X factor finalists show off glam new looks

We've already seen the official 'after' makeover shots, but new pictures have just been revealed of the finalists, all dolled up for an official X Factor photoshoot.

Although we were a little underwhelmed by the girls' official pictures, all three look really cool here. Cher Lloyd is doing nothing to dispel those mini-Cheryl rumours in this shot. Mass of extensions? Check! Cool-but-sexy outfit? Check! Controversy? Check! Rebecca Johnson looks way better here than in her official picture - she proved herself to be handy with an updo during auditions and bootcamp, and this look is elegant but just a little bit edgy too. Can't say much about Katie Waissel's look in this closely cropped picture, but it's safe to say this salon receptionist is a firm fan of the roots trend - well, Madonna is her hero...

Matt Cardle has finally ditched the hat, but what lies beneath isn't all that inspiring. Still, considering he's representing normal blokes, I don't suppose we'd want to see him with anything too wild. His hair does look a little bit thin here though - perhaps that's why he was so fond of that hat? Aiden Grimshaw rated highly with our expert hairdresser, Paul Falltrick, and this magazine shoot look is even better. Seriously on-trend, and very cool - I think we have a new fashionista on our hands. Italian diva Nicolo Festa looks like any other indie singer with this look - although he does appear to have taken Paul's advice, with longer lengths flattering his face shape.

Apparently Mary Byrne was too poorly for this photoshoot - rumour has it that she is presently locked in a room, recovering. The lovely John Adeleye is another hat-lover, so there's not a great deal to say about his barnet. Still, as Louise Wood comments, the sides appear to have been neatened up, for a slightly sharper look. Will he remove the hat at any point in the live shows? Perhaps there should be a drinking game based around it... The less said about Storm Lee the better - he's so cheesy! I agree with Louise's comment that the red is just a bit corny.

I think Belle Amie probably had the best makeover of all the final 12 - just a neaten up of their existing looks. They look young, cool, and just a little bit indie - not like the groomed, glamour girl look of other female vocal groups. If their singing is as good as their image, we could be on to a winner with this lot. Here at HJi we were all a little disappointed with 1 Direction's official makeover - they seemed to take all the individuality out of the group and turn them into an identi-kit boyband. This magazine shot is much better; as with the girls, they just look like a normal, cool, bunch of lads. FYD looked a little too smooth for my liking in their post-makeover picture, but here they look back to normal. The guy on the left looks a bit cheesy with his rocker mohawk, but at least it's different. They've really got an array of styles going on - preppy, rock, indie, urban... Let's hope it all works together to keep the boys in.