Some students know how to spend their 21st birthdays in style — with a group of close friends, a party, a makeover and a camera crew following their every moves.

Alana Arbe-Blakey (junior-psychology) and Amy Boyce (junior-mechanical engineering) were filmed on Arbe-Blakey's 21st birthday earlier this month for The Learning Channel television show A Makeover Story.

Arbe-Blakey said she was looking for a more sophisticated look from her makeover.

"I got the idea because I've had dreadlocks since I was six. I'm going into the corporate world and I want to be a singer," Arbe-Blakey said.

Spring Semester Arbe-Blakey went to the TLC Web site (www.tlc.com) to find out how to apply for the show, which provides two people with a complete makeover before they head off to a special event. Arbe-Blakey e-mailed the company a picture of herself and Boyce, along with a description of why they needed makeovers.

The two met the first day of freshman year. Both of their roommates had not moved in and they each needed someone to go with to dinner. They have been friends ever since.

Banyan Productions came to State College Oct. 17 and filmed the two students around campus and at their apartment. Then the group left for Philadelphia, where the makeovers and birthday party occurred. Arbe-Blakey and Boyce were separated during the makeover and did not see each other until the makeovers were done.

"I'm always wearing black and she's always wearing jeans, but we switched for our makeover," Arbe-Blakey said.

Stylists at East End Salon, 219 Arch St., cut off Arbe-Blakey's dreadlocks and colored her hair red. Boyce's hair was straightened, colored a lighter shade of brown and highlighted.

The two students were both surprised and happy when they saw each other after their makeovers.

"I screamed my head off when I saw her," Boyce said.

Their reactions were so dramatic, the producers thought they were acting, Arbe-Blakey said. "They thought we were putting them on," she said.

Boyce was excited with the crew's response.

"One guy said 'this is the best makeover ever,' " Boyce said.

After their makeovers, Arbe-Blakey and Boyce met a group of their friends at a bar to celebrate and unveil their new appearances.

The two students are still happy with their new hairstyles but plan on making some changes.

"I'm not keeping it short," Arbe-Blakey said.

But she does not plan on growing dreadlocks again.

"I used to wear my hair in a ponytail. People think young when they see ponytails. It looked nice, but I didn't realize how young I looked. I'm not used to looking like an adult," Arbe-Blakey said.

Boyce is looking for a hairstyle with less maintenance required.

"I'm letting my hair go curly again. It's too much uptake now," Boyce said.

Friends and family were pleased with the makeovers, they said. "Most people have been positive. Some people say 'you looked great before,' " Arbe-Blakey said.

Jill Tocket (junior-music education) attended the birthday party and likes the makeovers. "I liked Alana's hair, and I loved Amy's pants," Tocket said.

The makeovers were a learning experience for the two students. "It's good to change. It makes you feel better about yourself," Boyce said.

Arbe-Blakey and Boyce's episode of A Makeover Story is scheduled to air in January. An exact date is not yet scheduled.