We never, ever get tired of watching people come alive and feel more confident after getting a new look, and lately, there’s nobody performing better transformations than the Makeover Guy. After watching over and over how he matches outer beauty to inner, it’s safe to say we’re obsessed!

And really, can you blame us? Not only does the Minneapolis-based stylist specialize in makeovers women can still maintain at home, the Makeover Guy – otherwise known as Christopher Hopkins – specializes in them for older women, who are too often neglected by the fashion and beauty industries. No wonder people travel from all over to see what he can do for their look!

Like Susan. She’s from Maine, and she’s here looking for what she calls a “reluctant casual” look. Why reluctant? Well, Susan was satisfied with her look, but over the past year, her hair suddenly started getting curly, and she doesn’t know how to deal with it.

Making dealing with that suddenly-curly hair a more difficult task is an even bigger challenge is that stops the Makeover Guy in his tracks: multiple sclerosis. Ellen has it, and it’s making it too hard for her to do her hair.

Yeah. This is no ordinary makeover.

So what is multiple sclerosis (MS), and why would it affect how Susan can do her hair? Well, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body [. . .] The cause of MS is still unknown – scientists believe the disease is triggered by as-yet-unidentified environmental factor in a person who is genetically predisposed to respond.

The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease.

While symptoms are variable, the most common ones include fatigue, numbness, tingling, stiffness, muscles spasms, weakness, dizziness, pain, and even, at times, difficulty processing and remembering new information.

So when you take all of that into consideration, it’s no wonder that Susan needs an easier, more “casual” hairstyle. After all, it’s difficult enough for all of us to wrestle with bobby pins and curling irons and hair dryers and all kinds of arm gymnastics when we’re feeling our best, never mind attempting the routine while also handling such a challenging chronic illness.

Susan might term the result she’s going for “reluctant casual,” but there’s nothing casual about her reaction to the final look Christopher gives her. After all, as he points out, “it’s easy to be casual,” so why not enjoy a “touch of the dramatic” while enjoying a special makeover she’s traveled so far to get?!

Even better, Susan is inspirational as she does everything with a smile, and she ultimately describes her day as one of “pampering with friends.” We’ve got to say that she absolutely deserves it— and she looks GORGEOUS. To see how the Makeover Guy took on this particular challenge and to witness Susan’s new look for yourself, check out the video below.

Isn’t she beautiful?! What do you think of this easy and casual look? Do you approve of the way the Makeover Guy handled Susan’s needs? Do you know anybody with multiple sclerosis? Share your stories and thoughts with us and with each other!