Fashion

The Most Dramatic Celebrity Makeovers Of All Time

by Rosie W.

Just as you'd color your hair red after a breakup (uh, bad decision BTW), celebs too are known for overhauling their look when they're ready to start fresh. When they're really ready to start fresh, well, we have most dramatic celebrity makeovers ever. Think Kelly Osbourne pre-Fashion Police, or Miley Cyrus pre-Bangerz — these celebs were ready to make a major change, and boy did they follow through.

As fans of fashion and beauty can attest, there's nothing quite like a good old-fashioned makeover. Just recall the popularity of makeover shows such as What Not To Wear and How Do I Look? back in the mid '00s, in which nominees were assured that, by changing their appearance, the rest of their lives would follow suit. Obviously this wasn't the case — as great as a pair of well-tailored jeans are, they can't exactly do your taxes — but watching everyday people alter their appearance radically with the assistance of a style team shows us how much consideration goes into creating a celebrity's image.

Celeb makeovers aren't anything new, either — they date back to the early days of Hollywood. Take, for example, '40s heartthrob Rita Hayworth. Known for her firey red mane and peekaboo bang, Hayworth was born with black hair and a low hairline. According to the Huffington Post, Hayworth permanently altered her hairline with electrolysis and colored her roots every three days to conceal her regrowth. Now that is maintaining an image.

Without further adieu, I give you the most dramatic celeb makeovers ever.

1. Marilyn Monroe

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Born Norma Jeane Baker, Monroe was a brunette until studio execs insisted otherwise. The result?

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The Marilyn Monroe we all know.

2. Victoria Beckham

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Beckham got her start as Posh Spice, the most (and only, IMO) sharply dressed member of the Spice Girls.

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Since leaving the Spice Girls (and it looks like they're never ever getting back together), Beckham married David Beckham and seems to be trying her hardest to forget she was ever in a girl band.

3. Angelina Jolie

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Jolie was always a talented actor, but at the beginning of her career she delighted in wearing black and vials of blood around her neck.

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Nowadays, Jolie still loves her black — but she's shown us through her extensive philanthropic work that she's not as scary as she wanted us to think.

4. Natalie Portman

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Natalie Portman's big break came with her casting as Padme in the Star Wars prequels, but she didn't make waves until...

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In what would become the most iconic movie moment of 2006, Portman shaved off her hair on camera in V For Vendetta. Her career hasn't floundered since.

5. Kelly Osbourne

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As the daughter of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, we all pretty much expected that Kelly would be a fashion rebel.

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Until, that is, she threw everybody for loop when she debuted her trademark lavender locks and scored a spot on the Fashion Police.

6. Kim Kardashian

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Kim K sported brunette locks ever since she worked for Paris Hilton.

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Until she met Kanye West, that is, and decided to go blonde, however briefly.

7. Justin Beiber

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Though it's hard to remember the days before Beiber was crashing sports cars, the singer was barely in middle school when he caught his big break.

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Now that he's a fully fledged pop star, Beiber has ditched his signature bangs for a more mature and edgy blonde 'do.

8. Jennifer Hudson

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Jennifer Hudson burst onto the scene with her appearance on the third season of American Idol.

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Although Hudson was eliminated early, her career (and look) has really taken off. She's a contender for playing Aretha Franklin, people.

9. Solange Knowles

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The younger sister of Queen Bey, Solange used to rock straightened hair.

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But now she's a natural hair idol and fashion template. This woman can make an insane dress look great, people.

Images: Getty Images