They shoot each other apprehensive looks, but Joey is unstirred by this.

She notices a regular client of hers, quickly tucks her scissors and electric clippers into her apron pockets and disappears into a corner.

Within five minutes, she returns with an elderly man.

He takes a seat and makes himself comfortable, while Joey quickly drapes a white sheet over him and gently fixes his face mask.

She fastens her face shield and gloves, and just like any hairdresser, the 30-year-old starts chatting with her customer, asking about how he is.

The only difference between this hairdresser and others is that the streets of Kuala Lumpur are her salon and the homeless, her clients.

“This is my second time getting my hair cut by Joey. I discovered her when I was looking for food near Pasar Seni,” smiles the elderly gentleman, whose relaxed demeanour indicates that he knows he is in good hands.

KL-born Joey explains that as a child, she wasn’t really keen on school.

She started with odd jobs at the tender age of 14, working at night markets before eventually picking up a pair of hair scissors when she was 16.

It was at this time that she discovered her talent for cutting hair.

“I couldn’t find any other job and hairdressing looked like an interesting trade to pick up. I’ve been at it for the past decade,” recalled Joey.

Joey was first introduced to the idea of cutting hair for the homeless three months ago through a charity organisation that asked for her help.

But a trip to Pudu later opened her eyes to the huge number of people who lived on the streets.

“Some of them didn’t look like they were lacking in food, but began living on the streets because they were old, did not have a job or were simply neglected by their children.

“Most of us have financial difficulties but then I thought, ‘What if I could use my hairdressing skills to help them?’”

Now a recognisable face at Pasar Seni, Joey chose to start her charity work for the homeless after much research; many of them said it was not easy getting a haircut or a wash simply because they could not afford it.

Joey recalls that on her first day of setting up ‘shop’, a long queue of people appeared, waiting to get their hair cut.

“During the Movement Control Order (MCO), many did not provide such a service and I believe the homeless were not keen on stepping into barbershops for fear that people might think that they were unsanitary.”

“I think I have given about 30 to 40 haircuts by now. Most of these men have not had a haircut in months. It’s usually four to five hours before I’m done cutting everyone’s hair,” relates Joey.

Joey has even developed friendships with her regulars; if she heads to Pudu, the homeless folks there will be eagerly awaiting her.

“I once heard a passerby exclaim to his friend, ‘Didn’t you say there are no good people out there, but what about her (Joey)? Wouldn’t you say she is doing good?’” says a smiling Joey.

But Joey’s path to charity work wasn’t always filled with gratitude and support. She explains that she occasionally faces criticism from others for trying to do this on her own.

What’s more, it is tough to find others who genuinely want to help and join her in this endeavour.

“I can’t help everyone but I can help a few. Not every problem requires money to be solved. I’m not rich, but I have this skill, so I’m going to keep using it to help others,” she says, and with a final snip of her scissors, she inspects her work.

She then grabs a mirror, lifts it up to the elderly gentleman’s face and beckons him to take a look.

He grins at his reflection, and anyone can tell that his spirits are lifted thanks to Joey.

But the elderly gentleman is not the only one whose day is about to be made, as the corner is steadily getting filled with others, who like him, want a shave, a trim, or a completely new look.

The rain has ceased and it’s almost 6pm. Despite working on her feet for hours, Joey shows no sign of fatigue.

When she does plan on heading home?

“Till everyone who has queued up for a haircut has received it,” she smiles, before extending a warm welcome to her next client.