#makeover scenes

[bops-fandom-wowie]

Too many prep and/or hyperfem makeovers/glow-ups in fiction

I wanna see more alternative and/or butch/masculine makeovers in fiction too

[cinemaven99]

[andthentheywilleatthestars]

What makeover scene traumatized you in middle school?

[wokeuptired]

probably going to dream up 90s movies AUs in my sleep tonight

[wawf]

Re: New Girl, Episodes 1-3

Original post by Mel, response by Mae

1) Mel did not include the video above in her post, because quality-wise it's a little peasanty. However: watch it. Watch it right now. Waste 42 seconds on motions you will never forget.

3) As for the makeover scenes Mel didn't like--I am pro makeover scenes. How you dress is not a purely superficial thing. It's a signal about confidence, and it also correlates with what you think looks "good," which is a cultural signifier--it can mark you as someone who is into high fashion, or someone who is into sports bars, or whatever. Obviously, there are other ways to indicate your confidence and subculture, but I don't think big reactions to makeovers are inherently objectifying or superficial. I think all the sitcom characters who do makeover spit-takes are reacting to the visual and the suggested persona change.

Also, I like Jess specifically starring in makeover scenes because yeah, most of the time, her roommates aren't thinking about how she looks--they're thinking about how she's a wreck. I hate the idea that because Jess is pretty, people should react to her as "hot" at all times. You can absolutely negate your looks by being weepy and awkward, and she does; the guys need a physical transformation to defamiliarize her and put her looks on the table. I feel like the New Girl makeover scenes reaffirm that yeah, shiny hair is great, but it's even greater to watch Dirty Dancing less than once a day.