How Do I Look?

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How Do I Look?
Genre	Reality
Presented by	Finola Hughes
Country of origin	United States
Language(s)	English
Production
Running time	60 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	Style
Original airing	2004

How Do I Look? is a makeover show airing on the Style Network. Hosted by soap opera veteran Finola Hughes, the show features "fashion victims," turned in by their friends, coworkers, and family members. Although there are variations in each episode tailored to the individual contestant, every episode follows the same basic pattern.

[edit] Overview

Each episode begins with a short montage introducing the subject of the makeover. Contestants typically are "victims" of a combination of poor fashion sense and lifestyle situations that exacerbate the problem. The makeover often coincides with a turning point in the person's life, such as starting college, changing careers, or losing weight. Two "accomplices" who are close to the contestant express concern over the negative affect of the contestant's appearance on his or her life. Accomplices may be family members (spouses, parents, children, siblings, etc.), friends, or coworkers.

These two people will be joined by a third accomplice, a professional stylist. Together the three go through the contestant's entire wardrobe, each choosing pieces to throw out. Accomplices will poke fun at the contestant's fashion sense while sorting through piles of outdated, boring, or outrageous clothing.

Hughes and the contestant will then confront the accomplices who will then detail their reactions to the contestant's wardrobe. In the first season, accomplices were limited to only one item, but in subsequent seasons, they are shown removing multiple or many items. Contestants are often distressed and hurt as the accomplices throw out favorite items and critique the contestant's style, though some are more open to change than others. The contestant has an opportunity to respond to the criticism and make requests regarding the makeover.

The contestant then has a one-on-one conversation with Hughes about the reasons behind his or her clothing choices, his or her feelings about the critiques, and his or her fears and expectations for the rest of the makeover. The segment ends with Hughes sending the accomplices to shop for clothing. Occasionally, the shopping period is paired with a special trip for the contestant that somehow reflects their needs. Such trips include spa visits, dancing lessons, and therapy sessions.

Each accomplice is given $1200 to spend on a collection of three outfits for the contestant. Two of the three outfits must fit set themes based on the contestant's lifestyle and needs and are generally given titles that are puns or clichéd phrases that play on these elements. For example, the episode featuring teacher Marlena McTigue included the outfit theme "Making the Grade." The final outfit in each collection is the "Wildcard," an outfit that the accomplice feels the contestant's wardrobe needs. In some episodes, collections must include an element of the contestant's original wardrobe, as in the episode featuring Karen Maruyama where the accomplices were required to incorporate a pair of shoes from Maruyama's existing collection. Each collection also includes a set of makeup and a new hairstyle. The contestant must choose one collection and accept it in its entirety.

The following day, Hughes and the contestant watch footage of each accomplice's shopping spree. The footage is intentionally deceptive, featuring no clothing that is included in the final collections. Accomplices will often home in on clothing in colors or styles for which the contestant has expressed specific distaste or clothing similar to that which they have just thrown out. Hughes and the contestant react accordingly.

During the next segment, the contestant is presented with each complete collection. Hughes introduces each outfit, and then the two react to it. At the end of each collection, Hughes presents the makeup and hair style chosen by the accomplice. The hair styles are described in terms of a celebrity with a similar style.

The presentation segment is followed by a fashion shoot where the contestant tries on each outfit, comments on the clothing, and then makes a guess as to which accomplice put together each collection. Beginning with the third season, the accomplices watch footage of the fashion shoot in another room, and we see them react to the victim's comments about the clothing they try on.

After the fashion shoot, the contestant chooses his or her collection. He or she is taken to a salon for the matching hair and makeup. The salon scenes are in typical makeover show fashion, with the contestant's face only shown in close-ups in order to keep the contestant's decision and final look a surprise until the end. Occasionally, final close-ups show enough of the hair or makeup to ruin the surprise, particularly in episodes where each accomplice has chosen a distinct hair style to match his or her collection.

The final segment begins with Hughes meeting again with the three accomplices. They each discuss their shopping decisions for a final time. They are joined by a small audience of additional family members and friends of the contestant. The contestant then enters the room on a catwalk, asking, "How do I look?" He or she is asked to make a final guess on who created the collection he or she chose.

Contestants are often given an additional prize. Sometimes these prizes are part of an ultimatum where the contestant must choose between a mystery reward and a beloved piece of clothing, at other times they are dependent on the contestant correctly guessing the creator of the chosen collection. Often, however, the bonus prizes involve no extra criteria. A typical prize is a $1000 gift certificate for a new wardrobe, but prizes are sometimes more tailored to the contestant. For example, a contestant known for hiding behind his or her glasses may receive a year's worth of contact lenses.

Commercial breaks are often trailed with segments featuring quick fashion tips directed at the viewer. These tips are often solutions to common fashion faux pas and are presented either by Hughes or that episode's featured stylist.