Meaning:

Translated as “extreme makeover,” the term originally stemmed from the concept of “amateur transformation.”

It involves lifestyle platform Xiaohongshu users heeding advice from online communities to undergo comprehensive personal changes, resulting in a miraculous turnaround.

The word became a major hit after Tuzi, a makeup artist in China who uses her exceptional skills to dramatically improve the appearance of her clients, made her instant fame on social media this year.

The reason why extreme makeovers are appealing largely lies in the striking contrast they bring. This striking contrast swiftly captures people’s attention, sparking strong curiosity and a desire to explore.

Example:

A: 你认出照片上的人了吗？

Nǐ rènchū zhàopiàn shàng de rén le ma？

Can you recognize the girl in the photo?

B: 这是丽丽吗？这爆改的效果很惊艳啊。

Zhèshì Lìlì ma？Zhè bàogǎi hòu de xiàoguǒ hěn jīngyàn a。

Is this Lili? She looks stunning in this extreme makeover.