Why didn't Data ever adopt a more human look?

[Paradise City]

A large handle bar 'tache like a 19th century Prussian soldier, that's what he wants.

Data perhaps did attempt to paint his skin pink off screen. But like with the beard fiasco everybody rolled around laughing so JLP sat him down and give a high handed speech that being human is a bit more than a lick of pink paint and a fake beard.

 

[2takesfrakes]

It's also interesting to note how in "Unification," as Bev is discussing altering Data's pigment to match that of a Romulan's, so as to disguise him that way, she mentions the concern of finding a method that will allow for the return of Data's original skin pigmentation. By Season 5, it was certainly a little too late to give the character a new look, but they could've used that covert mission as an excuse to justify giving Brent a break and toning down his makeup, at least slightly. I have to admit, wearing that paint all day, every day, does seem like a major pain in the arse. I would've been at least as resentful of it, as he ...

 

[Capn Nick]

I thought it was like that famous Roddenberry line about Picard's baldness and people in the future not even thinking it was a thing that needed to be fixed. But I also always took Data's desire to be human as a desire to be humanoid. He frequently seems interested in the behavior of Worf and Troi as well as Guinan, as learning experiences. Also, he examines all the possible races in Offspring. As if the important part is that Lal seems more "alive" rather than like a human from earth.

P.S. I forgot about Data's beard!

 

[xanne]

He's always curious and interested in all kind of cultures and species, specially in humans but that doesn't mean he has the need to transform every bit of him into one of us. He wants to be as close as a human as possible and not losing his identity, who he really is, in the process. Keep in mind that he's the only one of his kind, so he wants to maintain those aspects as well.

 

[TheSublimeGoose]

He's always curious and interested in all kind of cultures and species, specially in humans but that doesn't mean he has the need to transform every bit of him into one of us. He wants to be as close as a human as possible and not losing his identity, who he really is, in the process. Keep in mind that he's the only one of his kind, so he wants to maintain those aspects as well.

I agree. Also, while Data could obviously recognize that learning/adding/modifying things to/about his personality, I believe it would require emotion to desire to appear more human... as appearance is far more artificial than his personality and interactions with humans.

 

[Mojochi]

I like to think he values who he is for what he is. It isn't about being a human. It's about embracing humanity. If you think about it, His best friend's VISOR makes him look less traditionally human. So Data's skin is a little off. What's the big deal there? Incidentally, I like to think that over the years, Data & Geordi improved the technology of their own mechanical eyes to incorporate each other's designs & function, which is why Geordi's 1st Contact eyes have all manner of functionality, including normal vision. By then, maybe they both have the same eyes, that can see in all spectrums.