Haute Hair: 2009's Most Memorable Red Carpet Hairdo's

Beyonce takes “go big or go home” to a whole new level with her bodacious, high-volume style. To do: Wash and set hair on large rollers, and when dry, fingerstyle curls and then backcomb hair at the crown. Smooth the top layer back with a fine-tooth comb.

Queen Latifah sexes up her honey-streaked strands by twisting the back into a chignon, and allowing the front layer to sweep across her forehead.

Thandie Newton always looks gorgeous on the red carpet, but we loved this particular style for two reasons—A.) it’s beyond elegant, and B.) it’s easy! To do, simply blow out hair, curl the ends with a one inch barrel curling iron, create a deep side part and brush to one side.

Done right, an elegant upsweep can make you look downright regal. Done wrong, and you’ll look like Prom Queen ’83. This year, no one rocked the updo better than Kerry Washington—her sleek, pin-curled buns are to die for.

This year, Toni Braxton was back on the scene in a major way (check out her appearances on Divas Live and Soul Train Awards). Her sleek, center-parted ponytail was the perfect “don’t call it a comeback” hairstyle.

Jennifer Hudson had a rough year, but you’d never know it from her dazzling red carpet looks. The beautiful belter’s retro Farrah Fawcett waves spawned a zillion trends in ’09.

The amber highlights, the flawless blowout, the long bangs—Serena Williams’ 2009 hairstyle was perfection (and with tresses this pretty, who cares about a little courtside temper tantrum?).

Mary J. Blige could do no wrong this year with her short-on-the-sides, long-on-top crop. The blonde streaks add sparkle and dimension.

After a couple years of long tresses, in 2009 Halle Berry made a return to her signature short pixie cut—and she’s never been more ravishing.

Rihanna’s heavy-banged, super-short style was one of 2009’s most copied looks, and for good reason—the edgy cut looks good on practically everyone.