Mother Pence got a makeover which included highlights, homophobia & no bangs

MotherBeforeAfter2

I was so focused on all of the other stuff happening yesterday, I didn’t even realize that Mother Pence spoke on Day 3 of the Republican National Convention. I barely recognized her, for a start. Karen Pence is… I mean, there’s no reason to be mean about it, but she looks like a Karen. She looks like a lot of middle-aged white women. I’m sure that’s her appeal to a lot of Republican voters too: she’s truly one of them, and those Republican wives demand that their husbands call them Mother too. I guess. Well, anyway, as you can see, Mother Pence has gotten a makeover. Out with the middle-America bangs trauma and in with the Mar-a-Lago highlights. This is part of a strategy which gave me chills, honestly:

On Wednesday night, Karen Pence, the wife of Vice President Mike Pence, gave a speech at the Republican National Convention where she stuck to the issues that hit close to home. She discussed the plights and successes of a handful of military spouses and, as an art teacher herself, advocated for art therapy as a treatment for PTSD in returning veterans. Delivered from the Mellon Auditorium in D.C., the speech highlighted some of her achievements as second lady, avoided venturing into any of her family’s controversies, and stressed the parts of Donald Trump’s record that the campaign wants you to remember.

And, of course, she showed off a glossy set of highlights and a sleek navy and white dress. A fresh dye job is rare in the pandemic era, but for viewers who haven’t seen much of Pence for the last few years, it might just be shocking. Around the time of Trump’s inauguration, Karen Pence was one of the few women connected to the administration who didn’t have flowing Fox News-esque locks.

Once campaigning for 2020 began in earnest, however, she showed up at Women for Trump events with a brand new hairstyle, eschewing her harsh bob with straight bangs for a shoulder-skimming look with a side part. “She really has had a total makeover, she looks great,” a Pence family friend told Vanity Fair at the time. “She looks like she’s happy, she radiates confidence.” Another source said that Mike Pence plans to essentially start his 2024 campaign on November 4, regardless of who wins.

[From Vanity Fair]

Considering Mother and her Husband are so anti-gay and anti-glamour, it’s a wonder any stylist would even agree to help a makeover. Perhaps Mother was able to find a rare straight, MAGA-leaning hairdresser, and honestly, it shows? While her current hair is an improvement from the Fascism Bangs Trauma, let’s not pretend that her highlights are well done? It is a good bob cut though, I’ll give her that. It also looks like she’s lost weight, but not dramatically. Still couldn’t find any lipstick for her big speech last night though. I guess lipstick is for harlots. Anyway, just in case you thought Mike Pence might go away quietly… he and Mother are already looking at 2024. Gross.

Republican National Convention - Day 3

State Dinner Guest Arrivals

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.

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97 Responses to “Mother Pence got a makeover which included highlights, homophobia & no bangs”

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  1. Sarah says:

    There is no soul behind those eyes. Eek.

    • shanaynay says:

      Agreed! Dead eyes!

    • Sandra says:

      Hers or her husband’s? (Answer: both)

    • whatWHAT? says:

      and she resembles a young Mike Pence in a wig.

      IS that a wig?! doesn’t look real and if it IS real?…yeah, those highlights are terrible as is the limp hair. she looked better with the bangs and no highlights.

      • NatureLover says:

        @ whatWHAT?, those were the first words out of my mouth! That is NOT her hair, it clearly looks like an expensive wig, which you notice at the hairline. If it’s not a wig, it certainly looks like one. As for him running for 2024, good luck Pence because you are as boring as a politician as you are a husband, I would imagine on the husband part. And his record as governor is not looked at as a positive term with his constituents. He was disliked and his actions on trans and gays groups were seen as criminal due to his legislation and actions. Plus he is too preechy. I only saw bits of his speech on the Guardian, which they also ranked his Pinocchio comments to which his nose grew too long for him to stand straight!

      • Laura says:

        I think it’s a wig, too 🙂
        and she does look like Mike in a very weird way like Mike Pence with a wig on

    • GeeWhiz says:

      The after photo looks remarkably like George W. Bush in a bob wig.

  2. BlueSky says:

    They look like brother and sister.

  3. Escondista says:

    She has lost weight. Probably stress but also plus size women aren’t allowed to speak at the RNC.

    • (TheOG) Jan90067 says:

      Not jus the weight, but she looks like she’s had some “procedures”, filler, and something with her neck. But there’s no procedure to put a heart in where there is none. And you can’t inject empathy yet, though her husband probably tried to inject chlorox in its place.

      • Sandra says:

        Welcome to Trump’s White House. If you’re “fat and ugly,” you can’t sit with us. (Note: She was neither fat nor ugly in the first place, but by Dump’s standards she probably was.)

      • blacktoypoodle says:

        Browlift, eyelid lift.

  4. Elizabeth says:

    I think it’s actually demeaning to call her “Mother.” It means her value is solely in the domestic sphere, raising his children.

    • Tiffany says:

      That is what her own husband calls her. Honestly, I think she likes it. There have been stories that Pence was not always like this and that Mother completed molded him into the dead eyed killer of citizens previously in Indiana and now beyond that we see today.

      And no, they ain’t gone be at 1600 in 2024 and they are stupid if they think they are. She is going to get DESTROYED.

    • Amy says:

      Of course it is demeaning. That is why her husband calls her that, and why she wants him to call her that. It is their culture.

  5. FHMom says:

    Mother’s hair looks healthy. That’s all I’m going to say.

  6. It’sjustblanche says:

    Honestly without the bangs, she actually has a strong case of “man face.”

    • Sojaschnitzel says:

      I have been trying to find some nice words for this but there are none. Yes, she does. She looked like a nice normal lady before (politics aside) and now she looks … like she’s doing drag? I know that’s probably not an okay thing to say but it’s honestly the only thing I see.

    • KidV says:

      She looks like Sean Hannity.

    • whatWHAT? says:

      yeah, I know it’s not nice but I said the same above. she looks like her husband in a wig.

    • Tana says:

      Honestly I think the earlier look was better on her. Hate her politics and personality and stuff, but she looked fine. Now she kind of looks like a ghost or something. She doesn’t look like a real person and that hairdo does NOT work for her face. This was…I dunno why she did it, but whatever her reason it’s a big fail.

      On the other hand I don’t really care, the less I see and hear of her and her despicable husband the better.

    • NotSoSocialButterfly says:

      Indeed.

      She strikes me as mean as shit/abusive to Pence, who strikes me as a closeted gay dude hiding behind fundamental xtianity.

    • Trashaddict says:

      Yes. I actually like the old looks better. The new one is yet another throwback look. But I think she’s had a face look, hence the perpetually
      ‘surprised’ eyebrows?
      I have two words about Mike in that pose: “Pence Doll”.
      Get yours now!

  7. GR says:

    Maybe it’s whoever did the makeup, but she looks really sickly to me.

    • Swack says:

      She looks very pale. One of the things I noticed first. Also the cut is not very flattering.

    • whatWHAT? says:

      I agree. and now that I think about “the whole picture” of how she looks…

      pale/sickly, thinner, with what looks like a bad wig…? maybe she IS/WAS sick, maybe she had COVID…that can make you lose your hair.

    • Lizzie says:

      In the before pic she is tan or using bronzer – I liked her makeup better than the after.

    • North of Boston says:

      The makeup makes her look …. whiter.

      Which seems to be the underlying theme of the ‘new’ Republican party.

      No “big tent” to see there, unless you consider MAGA-hats, anti-Semites, white nationalists, and Nazis to be ‘diversity’.

  8. Darla says:

    Am I crazy in honestly feeling she looked better in the “before” photo? To me now she looks like Dana Carvey? Am I nuts?

    • SilentStar says:

      I like her look before the makeover much better. The makeover looks very much like someone else fancied her up and does not come off as something she is comfortable with. I predict she’s going to give up this look pretty quickly.

    • MarcelMarcel says:

      She definitely looks better pre makeover. Warm tones illuminated her brown eyes.
      I personally think that internalised misogyny tends to drain womxn of their vibrancy. It’s exhausting doing all of the labour for your husband while simultaneously treating yourself as a second class citizen and punching down on marginalised folk. The longer you do it the harder it is to realise that you don’t need to perpetuate harmful cycles.

    • Miss D says:

      Dana Carvey LOL. I see it!

    • Thirtynine says:

      I like the before better too. She also looks a lot happier in the first picture. And i dont think the white and navy frock is really working either.

    • Jen says:

      Yep, was going to say that. She looked better before. The dress was a bit tight, but otherwise, she looked good before, now she looks washed out.

  9. Marley says:

    Oh no, are bangs fascist? I have them just to cover up my frown lines! (And I’ve been cutting them myself since the pandemic, so you can imagine how well that goes…)

    • AMM says:

      Do you have a trick you use? Tips? I have a deep wrinkle on my forehead that I’m trying to cover up while I debate Botox. Bangs are my best option but I’m scared to cut them myself, and scared to go to the hairdresser. I cut my actual hair into a Lob myself during lockdown and that turned out ok, so I’m not sure why I am so nervous about cutting a small section of it.

      • MarcelMarcel says:

        You probably already know this but invest in good quality hairdressing scissors. It might also help to have a magnifying mirror.
        And be patient with yourself! You might have to do it a few times to nail the look you want.
        I known a lot of ladies who do their fringes at home and consistently look fantastic. You can see all of your fringe when you’re cutting it. So if you’ve done a lob than you can totally do a fringe! You got this!

      • Lizzie Bathory says:

        I really like rosehip oil. It’s not botox, but it does seem to help with wrinkles. I get the Radha brand via Amazon.

      • Jessie says:

        Go longer than you want. Then even longer. You can always trim more, but you can’t make them longer. Bangs “spring” up after you cut them. I’ve seen so many videos of people cutting bangs and ending up with baby bangs. I’ve been doing mine for decades…always start at or below your eyes, especially wet

      • AMM says:

        Thank you everyone! I think I’m gonna give it a go tonight. I only got by on with the haircut with luck and prayers, so hopefully this goes well. And yes, I’ll definitely go longer. I’ve seen the videos as well, and that’s why I’ve been so hesitant. My round face shape can’t pull off baby bangs.

      • Marley says:

        AMM, I already had bangs, so it’s a different situation, but here’s what my hairdresser said to do: Grab the bangs together (like a mini pony tail) and twist them a few times, then cut straight across the bottom. The twisting will give you a softer edge. She said the farther out you pull it, the choppier it will look. I pull it pretty much straight down. I second the comments about using a good pair of shears and doing it with dry hair so you don’t end up cutting it too short and looking like Mamie Eisenhower! (Been there.)

        It looks like there are a lot of YouTube videos on cutting bangs as well. I also put a few layers in the front of my hair during the lockdown, and they came out surprisingly well. I used this video. (Love this lady’s energy!)
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mmgV4w8ndE

        And by the way, I have done a combination of botox/fillers, and it erased my genetic brow furrows! I was hesitant to have “work done,” but I just hated looking angry all the time. I’m just afraid to do any kind of elective procedure until we have a vaccine.

    • fun factor says:

      Agreed! She looks so washed out with that pale makeup. And with thin lips, she’d benefit from lipstick. I have lizard lips and I know.

  10. Sean says:

    Are we sure it’s not just Sean Hannity in a wig?

  11. Charfromdarock says:

    I had NO idea her name was actually Karen, I’ve only heard her referred to as Mother. That’s just perfect!

  12. Atti says:

    I thought she looked nice until I had scrolled enough to see that disaster of an outfit.

  13. Mabs A'Mabbin says:

    All I’ve got is that when I started reading this, one of my all-time favorites from a favorite band surfaced on my playlist, Rain by the Cult. I know which parallels were drawn in MY head lol.

  14. shanaynay says:

    I think this look makes her look older!

  15. Becks1 says:

    She actually looked better before? At least she looked like herself.

    I saw a still from her speech that was from a side angle, and no joke, I thought it was duchess Kate for a minute. Which isn’t good for her lol.

    • notasugarhere says:

      This does look like one of Kate’s outfits, no? The McBurton black/navy with the standup white collar from a Remembrance event. Or the bad Gucci with red and black trim on the flap, which looked like it came from the kids department.

  16. Flying Fish says:

    Makeover?

  17. Kyla says:

    Going off the headline, I’d say the homophobia isn’t part of mother’s makeover. That’s always been there. She didn’t change that at all.

  18. Coco says:

    There were reports that she was so furious about the Access Hollywood tape that she wanted Mike Pence to resign his VP candidacy. I assume she’s just as furious at restaurants that accidentally bring her salad instead of soup.

  19. el Annoy says:

    Hers is the face you see over the teacher’s shoulder as you get in trouble for some minor rule infringement.

    • Deering24 says:

      She’ll always be some unholy Dolores-Umbridge/Serena-Joy mashup via Ayn Rand to me. 🤮😬

  20. Tom says:

    Here in Wisconsin, we call her look Lutheran Nun. You can be any religion and still be a Lutheran Nun. It just means wearing plainness or dowdiness like a badge of piety without actually entering a convent, since LIt Hera should and all Protestants don’t have nuns.

  21. ChillyWilly says:

    This is some Stepford Wives sh!t.

  22. Lizzie Bathory says:

    Lol. Mike Pence is anti-gay in the same way Jerry Falwell, Jr. is.

    • pottymouth pup says:

      I think he may actually be a true believer. Remember Mother sat around and waited for him while he decided whether he could forgive her enough for not being a virgin & being divorced

      • Lizzie Bathory says:

        I think you’re right, though I still think he’s closeted. But he’s clearly not supporting anti-LGBTQ policies while rampantly humping every young guy he can find (Jerry Jr, Lindsey Graham, I’m looking at you).

        I did *not* remember that about Mother. She put up with that nonsense to bag…Mike Pence? Who has all the appeal of a bowl of potato salad that’s been left out in the sun all day? Looooooord.

      • Deering24 says:

        Yeesh, she did? What is with these eternally-Waiting Women? As if Kate wasn’t submissive enough…:p

  23. Amanda Bennett says:

    What is the saying? … “Putting lipstick on a bigot” ???

  24. Flamingo says:

    Her 2016 dress pictured here is off Rent the Runway! I rented it for a wedding. Mother’s husband couldn’t even give her the Amex for an inaugural ball?

  25. lucy2 says:

    Someone got herself a pandemic eye lift!

  26. Linda says:

    Botox and filler.

  27. Amy Too says:

    The article reminds me of Kate Middleton articles. She doesn’t do much, she has no accomplishments or projects to highlight, she doesn’t have much to say, so they spend 2/3 of the article focusing on her looks, with highly detailed explanations about her hair cut, part placement, hair color, highlights, dress color, skirt length, and general styling. Complete with actual f-ing quotes from friends/family about how we should be interpreting all the little signs about her personality that are apparently hinted at by the new look. “Highlights mean she’s happy! A side part means she’s a confident woman! The lack of bangs means she’s a smart, modern woman!” She doesn’t look/sound/act happy or confident, modern or smart. She doesn’t do anything to show us that she is any of those things. It’s infuriating to me. As if she’s somehow a good/better, more valuable, trustworthy, accomplished person because she spent some hours in a salon chair.

  28. holly hobby says:

    Should have kept the bangs. Now she looks perpetually startled. Also, Pence for 2024? What kind of reality is he living in? He’s lucky if he’s not in jail before then.

    • Miranda says:

      I have a friend from Indiana who says he’s only VP now because he did such a shit job back home that he was probably the only 2016 Republican with no solo career to cling to.

  29. Stacy Dresden says:

    She’s a gross hag who had better not be anywhere near DC in 2024!

  30. Marigold says:

    She canceled an event at one of our Austin schools that has Art therapist because of our strong LBGTQ stance. True story.

  31. Kaye says:

    I see George Bush the younger in a wig.

  32. Chrissy says:

    I think she did herself no favours with this “makeover”. She looks older than she did, is dressed like a school marm and her face and hair are unbecoming. And BTW, the photo of her husband makes him look like he has a broomstick up his ass! The two of them deserve each other but America deserves much better than this hateful, holier-than-thou couple who think nothing of looking the other way while his boss continuously breaks the law, cages children, works with Russia to commit treason and gaslights the America people on a daily basis.

  33. Diane says:

    Can change the outside all they want but it won’t change what she is inside … a horrid human being just like the rest of them. It’s the old lipstick on a pig is still a pig. (sorry pigs)

  34. Mimi says:

    I ćaught her on TV Early in the Trump Administration introducing Melania. She is a good public speaker (she’s a teacher) and gave off nice White middle class lady vibes. Next to her Melania looked like I giant robot who hasn’t been programmed to speak English properly. The contrast made Melania look completely bizarre.
    I have Mrs Pence some grudging respect because she was reported appalled by Trump’s sexual scandals and didn’t want her husband involved with Trump. Unfortunately this time around she got on board and drank the Kool Aid, campaigning for him with evangelicals. So another hypocrite in the religious right.

    • shanaynay says:

      Of course she drank the kool aid, and by doing that she showed her true colors. She must be as much a racist f**k as DT is

  35. CindyP says:

    I think she’s had more done than a haircut & highlights. She’s just as creepy as her husband.

  36. Allison says:

    I mean…. she probably just purchased the dress. Rent the Runway doesn’t have an exclusive on the dresses they offer, the point is that you can rent designer goods currently available at retail:). It’s likely just the Nicole Miller (or whatever designer, this looks like NM to me) that she bought off the rack; I simply can’t imagine she would have rented the dress for that occasion, when alterations were likely in order.

  37. SJR says:

    How/Why would a wife want their husband to call them “Mother?”

    I understand referring to his wife as Mother when addressing their children but, he calls her Mother? In public and private? WTH??

    Don’t get this at all. So, Mr. and Mrs. Pence go out to dinner, he asks for the salt…
    “Mother, please pass the salt” Really? Seriously?
    When they are at home alone he calls his wife “Mother?”
    Does she call him “Father” all the time?

    I honestly hate Trump and his entire lying team so I have zero awareness of Pence or his family.

    • Deering24 says:

      Calling a wife “Mother” is the sort of thing husbands in 19th century literature/real life would do. Makes perfect sense for these throwbacks.

  38. Busyann says:

    2020 mother looks oddly like a weird kate middleton.

  39. shanaynay says:

    A man calling his wife “Mother” is kind of like the Oedipus complex. It’s just creepy and very weird to me.

  40. My3cents says:

    How about Aunt Pence of Gilead?
    She probably has a cattle shocker in the closet.

  41. Sheila D says:

    I did not recognize the “refreshed” Mrs. Pence at all. Typically when one undergoes procedures to look younger/better keeping a little of your before face is recommended.