The Hair Transformation Of HGTV Star Erin Napier

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Erin Napier has totally transformed over the years, and her physical transformation has included quite the hair journey. Though Erin's most famous cut is the short 'do she shot to fame with on the first season of her and husband Ben Napier's HGTV series "Home Town" in 2016, her notorious crop is far from the only style she's rocked. She's taken a stunning leap from long to short hair and her gorgeous blond locks have become a huge part of her signature look.

Erin's hair is so talked about she shared the products she swears by in a 2017 Instagram post. She revealed she uses Garnier Fructis Sleek and Shine Shampoo and Conditioner and sets her locks using TRESemmé's Tres Level Four Extra Hold Hair Spray. "I use a little Tigi root boost when my hair is wet, then depending on the humidity and which side I part it on and if it acts like it has some sense, I decide on straight or curly," she said of her everyday hair routine. "A super skinny curling iron does the trick on days it's having a mind of its own and needs some direction," she added. And Erin's stunning hair transformation confirms she hasn't been afraid to shake things up over the years.

Around 2003, teenage Erin Napier's hair was drastically different. In a graduation snap shared to Instagram, the future HGTV star sported a long, honey blond mane that stretched as far as her chest. It marked a rare occasion the then future TV star didn't have bangs, and fans loved her long and youthful look. "The long hair !!!! Beautiful," one Instagram user commented, while a second wrote, "That long hair," with a heart eye emoji.

In another throwback Instagram snap that showed Erin performing on stage during her younger days (yep, she used to be a singer!), her hair appeared to be cut into layers that added more movement and dimension around her face. Her hair was so long she was able to tuck it behind her ears on both sides. "Love your long hair," one Instagram user wrote in the comments.

By 2004, Erin Napier's long locks were gone. The future TV star had started attending Jones County Junior College (where she met Ben Napier) and was ready for a physical change to accompany her new life chapter. "I cut it all off the first week of college," she wrote on Instagram Stories (via People). Erin also revealed on "The Drew Barrymore Show" that Barrymore was the inspiration for her dramatic chop. "You were seriously my all-time favorite in high school. I cut my hair off to look like you," she told the actor turned talk show host, as Ben admitted it was because of Erin's short hair that he first noticed her. "Because he loves my hair cut," Erin said. 

Not only had she lost a serious amount of length, a throwback Instagram snap confirmed she'd also had heavy, graduated side bangs cut into her locks, which swept over her forehead from the right side of her face. Erin's deep bangs proved she was paying attention to hair trends, as the forehead covering style was huge at the time. She also appeared to sporting a lighter, cooler, less copper blond than in her high school days.

Erin embraced a less sleek aesthetic when it came to styling her short tresses. In a photo from 2004 shared to Instagram, she created volume by pushed the short strands at the back upwards. That made the look spiky and edgy and not too dissimilar to the one her fellow reality star Kate Gosselin became notorious for.

When Erin Napier first appeared on HGTV in "Home Town" in 2016, she proved short hair still offers plenty of styling options. Erin ditched the super straight locks she'd rocked for years in favor of a softer, wavier style without a distinctive part. Her bangs appeared slightly longer, and this time came from her right side. Her tousled locks gave low-key, beachy vibes and she revealed on Instagram the following year that she uses volumizing powder to create volume and texture (she didn't confirm which products she used, but Hairitage Hair Texture Powder or SexyHair Big Powder Play Volumizing & Texturizing Powder will do the trick). She also credited her flattering 'do to hair stylist Nikki Dill, who she revealed she'd been going to for a decade.

Erin had fun experimenting with hair accessories in 2016 too. Also in the first episode of her HGTV hit, she wore a flexible, floral pattern headband that once again proved she had her finger on the fashion pulse, as headbands trended again that year. The star pushed her bangs under the accessory, which suggested there may have been a practical reason behind Erin's new penchant for hair accessories. She was busier than ever as she chased a TV career and worked hard on Laurel Mercantile Co., the local store she, Ben, and their business partners own – so it makes sense why she'd want her bangs out of her face.

There was a subtle change to Erin Napier's hair in 2019. She still had her short 'do, but added more length to the front via deeper, side-swept bangs that covered around half of her forehead (and had moved back to originating on her left side). Her tresses had extra dimension thanks to lowlights and golden strands that complimented her skin's neutral undertone. She gave fans a good look at her hair while straight and sleek in an Instagram selfie, but tousled the 'do a little more when she and Ben Napier appeared on "People Now" the following year.

Her short but flattering 'do made sense, as it likely didn't require a lot of upkeep. Erin was a very busy working mom by 2019 (she'd welcome her second child in 2021) and long pixie styles are notoriously low-maintenance cuts that are also easy to style. The lowlights also helped ensure the upkeep of her 'do was kept to a minimum, as lowlights can decrease the time needed between hair appointments by creating a more natural, blended look. The following year, Erin admitted on Instagram Stories she still took photos of Drew Barrymore to her hair stylist as inspo for her mane (which is great salon etiquette seeing as being as specific as possible will help her hair stylist).

Erin Napier was ready for slightly longer locks sans side bangs in 2022. She grew out her signature pixie into a jaw-grazing bob with a just off-centre part and choppy ends. Now a fully-fledged star, she also embraced glamorous styling at that year's CMA Awards. Erin lightly curled her locks in an undone yet stylish way that demonstrated she was staying true to her effortless, low-key nature while still having fun with her hair.

The star would keep the short to mid-length cut for years, but made it a little longer in 2026. Ben Napier shared an Instagram snap of his wife that showed her with a very similar cut, but it was slightly warmer in tone and finished just below her chin. Erin showed a hint of dark root-growth, which was totally understandable considering her busy schedule. "So beautiful!! Love the longer hair Erin!!," one fan commented, while another wrote, "Her hair is so cute longer!" 

That same year, she admitted styling her hair had become a low priority. She wrote on Instagram about tuning in to "Home Town" and wrote, "I noticed my hair, half wavy, half flat, evidence of abandoning my hair styling at the 4 minute mark because I would rather make pancakes for the girls before leaving for work instead of staring at myself in the mirror worrying what you, viewer, might feel about the way I look." She added, "I have been on TV for a decade now, and years ago I cared more what the viewer might think ... I have decided it's delicious and comforting to be rebellious about our vanity. We can't care about everything, mamas!" And she's not wrong.