You’ve seen her standing at the White House podium, and now you see her behind the desk at MSNBC, but there is one thing that seemingly everyone—from casual viewers to former presidents—notices first. It isn't just the sharp-witted policy rebuttals. It’s that vibrant, unmistakable red hair.
Honestly, Jen Psaki hair color has become a cultural touchstone in a way few political figures' styles ever do. It’s a shade that looks both classic and incredibly modern, yet it sparks a constant debate: is it natural, or is there a very talented colorist working overtime in the wings?
The Mystery Behind the Shade
People are weirdly obsessed with whether or not a public figure is a "real" redhead. With Psaki, the evidence is actually pretty clear if you look at her history. She grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut, and if you dig up old photos from her days as a competitive swimmer at the College of William & Mary, the red tones are definitely there.
However, anyone who has ever spent time in a salon chair knows that "natural" red is one of the hardest colors to maintain. It fades faster than almost any other pigment. Basically, even if she started with a natural copper base, keeping it that punchy and consistent under harsh television studio lights requires a bit of help.
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The color she sports now is what stylists usually call a vibrant copper or a deep ginger. It isn’t that "Ariel the Little Mermaid" fake red; it has enough brown and gold undertones to look grounded. It’s sophisticated. It says "I’m here to talk about the debt ceiling, but I also know my way around a 20-volume developer."
Why Everyone Keeps Talking About It
It’s not just Twitter users and fashion bloggers. Even Donald Trump famously commented on it during a rally, calling her "the woman with the really beautiful red hair." It was a rare moment of aesthetic agreement in a very divided political climate.
The reason it stands out is simple: color psychology. Red hair is often associated with a fiery personality, boldness, and persistence. In the high-pressure environment of a White House press briefing, that visual branding worked in her favor. It made her easily identifiable in a sea of navy suits and blonde blowouts.
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Maintaining the Psaki Glow
If you’re looking to replicate this look, you shouldn't just grab a box of "Auburn" from the drugstore and hope for the best. Achieving that specific level of brightness without looking like a penny requires a few specific steps.
- The Base Tone: You need a copper-gold base. If the color has too much blue or violet in it, you end up with burgundy, which is a completely different vibe.
- The Gloss: Psaki’s hair always has a high-shine finish. This is usually achieved with a clear gloss or a demi-permanent toner every 4-6 weeks. It seals the cuticle and makes the red "pop" under LED lights.
- The Cut: Her hair is usually kept in a long bob (a "lob") with slight layering. This allows the color to catch the light at different angles.
Kinda interestingly, Psaki has mentioned in various interviews that she’s pretty low-maintenance when it comes to her actual routine. But "low-maintenance" for a TV host still involves a professional glam squad. When she transitioned from the White House to MSNBC, the lighting changed from the flat, fluorescent glow of the briefing room to the more cinematic, warm lighting of a New York studio. This made her hair look even more intense and saturated on screen.
Dealing with the "Redhead" Stigma
There is a weird amount of sexism that comes with being a prominent woman with red hair. Psaki herself has talked about the "Russian propaganda machine" targeting her during her time at the State Department, sometimes using her appearance as a way to undermine her.
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But she’s leaned into it. By keeping the color consistent for years, she has turned it into a signature. It’s her "power color."
How to Get the Look (The Right Way)
If you want to ask your stylist for the Jen Psaki hair color, don't just show them a picture on your phone and walk away. Photos can be deceptive because of filters and screen settings.
- Ask for a Level 7 Copper. This is the sweet spot—not too dark like a brunette, but not as light as a strawberry blonde.
- Request a "gold-copper" mix rather than a "red-copper." The gold keeps it looking like a natural human hair color rather than a bottle of soda.
- Invest in a color-depositing shampoo. Brands like Joico or Madison Reed make copper rinses that keep the pigment from washing down the drain during your morning shower.
Red hair is a commitment. It’s high-maintenance, it’s expensive to keep up, and it demands attention. But for Jen Psaki, it clearly works. It’s become a part of her professional identity—a visual shorthand for a communicator who isn't afraid to be seen.
To keep your own red shades from fading, always wash with cool water and use a UV protectant spray. Red pigment molecules are larger than others, meaning they don't penetrate as deeply into the hair shaft and "slip" out easily. Protecting that investment is the only way to keep that signature brightness between salon visits.