I have wondered something similar from time to time. Meaning, I'm average looking. You'd think that if I put a ton of makeup on I'd look like a freaking model with that scale of transformation. Instead, I just look like me...with a lot of makeup on.

There's a big difference between what makeup artists of the caliber that would be working on Oprah can do, and what regular people can do themselves with drugstore makeup.

Not just foundation but contouring powders to make big features look smaller or make cheekbones more defined. Airbrushed makeup. Silicone-based foundation can make anyone have a porcelain complexion. Plus access to the most luxurious brands and probably every color imaginable to find the most flattering. Plus I would bet most of the events/photo shoots have excellent lighting!

I'd bet anyone would look very different with a makeup session like that.

If you watch Rue Paul's Drag Race you will see how they can manage that kind of makeup change. It amazes me the way the guys make themselves look like females.

I look totally different with or without makeup! I'm from a family of a bunch of girls and we all wear our daily makeup when we go out. We all look basically tired and haggard without our makeup...HEEHEE! Haven't you all seen the before and after shots of celebrities without their makeup. I guess because I once aspired to be a makeup artist, I don't really think much of proper makeup application because I've been going it for so long. I certainly see many FAILURES when I go out like to the mall for instance.

It's always fun to see celebrities without/with make-up.

Here is a link that might be useful: without / with slideshow

Interest link - Pamela Anderson looks better without makeup!

WOW such a slide show, some of them are just unbelievable!
Just goes to show ya, a little paint on the barn does it good.

Fun slideshow, Linda--thanks!

What I wonder is how do the made up people look IN PERSON? Over TV much is concealed. You can't see the 'put her make up on with a trowel" look. In person people with lots and lots of make up on look goopy, IMHO.

Fun slideshow indeed : I noticed that a lot of actresses wear false eyelashes,
this may be why their makeup looks more glam than the average person.

I think the makeup for camera is a lot different than makeup for everyday life,
which most of us wear.

When I get up in the morning I'm one ugly broad.With a little makeup my whole face changes.You have to work at it and you will see the difference.Try it you will like it.Most people are not born beautiful.Houses need paint and so do we.

I just watched one of Oprah's Master Class shows and thought that she looked alot different than on the Oprah show in the last season. There was something about her makeup that was "off". Maybe too much contouring going on around and under her eyes. She looked more natural on the Master Class program.

It's not just make up, a lot of it has to do with lighting too.

If it's a still picture they can do amazing things with computers, make people thinner, younger looking, change contours, etc. I've seen pictures of Oprah that are unbelievable...really.

My son told me that an actor or actress can have their figure/looks edited in an entire movie using computer aided editing going frame by frame. It isn't cheap, but some of these actresses want it. And if they want it, they have to pay the cost themselves. It is not a production expense.

All celebrities wear makeup, and it always changes their appearance drastically. It starts with pancake foundation. I once had a professional make up job done, they started with foundation and it was heavy greasy stage paint. All my flaws were covered, even the few freckles on my nose disappeared. Then heavy rouge (blush),eye and lip colors. It was for those "Glamour Shots" professional photos. My husband still has the photos. I've never looked like that since! Yes, celebrities can afford such professional help. I wear very little make-up, just a little blush, lip color and mascara. It adds a little color, that's all.