What's a movie without a makeover? BOR-ING, that’s what. So after a long road trip of watching movie after movie I am recapping some of the hands down best movie transformations that have made it onto the big screen. From "Pretty Woman" to "The Princess Diaries" these iconic movies have taught us that all you need is a little mascara and a new hair do to slay.
My Fair Lady (1964)
The scene: The movie’s plot is Eliza Doolittle (Audrey Hepburn) transforming from a mere flower shop girl with a Cockney accent to a lady of society. She famously (and endlessly) repeats the lines “the rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain” in attempt to rid herself of her accent. At the end of the movie she attends a ball — because there is always a ball — and she is almost unrecognizable to the other attendees.
Why it’s great: When Audrey Hepburn shows up at the ball, she wows everyone, and who doesn’t love a classy done up Audrey Hepburn? She is what I strive to look like for my sorority formals, but let's be honest, we can only strive to look as good as Audrey, so she will continue to be #goals.
The Princess Diaries (2001)
The scene: Mia Thermopolis was a normal San Francisco teen just trying to make her way through High School with minimal bumps along the way. But when this clumsy 16-year-old discovers that she is the heir to the throne of Genovia (total made up country, BTW) via the majesty herself, Mia’s grandmother, she is asked to change her “I don’t care about looks” aesthetic to one that is more fitting for a princess.
Why it’s great: The makeover scene is famous because it fully grasps what women go through for beauty treatments from plucking eyebrows to broken hairbrushes — being beautiful is not an easy task. Once Mia is made over, people start to treat her differently and she takes on the role as the San Francisco version of Kate Middleton.
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
The scene: Andy (Anne Hathaway) is hired to be Miranda Preistly’s whipping girl, and of course in order to work in fashion you have to look the part, so Andy goes from plaid skirts and frizzy hair to bangs and Prada.
Why it’s great: Andy is able to be taken more seriously by her coworkers and they even start to see her as a threat, I mean with those heels — who wouldn’t?
She’s the Man (2006)
The scene: When Viola’s brother runs off to pursue his musical career she steps in to take his place, and join the soccer team. She does this to prove that girls are just as good as boys. Viola undergoes a total transformation to look the part of a guy complete with a wig, a chest wrap and manly swagger.
Why it’s great: Feminism, YEAH! Well I mean girls can do anything boys can do right? Viola (Amanda Bynes) undergoes fraud and identity theft in order to prove her point. And not only does she win the game, but she wins the heart of Channing Tatum (heart eyes).
Mean Girls (2004)
The scene: There is not a huge makeover scene for Cady Heron, but there is a significant scene where she is walking down the hallway with all "The Plastics" in tow. But the moment that Cady made it was when a girl says,”I saw Cady Heron wearing army pants and flip flops, so I got army pants and flip flops”.
Why it’s great: This movie is the spot-on rendition of the horrors of high school. After Cady’s makeover, she gets her own Regina treatment as everyone pledges their allegiance to the super hot new version of Cady Heron.
Pretty Woman (1990)
The scene: Just hours after being kicked out of top notch Beverly Hills boutique for being “in the wrong place,” Vivianne Ward is seen getting the royal treatment at a high end department store. She is then seen striking her stuff in a new suit and oversized hat and walks right back into that top notch boutique to let the sales clerk know that she “Made a big mistake. Big. Huge.”
Why it’s great: This scene proves that modern day society judges too harshly on appearances and the amount in your back account and Vivianne Ward (Julia Roberts) sets the record straight.
Grease (1978)
The scene: Sandy will do anything to prove her love for Danny in this iconic girl-girl-gone-bad look right down to smoking a cigarette. Cheers to you, Sandy, for squeezing into those tight leather pants in summer.
Why it’s great: Sandy was once a faint at the sight of blood good girl, but this new Sandy shows up to the end of the year carnival with a badass mentality complete with edgy makeup, black leather. and red mule shoes. This new get up gives her the confidence to tell Danny that he better shape up before he even considers being her boyfriend.
