I have to say I am so glad that they let Ashley's hair down and softened her look with a little makeup in ME3, and finally gave us some prettier females in that game as well. Tentacle heads do nothing for me; I like hair, long hair like Ashley's and Miranda's, and I think it would be great if you could choose not only your character's appearance (face, body, and hair) but that of your Shipmates and Main NPCs as well. It would also be cool if they could have different clothing to wear which you could choose personally. I've actually been considering going to the PC simply because they have mods for all of this, but it would be nice if it were simply part of the game. I also I think it would be great if EDI were still in the game. Not only did she look fantastic, it's more than feasible that she would still be around. I am so jonesing for the next Mass Effect it's insane. There are no other games that come close to the depth and beauty of Mass Effect, and I'm on my 18th play-through of the entire series because of that very truth.
I do not know about changing the NPC's whole appearance as I feel it would kind of lose the essence of having squad mates who you interact, bond with and romance. It seems like it would take it from each being a unique NPC to just another NPC you have control over. I wouldn't mind changing their armor/combat appearance more like in DA:I or even ME 1 as ME 2 and 3 lacked in that area.
"Ashley, Kaidan and Liara were meant to be love interest throughout all three parts of the triology. After taking them away from player in Mass Effect 2, they were ready for a passionate return in Mass Effect 3. For Ashley's reappearance in the series, we let her hair down and gave her sex appeal". - From 'The Art of Mass Effect'
Basically they wanted to make her more sexually appealing. Honestly I'd rather they stay true to the character's instead.
It really says that, smh. In my opinion Ashley has plenty of sex appeal in ME 1. I usually prefer girls who are more dolled up but Ashley did not need that at all. She is a attractive solider with a romantic side and a love for poetry (kind of like Cassandra from DA:I now that I think about it) not a model. It did not fit her from ME 1 at all like you said. Maybe if it fit better, like with Jack or Liara's appearance changes I would have liked it more. Or even if they gave a explanation from Ashley about the appearance change even if it was just a line or two.