Celebrities have an enormous effect over the trends that we all follow throughout the year. While it would be hard to detail all of the great (and crazy) celebrity beauty that we saw in 2009, I’ve picked out the top 5 lovely ladies that kept me amazed this year!

5. Susan Boyle — OK, so the fact that I gave my grandmother Susan Boyle’s CD for Christmas doesn’t exactly make her one of the “hot” celebs of 2009, but you have to admit that she got one hell of a makeover! Whether you think it was all a big publicity stunt or you really love Ms. Boyle, I’m happy for her that her image does justice to her lovely voice now.

4. Blake Lively– Blake, aka Serena Van der Woodsen, had the most covet-able hair of 2009, and its hard to argue with that. An article in the New York Times even dubbed her ‘do the next “Rachel” (oh, FRIENDS and the 90s…) because so many people have requested a similar style from their hairdressers. I had some serious jealously over Blake’s hair when I ran into the filming of Gossip Girl and discovered that her hair really does look that good in person. Until I can figure out her secret, I will continue to work my poor hair curler until it burns out.

3. Marion Corillard — This lovely French actress did two crossover films this year (Public Enemies and Nine), and I couldn’t help but notice how wonderfully chic she is. She is often photographed out and about in very minimal makeup, which is fine because she is naturally beautiful! When she attended premieres and events, her makeup was always so classically glamorous and refined with a slightly smoky eye and a deep red or berry tinted lip.

2. Rihanna — Poor Rihanna went through a tough year, but in the end she showed us all that she’s a strong lady. That being said, she made some bold choices in beauty this year, changing up her short and punky hairstyle every few weeks, rocking crazy designs on her nails and trying out bold colors on her eyes and lips. Some of the looks were over-the-top, but overall I think she nailed it this year.

1. Lady Gaga — Are there even words enough to describe the beauty mystery that is Gaga? Whether you love her or hate her, you can’t deny that she easily created the biggest stir this year in celebrity beauty. From the blonde and pink hair she wore with her bloodstained performance at the VMAs to her red glitter eyes at a recent meeting with the Queen of England, she kept us all shocked and intrigued.