On a normal day Maria Carrillo might have her hands in dishwater. Monday the housekeeper is getting manicured, part of her day of pampering at the Fred Jordan Mission.
"It feels great, like somebody cares," said Carrillo. "These people are really nice. I think that's really nice because not a lot of people take the time. Especially to do something like this."
This is the 21st year of the /*Mother's Make-Overs*/ at the Mission. Struggling women, many of them living on the streets of Skid Row, are being transformed by volunteer hair stylists, makeup artists and other professionals.
"This is the day to make struggling women, here in our inner city, feel just as beautiful as they really are," said Willie Jordan, president of the Fred Jordan Mission.
"It makes you feel beautiful, lovely, that you are a divine woman," said Gloria Miller, who was getting makeover.
Some of these women have never been to a hair salon. Being showered with all this attention brought out a lot of emotion.
"I'm just going to be blessed. Walk down the street and hold my head up high," said makeover recipient Diane Merritt.
There is no precise count on how many women these stylists will make over but in the past they have been known to do as many as 800 in one day.
All of the women go home with gift bags of products and handmade quilts. They leave feeling even better inside than they look.
"It made me want to cry, because this is a blessing. I've never been made up before," said Christine Davis. "This is my first time."
"It's all about loving themselves and they are enjoying it, you can see that," said Jordan.
