Transforming Women Into Historical Figures

We researched the heritages of three women and gave them makeovers inspired by their backgrounds, exploring diverse traditions of beauty. We then showed these women their new looks to see how they would react.

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MUSIC
Get Face To Face
Licensed via Warner Chappell Production Music Inc.

FEATURING
Swati Nair
Katelyn Statton
Emily Wang

STILLS
Elizabeth I, Armanda Portrait, c. 1588 (oil on panel)
George Gower / Getty Images

Goddess Durga destroying the depon
Aapthamithra / Getty Images

China, Shaanxi Province, Xian, painting of Tang Dynasty dancing girl
Karen Su / Getty Images

Hindu Goddess, Durga, durga festival
yogesh_more / Getty Images

Portrait of Elizabeth I

Tang Dynasty fresco
4x-image / Getty Images

Godness of mercy at China
Godwater / Getty Images

Face of Goddess Durga
KuntalSaha / Getty Images

Elizabethan Woman, oil on wood panel
David David Gallery / Getty Images

Durga idol with Ashura, Hindu religion
Partha Pal / Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth I
Duncan Walker / Getty Images

China, Shaanxi Province, Xian, painting of Tang Dynasty emperor with concumbines
Keren Su / Getty Images

Durga Idol, Durga Puja Celebrations, Delhi
Mukul Banerjee Photography / Getty Images

Portrait of Elizabeth I

Yan Kwei Fei, Chinese historical beauty concubine in Tang Dynasty
IMAGEMORE Co, Ltd. / Getty Images

SOURCES

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BUZZFEED VIDEO

[lexifeldmann]

When the Indian woman said "I feel pretty, " All I could say was. "You ARE pretty! before AND after!

[kanizfatema]

that Indian look isn't ancient... we still dress up like that in weddings or any occasions in sub continent..

[anamicamathusuthan]

Indian style shown here is nothing. Historical Indian fashion is far stylish and rich.

[elizabethstyles]

the Indian is so gorgeous!! she looked great!

[jennynguyen]

"I feel pretty" first of all that was really cute and second of all you should always feel like that even without makeup because everyone it beautiful 

[swamptreader]

Gorgeous! I would be so interested in seeing many other nationalities too!I love learning about other cultures and I think this is a very neat way to do it.

[janazaki]

i'm Egyptian and i would honestly love trying on actual ancient egyptian fashion idk

[TheKayboler]

The Chinese and Indian ones were sooo pretty and intriguing. The English one was pretty but I'm pretty much used to seeing that in history so I really wasn't that surprised tbh

[PongoXBongo]

Head jewelry definitely needs to be more of a thing! >_<

[moonstare]

Man, the second women was beyond gorgeous. She looked so divine in that style of makeup. 

[girlysword]

The English girl looks like Effie Trinket

[EH_]

I hope that they can make a part two showing those of African, Native American, and Hispanic historical looks. They'd be beautiful as these ladies were. :)

[AurosOrion]

I didn't think the English girl could look paler...until the after transformation.
Edit: Uh guys, I didn't say it was a bad thing to be pale? Y'all need to pay attention to profile pictures: I'm as pale as she is.

[nienneelendil]

Why do people always try to make things "racist"? I'm Hispanic and my thought process never went to "why wasn't there a Hispanic girl!" I actually only wanted to see more transformations in general. 

Edit: Since people don't seem to understand what I meant, I shall clear it up. I am referring to those people who saw this video and thought automatically that it was a racist video just because their race wasn't shown. I'm sure I wrote this in the comments below too but I guess I should've expected no one would read that first before commenting assuming I'm as ignorant as the people claiming this is racist. =_=

[Lexbeckom]

The Indian girl "I feel pretty" that was so cute❤️

[DetectiveTective]

After reading some of these comments, I think you guys really should consider making this into a series where you guys focus on cultural beauty/heritage from all different kinds of countries. I seriously loved this vid, but I do agree that we all would like to see even more girls with even more varied skin tones (especially the dark ones) being represented here. Who else thinks that'd be a good idea? :D
I'd personally like to see some traditional Caribbean beauty cuz that's where my dad and his family are from (i.e. Haiti, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic).

[puterahaziman]

I'm 5 percent Chinese, 92 percent Malaysian, 3 percent milk and water

[ihuomachukwualfred-igbokwe]

I would have liked to see a black lady representing beautiful African heritage, because I feel kind of feel excluded now. Still, I enjoyed seeing other ladies' beautiful heritages. Buzzfeed, will you be making another video with a black, hispanic, and maybe Native American girl? Thanks!

[MrShagification]

Traditional Indian fashion is so cool.

[agriperma]

India, and China could walk out the door and basically fit right in, in the city scene.

English, girl though is a bit dated.  but had the biggest transformation in the video.