We're happy to bring you Volume 2 of Makeover Story by Red Velvet today (see Volume 1 here). This is such a fun project to work on and I am happy to introduce you to our next makeover guest, Kelsie. She's a sweetheart and she has no idea how pretty she really is. I handpicked her for this feature because I knew she had a love for thrifting, but lacked the confidence to really enjoy her personal style. I looked forward to this all month, and we had tons of fun. Enjoy!
Kelsie: "I've been vegan for seven years, so it's very important to me that the clothing I wear is vegan. I avoid textiles like leather, suede, silk and wool. My current wardrobe is full of hand-me-down clothing and random thrift purchases. A lot of my clothing didn't fit very well. When Elsie asked me to be a part of Makeover Story I was excited because I've always been a little intimidated by trends and style. After my makeover I felt really confident and excited to try more vintage styled looks!"
The first thing we did when Kelsie came in on makeover day was a little fringe trim. I gave her cute bangs that feather down on the sides and a few extra curls for her long hair. Kelsie also shopped for new frames before the makeover and they're super cute!
One thing that I focused on in my makeover with Kelsie was variety. I wanted to teach her tons of new 'tricks' that she could use on a regular basis. She loves color, so we played with this little handmade floral clip for some fun photos.
In Look Two Kelsie is wearing a cute vintage plaid dress, from Red Velvet, along with an intentionally mismatched belt (too much matching is no fun…) and braids. Long hair is so much fun to braid and play with. This hair style was built with four large braids and a messy bun in the back.
Braids are one of my favorite styles because they're easy to do in 5 minutes and they can be dressed up or down.
The goal of our Makeover Story feature is to inspire readers that vintage clothing can be worked into any wardrobe in a modern and stylish way. Thank you to Kelsie for being a part of this month's feature!
XO. elsie
195 Comments
She’s so beautiful! Love the vintage style and the concept.
And those braids, wow. I can’t even begin to imagine how I would create that myself. You’re amazing Elsie! xoxo
This has to be the best hairstyle I have ever seen. Kudos to the hair stylists.
Kelsie went from being cute to WOW….these makeovers should be in a magazine..especially #2…the hairstyle, glasses, and vintage dress are perfect for young women on the go!
Great job, Elsie, and Kelsie…you look awesome!
this is amazing! that braid hairdo is my fav. seriously. she is beautiful!
Wow, she’s beautiful.
I love the first outfit.
And I really wish I could learn to braid my hair like that.
Great pics!
wow! i just LOVE makeovers! she looks like a completely different person! and the hair is gorgeous! i would DIE to have a makeover like this! i am SO going to try a braid hairstyle! SO fun =) xo
http://www.thestylishhousewife.com
She looks stunning! Well done on the makeover! I have to say that the braids are my favourite though (i have short hair so i miss having cute braids!!) x
wow! really beautiful! I`m impressed!
Holy streets of London. She looks amazing!
Seriously, how do people get in on this make over shin dig?
elsie.
you are awesome.
this is killer.
xo. e
This is amazing. Her hair is gorgeous!
Oh gosh, LOVE this. Such good looks!
(Oh lordy.. please come dress me!)
diy tutorial for braids perhaps? they, and the outfits look lovely on her. Or rather she looks lovely in them 🙂
she looks amazing, beautiful styling, amazing clothes.
She looks so beautiful!
beautiful kelsie, beautiful clothes, beautiful braids!
any chance on a tutorial for those braids? to die for! whenever i try to do a braid updo, i get little lumps where the braid starts and i flip it over… hmm tricky tricky!
i’d die for a makeover if i lived anywhere near you!
What a transformation! She’s just glowing now. And I learned about vegan clothing ^.^
Can I just say how much I LOVE makeovers? They are so fun. I love the new segment of your blog.
You MUST post a how-to for the braid hairdo! I’m in love with it! I have to wear my hair up for work all the time and this is creative and adorable. Please share!
Gorgeous girl, and an awesome makeover!
She looks amazing and I love her hair!!!!
wow, she looks great! &what a beauty! i hope that now she has the confidence she should!
tutorial on the braided up-do, please!!! <3
These are my favorite posts yet! Kelsie looks soooo pretty. I think I’m going to go braid my hair now. 🙂
O-M-GOSH! She must NEVER forget how gorgeous she is! I love her hair, it’s so pretty and long. And I also love everything else of this makeover! I want one too! Can I can I can I pleeeeaase?!
XO
Jo
Wow! You guys really brought our her natural beauty. Kelsie, you are GORGEOUS!
Great job, ladies! <3
My turn! lol. But seriously 🙂
Yowza! She looks so pretty. I love the splash of color the blue belt adds to the dress 🙂 And her hair is awesome.
amazing!! so loving this.
that black and white photo from Look #1 is so naturally gorgeous.
beautiful work!
she’s beautiful!!! love the makeover and both looks!!!
Another stunning makeover Elsie, I am SO loving these features, thank you for inspiring us. I was wondering, do you think you could do something like this for us 35+ Mummies. I am 38 and adore all that you wear and share but worry that it would look wrong on someone my age. I would be super grateful for any tips for my age group. Thanks SO much xx Janelle
Oh my gosh Elsie, you are amazing… I so wish you could make me over… Too bad I’m ALL the way in England. Kelsie is sooo pretty and you just brought it out perfectly. Wow…. All I can say is wow
Xxx
She looks fantastic! Great job!
But I don’t understand the part about cotton always being a great choice for the vegan consumer. Cotton is a heavily-subsidized crop that really destroys the soil and where workers in the developing world are frequently exploited (there reasons it’s really cheap…). Not to be all “wuh, everything sucks” on you, but I just don’t get why vegans would so vehemently reject other textiles and then embrace cotton so heartily.
Well, thrifting is a great way to fight senseless waste, that’s for sure! I like the last look here best of all.
Elsie you made magic! 🙂 She is beautiful and I adore the braids! This is my favorite feature on your blog and cannot wait to see more makeovers!:D
Have a wonderful week!
xxx
http://gypsy-diaries.blogspot.com
She is gorgeous! Y’all did an awesome job. Her hair was a very nice touch and pulls it all together, Love it!
<3
Meggerz
This is amazing!! I want an Elsie makeover!! ;D
Great job!!!! 😉
Wow, look at Kelsie’s beautiful hair!
I always think being vegan or even vegetarian must be so limiting in what you can eat (and is the reson I couldn’t do it, being that I’m omnivorous!) but it never occurred to me that it would limit what you wear too … but you’ve done a great job with limited means!
Wow, the look with the plaid dress and braids is amazing, and the glasses really gives it an edge. She looks beautiful!
And like many others here I would love to see a tutorial for the braids! 🙂
Fabulous! Do you know where she bought the frames?
you must do a tutorial on how to braid this hair!!!
Love the look, really really pretty. Do you think you could do a step-by-step on the braid and bun hairstyle? I’d love to try it, but I’m pretty rubbish with doing my own hair!
What a beautiful girl!
Lovely clothes 🙂
I find that the hardest part of vegan clothes shopping is finding a nice warm coat that isn’t made of wool. It took me months to find mine!
Yay Kelsie! You look awesome!
And great job Elsie- she looks beautiful, and it’s great to show that you can find gorgeous vegan clothes and look fabulous 🙂
********** Reader Request Alert ***********
Would you please move your studio to somwhere in the south east of the UK.
Thank you 😉
She looks FAB!!! Great job Elsie! The braiding is awesome. I am looking forward to the next make over!
amazing looks!!! oh my she must have felt so good on her new look and playing along with those dresses and tops! 🙂 oh and yes, too much matching is no fun at all!!! take care! twiggs
i love look two <3
also awesome makeover 🙂
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i live look two. also awesome makeover 🙂
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This is such a wonderful idea, she looks great and her hair is just amazing. I love the braids in the second outfit.
Wow, I love her hair in braids! Would love to see a DIY tutorial for that!
Wow, this makeover is amazing! Kelsie is truly beautiful, and changing up her style brought it right out. I love her new frames and braids, and her outfits are just amazing! I absolutely love this new makeover feature and can’t wait to see more in the future!<3
She looks amazing! I certainly don’t dress to fit my personality and this makeover has inspired me to focus a bit more on my own personal style. I would love to see a makeover on all body types. That would be challenging and a fun to see the before and after.
She looks so pretty!
And those braids!
Wow!
She’s so pretty! I really like her second look, with the braids. B E A U T I F U L!
xo
Veronica
She looks fantastic. Way to rep all the cute vintage-loving vegans out there!
Gorgeous!! Both looks are totally fantastic. This is such a fun feature – I’m looking forward to the next makeover!
beautiful! looking forward to more makeovers!
fun makeover, she looks great!
Oh my goodness, she looks AWESOME! I love this because I’m vegan as well and have a hard time figuring out good ways to find vegan clothing 🙂 Thank you for this, Elsie! <3
So cool!
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Beautiful girl! Her hair is amazing, it looks wonderful in those braids!
WHAAAAATTTTT! Stop it and hold the phone, that girl is gorgeous! I love it all. But the first outfit, to die for really. Those blue tights are my love! And the hair with the second, heart, heart, double heart! Elsie you are too much. Me next Me next…oh wait I live in VA….bummer.
please please please do a tutorial on that braid style!
i LOVE it!
Please show us how to do the braid hairstyle. It’s adorable!
Those braids! Great work again… love this feature.
Oh, she looks beautiful! Love the new fringe and the Heidi braids are amazing.
She’s adorable!! Love the fringe and braids!! I’m vegan…so thank you for sharing that you can be stylish without the cost of an animal’s life!! =)
http://thefarmgirlfashionista.blogspot.com/
I want her tights!
and her long gorgeous locks
so. pretty.
Elsie,
You need to do a braiding tutorial! I love it!
I love the 1970s dress! It’s so pretty and looks great on Kelsie!
AH-MAZING. love it.
And elsie, would you PLEASE do a tutorial on how to do amazing braids and hair do’s like that? pretty please?
she looks fabulous!
WOW! She is gorgeous! I would love to rock vintage dresses, but when i look in the mirror i don’t see a girl that looks good in really anything! one of my “goals” is to wear more dresses this Spring/Summer, to embrace my femininity and don’t worry what other people think…but I am having some trouble with that! i am not a size 6, heck i am not even a size 12…but i so want to be comfortable in my own skin. i always tell my husband (who thinks i am beautiful no matter what) that i would love to go on one of those makeover shows were they teach you how to dress for your body type, do you hair in a way that you wouldn’t have ever thought and when you look in the mirror…you see what everyone else has seen for years, they just helped you find it!
Thanks Elsie…I hope to be able to meet you in person in a couple months when i head down to Springfield to get my new tattoo!!
xoxo~Meg
LOVE the braids! Must try myself.
absolutely stunning!!
Love the plaid dress!! gorgeous!
she is gorgeous, and i am in love with this makeover. and i want to see a tutorial for the braid bun LOL!
LOve the makeover! Will you please share step by steps on how to do the braided hair look? Please, with a cherry on top! It’s awesome! I can see myself rocking that look!
Great job Elsie, she looks awesome! That braided hair is just too pretty for words 🙂
Wow, what fun! I absolutely love the braided look, I’m going to try that on my own hair!
Wow! Kelsie looks fabulous! I especially love look #2…the braids are so beautiful! I will definitely have to experiment w/braids now that my hair is long (a ponytail gets B-O-R-I-N-G). Would love to see a tutorial on how to incorporate braids…it’s hard trying to braid your own hair. Anyway, well done on Kelsie’s makeover. She is lovely!
The braids are incredible!
This is just great! She’s such a doll. Gosh, I’d love to be a makeover candidate. Maybe do a springtime in Florida edition? 🙂
Great job, I love yoru hair in the braided photo.
Wow congrats on this makeover. She is a beautiful lady and the makeover really brought out her features. Great job!
Amazing! I’d also love to see a tutorial for those braids – they are incredible!
she’s insanely beautiful. so fun!!
Those braids are so pretty! I can’t wait ’til my hair is long enough to try things like that.
Gosh, I wish I lived closer to you. I could sure use one of your makeovers. She looks BEAUTIFUL! You’ve got a great eye for bringing out the best in people.
I agree with the others. I would love to see a tute on those braids. My hair needs to have some fun! 🙂
Oh my gosh that hair! its beautiful i wish my hair would hurry up and grow.
She looks amazing in all the new outfits.
Zoe
http://blessedbeeapothecary.blogspot.com/
Kelsie looks absolutely beautiful, and the braided hairstyle is so pretty!! Great job!!
Amazing makeover! It’s fun to see what a few little changes can do. Thanks for doing these because the hubbs & I are
thrifting/vintage style newbies & need some inspiration 🙂
Kelsie looks AMAZING, and so confident!!! Round of applause! And can I just say, I almost fell out of my chair pulling my hair up to try out those braids!! I was unsuccessful. Can we get a tutorial for that??
I adore that braided hairstyle and the dress with the blue belt is killer
LOVE the plaid dress and her braids are to die for! Wish I lived closer… I want an Elsie makeover too.
I hope that Kelsie gets a serious boost in confidence when she reads all of these comments. I know exactly how it feels to be unsure of your own personal style, Kelsie, and you truly are very beautiful!
Nicely done, both of you!
kelsie looks amazing!! i love her bangs and the braid hairstyle is sooooo cool! i wish my hair was longer!
great job!
that second hairstyle is sooo cute! makes me wish I had long hair!
i love it all. The braids are fantastic, i must grow my hair out.
kelsie you look amazing, beautiful! i am vegan too, and find thrifting and vintage the way to go!
fun makeover!
Kelsie is such a beauty. I love how her new bangs look great with her hair put up or down. I can’t wait until I have enough hair to have big braids like hers!
wow, amazing, esp love look 2. x
Wow, I love love love the braids!! Amazing transformation.
You are so talented in just about every way.
Wow…you truly are an artist…people are even your canvas! I love it, Kelsie looked sweet and pretty before…but now she looks like a model. You really are taking over the world and making it cute…I’m just making everyone nerdy :)!! Hearts, Janna Lynn 🙂
i love love love her braids and bun! i have long hair, but my fingers are def NOT coordinated to do that.
she’s so cute! I love the dress and bright tights the best!! Loving these “makeover” stories!
wow, she needs to know how pretty she is and SO photogenic!!!! great job elsie, this should be featured in lucky mag or something too, it’s all so good. love her new bangs and well ALL her wonderful long hair…those braids are such a swoon. adore little bird tattoo on her shoulder!
i really like these articles because not only do you show the style outwardly but you also share each persons little story too, love it!
AMAZING hair! May experiment with this myself…
SO gorgeous!!!
Holy shit! Her hair is amazing. I hope she realised how beautiful she is after this photoshoot.
Your makeovers are so inspiring! I’ve been trying to add more vintage to my wardrobe recently, but I haven’t had much luck! I’ll get better! :]
Holy Adorable…she looks great! 🙂 love the braids!!
this is so great, she looks fabulous and the makeover really brings out beauty and personality!
She doesn’t even look like the same person! Great job! Please do a tutorial on how you braided her hair!! It’s amazing!!!!!!
love the braids! can we get a tutorial sometime?? Pretty please 😀
Oh my gosh she looks AMAZING! Excellent job styling in every aspect. My favorite outfit was the red top with bright tights and boots. And that front braid was WICKED awesome. Makeovers are the funnest ; )
wow! I’m impressed on her look. i know here in the bay area a lot of vegans don’t even try vintage but it really is a great way to look for vegan quality stylish clothing. way to show that you can still have style and live environmentally conscious. kelsie, you need to share this with the world!
great makeover and i just love love that braided hair style…i think a hair tutorial is in need!!
xo,
cb
I loved Emma’s makeover but this one is wow wow WOW!
I love vintage and secondhand because it is more environmentally conscious
She is so naturally beautiful! I love how you pulled all of her natural beauty out of hiding. Kelsie…you look fab girl!
So, so gorgeous! Love the shorter bangs and the braided look is STUNNING. 🙂
she looks great! i love love the braided updo. any chance for a tutorial for that?! i’d love to be able to do that with my hair. 🙂
So amazing and inspiring. Beautiful. Love the profile.
http://plumblossomseven.blogspot.com/
Very beautiful! I love the braids and I also love the braided styles that you do for yourself. I wish there were tutorials for your braided styles–I can NEVER get mine to turn out right!
Wow her hair looks fantastic! You did an amazing job of helping her bring out all that beauty!
get the heck out of here… that girls a super model!
xo.
http://dropsofjupiterBLOG.com
oh my gosh this is amazing and so inspiring! You gals are dope!
bisousbisous,
miss kelly
WOW! what great new looks! i need to take note – i am usually looking more like the “before” 😉
Love the braids!! I just got bangs so these pictures are inspirational!!
Gorgeous, gorgeous hair. Love it!
I want to do my hair like that! Can you pretty please do a step by step? I have been trying for weeks to do cool long braids and for some reason I can never get them to look right. Also, PICK ME for a makeover! 🙂
Very cute makeover, however i understand that being a vegan she would want to stay away from suede, leathers and silk, but wool??? wool is an amazing fiber! It is sustainable, has wonderful natural insulating properties, fire retardant, and the animals are not harmed in the process. In fact, sheep NEED to be sheared! there are many beautiful vintage wool pieces that she should at least consider in the future…
Kelsie!!! You’re such a beauty!!
Great feature and I love the outfits she’s wearing. Girl, you’ve got KILLER legs!!
Will you pretty pretty pretty please make a DIY for that braid!?! It is the cutest thing i’ve ever seen!
Please. 🙂
xo,
Rylie
Love this! how do you apply to be picked for a makeover!?
Okay, I almost never comment but I had to this time. This makeover is A.MAZ.ING! Seriously, you really brought out all of her natural beauty. She looks so happy in all of the pictures. Wonderful job, Elsie! You should have a t.v. show. Your makeovers are so much better (and wayyyy more fun…and real!) than What Not to Wear!!
I’d take a makeover by Elsie over Stacy & Clinton any day!
elsie, you diabolical genius.
She looks incredible! So jealous.
She looks fantastic and those braids are ridiculously cute!
I have long hair, but it’s so thin. I don’t think there is any chance I could get it to look that good. Regardless, I would love to try and a tutorial would be wonderful!
-Kira
She manifests beauty, brains and compassion. What a powerful combination
OMG! Elise!!! you are perfection…do me please. I am really impressed at how you took her personal style to the next level!! good job girl 🙂
beeaauuutttiful. i am in love with her hair. guess who’s determined to grow her shoulder length hair out to extreme lengths? this girl. again- i love this new feature. very. inspiring.
she looks amazing! love the braids and fun tights!
Wonderful job! I love being able to see people comfortable in style! Great post! and PLEASE post a DIY for the braided bun!!!
She is gorgeous!! I love this makeover, especially the vegan clothing. Her braids are so fun! I can only wear my hair up for work and this would be so fun to do! Thanks for the inspiration!
Love the NEW FRAMES. Go team glasses!
Danielle from
http://inspireddays.blogspot.com/
I love Kelsie’s new bangs! Such a good look. What a beautiful babe. My favorite part about these makeovers is that it really enhances each lady’s smile! Can’t wait to see more.
Kelsie is gorgeous! You did an amazing job styling her hair and outfits. I hope this makeover gave her the confidence she deserves.
xo
Great makeover!
http://theythinkimtooyoung.blogspot.com
Also agree with many others that A BRAID TUTORIAL WOULD BE WONDERFUL! Please and thank you!
Gorgeous! I love the braid/bun hairdo!
This look is so adorable and fresh. Where did Kelsie get the cool new frames? I have been looking for some just like those–on the large side but not overwhelming–for a long time.
The second outfit is my favorite. It’s rather dreamy. The braids. The dress. The glasses. The boots. Beautiful!
So lovely! You guys did great and she looks practically perfect in every way. Wish I was close to you for a similar fun day. 🙂 And pretty pretty please with a cherry on top do a tutorial on the braid and bun up-do. It’s gorgeous! And I would love to have something new to do with my own long locks.
She looks beautiful! Kelsie has the prettiest long hair ever! LOVE the braids. I have long hair too and would love to learn how to do that style!
LOVE those braids! also tempted to take out my bright plum tights i bought a few years back and only ever rocked them on halloween. I think it might be time to wear them to work 😉
Kelsie’s hair is so beautiful and so is she! I was so excited to read that she’s vegan and knew I had to take a closer look immediately after seeing that word. Does Kelsie have her own blog by any chance? I’m so glad Rachel of Grown Up Rachel has you in her blogroll; this blog is amazing!!
this girl is adorable!!! before and after!!!
Love the haircut! Amazing makeover. 🙂
holy smokes! love love love look #2
look #1 is adorable too, but Kelsie really shines in #2
so much fun Elsie, can’t wait to see another one.
[wish it was me!]
Please do a little DIY of the braids/bun hair do. I’m in looooove. I beg of you.
CUTE CUTE CUTE
Great job, the bangs were a good call, and that braided updo is stunning!! I need to master braids with my hair, I always love them but can never seem to get them right. If only we could all have Elsie as a personal stylist 😉
Love the braids! I’d love to see a tutorial of how to get that look!
This braided-do gained you a new follower 🙂 Seriously, I’m in love. I have barely below the shoulder hair, is there any hope for me recreating this one? It’s simply stunning.
PLEASE POST A TUTORIAL TO THOSE BRAIDS!!!!
I keep looking at these over and over….trying to work out if her hair is real. It’s just so pretty!
Kelsie was obviously pretty before, but she was also hiding it. You brought out her true beauty.
Please! A tutorial on that lovely braided hair-do!
Oh, my beautiful Kelsey-friend. She is so gorgeous and you definitely brought out all the beauty she has inside so everyone can see it immediately! I love the styles!
i’ve always wanted to be a pretty girl. i love going thrifty and vintage dress shopping but i everything thing that i find that i like never fits me. I don’t think i’m that big of a girl but nothing seems to work for me. and when it comes to hair in never know what to do with it. The hairstyle that you used for kelsie is so gorgeous. she is a very beautiful woman. thanks for these makeover stories. they give me hope and things to look for.
Wow Kels, you are my beautiful girl! Love,Dad
this is my favorite before and after yet!
She has the most fantastic hair I have ever seen!! And the last 2 photos say it all! Magical makeover…I love it!
Wow – her hair is just … amazing. I love the way the braids work as more than just the usual “heidi” braids.
As beautiful on the outside as you are on the inside!
Oh my gosh she looks fantastic!!
I think I need to grow my hair out. 🙂
Gawgeous!! Love it.
Now, I know you may be tired of hearing this, but any chance you’ll be teaching how to do those braids?? They’re AWESOME and I know so many of us would love to try it out.. Pretty pleeeassee. =)
Uugh I would kill to have you make me over haha. She looks AMAZING and I am in love with those gorg braids.
That hair is AMAZING!!!
What a beautiful post – love all the photos!
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this is a gorgeous makeover! The fringe looks great and I love the braided upstyle!
oh uzh these women!
Swoon! I just saw this now and my goodness I love the hairstyle in look two!! Do you think you would be willing to put up a ‘how-to’ for this lovely do?
J’aime beaucoup le premier vêtement c’est très frais, superbe.
Séréna
An amazing transformation, she looked great before, but you did an awesome job pulling her look together. Love the clothes, love the braids!
woah, cool hairstyle!!
how fab – you really know your stuff 🙂 le xox
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This is definitely my favourite makeover:)
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OH I would love to see how she did all those braids, so pretty! She is just beautiful & looks so fantastic in those dresses. Awesome that she lives vegan in her lifestyle as well as food choices!
Oh my goodness! I love this makeover! I’d love to see a tutorial for those braids too!
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