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Makeover makes 'hottest grandmother in the country'

Two women got their looks updated on Thursday after they were plucked from the plaza crowd for an Ambush Makeover.First up was Elizabeth Parsons, a 73-year-old grandmother and dance studio owner from Orlando, Fla., whose style hasn't changed much over the years. "We thought it'd be a good idea to do because we love her," Parsons' granddaughter told TODAY contributor Jill Martin. "You're going to

Two women got their looks updated on Thursday after they were plucked from the plaza crowd for an Ambush Makeover.

First up was Elizabeth Parsons, a 73-year-old grandmother and dance studio owner from Orlando, Fla., whose style hasn't changed much over the years. 

TODAY
Elizabeth Parsons before and after her makeover.Today

"We thought it'd be a good idea to do because we love her," Parsons' granddaughter told TODAY contributor Jill Martin. 

"You're going to be the hottest grandmother in the country," Martin exclaimed.

She wasn't exaggerating. Martin and TODAY stylist to the stars Louis Licari worked their magic, giving Parsons a cropped red 'do and replacing her dull locks with a glamorous cut and "sassy" color. 

"She looks hot," Hoda said. 

"I love it!" Parsons gasped when the blindfold came off. "Oh wow! It's not me!"

Parsons' updated cut paired perfectly with her new outfit, a mauve dress made by Maggie London. Behind the scenes, Parsons snuck a peek at the color and told Martin she wasn't sure she could pull it off. But mauve, Martin assured her, "looks good on so many people."

Next up was another lady who hasn't changed her style in years: Nicole Nadeau, a 42-year old from Paris, N.Y., who described her beauty routine as "showering and wearing zero makeup." 

On a "girls trip," one of her friends was blunt in the way that only a best friend can be. "She looks like this morning, noon and night," Nadeau's pal told Martin. "Of anyone out there, she needs this makeover."

TODAY
Nadeau sports a blonde bob after her makeover.Today

But Nadeau, whose husband was watching at home, was a bit jittery. 

"I think it's exciting," she said. "I'm a little nervous — my hands haven't stopped shaking."

Nadeau came out sporting a radically different look, her pulled-back tresses transformed into a bright blond bob. A bold, lacy red dress made her glamorous new style complete. 

Her friends were stunned. 

"That's shock and that's awe," Kathie Lee joked. 

And Nadeau approved of it too. "I love it," she said. 

Ambush Makeover

Slideshow  20 photos

Ambush Makeover

See the best transformations on TODAY! Hairstylist Louis Licari and TODAY contributor Jill Martin give fans stunning makeovers from head to toe.