WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army has released a sweeping update to its grooming and appearance policy, aiming to eliminate ambiguity and bring uniformity across the force. But while the Army insists the directive is about clarity, early reactions from soldiers and leaders alike suggest it’s done anything but.
The new directive, officially titled Army Directive 2025-18, lays out detailed standards for hairstyles, cosmetics, fingernails, earrings, and more — breaking down guidelines separately for male and female soldiers. The update is part of a broader push to align Army appearance standards with combat readiness and “what right looks like.”
“This definitive guidance gives leaders the tools they need,” said Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer. “You don’t have to memorize it, but you should know what right looks like.”
Apparently, knowing what “right” looks like is easier said than done.
What’s Actually Changed?
At first glance, many of the rules may look familiar — but the Army insists this is about clarity, not major shifts. For example:
- Female soldiers can wear ponytails again (up to 6 inches in length from the collar), but not in service or dress uniforms.
- Braids, twists, locs, and cornrows are allowed in limited styles, with width and placement restrictions.
- For both sexes, the policy now specifies that hair must be “blended” and cannot include “shaping and cutting in designs.”
- Male soldiers’ hair must be no longer than 2 inches in “bulk” on top and 1 inch on the sides — a detail that caused immediate debate online.
Nail polish for female soldiers is now limited to clear only, putting an end to the once-allowed natural or skin-toned hues. For male soldiers: still no polish, earrings, or cosmetics allowed — period.
Hair Length or Hair “Bulk”? Soldiers Weigh In
The Army’s intent may be clarity, but confusion is already growing — particularly around the term “bulk.”
A lively thread on the Army’s official Facebook post highlights how even NCOs and veterans interpret the standard differently. While the directive specifies that male soldiers’ hair “bulk” cannot exceed 2 inches on top, soldiers debated whether that meant total length or depth from the scalp.
“OK, so what’s changed? It looks pretty much the same,” wrote one commenter.
“It’s the bulk, not length!” replied another. “The distance from the scalp — not if you straighten it and measure it.”
Others questioned how strictly leaders would interpret the rule — and whether enforcement would be consistent.
“I’m NOT excited to see how many leaders misperceive this,” one user warned.
Female Standards: More Detailed, But Still Controversial
The female grooming standards were perhaps the most detailed — and the most restrictive in some areas.
While female soldiers may wear certain hairstyles (like braids or ponytails), there are numerous limits on how they’re worn — including maximum width for braids (2 inches) and strict blending requirements for short styles.
In the cosmetics section, the Army clarified that:
- No tattooed makeup is allowed.
- Lipstick is banned altogether.
- Lip gloss must be clear or skin-toned.
- Semi-permanent makeup is allowed — as long as it looks natural.
For nails, only clear polish is now authorized. That change alone sparked frustration among commenters.
“So no more natural/skin tone nail polish for females?” asked one user.
“No. Clear nail polish only,” the Army replied.
The shift seems minor but drew backlash from female soldiers who saw it as a step backward.
“This is BS!” wrote one commenter.
“Womp womp,” added another.
Earrings, Eyelashes, and Everything In Between
The policy also prohibits eyelash extensions or false lashes unless medically exempted — a new detail that surprised many. As for earrings, female soldiers may wear one matching stud per earlobe, as long as they’re plain and under ¼ inch in diameter. Male soldiers are still barred from wearing earrings altogether — on or off duty.
A Policy Meant for Unity — Or Uniformity at All Costs?
The Army’s messaging is clear: these updates are about professionalism, discipline, and ensuring soldiers know exactly what’s expected of them. The policy was developed with input from across the force, according to the Army, and applies universally within 30 days of the directive’s release.
But early feedback shows the friction between intent and impact.
While the Army hoped to eliminate ambiguity, the emphasis on detailed grooming rules — down to the shape of nail tips — is raising eyebrows (which, for the record, should probably not be microbladed).
More than anything, soldiers are asking: Does this reflect readiness in the field? Or is it a return to nitpicking appearances at the expense of trust and leadership?
One veteran summed it up best:
“I was Navy Aviation in the 70’s. We were fking hippies. Long hair, beards, mustaches . So long as the scott air pack sealed, all was good.”
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