The concept of a makeover is simple: you come in looking “less attractive” and come out looking “more attractive.” This is supposed to make you feel better physically, emotionally and–in the case of crying Swan contestants–apparently spiritually.
Typical makeovers consist of lots of foundation, some blush, heavy eye, brow, lip and cheek contouring, blown out hair, clothes that make the wearer appear thinner and an elevated voice inflection of about half an octave (okay, maybe that last one is just my own speculation). Basically, the average makeover involves giving the made-over person an entirely different appearance. I suppose it wouldn’t be called a “makeover” if it didn’t essentially translate scribbling over one look until it changes into an entirely different one, but I nevertheless find most of these processes unnecessary at best.
ALL SHE DID WAS REMOVE HER GLASSES AND TAKE OUT HER PONYTAIL, YOU GUYS.
Getting a “makeover” isn’t something I would recommend most people do for their appearances. If anything, it’s something I would strongly advise against: it puts an unnecessary amount of focus on some obtuse transformational aspect, as though a person isn’t interesting or of value until they fit a very tiny, difficult mold shaped similarly to a life-size Barbie doll.
Side note: I say “Barbie doll” because men almost never get makeovers. How many films and television shows have you seen where a man gets a makeover? They certainly exist, but they typically involve just clothing changes plus the occasional shave in order to attract women, whereas women’s are about looking better in the office, looking more stereotypically feminine, helping your newfound boyfriend beat fellow assholes at bets, winning pageants for the FBI and not looking like a whore. Women are given dozens of reasons in dozens of programs as to why self-improvement must include an element of appearance.
