Dupre noticed that some of the most ‘striking changes’ in Noem’s wardrobe have come from ‘dramatic tailoring’ and ‘statement pieces,’ rather than denim and boots, as Noem is seen here dressed in a bright lilac suit in August
‘Her overall presentation has become more theatrical, put together not just for authority in governance, but for viral impact,’ as the former Governor is pictured in 2015
Daily Mail previously reported that many of Trump’s aides, like Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and even Ivanka Trump, favor certain designer brands – and Noem has joined in on the fun, it seems.
Over the past few months, the women have all been spotted in the designers Veronica Beard, Maje and Sandro – as well as Zara.
Veronica Beard, an American ready-to-wear brand founded by sisters-in-law Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard, seems to be a particular favorite among the ladies on Trump’s team.
In late July, Noem sported a light pink, tweed blazer by the brand, known as their classic Dickey jacket, which comes in a variety of materials and colors.
Noem wore the jacket to meet with Senator Katie Britt, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, pairing it over a plain, black silk dress.
It’s a far cry from some of her previous outfits that she wore while Governor of South Dakota, as she frequently used to sport casual jean jackets, flannel shirts, and cowboy boots.
And according to style expert Lisa Springsteel Dupre, founder of Launch Your Collection, her evolving fashion choices have everything to do with her transition from living in South Dakota to D.C.
‘In the early 2000s, Kristi Noem’s style reflected her South Dakota roots, including denim, boots, and a no-frills, ranch-ready aesthetic that matched her image as a pragmatic congresswoman,’ Dupre explained to Daily Mail exclusively.
‘As her national profile grew, especially during her tenure as governor and now as Secretary of Homeland Security under the Trump administration, her look evolved into a more polished, media-conscious presentation: sleek hair, full makeup, and tailored outfits that signal authority for the national stage,’ she shared.
Dupre noticed that some of the most ‘striking changes’ in Noem’s wardrobe have come from ‘dramatic tailoring’ and ‘statement pieces,’ rather than denim and boots.
‘Noem now favors structured silhouettes, camo-inspired ensembles, and high-gloss finishes that feel curated for the spotlight,’ she said.
‘Her overall presentation has become more theatrical, put together not just for authority in governance, but for viral impact.’
Daily Mail reached out to Noem’s reps for comment.
