FOX 5 Money: Haircuts for Job Seekers

FAIRFAX, Va. - Under the driveway awning of Alexandre de Paris Beauty Spa Centre in Fairfax, Virginia, dozens of people sit in folding chairs, flipping through hairstyle magazines.

It's a pretty unusual sight, but then again, these are unusual times. The number of unemployed people looking for work has hit a record for the last 19 weeks. It's near 7 million, and that's a lot of competition.

"All the people who are not working, I'm trying to make them look good, gorgeous," says owner Alexandre de Paris in his fashionable French accent.

De Paris says he wants to be the upside in this economic downturn. He's opened his salon doors for three days, giving free haircuts to anyone who needs one.

Joycette Wimbush waited over an hour for her turn in the chair.

"It means a lot to me because I'm on a fixed income," says Wimbush.

A $65 cut and style is usually beyond her means, and that's not a good feeling. But stylist Kristine Kim's gentle touch is changing her mood.

"Great! Wonderful!" exclaimed Wimbush. "Maybe I can go out looking like a new person."

De Paris especially wants to help job seekers, and he's constantly cheering his clients on.

"You have to feel inside that you are strong, then you go for an application-- don't think they're not going to accept you. You have to try!" encouraged De Paris. "Confidence is the most important, that's the key."

Instead of tips, the salon is collecting donations for 'Dress for Success', a charity that helps women re-enter the work force. De Paris' Fairfax salon hopes to re-style and re-energize a thousand people during this event.

"And this will help them boost their confidence," said Kim. "I always tell them this is the lucky haircut, so they're going to get the job."

The recession is hitting salons, too, as people cut back on spending. If customers walk out of this event with a smile on their face there's a good chance they'll come back, when the economy gets better.

FOR MORE ON THE FREE MAKEOVERS, CLICK HERE FOR A LINK TO ALEXANDRE DE PARIS' SALON WEBSITE.