Since rising to fame on American Idol in 2005, Carrie Underwood’s long, voluminous blond hair has become as iconic as her powerful voice. The country star has always embraced big hair, famously saying, “We country folk, we like our big hair. I am certainly no exception,” in an interview with People.
Underwood has been open about using hair extensions to achieve her signature look. In a 2008 interview with Donna Bella, she revealed that she prefers clip-in extensions because they are less damaging compared to semi-permanent options like bead- or glue-in extensions. The singer has also been known to use Habit Hidden Extensions, with the company confirming in 2017 that she wore their hand-tied hairpieces during a performance at the Grand Ole Opry.
However, while extensions are a key part of her style, Underwood has also gone natural with her hair. In late 2015, she made a bold change by cutting her long locks into a bob, ditching the extensions for a more manageable look. “I needed my life to be a little more simple. It was taking too long to do things that shouldn’t take long,” Underwood explained at the CMT Music Awards, adding that her new, shorter hair felt more like “me.”
Throughout 2015 and 2016, Underwood shared several selfies showcasing her shorter hair. One memorable Instagram post from Bondi Beach in Australia showed the singer without her extensions, wearing a tousled, choppy bob that left her almost unrecognizable.
In 2017, Underwood posted a candid Instagram selfie that gave fans a glimpse of how her extensions dramatically altered her look. The photo, taken after a five-mile run, showed Underwood’s natural shoulder-length hair, wet and styled casually. “A 5 mile run, a shower, and now some quiet time on the back porch,” she captioned the post, with many fans praising her fresh, natural look.
Underwood has since explained that removing her extensions was partly inspired by her new role as a mother. In an interview with Elle in 2016, she shared that motherhood had changed her approach to hair care. “I blow out my hair with a round brush and I’m good,” she said. “It’s not complicated at all and I’m out the door still feeling good.”
While Underwood enjoyed her shorter hair, she eventually returned to her signature long locks. By early 2025, she was back to wearing her long, voluminous hair, as seen during her performance at President Donald Trump’s inauguration and her return to American Idol as a judge.
Carrie Underwood’s hair journey reflects her personal growth and changing lifestyle, from the iconic extensions of her early years to the more natural, effortless styles she embraces today.
