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The Makeover

"MAKEOVERMAKEOVERMAKEOVERMAKEOVER! FOR YOU AND ME!"

—Clone High make over song

Simply put, the transformation from mundane (or ugly) to beautiful. This is a theme found in works from all over the world, though probably the best known is the "Cinderella" rags-to-riches story. The Makeover may result in a permanent change in the character, but it's just as likely they'll reform at the end of a story as they learn it's alright to Be Yourself.

The Makeover most commonly results in a change in appearance, but it has other forms. A Training Montage, for example, is a kind of makeover. The Makeover is also a major source of Character Development, as the physical transformation has an impact on the personality of the character, for better or for worse.

Frequently takes the form of a Makeover Montage, but not always.

Truth in Television, though fictional ones are generally more dramatic.

Compare Rule of Glamorous.

Sub-Tropes:

Examples:

Advertising

The Boutique public service ad from Canada is a creepy deconstruction of this.

Film

Chicago: Roxie's transformation from homely housewife to "the sweetest little jazz killer in Chicago." More so in the film than the theatre production.
She's All That
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
Princess Diaries
The Wizard of Oz, during "The Merry Old Land of Oz".
The main character of Pretty Woman, who goes from poor prostitute to classy prostitute in the span of one Shopping Montage
She's The Man, when Viola goes Sweet Polly Oliver.
Clueless has two: Tai, from uncool to hip, and Cher, from ditzy to... trying to be less ditzy.
Legally Blonde
Mean Girls
My Fair Lady
In the the end of The Breakfast Club.

Fairy Tales and Folklore

"Cinderella"
"Aladdin"

Reality TV

There exists a whole genre of reality shows all about making over unattractive people, ranging from extreme (including orthodontic and plastic surgery) to the more moderate wardrobe makeover.
- Extreme Makeover (outstripped by its spin-off, Extreme Make Over Home Edition)
- What Not to Wear
- Trial By Jury
- How to Look Good Naked
- Tim Gunn's Guide to Style, though Tim Gunn is unusual in that he gives advice on how to work with his makeover target's figure, and also tries to help them get past whatever it is that causes them to dress horribly in the first place.
- Queer Eye For The Straight Guy used to do this, and America's Next Top Model has a makeover episode every cycle.

Theatre

Hairspray, Tracey and Edna in "Welcome to the Sixties".
Annie: Little orphan Annie in "I Think I'm Gonna like It Here".

Western Animation

Parodied in the Clone High episode "Makeover Makeover Makeover".
The Weekenders, when Tish lands a role on a teen TV show.
Disney's Mulan has two of these, in "You'll Bring Honor To Us All" and her montage where she becomes a boy.
An episode of Family Guy involved Meg getting a makover and becoming the lead singer of her Family Band.

Make Up or Break Up

Plots

Making The Masterpiece

Keep Abreast of This Index

Personal Appearance Tropes

Mouthful Of Index

alternative title(s): Makeover

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