Honestly, if you close your eyes and think of Reba McEntire, you probably see a cloud of fiery red hair and those iconic blunt bangs. It’s a look that has basically stayed the same since the "Fancy" days. But lately, things are changing. If you’ve been watching her on The Voice or catching clips of her new sitcom Happy’s Place, you’ve likely noticed that Reba McEntire new hairstyles are leaning into something a bit more modern, a bit shorter, and definitely more sophisticated than the "jacked up to Jesus" height of the 1990s.
It’s a bold move. For a woman whose hair was once considered her entire brand—so much so that her management team once begged her not to cut it—seeing her experiment with texture and length in 2026 is refreshing. She isn't just sticking to the script. She’s evolving.
The 2026 Shift: Why Reba is Ditching the Volume
For years, the rule for Reba was simple: the bigger, the better. But recently, she’s been sporting a textured, mid-length shag that feels way more current. It still has the red. Obviously. You can’t take the red away from Reba. But the "new" part of her look is all about the layers. Instead of the tight, uniform curls that sometimes looked a bit stiff, she’s rocking "lived-in" waves.
Why now?
Part of it is the demand of being back on a sitcom set. Happy’s Place requires a look that feels grounded but polished. You can't really run a fictional tavern with 1991 arena-rock hair. In recent 2025 and early 2026 appearances, like her hosting gigs and red carpet walks, she’s moved away from the "helmet" feel. The new cut features tapered ends and a fringe that’s slightly more wispy than the heavy, straight-across bangs of her past. It softens her face. It highlights her eyes. It basically proves that you can stay true to your "signature" while still getting a haircut that belongs in this decade.
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The Secret History of the Reba Hair Piece
Let’s get real for a second. There has always been a ton of chatter about whether Reba wears wigs.
She’s actually been pretty open about it! In her memoir Not That Fancy, she admitted that back in the late '90s, she actually cut her hair into a pixie June but had to wear a wig for five months because her team didn't want to reveal the look until her album What If It's You dropped. That’s commitment to a marketing plan.
In 2026, the "is it a wig?" game continues. Expert stylists like Luna Viola have pointed out that Reba often uses hairpieces and "double bangs" to get that perfect, high-volume crown we see on The Voice. It’s smart. Constant heat styling on natural hair—especially as you get into your 70s—is a recipe for disaster. By using high-quality pieces, she keeps her natural hair healthy while giving the audience the "Big Reba" energy they expect.
Recent Style Wins and "Whoops" Moments
- The 2025 ACM Awards Look: This was a bit of a polarizing one. She went for a very monochromatic vibe—orange-red hair, orange shadow, orange lips. Some fans loved the boldness; others felt it washed her out.
- The Modern Bob: We’ve seen her lately with a blunt, shoulder-length cut that is much straighter than her usual style. It’s sleek. It’s very "executive producer" Reba.
- The Natural Curl Reveal: Occasionally, Reba posts a "real" photo on Instagram. Her natural hair is actually quite curly, but she’s mentioned in interviews (like with Glamour) that she hates when it looks "angry" or too tight, which is why she usually prefers a controlled blowout.
How to Get the 2026 Reba Look Without the Budget
You don't need a Nashville stylist to pull this off, but you do need the right shade. Reba’s color isn't just "red." It’s a specific blend of copper, ginger, and auburn.
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If you’re trying to replicate her latest style, tell your stylist you want a "textured lob with face-framing fringe." You want the layers to be "shattered" at the ends so they don't look too heavy. For the color, ask for a level 7 or 8 copper base with subtle golden highlights to add dimension.
And don't forget the bangs. Reba’s bangs are her shield. They usually start further back on the head to create that signature height. If you have a high forehead (or a "five-head," as Reba jokingly calls hers), this is the ultimate hack.
The Evolution of the Bangs
It’s wild to look back at the 1970s photos of her with a center part and no bangs. She looks like a totally different person. By the 80s, the perm took over. She’s gone on record saying that getting a perm on naturally curly hair was her biggest beauty mistake because it made her hair look "angry."
Today’s reba mcentire new hairstyles are the antithesis of that "angry" hair. They are soft. They move.
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Even at 70, she’s showing that "age-appropriate" doesn't have to mean boring. She’s still the girl who likes volume, but she’s found a way to make it look expensive rather than just big. Whether she’s wearing a wig or her own natural locks, the message is clear: the red hair is the brand, but the cut is where she gets to have her fun.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Hair Appointment
If you’re inspired by Reba’s 2026 transition, here is how to actually execute it:
- Prioritize Volume at the Crown: Use a root-lift spray (like Big Sexy Hair or a high-end equivalent) before blow-drying. Reba’s look is all about the lift.
- Go for "Internal" Layers: Ask for layers that provide body without shortening the overall length too much. This prevents the "mullet" look while keeping the bounce.
- The Copper Maintenance: Red fades faster than any other color. Use a color-depositing shampoo once a week to keep that "Reba Red" from turning into a dull "Penny Copper."
- Embrace the Fringe: If you’re nervous about bangs, start with "curtain bangs" that can be tucked away. Reba’s are a commitment, but they are the key to the whole aesthetic.
Reba’s hair journey isn't just about vanity; it’s about a woman who knows her worth and isn't afraid to tweak her image to stay relevant. She’s been a pixie, a curly queen, and a "big hair" icon. In 2026, she’s just Reba—sleek, red, and better than ever.