Taming her curly locks had been the furthest thing from Pam McGinnis’ mind.

The 57-year-old Oakwood resident has battled grief and despair since her then 25-year-old son died in an accidental shooting Nov. 16, 2010, at his family’s home.

“I didn’t care what I looked like,” McGinnis said. “I gained 25 pounds. I just didn’t care.”

At the urging of her four daughters, McGinnis entered Michael’s Salon and Spa’s New Year, New You contest to win one of three makeovers.

The salon, which has occasionally offered makeover contests to specific groups of women for 15 years, sought nominations for any woman who wanted or needed a change for the New Year.

Impressed by the contest’s heartfelt 80 entries, the Centerville salon’s stylists donated haircuts and colors to McGinnis and 30 other area women, plus the three official winners.

Michael’s owner Michael Schuh said the goal was to help area women feel and look better.

“Everybody seems so depressed with the state of the world,” he said. “What better way to help with that depression.”

Grand prize-winner Nadia Hartman of Kettering struggled with self-image issues most of her life and was nominated by her mother.

She received a makeover, photo shoot, spa services and prizes from James Free Jewelers, Joli Boutique and NCR Country Club’s Medallions Steakhouse.

McGinnis used her makeover by from Colleen Hauser as a jump start to a better life.

“I needed to work on my physical appearance a little because inwardly, I am trying to be more positive and get past the grief,” McGinnis said.

She said the death of her son, Edward “Craig” McGinnis, has forever changed her family.

“We are different, but that doesn’t mean we have to be worse,” the publications editor at Premier Health Partners said as Hauser prepared to shape her freshly highlighted mane.

Vicki Spillman, 55, of Kettering said she entered the contest because her life is changing and so should she. Spillman has a brain tumor and is facing the end of a five-year relationship. She showed stylist Ali Matta the picture of the easy, short blond cut she wanted and had high hopes.

Matta said she was happy to volunteer her time to the effort.

“I am in the business of helping people feel better,” she said.

The contest’s two runner-ups were Dayton’s Richelle Hawkins, who recently lost 100 pounds, and Katherine Anderson of Seven Mile, a mother and full-time student.

Both received makeovers and a photo session.

Anderson’s husband, who entered his wife in the contest, wrote that in taking care of others Anderson has forgotten how beautiful she is, said Melisa Shock, operations manager of Media Group at Michael’s.

“A lot of people give so much to their families and communities and don’t give to themselves,” Shock said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2384 or arobinson@Dayton DailyNews.com.