Celebrity hairstylist Nick Arrojo brought his shears and talent to the Granite State Monday, July 16, offering free makeover consultations to clients of an area nonprofit organization.

“We decided in conjunction with this event we would contact (Families In Transition) and offer to do makeovers on some people that needed them,” said Heather Owen, owner of H2O, the Bedford salon and spa that hosted Arrojo.

Owen said one of the participants was involved with drugs and had hit rock bottom. It took a lot of courage for the participants to come forward, she added, particularly because of the media attention the event garnered.

“They don’t realize it, but coming out and telling their story actually empowers someone else who might be in need or is looking for a way out,” she said.

The event began Monday, July 16, with clients receiving cuts and tints before returning Friday, July 20, for individual consultations with Arrojo. The Manhattan cosmetologist also conducted a workshop with H2O staff that morning.

Dawn Barrette of Manchester was treated to an ombre hair coloring by H2O stylist Selma Karo. FIT participant Brianna Powell, a mother of three, had her hair color changed by Owen, who added highlights and lowlights to compliment her skin tone and bring out her eyes.

Arrojo, who starred on the makeover reality TV show “What Not to Wear” on TLC for six seasons, was also launching a new line of hair-care products. At the event, he quipped that he’d come from Manchester, England, to Manchester, N.H., to offer his product.

On a recent trip to New York City, Owen stopped by Arrojo’s Manhattan salon. Having studied at the same school as Arrojo – Vidal Sassoon in London – the two share a common view of hairstyling and agreed to the collaboration.

“I really like the philosophy, the whole culture that they have, and the fact that Nick and I have similar backgrounds, and that’s when it all came to fruition,” she said.

Bringing FIT into the event only sweetened the deal.

“Everybody loves to look good,” Owen said, “but the fact that we are able to donate our time and our service and come in on our day off and do these makeovers on these women, it’s really good for us because it makes a big difference to them.”

Michele Talwani, economic development and marketing director at Families in Transition, said the program represented a confidence booster for the three participants who reside in FIT housing.

“The transformation, visually, was just amazing,” she said. “When you’re trying to figure out how to pay for gas or rent or food, the true basic necessities, this is a luxury that does give these women a boost.”

The collaboration between H2O and FIT is ongoing, Talwani added – an invaluable boon for the ladies there.

“I’ve had participants say, ‘I’m so much more confident now. I can go apply for a job. I look good. I’m more confident. I present really well now,’” she said.

The level of social seclusion presents an obstacle for the women, Talwani said. But participating in a program like his helps them overcome that.

Nick Arrojo and Heather Owen are looking forward to further collaboration.

“It was a really great experience,” Owen said, “Both the FIT models and H2O clients were ecstatic, and Nick said that it won’t be his last time here.”