the buzz log

Last Thursday, paparazzi photographs answered the question that's been on many minds since the 2006 debut of Disney's "High School Musical": Does Zac Efron have a forehead? Based on what the photos show, we can confirm: Yes, Virginia, there is a forehead.

Much to the horror of tweens everywhere, 21-year-old Efron cut off the locks that have grazed his mesmerizingly long eyelashes for the past three years, to reveal a sleeker, more manly look. Some speculate that he ditched his trademark 'do to get more mature roles, which makes sense considering Efron recently backed out of the remake of the teen flick "Footloose" and instead accepted a serious role in "The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud." BuddyTV suspects he cut his hair to throw off the paparazzi that have been stalking him relentlessly, quoting him from earlier this year: "I just want to explore—but I don't know how I'd do it. Maybe I'd shave my head to try and go incognito? Yeah, that's what I'd do."

Or perhaps his agent read The New York Observer's article on "The New Male Beauty"—which points out Efron's strong resemblance to fellow pretty-boys Chace Crawford ("Gossip Girl"), Ian Somerhalder ("Lost"), Chris Pine ("Star Trek"), and others—and decided it was time for him to stand out from the crowd. If so, that plan has unfortunately backfired: NY Daily News reports Crawford got a similar haircut recently, as did heartthrob Jared Leto. E! Online thinks Efron's new cut makes him look like "Twilight" hunk Robert Pattinson, who underwent his own heartbreaking hair transformation last December.

One thing is clear: Man-bangs are out, foreheads are in. Teen-idol wannabes, take note!

Filed under: Hair

Not every movie star has to compete with her costar for best hair. We hardly remember to look at "Twilight" actress Kristen Stewart when lush-locked Robert Pattinson is anywhere near.

But this new Stewart 'do seems like a serious fashion don't. The kinder posts have likened the style to Joan Jett's famously choppy cut, but it sure looks like a mullet to us.

If you can't imagine the "New Moon" celeb walking into a hair salon and requesting the "Joan Jett," there is a reason for the hairstyle. Stewart will play the rocker in the upcoming biopic "The Runaways." What we do for our art.

People.com asked fans to weigh in on the cropped cut, and comments run the gamut. There's the distressed: "The new hairstyle is a total, epic fail" (ouch). And the more understanding: "I don't like it for her but I think it's great for the part." The gossip site Hecklerspray holds nothing back, calling Stewart's style "half tatty scarecrow mullet and half barely-alive lawnmower-mangled crow." C'mon guys, tell us what you really think.

Buzz about the star is topping the charts. One-day searches on "kristen stewart" were spiking almost 500%.

Love it or hate it, the new 'do sure has our attention.

Filed under: Actors, Hair

Apologies to the petite and the mousy haired: Sometimes bigger really is better. What other proof do you need than the International Fantasy Hair Competition. Walking with head held upright optional.

You can put away your hairspray for now. The teased tresses we're seeing were on stage, not on the street. For one night in New Hampshire, feathers, flowers, chicken wire, and birds topped the noggins of 50 models looking to be a head above the rest. The winner sported a halo of peacock feathers. And lots and lots of hairspray.

The literally hair-raising styles also raised money for a good cause. Proceeds of the competition supported a local food bank. Not to mention the cause of huge hair. View a slide show here.

Filed under: Fashion, Hair