Katharine McPhee's Changing Looks

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."

McPhee released her self-titled album-and showed off her trademark long, brunet waves.

She sported tapered bangs at the House Bunny premiere.

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."

She dressed up her punky platinum crop with a sleek headband.

The singer darkened her shag to a light brown with strawberry highlights.

Back to brunet! McPhee played up her natural hue with rich berry lipstick.

She gave her easy updo some '50s-era chic with cat-eye liner and hot pink lips.

The Smash beauty paired her very Marilyn waves with a smoky eye.