One of the most talked-about features of Yellowstone’s fierce and unpredictable Beth Dutton is her bold, strawberry blonde hair. But fans of the hit show often find themselves wondering: Is actress Kelly Reilly actually wearing a wig?
To answer that question, hair and wig expert Amber Renee, CEO of Arenee Lashes and Cosmetics, shared her professional opinion. Renee believes that what we’re seeing on screen may not be Reilly’s natural hair.
“Beth’s hair is voluminous, rugged, and styled with an unpolished glamour that fits the Montana setting,” Renee explained. However, she noted signs that suggest the character’s hair may be enhanced. “It often appears too thick around the crown, and the strands clump together more than you’d expect from natural hair,” she said. “It looks a little too perfectly messy—too consistently dramatic.”
Adding to the speculation is the noticeable difference between Beth Dutton’s hair on the show and Kelly Reilly’s real-life look. On Instagram and red carpets, Reilly’s natural hair is finer and sleeker, with a softer texture and a less styled appearance.
“The contrast in texture, volume, and even how her hair sits on her scalp makes it clear there’s a difference,” Renee said. “Reilly’s real hair feels more delicate and ethereal, unlike Beth’s more dramatic style.”
If Reilly is wearing a wig or using hairpieces on Yellowstone, Renee says it would be a smart move for both character development and practicality. “Beth is a woman with sharp edges and deep scars. Her wild, untamed hair helps tell that story,” she said. Wigs also make it easier to create consistent looks without constant heat styling, which can damage natural hair—a reason many actors and celebrities choose to wear them.
Tim Muir, head of the hair department on Yellowstone, confirmed that every hairstyle on the show is carefully designed to reflect Beth’s state of mind. “They are as calculated as she is,” Muir told the Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild. He shared that Beth’s hairstyles range from sleek power updos to loose, wild waves, depending on her emotional state.
Muir also revealed that wigs and hairpieces are commonly used on set, confirming that Reilly’s co-star Kelsey Asbille (Monica) wore a wig piece with her natural hair in some scenes. He cited several products used to craft Beth’s signature looks, including Oribe’s Gold Lust Dry Shampoo, Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, and Bumble and Bumble’s Sumoclay Matte Texture Clay.
Whether it’s a wig, hair extensions, or just expert styling, what matters most is how the look supports the character. As Renee put it, “Whether it’s a full wig or clever styling tricks, what matters most is how seamlessly Reilly disappears into Beth’s fierce, firebrand persona — hair and all.”
