Erika Kirk has truly been in the spotlight since her husband’s assassination.

Now, a photo of her taken just months before Charlie’s death is drawing attention, sparking conversation about how her appearance has changed.

The “Mar-a-Lago look”

The mother of two has made multiple public appearances sporting what fans call the “Mar-a-Lago look,” popular in Donald Trump’s circle. The style features full makeup, heavy eyeshadow, glossy lips, and a polished blowout.

Comedian and content creator Suzanne Lambert, who went viral on TikTok for poking fun at the trend, broke it down in a 2025 interview with Glamour:

“No skin prep whatsoever. So there’s no moisturizer. If they use a primer, which is rare, […] it’s likely a silicone-based primer that does not go with their water-based foundation.” She added that the foundation often doesn’t match the wearer’s skin tone, resulting in that dreaded “sunburnt look” from choosing shades that are too warm. “They also don’t believe in sunscreen,” Lambert joked.

Now, a photo of a young Erika Kirk highlights just how much her makeup routine has changed since marrying Charlie and fully embracing the MAGA aesthetic. Back then, she wore far less foundation and eyeliner — so much so that she was almost unrecognizable compared to her current look.

Some observers have suggested Erika’s makeup choices reflect a shift in her public persona, while critics accuse her of leveraging her late husband’s death for personal or political gain. Since stepping into the role of CEO of Turning Point USA after Charlie’s passing, Erika has faced questions about her motivations.

The photo in question was taken in March 2025, six months before Charlie was fatally shot during a public event. In it, Erika appeared with minimal makeup — just mascara, foundation, and filled-in brows — far different from the heavy glam she wears today.

Fans noted the contrast:

“She started wearing more makeup after her husband d*ed. Interesting……” one Instagram user wrote.

Another added, “She looked very natural in this picture…” and a third commented, “Erika is too pretty to wear all that makeup! I don’t understand why she covers her true beauty with gobs of makeup?! It makes her look like Tammy Faye.”

Reflecting on her childhood, Erika shared that she was a tomboy growing up.

“Everyone thought I was a little boy because I wore Jordans and all these different types of athletic clothes,” she said. But as she got older, she embraced makeup, explaining, “After being such a tomboy and experiencing that my whole life, it was like, ‘Oh I can curl my hair, I can put on mascara.’ I just had a little late blooming period.”

But Erika Kirk isn’t always all about the full-glam look. The Turning Point USA CEO recently resurfaced to promote — what else? — her Biblein365 app and encourage followers to take part in her year-long devotional challenge. In a recent Instagram Stories post, she sported a cap and oversized sunglasses, her blonde hair loose, looking refreshed and surprisingly radiant without heavy makeup.

It’s a welcome change from her usual full-face of glam, and it makes you wonder if it’s time for Erika to take a break from her MUA. Like many women in MAGA circles, the former beauty queen has fully embraced the so-called Republican makeup trend, which has grown massively in popularity in recent years.

But it seems Erika is perfectly content with her look — haters be damned. And those critics haven’t stopped there; they’ve also targeted other aspects of her life.

In January 2026, Erika shared a video reflecting on her marriage, four months after Charlie’s death.

“After these past four months I’ve witnessed that what we built at home mattered even more than I realized at the time. We were mission focused, united front, because we were covenant committed first,” she told her nearly 7 million Instagram followers.

The post drew criticism, with some accusing her of capitalizing on her husband’s passing. “RIP Charlie. Erika you sus af,” one person commented.

Another added, “Something in my soul tells me something is not right with Erika – I know I’m not the only one who senses this.”

Earlier this month, Erika also requested a speedy trial for Tyler Robinson, the Utah man charged with assassinating Charlie. Her attorney argued that Robinson’s defense team had caused “undue” delays. Robinson is scheduled to return to court on February 3, facing multiple charges, including aggravated m*rder, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty if convicted.