Why Lauren Conrad Is and Will Always Be the Ultimate Summer Babe

Lauren Conrad may have gotten her start thanks to reality TV, but she has come a long way since her Laguna Beach days; she's written novels, started her own brand, and launched her own addictive website. LC's known for her California cool-girl style, which means plenty of chic topknots, beach waves, a golden-girl glow, and retro cat eyes. But Lauren didn't always look like that — so we honor one of our favorite Summer babes on her birthday today by capturing her top beauty moments through the years.

2005
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2005

Lauren was getting a taste of fame from her reality show Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County. For an appearance with the rest of the crew, she went with stick-straight hair that was pinned back at the crown.

2006
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2006

At the MTV Movie Awards, Lauren showed off her penchant for waves. Back then she curled her hair toward her face for a look that's a little different from her signature après-beach style. And she hadn't quite discovered her signature cat eye yet.

2010
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2010

The style star hit Barnes & Noble to sign her latest books: Sugar and Spice and Lauren Conrad Style Guide. She accented her white lace dress with an updo, face-framing tendrils, and a sparkling accessory. She went for soft makeup, but you can see her cat-eye eyeliner behind her voluminous lashes.

2010
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2010

For her appearance at theVH1 Save the Music Foundation Gala, Lauren went with a side bun and a deep red lipstick to pair with her winged liner.

2011
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2011

Spotted at CoverGirl's 50th anniversary party, the star changed up her signature blond mane for a brunette style. She paired the flattering rich hue with rosy cheeks, pink lips, and a touch of eyeliner — of course!

2011
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2011

At Fashion's Night Out, Lauren was seen in her signature style: loose blond waves, natural makeup, and black cat eyeliner. Not a bad look, at all!

2011
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2011

Lauren played with a curled faux bob style at a benefit. She went with a bright pink pout and flicked liner.

2012
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2012

To promote her book The Fame Game, Lauren showed up in her signature makeup look but took some risks with her dip-dyed ponytail. The hot pink hue definitely turned heads.

2012
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2012

Another Lauren signature is her voluminous topknot. She mastered the look at New York Fashion Week.

2012
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2012

Lauren was busy with another book, Starstruck. For a signing, she wore her classic makeup paired with a playful high ponytail.

2013
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2013

For the Kentucky Derby, Lauren played the role of spectator perfectly when she was spotted wearing this oversize hat and dainty frock.

2013
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2013

Nobody does ombré quite like Lauren Conrad. And at the Malibu Rum Island Spiced launch party earlier this year, the star accentuated her multidimensional blond with a hot-pink lipstick.

2013
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2013

For a classic LC look, go with winged liner, pink lips, softly bronzed cheeks, and an oversize topknot.

2013
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2013

It's rare we see Lauren in bangs, but at the Young Hollywood Awards, the designer opted for this long and piecey fringed look.

2013
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2013

At a Downy event last September, Lauren debuted a much lighter version of her go-to ombré style.

2013
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2013

At the launch of her collaboration with BlueAvocado, Lauren opted for her signature ponytail, cat eye, and red manicure combination.

2014
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2014

As a guest on Extra, Lauren paired a textured lob with ultraflattering peach blush.

2014
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2014

Lauren hosted a party for Malibu Island Spiced Rum at the Mondrian South Beach Hotel sporting a bolder brow and a red manicure that popped against her blue dress.

2014
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2014

Lauren let her long, wavy hair do the talking at the Veuve Cliquot Polo Classic.

2015
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2015

Lauren debuted a short-haired look when she attended a John Freida event.

2015
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2015

Lauren paired a bold lip color with a messy ponytail when she attended a Tommy Bahama event.

2015
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2015

Lauren's beachy waves and rosy cheeks were the perfect look for her LC Lauren Conrad show at New York Fashion Week.

2015
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2015

Lauren rocked a sun-kissed glow and a retro-waved wob when she attended the 2015 Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic.