Cosmopolitan Virtual Makeover 2

• Platform: IBM PC Compatible
• Release Date: September 23, 1999
• Genre: Home
• Style: Fashion and Beauty
• Similar Games: iStyle Personal Makeover: Uncover a Whole New You (IBM PC Compatible), Cosmopolitan Fashion Makeover (IBM PC Compatible), Cosmopolitan Virtual Makeover 3 Deluxe (IBM PC Compatible)

Game Description

Take a break and treat yourself to a makeover with Cosmopolitan Virtual Makeover 2, the sequel to Cosmopolitan Virtual Makeover judged the number one women's beauty software by PC Data Retail Sales 1998. Cosmopolitan Virtual Makeover 2 offers 300 hairstyles (short or long, casual or glamorous) for men and women along with hundreds of cosmetics and accessories. The software gives a beauty quiz to determine the look best suited to your coloring and preferences and offers ways to showcase your results.

A mouse and monitor get you through the makeover's three easy steps. First, select and size a photo to work on, either your own or a photo supplied with the software. The second step consists of several sections. After taking the beauty quiz, you're offered a selection of styles that can be applied to your photo. Clicking on a hair tab lets you resize and adjust hairstyles until they're properly placed on your photo. You can also change hair color and streak on highlights. Clicking on the cosmetics tab brings up more categories to customize: foundation, cover-up, eye shadow lid, eye shadow crease, eyeliner, lip liner, lipstick and beauty mark. The third step allows you to choose accessories including hats, glasses and contacts. Once finished with your selections, you can "preview the new you" and compare the results to your starting photo.

Use of familiar brands such as Cover Girl, Luxotica and Clairol help you recreate your virtual makeover in the real world. To help the process, Cosmopolitan Virtual Makeover 2 will compile a list of the products you used in the "See a New You" area. Finally, you can show off your makeover by printing it, sending it to friends and family or by featuring yourself on a design-your-own Cosmopolitan cover.

Roots & Influences

Influenced by the makeup industry and especially the content of Cosmopolitan magazine. Brand name products featured are from Clairol Nice 'n Easy, CoverGirl, Luxotica Eyewear, Romantic Headlines, REM, Paula's Choice, and Starry Eyes.

Review: Overall

Who hasn't gone into a hair salon full of confidence and hope, only to leave in a state of confusion and disgust? Okay, maybe not everyone. But a perfect stylist, especially one that knows exactly what you want, is a rarely found treasure. Cosmopolitan knows what terrors lurk in stylish women's (and men's) hearts and sets out to quell the chances of receiving (or fixing the remnants of) a Frankenstein cut by proffering Cosmopolitan Virtual Makeover 2.

The possibilities seem endless: hairstyles, cosmetics and accessories are, as the box gushes, "just a click away!" Cosmopolitan Virtual Makeover 2 makes getting started easy as well. Chances are you've got a digital photo of yourself stored away. Come now, don't be ashamed to admit it -- how else would you carry on all those online flirtations? Once the photo is uploaded and sized to fit the template, off you go to the Create New Looks area. Different hairstyles (categorized by short, medium, long, up-do, bridal, creative, men or facial) can be floated over your image to create a whole new you or, if you prefer, choose one of the in-game models. These models all have their hair swept cleanly back so the styles show clearly and neatly.

You can change hair color and even resize and nudge the styles somewhat for a better fit but, for the most part, in this software, the hair is where it is. The makeup areas leave much to be desired unless you're an ace with the mouse. Imagine putting on lipstick while driving off road down a ravine -- it's similar to using the mouse to apply a thin layer of color over the lips on your image. At best, you end up with a clown-like appearance. The lip liner and eyelid crease options seem like a cruel joke.

If wedding bells are ringing, you might get a kick out of the bridal veil templates. Something about them spells silly but don't knock it till you try it -- they can't be as funny as the facial hair options provided for all those men who rush out to buy Cosmopolitan Virtual Makeover 2. Snickers aside, there are fewer options for men but they work and that sound you hear just might be the sound of fashion-conscious men all over the world applauding, mightn't it?

The most annoying aspects of Cosmopolitan Virtual Makeover 2 are the constant ploys to get you to upgrade software that is marketed as a complete product. Although the box doesn't blatantly state to get more, even better options and styles by coughing up just a little more money, the intent is there. Isn't that what the Virtual Makeover sequels are for? Having built-in "deluxe" options that are blacked out in this version until you pay for an upgrade is specious at best.

Other than that, Cosmopolitan Virtual Makeover 2 is fairly straightforward and reasonably good fun. Who knows? Next time you visit your salon, carry along a print out of your makeover and give your stylist a challenge. And picky as you are, they may even thank you for it.

Review: Enjoyment

About as much fun as getting a manicure. Thus, based on personality, enjoyment will vary.

Review: Graphics

Keep in mind that the 3D views are only unlocked once you upgrade. But hooray for the glasses options! If only you could resize glasses, not to mention hair, to fit in real life.

Review: Sound

The techno and pop tracks are the way to go as romantic and tranquil sound either dated or depressing. Your Cosmo guide will talk you through the intro. Fortunately, you can also shut them off for some peace and quiet.

Review: Replay Value

It's a novelty. Unless you invite friends over, there's only so much you can do. Certain styles just won't work for you and others will. End of story.

Review: Documentation

The CD insert has a mountain of information you won't even need because the software interface is so easy. But, clearly, the effort was made.

Production Credits