Would we take Donald Trump a little more seriously if he shaved his signature combover? Probably not. But the GOP frontrunner would look infinitely more refined if he did something -- anything! -- with his iconic floppy coif.
To prove this point, grooming expert and celebrity hairstylist Rene Fris took it upon himself to give Trump a do-over, gratis.
"I did this to prove to Donald Trump that he really does need a new haircut and color," Fris tells Mashable. "He has many options, so I'm hoping he'll do this for his fans and for those who see him as the future president."
Below, he provides Mashable with nine cuts (other than a man bun) he'd use to shorn the contentious entertainer's signature cat fuzz.
You'll be surprised at what a little trim, cut and color can do to one's appearance.
Even the biggest of naysayers will agree he looks a lot more elevated. Yep, even when bald.
1. Volumizer
For this, Fris said he'd simply "keep the top long and slick hair back with product," while transforming the 69-year-old from strawberry blonde to a more serious brunette.
"The color is a little too dark for his complexion," he says. "But he has thin hair, and if you do have that kind of hair, lifting it upwards makes it thicker."
2. The Liza
For this one, Fris took the mogul to black, making his look a little tougher. To even that out, he thinned his bangs, while tightening the sides and adding just a little more to the top. It's the more masculine version of Liza Minelli's signature baby bangs. We dig.
3. The Seacrest
We imagine anyone with this hairstyle beyond the age of 21 to be what we'd call "He Who Hath Crisis." It's the same older dude clad in Abercrombie & Fitch who drives a Mustang convertible, lugging a surfboard he doesn't use.
But we digress. For this, Fris says he would shorten the sides, cut to a shaggier length while styling the top with wax.
4. The Modern Gentleman
This all-American look is reminiscent of any sportscaster or weather dude on the Today Show. It's approachable, clean and, dare we say, sexy. Yeesh, we went there.
To get the look, Fris says he'd keep the length on top and grow out the side, while using a mild styling cream to hold back. "He looks so presidential here, doesn't he?" Fris quips.
5. The Wise Bald Man
This style says, "I come in peace," almost like a spiritual leader who has no allegiances. It's safe to say, then, that even when shorn of any hair, this look trumps Trump's current style.
That being said, Fris says he should definitely keep his hair. "He looks scary here, doesn't he? If he ever did go this bald, his wife would have to shine his scalp like she shines his shoes."
6. The "Daddy Look"
This is a classic style for politicians at any age and makes for a handsome look, a la George Clooney. Fris says he calls it the "Saint Tropez daddy" for gay French dudes of a certain age. It's not too short and not too long or trendy, and it shows off the face in the most graceful of ways -- it's, well, a "gay daddy."
7. Uniformed Style
It's a style that makes anyone of a mature age look more modern. With this uniformed approach, Fris is essentially creating the "same length all over." It makes the mogul look chicer, as if he gives a damn.
8. The 1mm Cut
Sometimes politicians look their best when bits and pieces of salt and pepper adorn their heads. It screams badass without being too demanding. This is the case for this millimeter cut, where all sides show a small bit of hair in the most militant of ways.
"This shapes his face so much better," Fris says. "He has a waterfall hairstyle now that makes him look rounder. This uplifts his eyes and he looks sharper."
9. Going chestnut
If all else fails, Trump, who's been said to be obsessed with his own iconic combover, can always go three shades darker with this tone. "If he keeps his style, why not go darker so he looks younger?" Fris says. "His complexion is already so white; without a darker tone he looks washed out."
UPDATE: Aug. 2, 2022, 6:24 p.m. EDT The images from this story have been removed.