Celebrity Transformations Katharine McPhee's Changing Looks By InStyle Editors InStyle Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter Our editors and writers comprise decades of expertise across the beauty, fashion, lifestyle and wellness spaces in print and digital. We prioritize journalistic integrity, factual accuracy, and also having fun with every story we share. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on February 20, 2015 @ 02:35PM Pin Share Tweet Email Trending Videos Photo: Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic Katharine McPhee's Changing Looks 01 of 09 2006 Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic The American Idol runner-up went the extra mile for a big red-carpet appearance. "It took me 3 1/2 hours to get ready for the American Music Awards," she told InStyle of her straightened locks and lush lashes. "That's insane. It normally takes me 25 minutes to leave the house." 02 of 09 2007 Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic McPhee released her self-titled album-and showed off her trademark long, brunet waves. 03 of 09 2008 Gregg DeGuire/WireImage She sported tapered bangs at the House Bunny premiere. 04 of 09 2009 Michael Loccisano/Getty Images In honor of her Unbroken album, McPhee went blond. "I've never dyed my hair before so this was a pretty drastic change," she told People.com. "I've always been known as a brunette but I've been thinking about it for a long time and it kind of just fit with all of the searching with the music and experimenting that I would do the same thing with my look." 05 of 09 2009 Craig Barritt/Getty Images She dressed up her punky platinum crop with a sleek headband. 06 of 09 2010 Jordan Strauss/Getty Images for Vanity Fair The singer darkened her shag to a light brown with strawberry highlights. 07 of 09 2010 Angela Weiss/Getty Images Back to brunet! McPhee played up her natural hue with rich berry lipstick. 08 of 09 2011 Angela Weiss/WireImage She gave her easy updo some '50s-era chic with cat-eye liner and hot pink lips. 09 of 09 2012 Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic The Smash beauty paired her very Marilyn waves with a smoky eye.