2009 Best (and Worst) Beauty Trends

Kate Minus a Stylist

Dear Kate,

It's not necessarily a good thing that stores sell wigs of your hairstyle for Halloween. We know that you think everyone loves your reverse mullet, but the truth is that this spiky asymmetrical hairdo is not going to make it into the Beauty Hall of Fame anytime soon.

Brunettes Do It Better

We're used to seeing celebs go from blonde to blonder to blondest, but this year it seemed like more stars went over to the dark side. Our favorite brunette bombshells include Fergie, Ashlee Simpson (FYI, she's brown again), and Scarlett Johansson (who's already back to blonde).

Black Lipstick

We know we already called out Lady Gaga for her geometric bob, but we also had to mention her Goth-style lips. Talk about Bad Romance: This look is the kiss of death.

Umm...Hair Bows?

This look is adorable...on kindergartners and Minnie Mouse. Sure, Marc Jacobs sent some of the models at Louis Vuitton down the catwalk with enormous hair bows this year, and some celebrities even had the guts to wear one themselves. High marks for originality, but a failing grade from the fashion police.

Celebs Get "Lobbed"

While last year's "It" style was Posh's pixie cut, this year's hottest hair look goes to the lob — a collarbone-skimming twist on the classic bob that works great with straight or wavy strands. It also helped that the lob's poster girl was the always chic Gwyneth Paltrow, seen here.

Geometric Mess

We know geometry can be confusing, but that doesn't mean you need to use a protractor to whip up your red-carpet hairstyles. Yes, we're talking to you, Lady Gaga. (Love the fuchsia lipstick, though!)

Green Gets Glam

Eco-friendly beauty loot went from granola to glamorous in '09. From chic packaging to luxe formulas and all-natural organic ingredients, our skin never felt so indulgent and healthy. Even deodorant got a green upgrade. Our favorite new find: LAVANILA The Healthy Deodorant.

Sky-High Pouf

A subtle bump of volume can wake up a dull hairstyle, but anything you can measure in inches is too much for our taste. Case in point: Paris Hilton, who rocked this sky-high pompadour at the premiere of Michael Jackson's This Is It.

Matte Manis

Between super-dark polish, Minxing, and nail art, a bold manicure has gone from trendy to essential. But what really stood out was the introduction of shine-free nail polish. These formulas provide a muted mani in anything-but-boring shades like jet black, gunmetal gray, and deep red.

Skunked

Bold highlights are hot, but Christina Milian's two-toned locks made it look like her hairstylist quit in the middle of this dye job.

A New Beauty Icon Is Born

Forget her arms. Michelle Obama has shown us that even first ladies can set beauty trends. From a chic bob to her natural, glowing makeup, everyone wanted to emulate her timeless look.

Business in Front, Party in the Back

Normally on-trend Megan Fox needs to step away from the hair gel. Was she trying to bring back the mullet? We're so glad this '09 trend didn't pick up steam!

Lash Madness

Stubby lashes everywhere rejoiced when the FDA approved Latisse, the eyelash-growth treatment, and it became available in early 2009. Now extra-long fringe, as seen on Latisse spokesperson Brooke Shields, is just a prescription away.

Two Faced

Salt-N-Pepa pioneered the half-shaved hairdo, but if you ask them, it was from a perm burn not because they were trying on a new trend. Usually we love daring 'dos but we think that this one is better left in the '80s.

Vampy Vixen

The Twilight obsession extended into beauty this year with the release of its own product line, plus tons of makeup inspired by the film. If this gets us any closer to being Edward Cullen's girl, we're all for it! Our pick is DuWopTwilight Venom, a lip plumper that also leaves a just-bitten stain.

Just Say No to Feathery Faux

These false lashes may have been a huge hit on Halloween, but spotting celebs wearing them on a regular Saturday night out is a big beauty no-no. When in doubt, just stick to your trusty eyelash curler and a thick coat of DiorShow.

Retro Waves

Tousled, beachy waves, the longtime go-to look for many Hollywood "It" girls, got some fierce competition in the form of a more sophisticated, sculpted version, as seen here on Kristen Cavallari.

Return of the Bowl Cut?

Picture this: Mom's kitchen, big bowl, scissors. Now, flash-forward to the models on the runway for Phillip Lim's February 2009 show, who were all sporting this style. Feel free to scream and conjure up middle school memories of being teased.

Full-on Hawk

Pink has always had a look of her own and was definitely far from a wallflower at this year's MTV Video Music Awards with this anti-gravitational platinum bob. Rock it out, Ms. Pink, and channel your inner Billy Idol, 'cause we think you're probably the only woman who can!

Faking Short Locks

Kate Beckinsale, Jennifer Lopez, and Elizabeth Banks are just a few of the celebs who had us doing a double take when they tucked their long strands under to create a fun faux cropped look.

Make Braids, Not War

Lauren Conrad wasn't the only celeb who channeled the Summer of Love with this boho chic side-braid hairstyle. We loved the way just about every starlet wore a side braid everywhere from the red carpet to running errands.

Sticky Buns

Unless you're a ballerina or Princess Leia, you should never try to pull off the Cinnabon bun hairstyle. We actually felt sympathy pains when we saw Tyra's hairstyle at the Costume Institute Gala this year in NYC — her hair was wound so tight we knew it had to hurt.

Technicolor Eye Shadow

Maybe Shanna Moakler wanted her eye makeup to match her rainbow dress. Or perhaps she just couldn't decide between pink or blue shimmer shadow. Whatever the reason, this ultra-bright look is best left to cartoon characters.

Curl Girl

We love a soft wave or even a more tightly wound tendril, but the length coupled with the crazy curliness of this look seems a tad overdone. Is it us, or did her stylist take a cue from Will Ferrell's '07 Oscar look? Heck, with a body like Karina Smirnoff's from all that dancing, who cares what her hair looks like!

Dipped in Ink

We got on board with tie-dye shirts, we even owned a revival pair of acid washed jeans, but when Drew Barrymore put a new spin on unique hair with the ink-dipped bob she showed off at a press conference for her new flick Whip It, we decided to throw in the towel.