Celebrities stun fans with transformations during and after lockdown
Miley Cyrus, Rebel Wilson, Cody Simpson, Sophie Monk, Pete Evans and Adele have all undergone dramatic makeovers. But they aren’t the only ones who’ve changed their looks.
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From Miley Cyrus’s DIY mullet to Cody Simpson’s shaved head and Adele’s new look, celebrities have revealed dramatic transformations during lockdown.
The quarantine era has been a time for stars to experiment with makeovers (AKA “make-unders”) and taking time out for self-care.
Comedy star Rebel Wilson and Grammy-winning singer Adele worked on their wellbeing – inside and out – and revealed healthy body overhauls in the process.
Australian actor Wilson showed off the results of her major fitness overhaul after vowing to make 2020 her “Year of Health”.
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“So I put on the athleisure and went out for a walk, deliberately hydrating on the couch right now and trying to avoid the sugar and junk food, which is going to be hard after the holidays I’ve just had but I’m going to do it!,” Wilson wrote on Instagram. “Who’s with me in making some positive changes this year?” She certainly kept her promise to herself.
After being trolled on Instagram from followers who suggested she was pregnant, Kourtney Kardashian revealed she had spent quarantine working on a body positivity attitude.
“This is me when I have a few extra pounds on, and I actually love it,” Kourtney wrote on Instagram.
“I have given birth three amazing times and this is the shape of my body.”
Her sister Khloe Kardashian shared a self-isolation photo shoot which prompted some to brutally suggest she had a “face transplant” or at least made a few tweaks to the image.
Khloe didn’t respond to the initial drama but later weighed in responding to a fan who asked why she looked “different”. “From my weekly face transplant clearly,” Khloe said.
For other stars, taking time away from their usual schedules during lockdown meant experimenting with DIY haircuts and colour. Ruby Rose, Taylor Swift and Hilary Duff were among the celebs who took their tresses into their own hands, revealing pink and blue hues.
And Will Smith, DJ Khaled and even Australian TV chef Pete Evans left their razors in the bathroom cabinet and let their facial scruff grow wild.
While Masked Singer winner Cody Simpson sported a low maintenance new hair style – a buzz cut – while hair salons in the US were closed.
Lockdown was also a time for family bonding. Today anchor Karl Stefanovic and his wife, Jasmine Stefanovic, welcomed their first child together – Harper May Stefanovic – in April, during the lockdown period.
Another who welcomed a new addition was Australian rapper Iggy Azalea, who kept her pregnancy a secret, while Victoria’s Secre model Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik announced they are expecting their first child together, and so did former Bachelor stars Tim Robards and his wife Anna Heinrich.
It was also a period when celebrities swapped red carpet outfits for a low-key approach to fashion and beauty, in what could be termed a mass “make-under” of Hollywood. Sporting tie dye and tracksuits, stars like Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid swapped professional salons for their own bathrooms, doing at-home facials and grooming, and sharing their tips and tricks on Instagram.
Stellar’s Features Editor Bree Player said the unstoppable rise of social media has meant stars have their glam squad ready at all times.
But in 2020 even the Kardashians struggled to keep up.
“Beauty salons, hairdressers and nail bars were sorely missed by many and we once again saw stars sporting a more natural look which had many of us cheering another tabloid catch-cry -
‘Stars! They’re just like us!’,” she said.
“Was lockdown the great equaliser? Sophie Monk dyeing her own hair an alarming shade of orange served as a warning to many, and Matty J’s recently shaven ‘iso-mo’ won’t be missed by his fans - or his wife, for that matter.
“Sure, Taylor Swift’s pink hair experiment looked pretty fabulous, a glamorous Adele made headlines all around the world.”
Stylist Elliot Garnaut said celebs led the DIY beauty trend during quarantine – a trend he expected to continue into the future.
“Experimentation during quarantine was inevitable, be it celebrity or not. With the inability to access our favourite beauty parlours, hairdressers or even stores we were trapped in a time of self-sufficient grooming,” Garnaut said.
So it’s no wonder stars used the time out of the spotlight to work on themselves, even if that meant – in Cyrus’ case – a mullet.
“Once inexcusable, the mullet has become the ‘it’ chop for the sartorial set. Why? It’s a DIY dream,” Garnaut said.
Many followed Kylie Jenner’s lead of ditching hair extensions and false lashes – as well as over the top make-up application – during quarantine. Though the Kylie Cosmetics founder has since returned to her usual Instagram-ready grooming standards.
“No lashes? No worries. In a time where each of us is re-evaluating priorities and expenditure I believe self-sufficient beauty is here to stay,” Garnaut said.
So, too, are trackies and tie dye.