Photos by Jason Redmond / Star staff Vanessa Espinoza, seated right, gets her hair done by stylist Amy Merryfield. "Doing these makeovers brings fulfillment into my life and I'm grateful for that," said Merryfield. At left, Dawnielle Maddux tends to Ellen O'Hare's tresses.

As she looked in the mirror and slowly took in her makeover — a buoyant new hairstyle and perfectly applied makeup done by professionals — Jennifer Carnahan tried fighting back her tears, but they came anyway.

They were tears of gratitude.

"No one ever gave me a Mother's Day gift before, and I can't help but cry," said Carnahan, 24, a homeless mother who has 5-year-old and 6-week-old boys. For the past five months, she has lived at the Lighthouse Women & Children's Mission in Oxnard.

"It feels great to know there are people who will come here to help us feel better about ourselves; they have good hearts," said Carnahan, cradling her baby in her arms.

Carnahan was one of 40 homeless mothers who signed up to receive free post-Mother's Day makeovers Monday provided by eight local hairstylists and three makeup artists at the Ventura County Rescue Mission in Oxnard.

The mission provides homeless men, women and children with food, shelter and clothing as well as a residential recovery program in separate facilities for men, single women and women with children.

Makeshift hairstyling and makeup stations were set up in the mission's computer training room as the women took turns being pampered for a day.

"Knowing that other people care makes me feel like I'm getting food for my soul," said Christy Arana, 27, a new arrival at the mission and mother of three children.

"I feel like a new me — having my hair and makeup done by pros — what a beautiful treat," said Vanessa Suarez, 25, who's been living at Lighthouse for a month with her 7-month-old daughter, Shanti.

"Doing these makeovers brings fulfillment into my life and I'm grateful for that," said Amy Merryfield, a hairstylist who organizes the annual event for the mission and works at the Sage Salon in Thousand Oaks.

"We're in our third year, and each time more homeless mothers have come," said Merryfield. "It's an incredibly rewarding experience for everyone involved."

She said the makeovers are normally scheduled for the Monday before Mother's Day, but because of the Cinco de Mayo holiday last Monday, it was postponed a week.

"Some of these women have never been celebrated as mothers. This wouldn't be happening without Amy's leadership and the generous participation of the stylists who contribute," said Carol Roberg, the mission's director.

"I lived on the street for two years with my three kids; there was no way I could feel special on Mother's Day, until now," said Teresa Boyd, 32, who has been at Lighthouse for five months. She added she is trying hard to build a new life.

"It takes a lot of courage to face what these women have been through," said Cary McCorkle, a hairstylist at Bambino's Children's hair salon in Agoura Hills. "I feel honored to be here. I want to make them look gorgeous."