Today, we’re taking a look back at the woman who shined the most this year in the beauty department.
From flawless makeup and hair coiffed to perfection, here are your nominees:
This has been a life-changing year for Kerry Washington. The actress has literally become a household name thanks to her hit show Scandal, giving her effortless beauty a chance to reach new parts of the globe.
From sultry red lips to shiny and voluminous hair, she has tried a few different things in the beauty department this year, providing the perfect complements to ultra-feminine looks.
You all loved Kerry’s choices this year, lauding her with responses like “Smoking hot!” and “Kerry has a swagger about her, I like her.”
I like her too! She is an effortless beauty and rarely disappoints. Her skin is almost as perfect as it comes and there’s never a hair out of place on her head. What’s not to love?
Check out everything she has done this year here.
2. Rihanna
Where to start with Rihanna? The Bajan songstress has had so many hairstyles this year, we could have a Beauty Diva of the Year poll just on her looks of 2012!
She started out the year with blonde, and many other celebrities and girls around the way followed suit. She opted for natural makeup with nude lips to complement the hair change.
Then halfway through her Battleship promotion, she went dark and long, with one side of her head shaved. Red lipstick became her best friend.
Though it was short-lived, she went bold and tried out dreadlocks while onstage!
She had a long and wavy moment, but then emerged with a short pixie, giving ethereal realness wherever she went! You all loved the change, responding, “RiRi is absolutely stunning” and “RiRi looks amazing, in my opinion the best she has ever looked. Her hair is everything.”
The pixie was also my favorite hair choice of Rih’s this year: it totally suits her face and really lets her beauty shine. With 2013 just around the corner, who knows what hairstyle she’ll try next! She always keeps us guessing.
Get all the 2012 news on Rihanna here.
Kelly Rowland has had flawless hair and skin since her days in Destiny’s Child, so it really isn’t ever a surprise to me when she is featured in the “Best of Beauty” any year.
The raven-haired beauty has had a bevy of performances this year and she stuck to a voluminous curly ‘do for most of 2012.
Kelly let her out of this world mane play centerstage and kept her beauty choices immaculate, but toned down. She did try out a red lip at the David Jones Spring/Summer 2012/2013 show in Sydney which was one of my favorite looks of the year from her.
It wasn’t all about the coils, as she did opt for straight hair on a handful of occasions.
Kelly definitely kept her hair and makeup on point this year and I only see bigger and better things for her in 2013.
Want more Kelly? See everything she’s been up to here.
4. Beyoncé
This was a big year for Beyoncé! She officially became a mommy to Blue Ivy and didn’t miss one step even through the last moments of her pregnancy.
B shed her baby weight in what seemed like a blink of an eye and was back on the scene with her curves on full display. Blonde shiny hair and glowing skin: clearly motherhood has been kind! I mean, the songstress was named The World’s Most Beautiful Woman of 2012 by People Magazine after all!
We saw the re-launch of House of Dereon this year with Beyoncé as the official face of the brand in its ad campaigns, as well as the release of her newest fragrance Midnight Heat.
It wasn’t all about glamour this year though: B had a slew of casual looks with barely-there makeup that made us all take notice of her effortless beauty. Her makeup artist dished that she has flawless skin; after this year, there’s pretty much no way you can deny that!
One style that has lasted with Beyoncé through the year has been her topknot. Whether with bangs or without, she has embraced the hairstyle and isn’t showing any signs of letting it go.
2012 was momentous for King B and she already has 2013 on lock with the Superbowl, her new Pepsi deal, and new music. I’m ready! Are you?
Get all your Beyoncé-related life here.
Kim Kardashian was everywhere this year and contributed to more headlines than some celebrities have in their entire careers!
We asked you all if you were over Kim– there were mixed reviews and will continue to be. Regardless, the woman continued to dominate and became the second half of KimYe. With her new union, she took on a new beauty look: no extensions, less makeup, and a visibly curvier body.
She still had some pretty fabulous moments this year when everything came together ever-so-perfectly. Kim is known for serving fierce and she obliged on more than a few occasions.
We also saw the brunette beauty grace more than a few pages and covers of magazines.
Kim’s latest endeavor? Her Khroma beauty line with her sisters. I think film is the only industry she hasn’t touched!
What will 2013 hold for Ms. Kardashian? Marriage? A KimYe clothing line? No one can tell, but we’ll certainly keep you in the know!
Indulge in all the tea on Kim this year here.
That’s all folks! Who was your Beauty Diva of 2012?
December 20, 2012 4:08 pm
Why are there ONLY 5 pics of Kerry, but 2.4 million pics of the other ladies?!
December 20, 2012 4:11 pm
I think it should go to Kelly Rowland she really step her game up. Kim should not be in this category being that shes probably the only whos done something to her face…like we didnt notice. Plus she changes her look for every boyfriend she has. j ust sayin
December 20, 2012 4:13 pm
I vote for ME : )
December 20, 2012 4:13 pm
For me it either Kerry Washington or Kelly Rowland. I love high cheekbones (wish I had them) and im a sucker for Kelly’s beautiful skin.
December 20, 2012 4:20 pm
Kerry Washington!
December 20, 2012 4:29 pm
@Kay…no She is not! BeYAWNce has had her nose done and lips slimmed. Kelly Rowland as well had a nose job,
Now to answer the post. I’m going with my Fellow Jamaican Kerry Washington, she’s never overdone, LOVE HER.
Rihanna is in second place for me, shes a Chameleon and can make anything look good!
December 20, 2012 4:35 pm
Beyoncé is the most beautiful one out of the bunch. Followed by Kerry.
December 20, 2012 4:37 pm
Beyonce her face is beautiful even without make up…yes sometimes she is shoved down our throats but you cant deny her natural beauty
December 20, 2012 4:39 pm
Kerry <3
December 20, 2012 4:43 pm
i gotta give it to my girl Rih. I loooved the blonde on her and I loved the pixie, I could do without the long dark.
December 20, 2012 4:44 pm
Kerry Washington is gorgeous but she has really, really bad hyperpigmentation. A friend who works for a tabloid told me once, years ago. Then I saw a pic of her without makeup. I feel bad for her…but she’s rich. Some peels, some microdermabrasion should fix that right up. I feel like she should win this category just because her MUA works magic.
December 20, 2012 4:44 pm
I’m going with fellow Jamaican as well Kerry Washington ,quite gorgeous
December 20, 2012 4:54 pm
Kerry! Hands down! I love her!
December 20, 2012 4:55 pm
sigh, Kim is supposed to be in Tyler Perry’s new movie. She has officially dabbled in everything.
December 20, 2012 4:56 pm
I’m going with fellow Jamaican as well Kerry Washington ,quite gorgeous and she’s so classic with her style absolute timeless beauty
December 20, 2012 4:57 pm
OMG! This is too hard to choose! I LOVE all these women, but I’m gonna go with :
Kerry Washington
December 20, 2012 5:00 pm
Technically only Kerry’s mother is Jamaican, and she was born here, so she is American. Lol
December 20, 2012 5:11 pm
All the ladies are beautiful. I felt Rihanna brought it this year, she was on fire. Sadly, Kim who ususally can dress her A@@ off, failed majorily with her fashion choices. I don’t know if she hired a new stylist or what but she needs to go back to what she was doing before Kanye- stat!!!!! Hopefully 2013 will be better for her.
December 20, 2012 5:13 pm
I had a hard time choosing between Kerry and Rihanna but went with Kerry
December 20, 2012 5:16 pm
Rihanna. She always changes her look and manages to pull them off. Kelly is just gorgeous, I would love to see her doing more
December 20, 2012 5:20 pm
It’s between Kelly and Kerry for me. Kim has had way too much plastic surgery on her face to even be considered.
December 20, 2012 5:30 pm
i’m going with kelly, she always looks gorgeous to me.
December 20, 2012 5:34 pm
hah back in 2007 or so, I went to a screening of a movie (the kind where you have to stay till the end and give your opinion) at Sony studios, with Kim K. It was the weirdest movie about a bunch of dudes in a sorority house, and Playboy bunnies..and tons of nudity. It was sooo bad I had to pretend to use the bathroom and run back to my car. So yes, Kim has attempted films. FAILURE.
December 20, 2012 5:47 pm
I know I voted already, but I’m voting again. Kerry W and Kelly with a close 2nd! :-)
December 20, 2012 5:52 pm
rihanna in the pixie cut-perfect
December 20, 2012 5:53 pm
I have to go with Kerry. She is so stunning and her intelligence just magnifies her beauty.
December 20, 2012 6:16 pm
Kerry washington or kelly rowland or both lol
December 20, 2012 6:17 pm
So I guess I’m the only 1 on here who isn’t a fan of Kerry Washington.IMO she’s not pretty and her style is boring. I probably have to give it 2 Rihanna b-cuz she’s a true beauty chameleon with Beyonce a close second b-cuz her skin is like silk.
December 20, 2012 6:42 pm
Rihanna for the win, she can rock every look, although the spiked pixie is my favorite on her.
December 20, 2012 6:59 pm
Okay I would say Beyonce gets first because she has such beautiful skin. Kim K has to be second because her face is beautiful and she always has the perfect makeup applications!
December 20, 2012 7:26 pm
love all the ladies except kim k. my vote goes to kerry washington w/kelly rowland & rihanna tied for a close second, & bey at #3. i wish kim would disappear from this site all together. she’s given way too much shine on the urban sites.
December 20, 2012 7:56 pm
@Loverly not too fond of your comment about Kerry how can you say she is beautiful then say you feel sorry for her. anywho my vote went to Kerry. She is gorg…and have this hidden sex appeal about her
December 20, 2012 8:03 pm
Kerry Washington should win if she would ever find some clothes that fit!
December 20, 2012 8:27 pm
Between Kerry Washington or Kelly Rowland for me, as for the others mostly they looked the same as last year.
December 20, 2012 8:32 pm
These choices are …..bossip-ish. Maybe the low votes on kim will keep you guys from posting her every five seconds and get back to showcased actual black models in the industry.
December 20, 2012 8:32 pm
I have to say I love love Kerry, this is definitely her year and beyond!! Bey is a close second, say what you want about her but her skin is flawless! Kelly and Rhi are gorgeous as well!
December 20, 2012 8:40 pm
Kerry
December 20, 2012 8:53 pm
Beyonce all day
December 20, 2012 8:53 pm
Beyonce
December 20, 2012 9:09 pm
KERRY!!
December 20, 2012 9:16 pm
Out of all of the women, the only one I believe who is a natural beauty if Beyonce. Maybe it’s because she’s the only one with minimal make-up. Kelly is gorgeous! She has great skin…Rihanna, without make up is not my cup of tea. Kim Kardashian, though I believe she is gorgeous is overrated beauty wise. Kerry Washington….I don’t know.
Giving this one to Beyonce. But, where is Joan Smalls? She’s by far the most beautiful woman; she and seslie Lopez( I know they’re models but their looks are beautiful!)
December 20, 2012 10:00 pm
RIRI
Kerry
Kelly
B
K
December 20, 2012 10:22 pm
Kelly
December 20, 2012 10:45 pm
Kerry really did it this year, she was getting it!
December 20, 2012 11:44 pm
Rihanna owned 2012. #1 album, tour, Vogue Cover, X factor and she ended it with that bangin’ pixie cut. Kerry comes in a close second. I wish I could vote for both. Beyonce didn’t do anything but let the world know she signed some contracts and made an attempt at social media. That’s not diva.
December 20, 2012 11:55 pm
I hated that blonde on Rihanna’s head. Beyonce yawn, Kelly yawn, Kim’s cute, but it’s Kerry’s time!
December 21, 2012 12:31 am
Rihanna, Beyonce, Kerry, Kim & Kelly !!! (in that order)
December 21, 2012 1:50 am
These are all great choices every one of these ladies brought their A game in the Beauty department this year. I’m going to give it to Kerry washington because her makeup and hair choices for me this year were great week after week.
December 21, 2012 5:02 am
….I wouldn’t call her a ‘beauty.’
Kelly looks nice but that’s it.
I voted for Bey, as she has the most natural beauty.
Love Kerry, but maybe next year.
Kim K’s makeup is always perfect so she’s a close 2nd for me! x
December 21, 2012 8:42 am
Rihanna and Kerry!
December 21, 2012 9:47 am
They’re all beautiful, but Rih has that little something extra that you cant deny so she gets my vote.
December 21, 2012 9:50 am
Oh, and Beyoncé was crowned People’s MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN THE WORLD ♥
December 21, 2012 9:55 am
Kim @ RIRI hands down the best…
December 21, 2012 10:00 am
Kerry, she’s beautiful, classy, sexy, intelligent, and most importantly,she’s versatile! Kerry has something that none of her counterparts on this list,with the exception of kelly have, CLASS. Some of you sound real ignorant and Eurocentric talking about Beyonce being the only one w/natural beauty. Chill. B can wear any designer, but she’s still a hoodrat who sings “Im so good with this,
I remind you I’m so hood with this”. Kerry Washington has an innocence about her, so when you see her in very sexy shoots like the one she did in Details magazine, it’s something different . Her taking her clothing off isn’t just another day in the life. It’s easy to tell she’s beautiful inside/out and comfortable in her own skin. I wasn’t going to go on this rant but it’s really disappointing to see fellow women of color equating her classiness with being boring. Sorry, but being need to be oversexed and over-styled doesn’t constitute as beauty. Lastly, why is Kim K on this list?…Anybody who has a team of makeup artists that practically live and travel with her 24/7 is bound to look flawless every second.
December 21, 2012 10:50 am
It’s between Kerry and Rihanna in the pixie cut. Both have had a flawless face throughout the year.
December 21, 2012 11:07 am
Kim k’s make up is supposed to represent that she has the Natural look but it’s Put on So heavy ( it looks like heavy stage make up or heavy Derma blend) that when she is not wearing it she Looks like 2 different people. Kim’ face is too artificial looking.
December 21, 2012 11:25 am
beyonce then rihanna.
December 21, 2012 11:30 am
KERRY!!
December 21, 2012 12:22 pm
@Andrea, lol okay Kerry stan. She *is* beautiful. You can have hyperpigmentation or other skin issues and still be beautiful. And yes, I do feel bad for her. If my minor skin problems bother me and I’m not famous, then I’m sure she couldn’t possibly be pleased with the condition of her skin. She gets her picture taken all the time. It’s probably nerve-wracking.
December 21, 2012 1:02 pm
You will always have that immature dingbat who comes into the comment section to debate other individual’s opinions. State your piece and move on @stopthemadness. If you are so egocentric to believe everyone has to oblige to your definition of beauty, obviously you have far more problems that a simple voting on Fashionbombdaily. Also, please be intelligent enough to distinguish between a person’s stage persona/lyrics and the person themselves.
December 21, 2012 1:56 pm
Beyonce, Kerry a close second. That’s it.
December 21, 2012 2:09 pm
All of these women are beautiful! I have to give it to Kelly though.
December 21, 2012 2:14 pm
And like dee said, you can’t equate a person with their lyrics as a singer, OR the roles they play as an actress. Kerry is someone’s mistress on Scandal and was one on I Think I Love My Wife… does that mean she sleeps with married men in real life? No! And if that were the case would you still be calling her classy and innocent?
December 21, 2012 3:54 pm
I can’t go against the only lady w/short hair cut, Rihanna, then Kerry next.
December 21, 2012 4:13 pm
Rihanna and her bold, red lip!
December 21, 2012 4:34 pm
Rihanna!!
December 21, 2012 5:00 pm
RIHANNA, then KERRY, then KELLY. Kim pulls off a lot of great looks here, buts she’s just overcooked/done to me.
December 21, 2012 6:33 pm
Kim…too much makeup.
Beyonce…meh
Rihanna..im not a fan so pass.
kelly rowland – stunning!
kerry is winning!
December 21, 2012 6:50 pm
Going with Kelly…. Although Kerry is a tight 2nd
December 21, 2012 7:04 pm
osky @loverly I understand
December 21, 2012 11:21 pm
I agree wit stats..
Kim looks old in her first pic and oily n the rest.. I like B but she’s no goddess.. These other women are very pretty as well.. Rih, Kerry, Kelly, thn b.. And if I gotta include her- Kim last
December 22, 2012 7:07 am
Kim K cannot be on that list. Yes she is a pretty woman but all that plastic and botox is making her face look so plastic. She looked so much better before all that, now she looks older. Thats the thing with too much surgery.
December 22, 2012 8:31 am
I vote for Beyonce. She looks amazing. Kim Kardashian is in that new Tyler Perry movie right??
December 22, 2012 3:22 pm
Sorry but that first picture of Kim is why I don’t think she should be included in this…giving me jocelyn wildenstein in progress teas. Rihanna gets my vote.
December 22, 2012 5:03 pm
I’m torn between Kelly Rowland and Kerry Washington, but I am going with Kerry because she is killing it this year! I hope to see her blow up the A-list next year. Also, I think she is very lady-like and represents Black women well.
December 23, 2012 5:00 am
I think it should go Rihanna! I skipped Beyonce and Kim K. They’re two women and this blog is an urban blog so, I dont understand why they’re on here. Anyway, I picked Rihanna because she switched it up alot and everyone else were pretty plain and boring in my opinion!
December 23, 2012 5:01 am
Two White Women*
December 23, 2012 4:46 pm
Kelly Rowland all day
December 23, 2012 11:29 pm
Rihanna for me. Always on point and not afraid to step outside the safe zone. Even without makeup, Rihanna is still beautiful to me. Her skin just glows. Kerry is my second choice. She pulls herself together beautifully.
December 24, 2012 11:31 am
Rihanna can’t win because of that Oprah interview!! Her hair looked like she picked up all the hair off the beauty shop floor and just arranged it on her head. That one moment disgraced all the other fab moments she had, in my opinion!
December 24, 2012 1:29 pm
Kerry Washington..
December 26, 2012 7:03 pm
Rhianna hands down !
February 1, 2013 11:46 am
Out of all these celebrities, I think Rihanna should take the title of diva 2012. There are very few people, who can adapt their hair and style like she can. It’s like no matter what she wears she looks great and is totally rocking it. Way to go Rihanna, keep it up.