Well, we all know the popular saying that first impressions are everything. Sadly, it’s true. Even if a person is very kind and talented, strangers judge them first based on looks. When a homeless man got offered a free makeover, he gladly took the offer. Before, this man couldn’t afford basics like decent clothing, hair cuts, let alone health insurance. Luckily, his life was completely transformed!
Battle With Depression
Meet Jose Antonio who has lived on the streets as a homeless man in Palma, Spain for 25 years. Tragically, his battles with mental health led him to the streets. Actually, he’s a trained electrician, but his depression took over and forced him into a downward spiral. Since he could no longer function day to day or work, he quickly became homeless.
Battle With Depression
True Local
As time went on, Jose became a fixture of the Spanish town, Palma. In fact, he became a familiar face in the local community. People were very fond of him and used to seeing him around daily. Locals nicknamed him Josete. Little did the man know that one of these locals would change his life drastically.
True Local
Odd Jobs
At age 30, Jose wound up on the streets. During the time he was homeless, Jose tried making some money with odd jobs. For example, he worked as a parking attendant in Majorca. Though he didn’t earn a true living, he used the money to buy food and survive. Then, a woman named Salva Garcia, who worked in the area approached Jose. She proposed something that dramatically changed the direction of his current life forever.
Odd Jobs
An Offer That Changed His Life
After spending 25 years as a homeless man, Jose was accustomed to this way of life. Now, at age 55, he looked much older due to harsh living conditions. So once Garvia approached the man, he had a chance to break free from this desperate period. Garcia was the owner of a local hair salon called La Salvajeria. Therefore, she proposed something amazing to Jose…a free makeover!
An Offer That Changed His Life
Full Makeover
However, she was not just offering to cut his hair. No, this was much bigger. She envisioned giving him an entirely new look, even down to his clothes. Jose had not even enjoyed a proper hair cut for years. Thus, he accepted this as an opportunity to turn his entire life around. He told Garcia this was an amazing idea and great chance to not just boost his appearance, but renew his confidence. With a strong sense of self confidence, Jose hoped he could change the course of his life.
Full Makeover
Importance Of First Impressions
When Garcia brought Jose into her salon, he felt out of place. Then, he sat in the salon chair, looking into the mirror. It was in this moment, he confided in Garcia. He revealed his life story and how he became homeless 25 years prior. He even told Garcia how important first impressions were and how the way someone appears can affect how they’re treated. Now, Jose was about to completely change how he came off to others during first impressions.
Importance Of First Impressions
Symbolic Use Of Mirrors
He took some time to look at his own reflection before Garcia began her work. Actually before any of the transformation process began, every mirror in the salon was removed. They didn’t want him to see the results until the very end! In fact, Jose requested that Garcia, “Leave the doors over the mirror open for the moment so I can see myself for the last time like this, then close them to see if when they open again, it’s as if something else really opened up in my life, like a symbol.”
Symbolic Use Of Mirrors
Wanting To Look And Feel Good
At the time, Jose walked into the salon, he was sporting a long, gray beard with long gray, shoulder-length hair. Clearly, Jose had little time or resources to tend to his appearance the past 25 years. Again, he was mainly focused on survival. Of course, like anyone in this world, he hoped to look better and feel good about himself, but he couldn’t do this by himself. Now, Salva Garcia would help him achieve this.
Wanting To Look And Feel Good
Getting Nervous
Just as Salva began snipping away at his hair and beard, Jose got a little nervous. Naturally, he had agreed to the makeover without much thought, but in the chair, he felt himself becoming anxious about the possible results. Yet, he realized his new clean look could provide him with many opportunities. Perhaps, he could even acquire a proper job.
Getting Nervous
A Lot Of Hair
Along with a team of professional hairstylists, Garcia worked tirelessly on Jose’s hair. Surprisingly, the man had so much hair, the group of stylists needed to pin it to the very top of his head. As they worked on his cut, they continuously let down more hair. Thus, began the first stages of Jose’s transformation into a stylish and respect man. Actually, it didn’t take too long before they finished his cut.
A Lot Of Hair
Trying Color
However, it wasn’t just the length but the gray color also made Jose look about 20 years older than his real age. Therefore, the team of stylists and Garcia made the decision to color his hair to a brown, similar to his color before he went gray. This would give him a youthful and professional appearance. With so much hair, it took a while to dye, but they knew the process was going to be well worth it once he saw everything completed. They knew he would instantly look 20 years younger.
Trying Color
On To The Beard
Although, they did not completely shave his beard off, they trimmed it a good deal. In addition, they dyed the beard to match the hair color. Unsurprisingly, the beard was very unkempt after 25 years of not shaving regularly. With a trimmed beard, he would look not just younger, but more polished and clean cut. Now, the stylists were getting pretty close to that final, dramatic reveal. Jose was ecstatic!
On To The Beard
Feeling Lighter
As piles of hair fell to the floor, Jose continued to feel anxious about the results. Actually, his head was feeling much lighter with all the hair cut. After 25 years of life in poverty, he felt odd having all this attention. He never really enjoyed this type of experience before, so he tried to soak it all in.
Feeling Lighter
New Beard
Before his beard was scraggly and long, now it became a small, sleek beard. Then, the stylists finished the hair color process on the beard. So, they conditioned it next to give it some moisture. This step completely changed the look of it! Now, his hair wasn’t shaggy and a mess. It looked incredible!
New Beard
At Last
With everything cut, trimmed and dyed, they worked on final touches. Next, they shaved his neck line. Also, they had to smooth the beard edges for a cleaner look. Naturally, in order to achieve a traditional shave with the closest shave possible, the barber used a razor. The stylists all put their final touches on Jose’s hair. Now, his hair was done, and it was time for the clothes.
At Last
Eyebrows & Clothes
One important step was tweezing his eyebrows to finish off the new hair look. Then, Jose was given a current designer outfit. So, he slipped his new clothes on in the changing room. Everything was really coming together nicely. He was already feeling like a better man. However, he was really curious to see how he looked, but he could tell from the smiles of the stylists, it was probably pretty decent.
Eyebrows & Clothes
The Before Picture
So back to the before picture so you can have the full effect of this stunning transformation! Obviously, the man appeared tired and a great deal older than his real age. At the time, he was dressed in old, dirty clothing that he had for 25 years. The shaggy hair only enhanced that fatigued look. Take it all in and remember this picture before you see the after photos because you may not believe your eyes!
The Before Picture
After
With his transformation completed, Jose was a new man! Actually, he appeared unrecognizable from his former self. Not to mention, he shaved off about 20 years from his appearance. In fact, he looked sort of like a modern hipster. No more tired, old man, now he had a clean, new look. So it was time for him to see what the team of stylists had done for him! Would Jose be ready or would he not be able to recognize himself anymore?
After
Emotional Reveal
Then, the team brought Jose over to a mirror to take a look. There he finally laid eyes on himself after the long transformation. Seeing himself, he put his hands up to his face and made an audible gasp. Clearly, the new look shocked him. He stared into the mirror and became overwhelmed with emotions. The man was brought to tears. With the help of these lovely locals, they made Jose into a new man. He could not yet fathom the immense changes that would come from this makeover.
Emotional Reveal
Speechless
Actually, the man could not even formulate words. That’s how in shock he was…he did not know what to even say aloud. The whole thing was understandably, very overwhelming for him. After the initial shock passed, he finally spoke. Jose said aloud, “My God, this is incredible, is this me? I’m so different, no-one’s going to recognize me unless I tell them who I am.” In fact, his words rang true when he began showing off to old friends.
Speechless
New Chance
Obviously, over the last 25 years, Jose had not seen himself looking like this. Actually, he never imagined he could look this way! Sadly, it reminded him of the potential his life would have had if he wasn’t homeless. However, it was also the perfect chance to completely change his life. This new look was a positive sign of a bright future that Jose was determined to make reality.
New Chance
Total Transformation
Though, he still felt amazed with this drastic change. He expressed his surprise, “I have totally changed. It’s not me!” People continuously remarked during the first moments of the big reveal, how much not just his looks, but entire outlook transformed. Everyone saw the difference down to his demeanor and even posture! He couldn’t wipe the smile from his face. They renewed his outlook on life. With this positive point of view, he became a new man.
Total Transformation
Back To His Spot
Next, Jose returned to his famous spot at the local monument where he used to sit smoking cigarettes and listening to cassette tapes. However, now he looked like a different person and had a new perspective! With his white shirt, trendy pants and stylish sunglasses, he sat at his familiar spot. Clearly, the locals passing would not even recognize this new snazzy new person!
Back To His Spot
A Possible Model
When the waitresses from restaurants and cafes close by got a look, they were in shock! All of them smiled, gave him a thumbs up and complimented the new appearance. In fact, he looked like an authentic model! No one recognized the old staple of the town they referred to as Josete. With such a drastic change, no one would ever guess this man was once homeless. The whole town and especially the local women were overjoyed.
A Possible Model
No Way Jose!
The whole town of Palma kept stopping to gawk at Jose. Everyone was in shock that this was the same homeless man. One local mouthed to the camera, “No Joesete?!” Then another person even jokingly asked, “Where’s your Ferrari?” It wasn’t just them who couldn’t believe it, Jose also couldn’t!
No Way Jose!
Unrecognizable
Now, Jose went to one of the local bars to debut his look. There he ordered a beer, pretending to be a normal customer with a waiter he had spoken to many times. Once the waiter returned to the table, Jose asked him, “Do you not recognize me?” it took him a while but then he exclaimed, “I do know you now!” Clearly, the waiter was in shock since it took him some time to even recognize that it was the same person.
Unrecognizable
Women In Shock
Next, Jose ran into some women who were speechless! They complimented him on how, “Very, very handsome” his new look was and he responded, “Thank you very much.” One woman who knew him for years was overcome with emotion. She hugged Jose and said she never would have imagined this! Everyone was in complete shock and couldn’t be happier with this remarkable transformation. Who would have though a little haircut and new clothes could elicit such a reaction!
Women In Shock
Viral Sensation
Once a video of the transformation was posted online, it became a viral sensation. Just overnight, he became a local celebrity! With the viral video, people around the globe were hearing his moving story. Jose commented on the experience, “It wasn’t just a change of look. It changed my life.” Garcia revealed that now, a company is giving Jose a bit of financial assistance. Thankfully, he is no longer homeless and sleeping outside. Alas, he’s been given a new lease on life.
Viral Sensation
Spanish Hugh Jackman
Even those Jose used to work for were completely shocked. One local named Paola Bocardo stated, “I’m lost for words. Jose helps me to park my car every day. When we saw him after his makeover we didn’t recognize him. He’s a wonderful person and the video is amazing.” As the story became a global hit, many jokingly named him the ‘Spanish Hugh Jackman.’ Next, Jose wanted to make some real changes, “What I want now is a proper job.” Recently, he adapted his look and dyed his hair silver and wants to search for love.
Spanish Hugh Jackman
Approached By Random Women
Literally, no one even recognized Jose when he debuted his new look. I mean it makes sense…he went from a shaggy homeless man to a sleek, stylish man. His new appearance was so stunning and attractive that random women approached him to chat. Wow, can you imagine what a shock that was to him?
Approached By Random Women
Heartwarming Reaction
When Jose was working as an assistant for a restaurant parking cars, he got to know some of the regulars. One businessman who came regularly, was speechless when he saw Jose. Jose was a new man and this customer was overcome with emotion like most of the other locals. He went right up to Jose and hugged him!
Heartwarming Reaction
New Clooney
Since Jose Antonio changed his new look a bit from colored to a silver, more natural look, he earned a new nickname. In addition, he shaved the beard and adopted a cleaner look. This enhancement to the new look made locals claim he looked like one of the world’s best looking men, the one and only George Clooney! Still, others still say he resembles a Spanish Hugh Jackman more.
New Clooney
Going Blind
As we mentioned before, health insurance and regular doctor visits were something Jose did not have the time or money to pursue. Without proper health insurance and care and his lifestyle of exposure to the sun and poor diet, his eyes were in rough shape. Over time, it became difficult for him to see because of the cataracts he developed from living outside. Luckily, with multiple surgeries, he could finally see clearly again!
Going Blind
Employed And Thriving
After the makeover, Jose Antonio’s life completely turned around. Now, he not only looks amazing, but has a part time job. Also as we spoke about, there’s a company financing him to help him get his life back together. Well, the most important detail is that he is no longer living on the streets! This lucky man now sleeps in a bed in his own apartment, which is necessary for stability. Currently, Jose is almost finished completing this transformation, he is just looking for a full time job, with proper health insurance, we hope!
Employed And Thriving