They spend most of their time taking care of their children, hardly spending any on themselves.

But on Friday, these 50 single mothers were treated like queens.

They sat back in big make-up chairs and watched in the mirror as students from ITE College East transformed them into glamorous fashionistas.

NTUC Women's Development Secretariat (WDS), working with nEbo and ITE College East, organised the makeover session to recognise the challenges these women face and the effort they make in bringing up their children.

Ms Ng Peck Kin, deputy director of NTUC WDS says: "These mothers have gone through many challenges and difficulties. So we felt that they deserved a day where they can be treated to a day of fun and pampering to recognise their efforts."

Ms Masita Sultan, who has a 12-year-old daughter, says: "I've always wanted to be made up to take professional photos but I've never had the money or the time.

"My life is always straddling work and (bringing up) my daughter," says the 43-year-old divorcee, who works a number of jobs including packing pizza.

"I'm always worrying about earning enough money to pay for my daughter's tuition. I never save up any money for myself."

A happy Ms Masita, dressed in a beautiful baju kurung top, adds: "I hardly dress like this you know. But since I'm getting made up, I went all out. I wanted to look pretty for once."

Some mothers were shy at first but slowly opened up to the students from the Beauty & Wellness and Hair Fashion & Design courses about what kind of look they wanted.

Phones were whipped out and photographs were taken as the makeover progressed.

Sporting a cute hairstyle which she got from the makeover, Ms Kaelyn Giam, 42, says: "It's so nice to be pampered for once. It's not often that I get treated like this.

"I dress up once a year at most, only if there is a wedding dinner or super special occasion, but nothing as fancy as this."

The divorcee and her 14-year-old daughter have in past years stayed home to bake on Mother's Day.

"So it's nice to do something different," says Ms Giam, an administrative executive who usually puts on light make up for work.

She admits that caring for her daughter alone is difficult.

"There is no support, financial or otherwise, from anyone else in my family. Balancing work and (bringing up) my daughter is also difficult," she says.

"Such events make me feel that my efforts are being recognised."

The students too felt happy that they could be involved in such an event.

Thor Jia Min, 19, who is studying for a Higher Nitec in Beauty & Spa Management, says: "I'm glad that I can be a part of that one day where these mothers don't have to worry about anything else."

Once the makeover was completed, the mums stole the spotlight as they modelled for photos. On hand to help were photographers like Andrew Soh, 18.

He told them: "You already look younger with your makeover. Now you have to feel young."

The mothers struck creative poses with props such as shiny magic wands, tiaras and balloons.

Ms Fazlynda Mohd Feroze got a chance to pose with her two daughters, Syaikyra, 7, and Fazila, 9.

"This Mother's Day is the best one so far because I received the keys to our new home today," she says, pointing to a black folder.

"My children and I can finally live as a family," says Ms Fazlynda.

Previously, she moved from home to home and had no choice but to place her children in the Darul Ikhsan orphanage for a few years.

"But that is all changing," she says with a huge grin.

"It's been so long since I have felt this happy with my children," says the 37-year-old, who has been divorced for seven years.

"I'm so glad that I look this beautiful on one of the happiest days of my life."

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