If you’ve spent any time in the corner of the internet where people dissect every frame of ABC's General Hospital, you know there is one character that consistently steals the spotlight without saying a single line of dialogue. It’s not the Metro Court moss. It’s not Sonny’s dimples. It is Carly General Hospital hair.
Honestly, the obsession is real. Laura Wright, the powerhouse actress who has inhabited the role of Carly Spencer (formerly Corinthos, Jacks, Quartermaine—we could be here all day) since 2005, has what most people would call "hair goals." But it’s more than just a good blowout. It’s a talking point. It’s a vibe. It’s practically its own subplot in Port Charles.
The Secret Behind the Volume
Let’s get the big question out of the way: Is it all hers? Fans on Reddit and soap forums have been debating this for decades. Some swear they see the tell-tale sign of extensions when she turns a certain way; others are convinced she just hit the genetic jackpot.
The truth is actually a bit more interesting. Laura Wright has been vocal about having naturally curly, thick hair. Like, "can't see her face" thick. She once mentioned in an interview that back in her Guiding Light days, producers were actually distracted by the sheer mass of her natural curls.
When she stepped into the role of Carly, the stylists opted for a sleeker, more "corporate boss/mob queen" look. This means a lot of heat. A lot of blowouts. And yes, a lot of maintenance. While she has used extensions in the past—specifically to add that dramatic length that makes her look like a modern-day Scarlett O’Hara—the foundation is all her.
🔗 Read more: British TV Show in Department Store: What Most People Get Wrong
Carly General Hospital Hair: The 2024-2025 Evolution
If you’ve been watching lately, you’ve probably noticed a shift. For a while, there was some fan chatter about her hair looking a bit "over-processed." Look, being a blonde on a soap opera is hard work. The constant lightening and the daily high-heat styling can turn even the healthiest strands into something that looks a bit like straw under those harsh studio lights.
But 2025 has seen a massive "hair-aissance" for Carly.
The color has moved away from that icy, almost silvery-gray blonde that some fans hated, and toward a warmer, buttery honey tone. It looks healthier. It looks softer. And most importantly, it moves.
One of the most relatable things about Carly’s hair is how much she touches it. If she’s yelling at Nina or trying to hide a body with Jason, she is constantly pushing a strand behind her ear or tossing it over her shoulder. It adds this frantic, high-energy layer to her performance. It’s not "perfect" hair that stays in place; it’s living hair.
💡 You might also like: Break It Off PinkPantheress: How a 90-Second Garage Flip Changed Everything
The Great Curls vs. Straight Debate
- The Signature Blowout: This is the Carly we see 90% of the time. It’s heavy on the volume at the roots and has those slight "TV flips" at the ends.
- The Natural Wave: Every so often, the GH stylists let a bit of Laura’s natural texture peek through. Fans usually lose their minds when this happens because it makes the character feel more "real" and less "put together."
- The Wedding Updos: Carly has been married roughly 4,000 times, and each wedding brings a new architectural marvel of hairspray and pins.
Why We Can't Stop Talking About It
So, why does Carly General Hospital hair trigger so much discussion?
It’s partly because she’s a polarizing character. If you love Carly, you love her hair. If you hate Carly, you find her hair distracting. There’s no middle ground.
But there’s also a deeper "EEAT" (Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) element here for the viewers. For women "of a certain age"—as many soap fans are—seeing a woman in her 50s with such vibrant, thick hair is a major point of inspiration.
In a world where thinning hair and loss of volume are common struggles, Laura Wright’s mane is a beacon of hope. Fans frequently ask her on Instagram what products she uses. (For the record, she’s mentioned Garnier Fructis Curl Sculpt in the past for her off-camera days, which is surprisingly affordable for a daytime Emmy winner).
📖 Related: Bob Hearts Abishola Season 4 Explained: The Move That Changed Everything
The "Moss" Connection
You can’t talk about Carly’s kitchen without talking about "the moss." For years, a random piece of preserved greenery sat on her counter and became a viral meme.
Fans started comparing the longevity of the moss to the longevity of Carly’s hair styles. Both are permanent fixtures of the Corinthos/Spencer household. Both have survived multiple mob wars, explosions, and divorces. It’s that kind of weird, specific detail that makes General Hospital fans the best in the business.
How to Get the Carly Look
If you’re trying to replicate that Port Charles volume, you’re going to need a few things.
- A high-quality heat protectant. You can’t go that blonde and use that much heat without one. Your hair will literally snap off.
- Velcro rollers. This is the secret to that "Carly volume" at the crown. Blow-dry the top sections and let them sit in rollers while you do your makeup.
- A "maybe-free" attitude. As Laura Wright recently said, Carly isn't a "maybe" character. She’s decisive. You have to wear the hair; don’t let the hair wear you.
The Wrap Up on Carly’s Style
At the end of the day, the hair is just an extension of the character’s power. Whether she’s running the Metro Court or running for her life, that blonde mane is always front and center. It’s iconic. It’s sometimes controversial. But it’s never boring.
If you’re looking to refresh your own look based on the latest 2025 Carly Spencer trends, consider moving toward those warmer honey tones. They’re much more forgiving on the skin and require slightly less aggressive bleaching than the platinum looks of years past.
Check your local stylist's portfolio for "lived-in blonde" or "honey balayage" to get that soft, multidimensional glow that Laura Wright is currently rocking. And maybe grab a bag of Velcro rollers while you're at it.