Makeover

Makeover is a general term for a comprehensive transformation intended to improve appearance, condition, or presentation of a person, place, or object. The word combines make and over, implying a complete rework. It is used in fashion, beauty, interior design, and media to describe planned alterations that yield a renewed look or function.

Personal makeovers focus on appearance and lifestyle, including hair, makeup, wardrobe, skincare, and sometimes fitness or grooming. Home makeovers refer to interior renovations, remodeling, or staging to enhance aesthetics, comfort, or market value. Business or product makeovers include rebranding, packaging redesign, or process improvements to refresh public image or performance.

Common steps typically include assessment of the current state, goal setting, planning, implementation of changes, and evaluation. In media, makeover reality shows document this process, often with a designer-led team and a published timeline.

Historical notes: the concept predates modern media but gained popular usage in magazines and, later, television, especially from the late 20th century onward.

Criticisms and considerations include the potential reinforcement of narrow beauty ideals or costly, rapid changes. In housing makeovers, questions arise about value relative to expense and concerns over sustainability and longevity of results.

See also: renovation, remodeling, interior design, rebranding.