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Recording artist Katy Perry arrives at t

Beauty

The biggest hair moments at the VMAs

From meat dresses to snake accessories, the MTV Video Music Awards is known for its stunning — and shocking — looks. Here are 13 of the most memorable coifs the MTV Moonman has ever seen.

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US singer and actor Jared Leto arrives on the red carpet for the MTV Video Music Awards at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, USA, 25 August 2013. Photo by: Hubert Boesl/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images

Jared Leto: Ombre swoon

From meat dresses to snake accessories, the MTV Video Music Awards is known for its stunning — and shocking — looks. Here are 13 of the most memorable coifs the MTV Moonman has ever seen.


The most talked-about hairstyle at the 2013 VMAs was on -- le gasp! -- a guy, and a very pretty one at that. We didn’t think anything could beat Jordan Catalano’s famously ear-tucked angsty locks, but the heartthrob out-hotted himself with long ombre waves, sending our hearts to Mars, the nearest fainting couch or anywhere else he commands.

Hubert Boesl / dpa
2012 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals

Taylor Swift: Blunt bang bella

There’s two things you can count on, Swifty penning a song about her next date and the Southern blonde bringing her A-game to the red carpet. It’s almost impossible to pick a favorite ‘do but blunt bangs and pin-straight hair killed it in 2012. This broken-hearted belle is growing up.

Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images North America
Image: Beyonce

Beyonce: Soft side pony

It’s hard to imagine life before Blue Ivy. But a pregnant Bey stunned at the VMAs just 3 years ago. And not that she needed any help in the beauty department, but her pregnant glow certainly appears to have extended to stunning golden-blonde hair styled in this very feminine side pony.

Danny Moloshok / X01907
Katy Perry

Katy Perry: Rainbow waves

Perry’s no stranger to risk-taking when it comes to hair color. In fact, her hair has been almost every Crayola color imaginable. The woman knows good stage-hair. But in 2010, Katy toned it down (for her), opting for My Little Pony-style pops of pink and blue framing shorter, dark waves.

Chris Pizzello / AP
MTV Video Music Awards 2010 - Press Room - Los Angeles

Lady Gaga: Meat hair

Lady Gaga is the clear winner of VMA fashion moments? The singer mesmerized her little monsters by walking the red carpet with silver and teal tresses and a gold-leafed headpiece in 2010 but then upped the ante by swapping the Grecian-style spikes for meat. A new spin on matchy matchy, the performer wore a meat dress, too. That year she took home the coveted Moonman along with the award for shocking pretty much everyone who was watching.

Pa Wire / EMPPL PA Wire
2012 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals

Rihanna: Pixie powercut

Rihanna maintained her role as bold and beautiful in 2012 when she let her face take center stage with a pixie cut. We can’t imagine it’s easy to pull off a sleek ‘do that entails chopping off your long locks, but we’re guessing Rihanna’s Navy supporters loved seeing the change. We loved seeing it, too; this girl can do no wrong in the hair salon.

Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images North America
Pink

P!nk: Edgy and cute

Pink always sports edgy hairstyles. This throwback image makes us wonder if this "Something About Mary"-meets-Ed Grimley coif influenced Miley Cyrus’ ever growing front wave or the recent silver hair trend?

Peter Kramer / AP
2008 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals

Lauren Conrad: Braided bun

Let’s be clear, we want to be Lauren Conrad. Now that that's out of the way, let’s reflect on how amazing her hair is. The fashion designer and go-to lifestyle expert for the 20s and 30s crowd (sorry Blake Lively) scored red-carpet admission to the VMAs during her reign as reality royalty. This twisted updo is nothing if not sweet and sexy. It nails the “not trying too hard” look and could work for literally any occasion. Team L.C. for life.

Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images North America
2007 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals

Nicole Scherzinger: All dolled up

Nicole Scherzinger went classic updo with a sideswept bang at the 2007 awards. The look hit the red carpet the same year that the performer transitioned from Pussycat Doll fame to "X Factor" judge.

Ethan Miller / Getty Images North America
2011 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals

Adele: Bring back the bouffant

A huge bravo to Adele for bringing back the bouffant and doing it well. The British vocalist blew minds in 2011 with her second album release, the super popular "21," and her pumped up classic 60s-style hair.

Jason Merritt / Getty Images North America
Gwen Stefani arrives at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards at the American Airlines Arena on August 28, 2005 in Miami, Florida.

Gwen Stefani: Sleek high pony

Gwen Stefani doesn’t seem to leave the house without looking like she’s ready for the cameras, so it’s no surprise she scores high on the list of most memorable VMA hairstyles. In 2005 she pulled back her platinum locks into a high ponytail and added a bit of lift at the front.

2004 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals

Christina Aguilera: Curly Sue

Whoa, Christina Aguilera channeled the cartoon, Betty Boop, and old Hollywood film stars at the 2004 awards show with her short blonde curls. It was quite the shock, since just the year before the soulful diva arrived with jet-black long hair.

Peter Kramer / Getty Images North America
Image: Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus: Knots

Someone call Gwen Stefani, too, because Miley Cyrus seems to have plucked a page out of another '90s rocker’s style book. The controversial singer hit the scene in 2013 with her tongue out and her short hair pulled up tight.

Evan Agostini / Invision
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