Makeover

A makeover is changing one's appearance, often using cosmetics and hair styling. Makeovers can range from something as simple as a new haircut, to the use of cosmetic surgery, to the extreme of the implantation of dental veneers, eye-color-changing contact lenses, and the use of appearance-altering gastric bypass surgeries, providing massive, permanent fat loss in obese persons, and the associated plastic surgeries, such as abdominoplasty, to eliminate the resulting loose-hanging skin folds (the "panniculus").

A makeunder is based on the opposite principle - removing artificial enhancements to a person's appearance to give a more 'natural' look.

In media

Television

Makeovers are often popular television subjects. Long a staple subject of daytime talk shows, they have recently moved into the limelight in television shows such as Queer Eye. Other popular makeover shows include What Not to Wear, How to Look Good Naked, Extreme Makeover, MADE, Ambush Makeover and Pimp My Ride. See makeover reality television series.

Computer software and online tools can also be used for performing what are known as Virtual Makeovers. Using a photograph of a human face, software can apply cosmetics, hairstyles, and various eyewear such as contact lenses and sunglasses in order to allow users to visualize different looks without physically trying them on.

The term is also used with the word "girly" before it. This usually refers to a male going through a makeover into a girl; being dressed up and treated like a girl.

Books

There is also a series of books, aimed at teenage girls, called The Makeover Series, written by Suzanne Weyn. There are several experts who perform the art of makeovers. Usually makeover artists specialize in hairstyling, make-up or clothing.

"The Makeover Guy" is a registered trademark for author and makeover expert Christopher Hopkins who is known for his television head-to-toe makeovers.

See also

• Pygmalion (play)

External links

• Nine Beautiful Women, Before and After Makeover
• Virtual makeover with colored lens