The Year in Awesome Hairdos (Photos)

'Twas the year of shaved heads, laquered bobs, and Skrillex-inspired asymmetrical styles. The Daily Beast presents a look back at 2012's most memorable—for better or worse—heads of hair.

Getty Images (3); AP Photo

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One has to wonder how many bottles of hairspray head for the recycling bin every time Callista Gingrich leaves her house. The wife of Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich managed to keep her bob perfectly shellacked throughout the primary cycle.

Gregory Bull / AP Photo

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The normally long-haired actress shed her Cat Woman locks for the European premiere of The Dark Knight Rises this summer. Meow.

Ian Gavan / Getty Images

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No one does shine, curl and class quite like the Dutchess of Cambridge. Title aside, Kate's long tresses, killer wardrobe, and Prince Charming husband have made her the understandable envy of the watching world.

Dominic Lipinski, WPA Pool / Getty Images

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Hipster icon Lena Dunham shows off her androgynous hairstyle during Fashion Week in New York.

Desiree Navarro / Getty Images

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That's a winner's smile—and hairdo. Viola Davis wooed the Academy Awards with her performance in The Help and nabbed an Oscar, all while rocking her coif au naturel.

Michael Buckner / Getty Images

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It's a rule: boy-band members are required to have incredible hair (think Justin Timberlake's blond-tipped afro in 'N Sync), and British-Irish group One Direction is no exception. Legions of fans aren't complaining about these swoon-worthy locks.

John Macdougall, AFP / Getty Images

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Will someone explain the appeal of this to us? Dubstep DJ Skrillex pioneered the half-shaven hairdo and Hollywood's most outrageous musical stars, from Rihanna to Ke$ha to Ellie Goulding, followed suit.

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“Every journey ends, but we go on. The world turns and we turn with it,” Brad Pitt mused in his head-scratching ad for Chanel No. 5. Does this newfound seriousness mean he doesn't have time to wash his hair? The greasy, shoulder-length look isn't a good one, even for someone with Pitt's chiseled cheekbones.

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Big drama defined these stars' trendy haircuts, remaking not only their heads but their personas as well.

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At least he doesn't spend $500 on a haircut like certain past presidential contenders turned exposed philanderers, but Republican nominee Mitt Romney (shown here, at right, with vice-presidential running mate Paul Ryan) managed to make headlines (no pun intended) with his distinuished gray-swept head of thick, perfectly combed hair. Apparently, Americans weren't enamoured enough to put him in the Oval Office.

Mandel Ngan, AFP / Getty Images

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What girl hasn't fantasized about shaving her head at some point? Sometimes simple is where it's at, as actress Charlize Theron and singer Kellie Pickler prove with their barely-there do's.

FameFlynet; Getty Images

The Year in Awesome Hairdos (Photos)

From Anne Hathaway’s shockingly short cut to Callista Gingrich’s hairsprayed helmet, the spotlight-stealing hairdos from 2012 that deserve a double take.

Nina Strochlic