How To Look Good Naked

"How To Look Good Naked", a British show that was eventually brought over to the United States, is a reality makeover show that is aimed at making women feel good about their bodies. Unlike other makeover shows, "How To Look Good Naked" focuses on a series of self-esteem building exercises to attempt to heal a woman's ill feelings about her body.

Other Makeover shows that air on television today focus, primarily, on fixing the appearance of the women featured on the show. This show, however, takes an entirely different approach and begins by fixing the woman's perception of her own body. The show is hosted by Carson Kreesly, formerly of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy". The host serves as a motivational confidant to the women receiving the makeover.

During the show the participant is encouraged to strip down to her underwear. She eventually points out what she dislikes and Carson spends his time arguing with her that there are no problems. Different tactics are used to prove to the woman that her body is perfectly beautiful. As the show progresses Kreesly takes away the participant's former underwear and replaces it with new underwear intended to feature her best assets, hide, what she perceives to be, her biggest flaws, and to simply make her feel sexy. The show concludes with the participant modeling her new, naked look.

The show premiered on Lifetime in 2008 and received rave reviews. It was also the highest rated premier in the network's history. The show, which drew success from its British counterpart, was hailed as an archetype for other makeover shows to follow. The New York Times commented that, finally, there was a show that focused intently on making women feel better, rather than trying to make women look better. To many, shows that make women "look" better only manage to propagate the problem of low self esteem and poor body image.

The show has gone on to premier in a plethora of countries. Many other nations have also created their own version of the show. Sweden, Canada and Australia all currently run a version of the show on various networks.