This Makeover Completely Changed This Homeless Man’s Life
If you’re well-groomed from head to toe and exude self-assurance, you’re probably doing very well in life. Sadly for Jose Antonio, a homeless person living on the streets of Spain, this was not the case. When this man decided to get a complete overhaul, he had no idea how much his life would change as a result.
Struggles
Jose lived as a homeless person in Palma, Spain, for 25 years. Since he had struggled with depression, he had been living on the streets. The stress of not having a place to call home had taken its toll on him.
Struggles
A Life Before
Jose, a talented electrician, had practiced this before, back when he was a normal member of society. When depression struck, however, he found it impossible to get out of bed. He was unable to continue working due to his condition. He ended up on the streets after that.
A Life Before
Everyone Knew Him
Because people had grown accustomed to seeing this man around Palma, Jose’s homeless status turned him into a sort of celebrity. He was well-liked by the locals. Josete was given to him as a nickname.
Everyone Knew Him
Working Odd Jobs
Josete, who was 30 years old at the time, had been homeless since he was a child. He made ends meet by doing odd jobs, such as working as a parking attendant in Mallorca. As a result, he was able to buy enough food to get by. Regardless, his living conditions were appalling.
Working Odd Jobs
Older Than His Years
Josete was only 55 years old, but he appeared to be much older. He ran into Salva Garcia, a local woman who offered to help him out one day. Josete received a strange offer from Garcia. The man had no idea that this small offer would change his life forever.
Older Than His Years
The Proposal
Garcia was the owner of La Salvajeria, a local hair salon where she wanted to give Josete a makeover from head to toe. The great thing was that this was entirely free!
The Proposal
Ecstatic
The homeless person realized this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to change people’s perceptions of him. This would give him the boost of confidence he needed to turn his life around and start searching for a decent job.
Ecstatic
First Impression
Josete initially felt like an outsider in the hair salon. When he sat down in the chair, the first thing he saw was his own reflection in the mirror in front of him. His wrinkled face was framed by his dirty hair, which was encircled by his gray, disheveled beard.
First Impression
The Transformation
Garcia asked Dr. Filmgood, a movie producer, to film the whole transition. Garcia wouldn’t upload the video for another 18 months, but you can bet it went viral almost immediately once it did.
The Transformation
Longing For A Change
Josete had long since stopped caring about how he looked so he could concentrate on finding food and getting through each day. He was, however, overjoyed at the prospect of a new beginning. He hoped that this makeover would provide him with the self-assurance he so desperately desired.
Longing For A Change
Life-Changing Potential
Jose requested that the mirror doors be left wide open so that he could take one last look in the mirror before the big change. The salon mirrors were then removed, preventing him from seeing himself until the transformation was complete. He was about to burst out laughing when he saw his new look!
Life Changing Potential
Homeless Marine
Let’s meet a few other homeless people who were given life-changing makeovers before we look at Josete’s final transformation. Donald Gould was a former marine who had been homeless for seven years when he was in his 50s. All anyone could see at first was a man with tired eyes and a wild beard. Underneath it all, however, was a gifted, classically trained musician.
Homeless Marine
The Road to Nowhere
Gould faced many difficulties in his life, including the death of his beloved wife in 1998. He lost custody of his son after that because he was deemed an unsuitable parent. As a result, Gould became despondent and began abusing controlled substances. He eventually ended up living on the streets.
The Road To Nowhere
Life-Saving Project
A number of pianos were scattered throughout Sarasota, Florida. This made Gould very happy. He’d go find the nearest piano and start playing. This drew a lot of attention to him. Someone near the area actually started tipping him after he left a cap on top of the piano.
Life Saving Project
An Instant Hit
A random person recorded Gould playing the piano and uploaded it to YouTube. This drew the attention of news outlets all over the world. This eventually led to an offer of work at a piano bar. In addition, a GoFundMe page was set up to raise funds to assist Gould. Then, on “Inside Edition,” Gould was offered a makeover.
An Instant Hit
Recovering In Several Ways
After acquiring a new wardrobe, Gould went to a barber for a clean shave and a haircut. He got a new chance at life and even got a job playing the piano at a local restaurant! On top of all that, he got the chance to reunite with his son, Donny, who happened to have seen his story on TV. The father and son were able to get in touch after 15 years apart. Gould’s life was better than it had been in so long.
Recovering In Several Ways
Down On His Luck
Bobby was a homeless man from Rome, New York. He was down on his luck when he ran into some helpful police officers. However, these policemen weren’t there to arrest him or anything like that. No, they wanted to talk to Bobby. This led to something more.
Down On His Luck
Pampering
Bobby told the cops that he would love nothing more than getting a haircut and taking a warm shower. And so, these officers granted his wish and then some. They have hi, a good shave, a haircut, a shower, and a new ensemble from donated clothing.
Pampering
Brand-New
Thanks to these amazing officers and their help, Bobby looked and felt brand-new. The officers documented the whole thing and posted it on their Facebook page. Bobby walked away with a new haircut, a fresh outfit, a bag full of clothing, and a big smile.
Brand New
Street Cuts
A stylist, Mike Bustos works at Three Squares Studio in an upscale area of New York City. Prices for his services might start at $150, but they can cost as much as $800. Yet, Bustos takes his rechargeable razor, his scissors, and his combs to the street and gives homeless men and women in New York free professional haircuts.
Street Cuts
Seeing Red
This homeless war veteran is found sitting on a wooden stool in Bowery and Rivington Street in Manhatten. His friends nicknamed him “Red”. Despite the fact that he’s hard of hearing, Red will talk to anyone who will listen. Bustos listened to Red while giving him an entirely new look.
Seeing Red
Take It Off
Red told Bustos about how he had moved to New York for a job offer that ended up falling through. This was how he ended up living on the street. The man asked Bustos to simply shave his hair off since he wasn’t sure when he would get his next haircut. Despite the simple request, he looks sharp.
Take It Off
Incredible Makeover
Bustos went out of his way to give this homeless man a makeover. He decided to do so after seeing him sit on the corner of Bowery and Rivington Street in Manhattan. He wanted to reveal just how handsome he is. After Bustos finished, people on the street couldn’t believe they were looking at the same man.
Incredible Makeover
Loud Silence
Bustos has seen that most homeless men are rather talkative. Well, Jamar was pretty quiet. Bustos saw him outside the Bowery Mission in lower Manhatten. After he showed Jamar his new free haircut, the man asked him if he knew someone who was hiring. It was clear that the makeover gave Jamar a confidence boost.
Loud Silence
Veterans Day
Jim Wolf was someone who struggled with alcoholism and homelessness. The Degage Ministries found him and promptly turned this homeless U.S. Army veteran into Prince Charming just in time for Veterans Day. This transformation was remarkable.
Veterans Day
A New Man
A 3-minute time-lapse video showed the incredible transformation process. The video was done in order to raise money and awareness for people struggling on the streets. These are the kind of people the Degage Ministries want to help.
A New Man
A Setback
The video of Wolf went viral quickly. He began going to AA meetings. However, in 2013, he was arrested for trespassing and creating a disturbance. Unfortunately, homelessness and addiction can’t always be solved with a new haircut and a viral video. Here’s to hoping Wolf will be able to get back on his feet again.
A Setback
London Hairdresser
Joshua Coombes is a hairdresser in London who enjoys giving homeless people free haircuts all over the world. He also loves connecting with them, listening to their stories, and turning their frowns into smiles. Now, Coombes is encouraging other people to “do something for nothing” with the hashtag #DoSomethingForNothing.
London Hairdresser
Alley Haircut
Coombes met Chris, a homeless army veteran who suffered from PTSD. After listening to his story, he gave Chris a free haircut in an alleyway. Coombes wrote in an Instagram post about the interaction, “He was in a bad way when I first met him. A friend of his had passed away just a few weeks before.” Before he left, Coombes asked Chris what he wanted people to know. His answer? He said people should spread as much love as they can.
Alley Haircut
Florin
Coombes met Florin, a man who came from Romania to Paris. Florin suffered a stroke. When he woke up in the hospital, he had no passport and no way to go home, so he ended up sleeping in the streets. However, Florin is hopeful he could go home someday. Coombes gave him a great haircut and bonded with Florin during the time they spent together. Florin even asked Coombes to visit him in Romania once he goes home.
Florin
Central London
In 2017, Coombes met Mathew in a park in Central London. A year later, he ran into him again and Mathew remembered that Coombes cut his hair a while back. Coombes might give great haircuts, but his best gift is just listening to these people’s stories.
Central London
RIP Cedric
In 2017, Coombes met Cedric and gave him a sleek new haircut. After that, the duo hung out together while listening to punk music and swapping stories. In 2018, Coombes heard the sad news that Cedric had passed away. Needless to say, he’s someone Coombes will remember forever.
RIP Cedric
Taking Time
Back to Jose Antonio. He had gotten somewhat nervous in the salon chair while Garcia was working her magic on his hair. On the other hand, Jose was hoping this makeover would increase his chances of getting a good job. You could practically feel Jose’s anxiety getting worse.
Taking Time
Adding Color
While it took some time, Garcia and her amazing team of stylists managed to cut Jose’s hair and dye it back to brown so he would look younger. The results were incredible, to say the least! A new man was about to emerge. But, the transformation wouldn’t stop there.
Adding Color
Shaping His Beard
It had been 25 years since Jose last shaved. Instead of shaving his whole beard off, the stylists decided to give him a nice trim instead. Afterward, they dyed his beard to give him a more polished and put-together look.
Shaping His Beard
Feeling Lighter
As more and more of his hair was being taken off, Josete could feel his head getting lighter and lighter by the minute. He found it so weird getting the star treatment at the salon after spending years living in poverty.
Feeling Lighter
Before and After
The past 25 had been difficult for Jose and it was apparent on his tired face, long gray hair, and worn-out clothes. However, this would all change in just a few short hours. Jose’s hair, brows, and beard were all trimmed, reshaped, and expertly dyed.
Before And After
Back To Life
Garcia and the other stylists smoothed down Jose’s beard and shaved his neckline. They even restored some moisture in his beard by using a beard conditioner. Several hours later, Josete emerged as a brand-new man. Now, he needed a new outfit to match his new hair.
Back To Life
New Outfit
Now that the stylists were finished cutting and shaping his hair, Garcia bought Josete a brand-new outfit. He went and changed in the changing room. He was still curious about how he looked. It’s been a while since anyone paid this much attention to him.
New Outfit
Ray of Light
Josete looked so clean and fresh. He looked 20 years younger! The transformation worked wonders on his self-esteem and confidence. He was truly unrecognizable. In fact, he didn’t recognize himself when he saw himself in the mirror.
Ray Of Light
Gasp
Finally, Josete was allowed to look at himself in a mirror. When he did see himself, he gasped at his reflection. His eyes were filled with tears as he took it all in and stared at his new look. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
Gasp
Couldn’t Believe It
At first, Josete couldn’t manage to find the words to express what he was feeling at that moment. “I’m so different, no one’s going to recognize me unless I tell them who I am,” he said in the video. We’re so happy for him!
Couldn’t Believe It
New Man
Josete’s face and outfit weren’t the only things that changed that day. Everyone around him noticed how his posture and demeanor changed suddenly as well. He seemed to embrace a more positive way of looking at things.
New Man
Going Back
Josete went back to the monument at the plaza. This was where he once smoked cigarettes and spent some time alone. This time, however, he had a brand-new outfit, incredible sunglasses, and a brand-new attitude. None of the locals recognized him.
Going Back
Ladies’ Man
Josete seemed to be a real hit with women, especially the waitresses working at the cafes and restaurants nearby. They couldn’t believe this was the same homeless man that used to help drivers park their cars.
Ladies’ Man
No One Knew
Josete went to visit a local bar he would be at often before his makeover and ordered himself a beer. The waiter, who he had spoken to many times before, was shocked when he realized that the man in front of him was Josete.
No One Knew
Going Viral
Salva Garcia posted a video of Josete’s incredible transformation on La Salvajerua’s website in honor of the salon’s third anniversary. This allowed people all over the world to learn more about Jose’s story. Needless to say, everyone absolutely loved it.
Going Viral
Spanish Hugh Jackman
Josete was named the “Spanish Hugh Jackman” once the video went viral. Since then, Garcia has shared that a company has offered Josete financial help, so he’s no longer homeless living on the streets.
Spanish Hugh Jackman
Silver Fox
Since his makeover, Josete has decided to shave off his beard and to stop dying his hair. He wanted his natural silver hair to be the star of the show. Now he’s giving everyone some serious George Clooney vibes!
Silver Fox
Not Homeless
Josete was lucky enough to get a free makeover and finding financial assistance that helped keep him afloat. After the crazy transformation took place, he also has a part-time job now, an apartment, and a bed he comes home to sleep in every night. This is all thanks to the kindness of a stranger who made it her mission to help someone in need.
Not Homeless