Unfortunately, when you appear polished, people treat you differently than when you appear disorderly. People make assumptions about you as soon as they see you, even if it’s subconsciously. When you look well-groomed and presentable, they will think more highly of you and treat you better. Jose Antonio, a homeless man, understands this better than most. He had, after all, been living on the streets of Palma, Spain, for quite some time. When you have to think about your survival on a daily basis, you don’t have much time to take care of yourself. However, when a good Samaritan gave him a free makeover, everything changed for this homeless man.
Everything Changed For This Homeless Man After He Received A Free Makeover
He Did Not Have An Easy Life
Jose had been homeless for 25 years at that point. As you can imagine, the poor guy’s life had not been easy. On top of that, he was also suffering from depression. His living situation made things even more difficult for him. It’s no surprise he let himself go. Who can blame him, after all?
He Did Not Have An Easy Life
What His Life Was Like In The Past
He worked as an electrician at one point in his life. He used to be a regular guy, just like everyone else on the planet. But everything changed when he began to suffer from depression. It had gotten to the point where he couldn’t even get out of bed. He was no longer able to work and ended up on the streets.
What His Life Was Like In The Past
They All Knew Who He Is
Despite the fact that he was homeless, he became something of a celebrity in the city. It didn’t take long for the people of Palma to become accustomed to his presence. They actually liked him quite a bit. He was even given an affectionate nickname by the locals. He was affectionately known as Josette.
They All Knew Who He Is
Taking On Odd Jobs Here And There
He had been homeless since he was 30 years old. Josette was able to make ends meet by working odd jobs from time to time. He worked as a parking attendant, among other things. He was able to make some money and get by as a result of this. Even if this was true, his living conditions were still deplorable.
Taking On Odd Jobs Here And There
He Looked Older Than He Really Was
Josette appeared to be much older than his actual age by the time he turned 55. When he met a local woman named Salva Garcia, everything changed for him. She wanted to assist him and made him an unusual offer. Josette had no idea at the time that this would change the course of his life.
He Looked Older Than He Really Was
An Offer That He Can’t Refuse
Salva Garcia, you see, owned a beauty salon called La Salvajeria. She wanted to help Josette out by giving him a complete makeover! He could never afford such a thing out of pocket, so he had to be relieved to learn that she would help him. Yes, she intended to do it for nothing.
An Offer That He Can’t Refuse
It Sounded Too Good To Be True
Josette sensed that this could be the catalyst for a positive change in his life. It was a fantastic opportunity that he didn’t get every day of his life. Nonetheless, he would have been a fool to refuse her. He had gained the confidence he needed to look for a better-paying job by the end of the makeover.
It Sounded Too Good To Be True
The Importance Of First Impressions
He felt out of place when he walked into the hair salon for the first time. He sat down in the salon chair and examined his own image in the mirror. Josette had a face full of lines and wrinkles. He’d also neglected to shave his beard in a long time. He didn’t appear to be in the best of shape.
The Importance Of First Impressions
They Got It All On Tape
Garcia, on the other hand, had something else up her sleeve. She enlisted the help of Dr. Filmgood, a film producer, to film the transformation. Unfortunately, the video was not uploaded until a year and a half later by the hair salon owner. However, it went viral on the internet almost immediately after it was posted.
They Got It All On Tape
For The First Time In A Long While
The truth is that he stopped caring about his looks a long time ago. There was no time and energy to focus on when he was concerned with food and shelter every day. At long last, he could start a new chapter in his life. He was in desperate need of confidence. Will the makeover change that?
For The First Time In A Long While
It Had The Potential To Change His Life
Josette asked them to leave the mirror doors open. He wanted to take a final look at himself before the makeover. After that, they got rid of the mirrors. This meant that he could look at his reflection once the makeover was complete. But how was this man going to react once everything had been said and done?
It Had The Potential To Change His Life
Other Homeless People Received Makeovers Too
Before we show you the result of the makeover, let us check in on a couple of other homeless people who received life-changing makeovers. For seven years, a former Marine named Donald Gould had been living without a roof over his head. The former marine had gone through many things, but most only saw his wild beard and weary eyes. But beneath his exterior, there was a talented musician.
Other Homeless People Received Makeovers Too
How He Wound Up On The Streets
Gould had already experienced a lot of difficulties in the past. For one thing, his dear wife passed away in 1998. This was made worse by losing custody of his child since he was declared unsuitable as a parent. His pain made him turn to illicit substances. He wound up on the streets not long after that.
How He Wound Up On The Streets
Thanks To His Skills On The Piano
There were a couple of pianos located all over the city of Sarasota, Florida. The sight of them never failed to make Gould happy. He liked to look for the nearest one and play some music on it. This made people pay attention to him. After leaving a cap on top of it, people started to give him tips.
Thanks To His Skills On The Piano
He Blew Everyone Away
A spectator recorded Gould as he played on the piano. When the video was posted on YouTube, it caught the attention of many news stations across the country. If it had not been for this, Gould might not have gotten a job offer to play at piano bars! Aside from that, kind people made a GoFundMe campaign for him. The last act of kindness was a makeover offered by Inside Edition.
He Blew Everyone Away
Things Have Totally Changed For Him
He acquired a new set of clothes and visited the barber to get a haircut and a clean shave. It is amazing to see how much things have turned around for him. In addition, Gould landed a job as a piano player at a local restaurant. He got to reunite with Donny, his son, as well. It was the first time that they have seen each other in fifteen years. We are sure that Gould was thankful for all the blessings that have come his way.
Things Have Totally Changed For Him
He Was Down On His Luck
Next, we have a homeless man called Bobby. Things were not going well for him when he stumbled into a couple of cops. Do not worry. The policemen had not been planning to apprehend him. They only wanted to speak with him. What did they have to say to the poor guy from Rome, New York?
He Was Down On His Luck
A Haircut, A Shower, And A Shave
When they got to talking, Bobby shared that he would love a haircut and a warm shower. The officers were kind enough to grant him that wish and more. They helped him get a haircut, a shower, and a shave. On top of that, they also gave him new clothes in the form of donations.
A Haircut, A Shower, And A Shave
He Looked Like A New Guy
Bobby felt amazing after everything that they did for him. He looked great as well! The officers made sure to document the process and put it up on their page on Facebook. Bobby had a fresh haircut, a new outfit, a bag of new clothes, and a huge smile on his face by the end of it.
He Looked Like A New Guy
Giving Free Cuts On The Streets
Mike Bustos is a stylist at Three Squares Studio, found in a posh part of New York City. The prices of his services begin at $150 and can go up to $800. Even so, he takes the time to bring his razor, scissors, and combs with him to the streets. In addition, he gives homeless people free professional haircuts!
Giving Free Cuts On The Streets
He Offered To Listen As Well
There is a homeless war veteran that likes to hang out in Bowery and Rivington Street in Manhattan. Called “red,” he likes to sit on a wooden stool there. He might be hard of hearing, but he likes to talk to anybody who gives him the time of the time. Bustos listened to him as he gave the vet a new look.
He Offered To Listen As Well
Things Did Not Go As Planned
Red shared that he went to New York for a job offer that did not go through. This is the reason he wound up on the streets. The vet asked Bustos to shave off his hair since he had no idea when it would be possible to get a haircut after this one. It was a simple request that made him look sharp.
Things Did Not Go As Planned
The Makeover Had Fantastic Results
Bustos took it upon himself to give the homeless man a free makeover. He made up his mind to do this after seeing Red sitting on the corner of Rivington and Bowery in Manhattan. As a stylist, he knew just how powerful a haircut could be. By the end of it, people could not believe the results of the makeover.
The Makeover Had Fantastic Results
It Made Him Feel More Confident
The stylist noticed just how talkative many homeless people are. However, Jamar was different in that he was a quiet guy. Bustos spotted him near Bowery Mission in Lower Manhattan. By the end of the haircut, Jamar asked if Bustos knew anyone who could offer him a job. Clearly, the makeover made him feel more confident!
It Made Him Feel More Confident
In Time For Veterans Day
Like other people on the list, Jim Wolf also had alcohol abuse issues and lived on the streets. So it is a good thing that the Degage Ministries helped the army veteran turn things around. The organization gave him a transformation in time for Veterans Day. The result of the makeover is nothing short of incredible.
In Time For Veterans Day
He Looked Like A New Man
They uploaded a video of the transformation process. The time-lapse goes on for three minutes and shows you the huge difference brought about by the makeover. This was a project done to raise funds and awareness for the people living on the streets. The Degage Ministries aim to help the homeless.
He Looked Like A New Man
It Did Not Change Everything
It did not take long before the video of Jim Wolf made rounds on the internet. He started to go to AA meetings after that. Then, in 2013, he got arrested for creating a disturbance and trespassing. Sadly, there are things that you can’t fix with a viral video and a haircut. Let us hope that he gets back on his feet soon.
It Did Not Change Everything
A Hairdresser Based In London
Joshua Coombes is a hairstylist based in London. He likes to give free haircuts to homeless people in his free time. On top of that, he likes to connect with them and listen to their stories. He inspires others to “do something for nothing” by launching the hashtag #DoSomethingForNothing.
A Hairdresser Based In London
Giving Haircuts In The Alleys
He met an army veteran living on the streets called Chris. The homeless man had had PTSD as well. Coombes gave him a haircut there and then. Then, he took to Instagram to share, “He was in a bad way when I first met him. A friend of his had passed away just a few weeks before.” When he asked Chris to share something with the world, the vet asked people to spread as much love as possible.
Giving Haircuts In The Alleys
Florin
Coombes also met a man called Florin, who hails from Romania and found himself in Paris. Upon waking up in the hospital, he suffered a stroke and realized that he lost his passport. Without a way to go home, he toughed it out on the streets. He wants to return home in the future. But, for now, Coombes treated him to a haircut and conversation. Florin asked the hairdresser to visit him in Romania when he gets home.
Florin
Mathew
Coombes met a man called Mathew in Central London in 2017. The year after that, they ran into each other once more. Mathew recalled the free haircut he received not that long ago. It is nice that Coombes gives out free haircuts, but his best talent is listening to other people’s stories!
Mathew
Cedric
After Coombes and Cedric met, the former gave the latter a new haircut. After that, the two of them spent some time hanging out, swapping stories, and listening to music together. The year after that, Coombes found out that his friend passed away. We are sure that the hairdresser is never going to forget his friend no matter what happens.
Cedric
He Was Nervous But Hopeful At The Same Time
Don’t worry. We have not forgotten about Jose Antonio! He felt a bit nervous as he sat in the salon chair. Garcia worked her magic on him. Even though he was a little anxious, Josette hoped that the makeover would help him land a good job. So a lot of things have gone so wrong for him already. Would this really change things?
He Was Nervous But Hopeful At The Same Time
They Dyed And Cut His Hair
While it took them a little while, Garcia and the rest of the stylists got the job done soon enough. They cut his hair and dyed it brown to make him look younger. In our opinion, the result was incredible. It was truly the beginning of a new chapter for Josette. But, this was not the end of the makeover just yet, either.
They Dyed And Cut His Hair
His Beard Was Trimmed As Well
Before the makeover, Jose had not shaved in the last 25 years. Therefore, the stylists did not shave off all his beard and simply gave him a trim. After that, they also dyed his facial hair to make him look even more polished and well-groomed. Needless to say, Josette looked very put-together by the end of it.
His Beard Was Trimmed As Well
A Burden Was Lifted Off His Shoulders
It is only natural for people to feel nervous during a haircut. On top of that, he felt weird to get the VIP treatment at a hair salon after living on the streets for such a long time. However, as more of his hair fell off, Josette felt more relaxed. As a matter of fact, it felt as if a burden had been lifted off his shoulders.
A Burden Was Lifted Off His Shoulders
The Past Few Decades Had Been Hard On Him
The last 25 years had not been easy on Jose. It is not hard to see this with his long gray hair, ratty clothes, and tired face. Yet, who would have thought that everything would change for him in a matter of hours? All it took was to dye, reshape, and trim his hair, beard, and brows.
The Past Few Decades Had Been Hard On Him
What The End Result Was Like
Garcia, with the help of her hairstylists, smoothed down his beard. They also shaved his neckline and moisturized his beard with the help of a conditioner. Only a couple of hours later, he emerged as a new man. At that point, the only thing missing was a new outfit to go with his new hair!
What The End Result Was Like
They Got Him A New Outfit Too
Once they were done cutting and styling his hair, it was time to give him a new outfit. Garcia gave him new clothes to complete the process. Josette went to the changing room to put them on. We are sure that he was dying with curiosity about the way he looked. How big of a difference did it all make?
They Got Him A New Outfit Too
He Felt Better Than He Had In A Long Time
After such a long time, Josette did not just look but feel clean and fresh again. In fact, the makeover shaved two decades off his face! Moreover, it worked to boost his confidence and self-esteem. Indeed, he was unrecognizable. Even he had a hard time recognizing himself when he looked in the mirror.
He Felt Better Than He Had In A Long Time
There Was No Way That Was Him
At long last, he got to see the result of the transformation with his own two eyes. Josette could not help but let out a gasp as he took in his reflection. His eyes teared up as he stared at himself. Could this be true? He could not believe it. This must be a mistake. There was no way that was him… right?
There Was No Way That Was Him
He Just Could Not Believe It
He found it hard to get the words out of his mouth. Josette must have been overwhelmed by what he saw in the mirror. In the video, he said, “I’m so different, no one’s going to recognize me unless I tell them who I am.” Don’t you feel happy for the way things have turned out for him? He deserved this!
He Just Could Not Believe It
It Was Not Just His Looks
Mind you. It was not only his looks that changed after that. Everyone else noticed that his demeanor and posture have changed for the better as well. After the makeover took place, it looked like Josette earned a more positive and optimistic view of life. This is what kindness can do for other people!
It Was Not Just His Looks
Time To Go Back To His Old Spot
Josette returned to the monument at the plaza as well. He liked to spend some alone time and smoke cigarettes in this spot. However, let us not forget that he was sporting not just a new haircut but also new clothes. On top of that, he had sunglasses on. No one recognized who this man was.
Time To Go Back To His Old Spot
The Ladies Approved Of His New Look
After the transformation, Josette turned out to be hit with the ladies. The waitresses at the nearby cafes and restaurants could not help but steal glances at him. They did not even realize who it really was! It was hard to believe that this was the homeless man who helped drivers park. The change was extreme.
The Ladies Approved Of His New Look
They Did Not Even Recognize Him
There was a bar in town that Josette liked to visit frequently. He went there and got a beer for himself. It goes without saying that this was not his first time. He was surprised to be treated like he had never been there before. The waiter was shocked when the identity of this customer dawned on him.
They Did Not Even Recognize Him
The Story Went Viral
Salva Garcia took a video of the transformation, but she waited before putting it up online. She posted it to celebrate the third anniversary of her salon, La Salvajerua. It let people from different parts of the world near about his story. Everyone was delighted by this act of kindness for someone who needed it.
The Story Went Viral
The Spanish Version Of Hugh Jackman
After the video made rounds on the internet, Josette became known as the “Spanish Hugh Jackman.” Salva Garcia also had good news to share. She informed everyone that a company reached out to Josette to offer him financial help! So yes, he is no longer living on the streets. What a relief that is.
The Spanish Version Of Hugh Jackman
He Is Now A Silver Fox
Other things have changed since the makeover took place. For one thing, Josette decided to stop dying his hair and shave off the beard. He did not mind showing his silver hair. No, he has since decided to go gray! If you ask us, he is giving us George Clooney vibes. It looks good on him.
He Is Now A Silver Fox
No Longer Out On The Streets
Josette must have felt like the stars have finally aligned. He did not expect to be the recipient of a makeover and financial assistance. For the longest time, he was used to people not paying him any attention. However, things have finally turned around for him. He now has an apartment, a part-time job, and a bed to go home to sleep in after a day of work. There was a time when this sounded like nothing more than a pipe dream. While not everyone has the skills or money to help homeless people in the same way, we are sure that you can a nice thing for someone else. Trust us when we say that a little goes a long way.
No Longer Out On The Streets