Top 75 Best & Worst America's Next Top Model Makeovers

#75: Best: Megan’s Light Switch Glow-Up

Cycle 7

Who knew changing the color of your pixie cut could take you from babyface to Bond girl? Megan’s hair was already super short. So, there was hardly much scope to play around with length for her makeover. Tyra decided to switch up the color and turn her into a blondie. Jay Manuel couldn’t stop gushing over how her eyes looked with this new hair, and the model herself was satisfied. It’s a pity that she was eliminated that week, but in her defense, she had to wear a wig for the shoot that sent her home. So, she couldn’t use her freshly lightened hair to her advantage.

#74: Worst: Brandy’s Big Chop

Cycle 4

This Cycle 4 diva was excited to find out that her assigned makeover would allow her to get rid of her signature red afro. Brandy Rusher’s hair was cut extremely short, and the color was toned down to a lighter shade of red. At first, she welcomed the change with open arms. However, when she had to bleach her eyebrows so they matched her new hair, Rusher became concerned about how her then-boyfriend would react to her look. Tyra later called the model out for being difficult when she ended up in the bottom two in episode two. Though she survived that elimination, she didn’t make it far in the competition.

#73: Best: Fo’s Edgy Haircut

Cycle 12

Usually, when Banks comes across models who are conventionally gorgeous, her first instinct is to give them some grit with their makeovers. That was her plan with Fo, who was a bit too cute for Tyra’s liking. So, she not only ordered a pixie cut for her, but also added baby bangs to the mix, giving her look an editorial twist. To viewers, this change was exactly what she needed, but Fo had a hard time coming around to it. She broke down in tears, and it got on photographer Nigel Barker’s nerves. We don’t blame her, though. Such a radical transformation must’ve been unnerving.

#72: Worst: Jael’s Last-Minute Pixie

Cycle 8

In the late model’s own words, this makeover left her ‘traumatized’. Originally, Jael Strauss was set to transform from a blonde beauty to a long-haired brunette. For that, she spent eight hours in the salon chair, getting a weave installed. It was a painful process, but halfway down the line, Jay Manuel decided a pixie cut would be more suitable for her. As the hairdressers started removing the weave, Jael broke down in tears. Ultimately, she accepted her “Rosemary’s Baby”-inspired pixie, and Mr. Jay hyped her up. Still, the look wasn’t exactly a showstopper.

#71: Best: Erin’s Unbelievable Transformation

Cycle 13

Tyra did a fantastic job reinventing this queen’s look. While Erin was always charming, her simple and pretty style before the makeover didn’t hold a candle to her striking aura after. Banks picked ice-blonde hair and bleached brows for her, which instantly drew attention to her stunning eyes, full lips, and sharp bone structure. The aesthetic was dramatic and fierce, but also made her appear otherworldly. It amplified her screen presence, helped her stand out effortlessly, and made her unforgettable. In other words, she fully stepped into her power as a baddie, and we loved to see it.

#70: Worst: Ivana's Chop

Cycle 24

From a bright, charismatic personality to the glums, this model’s haircut shifted her energy for the worse. In the 24th season of ANTM, Ivana Thomas’ personality was defined by her independence and intellect. When it was time for makeovers, Tyra decided a short look would work best for Ivana. Sitting in the stylist chair, she was unable to hold back the tears, bracing herself for the change. Unable to own it, it cost her her place in the competition. Panelist Drew Elliott told her after the elimination that embracing full confidence in herself was the best way for her to up her modeling game.

#69: Best: Alasia’s Voluminous Glow-Up

Cycle 14

Speaking of divas, Ballard was also a participant in some major drama among the contestants, including getting into a screaming match early on. Things got tense when, in Episode 3, Ballard was called out for wearing a swimsuit. But one thing that she had going for her was a strong impression. Ballard’s initial look with her sweet, conventional straight hair, gave way to a big-volume mane that better expressed her bold personality. It’s a dramatic departure from her clean-cut look that works especially well. She was the first eliminated in New Zealand, unfortunately, but her look is something we won’t forget in a hurry.

#68: Worst: Elina's Big Red Weave

Cycle 11

You know it’s a little bit worrying when Jay Manuel’s comforting you by letting you know that your natural hair is still accessible… under the new weave, that is. Starting the show with lustrous dark locks, Cycle 11’s Elina Ivanova was not happy about her makeover. She hated the thought of losing control and felt like the red curls as prescribed by Tyra didn’t represent her in the way she wanted. While it didn’t hold her back from placing fifth in the competition, you gotta wonder what Tyra was thinking. With such a beautiful, versatile model, they could have gone anywhere… and they went to the circus.

#67: Best: Celia’s Short, Sharp, Stunning Cut

Cycle 12

There may have been tears involved in this makeover, but when all was said and done, it left our girl feeling great. Celia had long, blonde, albeit lifeless hair when she entered the competition. Tyra decreed that she lose the length and flaunt her cheekbones. The final short blonde look was high-fashion-coded, and Celia was living for it. It complemented her unapologetic personality and also allowed fans to look at her in a new light. In the years that followed, Celia grew out her hair again. While we loved the “ANTM” makeover, we have to admit, she was made for the long hair life.

#66: Worst: Kari's Ice Blonde Weave

Cycle 21

In Cycle 21, Kari Calhoun was a gorgeous brunette who arguably didn’t need a big change. But when Tyra gets excited, there’s no pulling back. She prescribed a starkly blonde weave, and bleached eyebrows. AKA… a lot. As one of her fellow contestants remarked, it was like she was a totally different person, and Kari herself thought she looked cheap. Her tears told us that something more fundamental was affected. Who wouldn’t feel lost when their visual identity changes that much? Kari managed to put her poker face on and give a fierce photo shoot. While we all know this is an expected part of the show, this just didn’t feel okay, making it one of the most uncomfortable makeovers yet.

#65: Best: Jenah’s Beach Blonde Style

Cycle 9

You wouldn’t believe this bookish bronze brunette who claimed she got along better with boys would ever go blonde. But Tyra Banks’ vision reaped good fruit. Doucette’s photo modeling was continually impressive, and her makeover look wowed the judges, including Tyra Banks herself. Her makeover, going from pageboy bronze to platinum blonde, is absolutely winning, complementing the model’s strong features. Doucette is no sweet brunette. Unfortunately, both Saleisha Stowers and Chantal Jones attacked her for her personality, causing her to break down and get eliminated. But her makeover was still among the strongest.

#64: Worst: Stacy-Ann's Feathered Faux-Hawk

Cycle 10

#63: Best: Brittany’ Blonde to Brunette Transformation

Cycle 13

#62: Worst: Sara’s Short Cut

Cycle 6

#61: Best: Mollie Sue’s Farrow Flip

Cycle 6

#60: Worst: Christina’s Green Dip

Cycle 24

Less “wow” and more “what”, Christina Anderson-McDonald’s highlighter-do left us all wondering just...what...happened. Coming into the competition as the oldest contestant in her cycle, Christina instantly found life at the shared house with the other models… tricky, to say the least. She had beef with Brendi K, and when Tyra told her that she should wear make-up, she took it more to heart than mind. Her makeover, what effectively looked like a dip in green goo, ended up personified in the glower she gave the camera for that week’s shoot. Compensation? Not so much. The best photo sadly speaks less “top model” and more green-eyed, ahem, haired monster.

#59: Best: Shandi’s Duckling to Diva Transformation

Cycle 2

#58: Worst: Ann’s Underwhelming Change

Cycle 15

#57: Best: Lulu’s Inspiring Look

Cycle 13

#56: Worst: Claire’s Bleach Blonde Treatment

Cycle 10

#55: Best: Amanda’s Ice Blonde Hair

Cycle 3

We all know that styling for models can be more strange than glorious. And as you can tell from this list, a good chunk of that trophy can be claimed by this very competition. When Cycle 3’s Amanda Swafford came sashaying into Top Model town, Tyra just couldn’t resist. Her darker locks went full blown Scandinavian. The results were definitely striking, and even though her ice-cold blues popped, responses were split. While she did go on to place as second runner-up, we’re still scratching our heads wondering if this fantasy makeover was more glamorous or Gandalf.

#54: Worst: Sarah’s Generic Do

Cycle 9

#53: Best: Nik’s CoverGirl Transformation

Cycle 5

#52: Worst: Wendy’s Missing Glam

Cycle 6

#51: Best: Leslie’s “Understated Sexy/Simplistic Sexy Chic” Makeover

Cycle 6

#50: Worst: Brenda's Buzz Cut

Cycle 14

Sometimes, you need to make a mistake twice. Flashback to Brenda Arens, a lusciously long redhead from Cycle 14. Originally, she seemed game to embrace her makeover moment. But smiles turned to tears as her hairdresser just kept cutting. The result? An ‘80s style mohawk that just didn’t suit her. Stylist Sally appeared to come to the rescue at a second session, only to…cut shorter, of course! Meanwhile, Brenda’s castmates watched in unsupportive silence. Following her elimination from the show, Brenda played it real, saying even her first haircut was better than the second. But what was ultimately soul-destroying is Jay Manuel saying he thought she would have gotten further in the competition had she not been so emotionally

#49: Best: Nnenna’s Regal Cut

Cycle 6

#48: Best: Jeana Embracing Her Beauty

Cycle 24

#47: Worst: Renee’s Aging Haircut

Cycle 8

#46: Best: Eugena’s “Rapunzel” Long Weave

Cycle 7

#45: Best: Yoanna’s Crowning Coif

Cycle 2

This Cycle 2 contestant won for good reason. House’s initial photos have her with shoulder-length wavy black hair. Her makeover is a remarkable transformation into an Audrey Hepburn-esque waif. While she won the Episode 3 challenge, she also suffered a fall during the music video shoot, which almost caused her to be eliminated. She also had major beef with Camille McDonald, although they briefly became friends in episode 8. Drama aside, House’s strong portfolio nabbed her the ANTM crown, also making her one of the oldest winners on the show. Afterward, she became the “the face” of The CW network in 2006.

#44: Worst: Heather’s Minimal Makeover

Cycle 2

#43: Best: Yaya’s Glamorous Glow-Up

Cycle 3

#42: Worst: Lisa’s Marmite Makeover

Cycle 5

#41: Best: Lisa’s Cheekbones Take the Spotlight

Cycle 9

#40: Worst: Ann’s Chunky Highlights

Cycle 3

“This picture for me looks like nothing.” Ouch. Harsh words from judge Nigel Barker in Cycle 3. But let’s rewind a little. What exactly was going on with Ann Markley’s highlights? Coming into the show as a sweet brunette, the judges thought she had one of the best faces, but not enough oomph. So someone had the bright idea to switch it up a little. Unfortunately, the results were grossly colored blonde streaks that did nothing for Ann. Or probably not anyone else. Ever. Let’s be honest: if it happened at our salon, we’d be leaving a dangerous Yelp review. Ann went on to finish fourth in her cycle.

#39: Worst : Jade’s Too-Short Cut

Cycle 6

#38: Worst Michelle's Stinging Blonde Hair

Cycle 4

#37: Best: CariDee's Luscious Blonde Extensions

Cycle 4

#36: Worst: Kim’s Meh Dye Job

Cycle 5

#35: Best: Felicia’s Bang Theory

Cycle 8

This Tyra Banks look-alike began well as a beautiful ginger with great presence and, of course, poses. Her second look, though, is even more striking, converting her into a sultry brunette. Unfortunately, early on in Episode 4 she was eliminated in favor of Dionne Walters. Fans were left scratching their heads over the decision, especially since the judges loved her photos apart from her “fashion victim” one. Still, it’s an inspired makeover, proving that bangs on the right person can really complete their look. Provost went on to sign onto the Elite Model Management in Chicago, although she is now retired in Hong Kong.

#34: Worst: Sara’s Bleached Eyebrows

Cycle 15

#33: Best: Liberty’s Femme Fatale Flip

Cycle 24

#32: Worst: When Natalie Got Nada

Cycle 12

#31: Best: Nina Burns’ Red Reign

Cycle 20

#30: Worst: Jaeda’s Pixie Cut

Cycle 7

“You can cut my hair off, I don’t care.” Famous last words of a beautiful model about to lose her locks...and her cool. Cycle 7’s Jaeda seemed game to dive into whatever change was coming her way. That is, until the Halle Berry-inspired pixie cut envisioned for her was revealed, bringing on the waterworks. While we think Jaeda looked amazing with her new do, she wasn’t convinced that her strong jawline could take it. The trauma of the process itself made it one of the worst makeover moments to behold. However, we can confirm that Jaeda’s long hair has since returned. She’s still modelling, and has a gorgeous family to boot. Iconic breakdown aside, it seems like a very happy ending.

#29: Best: McKey’s Sharp Turn

Cycle 11

#28: Worst: Ebony’s Braids

Cycle 5

#27: Best: Melrose’s Bombshell Reboot

Cycle 7

#26: Worst: Megg’s Mane

Cycle 7

#25: Best: Allison’s Waves of Wonder

Cycle 12

Creepy-Chan is far from creepy. Although given the moniker by 4chan users, Harvard quickly became a fan favorite. She entered the competition blending in with a flat, brown lob. So it was great to see her transformed with new platinum blonde waves that lit up her face and emphasized her big blue eyes. Harvard had a strong run across the season, especially in its later episodes. Sadly, though, the judges felt she lacked variety in her facial expressions, and she ultimately came in second behind Teyona Anderson. Harvard did return to the show in Cycle 17, which pleased her fans.

#24: Worst: Dominique’s Odd Bob

Cycle 10

#23: Worst: Ava’s Mullet

Cycle 22

#22: Best: Rio’s Edge & Elegance

Cycle 24

#21: Worst: Anya’s Ice Out

Cycle 10

#20: Worst: Cassandra Jean’s Mia Farrow CutCycle 5

One of the most iconic haircuts in cinema has to be Mia Farrow’s pixie cut from “Rosemary’s Baby.” In theory, it was great style to replicate on a model with such a strong bone structure like cycle 5 contestant Cassandra Jean, but the Southern beauty pageant queen was devastated over losing her long locks. She went along with the cut and the dye job initially, but when they wanted to cut another inch off, she absolutely refused, saying that she didn’t want them to change her too much. It seemed like a weird hill to die on considering most of her hair was gone anyway, but she stuck to her guns and was sent home.

#19: Best: Joanie’s Polished Perfection

Cycle 6

This finalist’s makeover was a study in the art of subtlety. The color and extra volume complimented Dodds’ strong jawline. And when combined with her natural talent in front of the camera, the end result packed quite a punch. The judges praised her photos, and Banks even commented that Dodds could not take a bad picture. They took issue with her personal presence, though, especially compared to her competitors. In the end, Dodds was runner-up to Danielle Evans. Dodds went on to model for “GQ” among other magazines, so it’s no great loss.

#18: Worst: Shei's Two-Toned Hair

Cycle 21

It’s probably not the best idea to make someone look like a terrifying cartoon villain. But that’s exactly what Tyra did with Shei Phan, a cycle 21 contestant, who was given two-toned hair: half black and half blonde. Looking like Cruella de Vil herself, Shei’s hair seemed like something that would look cool in an Instagram picture, but way too out there in real life. It didn’t help that the hairstylist even dyed her eyebrows to match her hair so it looked as if she only had the black one, since the blonde hairs blended into her skin. Shei was a good sport about it though, and seemed to embrace it.

#17: Best: Whitney’s Glam Glow-Up

Cycle 10

This finalist became the winner of her Cycle for very good reason. For one thing, her makeover was sensational. Beginning with thick dark hair and a 2000s high-waisted top, Thompson became a glamorous blonde with a bold presence. Despite a rough start, with the judges deeming her too fake, Thompson soon proved herself by winning three challenges and receiving her first call-out during the music-themed photo shoot. Thompson also got recognition for being the only plus-size model to win the competition. The modeling industry may be cruel to plus-sized models, but occasionally justice is served.

#16: Worst: Laura's Patriotic Makeover

Cycle 18

Nothing is ever subtle on reality TV, and many times, people take things too literally. At least, that’s what we assume happened with the Cycle 18: British Invasion. In that season, Americans were pitted against the British to see who would reign supreme. To turn up the patriotism, Laura was given red and blue streaks on bleached blonde hair to mimic the American flag. The thought process behind it might have made the tiniest bit of sense, but the chunky streaks looked weird, amateurish, and definitely didn’t scream top model.

#15: Best: Coryn’s Blonde Ambition

Cycle 5

Competing at just 19 years old, this contestant had a rough home life. But talent is talent, and Woitel’s transformation on the show is remarkable. She began as a flat-haired dark brunette with a breezy look. Her makeover lengthened her hair and gave it more volume. And of course, in typical Banks style, Woitel got blonde hair, which complemented her skin tone. The brighter tone definitely helped her stand out. Unfortunately, her pictures didn’t match the new vibe, and Woitel was eliminated in Episode 6, with judges deeming her performance too gloomy. Her rivalry with Lisa D’Amato didn’t help matters either. But when she served, she served.

#14: Worst: Marvita's Horsetail Mullet

Cycle 10

Poor Marvita didn’t deserve this. During the cycle 10 makeovers, Tyra kept the girls in the dark about what makeover they were getting. When Marvita sat down in the hairdresser’s chair, she was surprised to see hair extensions nearby. Only then did Tyra reveal in a pre-taped segment that she would be getting a “horse mane hair weave,” a style Tyra admitted to making up. Tyra even neighed when she gleefully revealed Marvita’s makeover inspiration. The result was less of a horse mane and more of an ‘80s hair band mullet. It looked ridiculous and not even Marvita’s strong features could pull it off.

#13: Best: Bianca’s Buzz-Worthy Transformation

Cycle 9

This Golden girl deserved better. Not for her clashes and endless drama with the other contestants, of course. But Golden did luck out in one key way. Her makeover was a success with fans, going from cherry red hair to a buzz cut that gave her features unexpected softness and dimension. And to think, she was initially going to receive blonde extensions. Golden’s hair was already too damaged, however, which landed her with this cut. Although she received several call-outs, she was eventually eliminated in the penultimate episode. Still, Golden returned for “The Tyra Banks Show,” and even modeled for Chris March on “Project Runway.”

#12: Worst: Phil's Jesus Extensions

Cycle 20

When ANTM let men into the contest, it was exciting to see what makeovers they’d give the guys. But then Phil happened and proved they could make a man look just as awful as they do for some of the women. Tyra wanted to see longer hair on Phil, so he was given very cheap-looking extensions that had people comparing him to Jesus. The straggly hair was distracting and took away from his good looks. Phil looked more like a Coachella punch-line than a model, so we’re glad he later took out the extensions and grew his natural hair out.

#11: Best: Samantha’s Pixie Power

Cycle 11

A volleyball-and-soccer blonde, Potter began the cycle strong, receiving her first call-out for her natural disasters shot and winning two challenges. No doubt her makeover played some part in her performance. Her promo photos show her as a striking, but typical long-haired blonde with a svelte body. Simply cutting her hair short, however, utterly transformed her look for good. The modish pixie cut accentuated her features and gave them a unique cast that is no less than memorable. It’s a remarkable transformation. Sure enough, Potter lasted all the way up until the finale, in which she lost to McKey Sullivan.

#10: Worst: Saleisha's Mushroom Bob

Cycle 9

Cycle 9 contestant, Saleisha Stowers is already one of the most controversial ANTM winners out there because of her previous connection to Tyra before the season started, but the real question is: how did someone with Dora the Explorer hair make it that far? Saleisha’s mushroom bob and glorified bowl cut was meant to give the commercial model an edgier look, but instead it made her appear younger, as if her mom gave her that haircut in the kitchen. Many compared her look to the Beatles gone wrong, and any way you cut it, it was bad. Just bad.

#9: Best: Norelle’s Shaggy Sophistication

Cycle 3

Van Herk made it work. This contestant began with long, dark hair and braces. Her dramatic makeover removed the wires, deepened her hair color, and cropped it into a shaggy bob, bringing out her brilliant green eyes and delicate features. What a success! Van Herk also won the first challenge of her makeover episode. Unfortunately, the judges were not as impressed with her photos across the season. Between an inconsistent portfolio, and Van Herk’s struggles navigating Japanese culture, she would get the axe in Episode 11. Still, she went on to become a successful model in Japan and even signed onto two modeling companies. You go, girl.

#8: Worst: Molly's Giant Blonde Weave

Cycle 16

There have been some pretty harrowing weave experiences on ANTM but few, if any, compare to Molly’s unbelievably bad hairdo. After assigning big blonde curls to Molly, a weave specialist was brought in to sew it onto her fine hair. The process of getting her hair done was a tangle of braids, thread, and extensions that looked more akin to a bird’s nest than a high fashion look, and the finished product wasn’t any better. The added hair had to weigh as much as Molly herself. The salon owner tried to trim it down, but it was no use. Molly was understandably upset, and the hair led to a lot of drama until it was re-done.

#7: Best: Kayla’s Red-Hot Reinvention

Cycle 15

One of the few openly LGBTQ+ models at the time, Ferrel’s start on Cycle 15 was a little uneven, placing 12th and 2nd in the first two photoshoots respectively. She entered the competition with a pile of icy blonde curls that the judges couldn’t quite see past. Though a straightened look was an instant improvement, her makeover guaranteed she would turn heads going forward. Ferrel would receive bangs and a shorter length, along with a new flaming red color that suited her beautifully. Despite some striking pictures, she was eliminated in Episode 11, as the judges thought she had not mastered her facial angles quite yet. But she returned to “All-Stars” for Cycle 17 and even did a stint of modeling in Japan before retiring.

#6: Worst: Denzel's Fake Beard

Cycle 21

For the most part, the male contestants get pretty tame looks compared to the female contestants, but Denzel’s fake beard made every other makeover pale in comparison. They put a lace front weave on this man’s face. A lace front weave. Just let that sink in. The weave was a completely different texture from his natural hair, and the contrast showed. It looked wholly unnatural, ridiculous, and like it would fall off at any moment. The makeover was roasted on social media and still lives on in Internet infamy.

#5: Best: Brittani’s Cleopatra Chic

Cycle 16

From the very beginning, this Pennsylvanian model shone, with her photos impressing the judges. If Kline’s first look was sleek and smoky, her makeover look gave her a Cleopatra-style look that was absolutely winning. There were some hiccups, with the judges disliking her Fierce Roast Coffee commercial and her clashes with fellow contestants, particularly Alexandria Everett. She finally competed against Molly O’Connell in the final two. Although Banks had wanted to eliminate her early on, most of the judges were in favor of Kline. She eventually won due to her CoverGirl commercial and print ad. This girl is a winner, all right.

#4: Worst: Brittany's Red Clown Weave

Cycle 8

Unfair or not, big red hair often brings up associations with clown hair. Clearly, Tyra wasn’t trying to channel Bozo the Clown for Brittany Hatch’s makeover, but that’s exactly what she got. Brittany’s original hairdo of short curls looked way more modelesque than the pile of red straw they attached to her head. The hair was brittle looking, frizzy, and puffy. And it clearly looked like a weave, which defeats the whole purpose of getting the hairstyle professionally done.

#3: Best: Naima’s Mohawk

Cycle 4

This winner from Michigan came out with a very striking makeover and an overall strong modeling performance. Mora began the competition already a little edgy, with her dark mohawk. But add a lighter color and a little product, and she popped more than anyone would have believed, as the makeover both defined and softened her features. Throughout the season, Mora won every one of the CoverGirl of the Week titles, got two first call-outs, and won over Keenyah Hill and Kahlen Rondot in the Covergirl commercial portion of the finale. In the final runway, she bested everyone and became the official winner of the cycle. What a show

#2: Worst: Chelsey's Widened Tooth Gap

Cycle 15

For the most part, the makeovers they give contestants aren’t permanent—hair grows back, a weave can be taken out, and eyebrows can be dyed back. But the makeover team crossed that line when Tyra decided that the gap between Chelsey’s two front teeth needed to be made bigger so that she had more of a Lauren Hutton look. To emulate the legendary model, Chelsey was taken to a dentist where they actually shaved around a millimeter off each front tooth. While we like the idea of accentuating someone’s unique trait, this was a bridge too far.

#1: Best: Fatima’s Unfinished Story

Cycle 10

This Somalian-American contestant’s tragic life and modeling talent is the stuff of legend. Debuting with a unique blonde curly texture, Siad was fitted with beautiful silky black hair extensions that made her look no less than stunning. There were major hiccups, of course, with Siad struggling to take direction and missing an overseas photoshoot due to lost travel documents. Sadly, she was eliminated just before the final runway show despite a strong portfolio. Siad eventually went on to a successful career, signing up with modeling agencies in New York City and Los Angeles. To this day, we all wonder what could have been had Siad won.

Which makeover, good or bad, lives in your head rent free? Let us know in the comments