About Big Makeover
I got this app because the last one I used for trying on hairstyles started pushing a subscription and removed half the free colors. Big Makeover by FTY LLC. popped up as a free alternative, and I figured I had nothing to lose. My main goal was to see if I could finally pull off silver-gray hair without looking washed out, but I didn’t want to pay for another app that would hide the good stuff behind a paywall. After using it on my Samsung Galaxy for several months, it’s become my secret weapon before any haircut or makeup purchase. It’s not perfect, but for a free tool, it does the job I need it to do.
Features & Highlights
The virtual try-on is the whole point, and it works well enough. You can use a photo or your live camera. I mostly take a good selfie in my kitchen where the light is best. The hair color library is massive for a free app. I spent a whole rainy Saturday trying every shade of blonde, from brassy yellow to cool platinum, to finally decide on an ash tone. The makeup section has a lot of basics like lipsticks and eyeliners, which is great for testing everyday looks. I used it to see if a bright red lip would work for my cousin’s wedding, and it convinced me to buy the actual lipstick. The wardrobe bit is a fun extra—I uploaded a photo of my boring jeans and tried them with different virtual tops to get ideas for what to shop for.
User Experience
It took a few tries to get it right. The first time I tried the face scan, it put blue eyeshadow halfway up my forehead. I learned you have to hold super still and look directly at the camera. Once you get past that, swiping through hairstyles is addictive. The interface is colorful and easy to figure out. A real moment for me was trying a virtual pixie cut. I’ve always been curious, but seeing it stick to my head from all angles made me realize it would be a disaster with my face shape. That alone saved me probably $80 at the salon. The app runs fine on my Galaxy A54, though it can get a little slow if you have too many effects layered on.
Pricing
This is where I’m always the most critical. The app is free to download, and honestly, most of what you need is free. I’ve used it for months without paying a cent. The catch is the “premium” tags on certain things. Trendy hairstyle packs, some fancy branded makeup palettes, and special accessory sets cost money, either as a one-time buy or a subscription. I haven’t bought any because the free stuff is plentiful, but I did feel a little tempted by a specific glitter eyeshadow set for New Year’s Eve. They’re not overly aggressive with pop-ups, which I appreciate. For a free app, the value is really good if you remember to ignore the shiny locked items.
Updates & Support
They update it pretty regularly, like adding new autumn hair colors or holiday-themed makeup. It keeps things from getting stale. I did have one problem where, after an update, all my saved makeovers looked distorted. I wasn’t happy. I used the help section in the app and sent a message with a screenshot. I got an automated reply right away, but then actual human support got back to me… after about four days. They were helpful and explained it was a bug they were fixing, and it was sorted in the next update. I wish it was faster, but at least they solved it.
Security & Privacy
This always worries me with apps that use your camera and photos. Their privacy policy is a long read, but the gist is they use your photos to map your face for the try-on and don’t, according to them, sell your personal data to third parties. Your created looks might be used anonymously to improve the app. I’m still cautious. I only use photos where I’m okay with them being on a server somewhere, and I never use my absolute best or most personal pictures. I’d feel better if they had a clearer, simpler explanation right when you sign up.
What features does Big Makeover offer for trying on hairstyles and makeup?
Big Makeover lets you use a photo or live camera for virtual try-ons, with a huge library of hair colors and basic makeup like lipsticks and eyeliners. It also includes a wardrobe feature where you can upload clothing photos to mix and match with virtual tops.
Is the virtual try-on feature accurate for seeing how a haircut or color will look?
It works well once you hold still and look directly at the camera for the face scan; otherwise, it may place makeup incorrectly. The app tracks your head movements so you can see hairstyles from different angles, which helped one user avoid a pixie cut that didn't suit their face shape.
Why does the face scan sometimes place makeup in the wrong spots, and how can I fix it?
This usually happens if you move or don't look straight at the camera during the initial scan. To fix it, stand in good, even lighting, hold your phone steady, and keep your face centered until the scan completes.
How does Big Makeover compare to other free hairstyle try-on apps that push subscriptions?
Unlike many free apps that hide features behind a paywall or remove colors over time, Big Makeover keeps its large hair color library and basic makeup tools fully accessible without a subscription. It's a solid free alternative if you want to experiment without feeling nickel-and-dimed.
Can I use Big Makeover to test makeup looks before buying products?
Yes, the makeup section includes everyday essentials like lipstick and eyeliner, so you can preview how shades look on your skin tone. One user tested a bright red lip for a wedding and felt confident enough to purchase the actual lipstick based on the virtual result.
