Woman gets ambush makeover while celebrating her 25th wedding anniversary

A mother-of-three who was diagnosed with lung disease was brought to tears after receiving a stunning ambush makeover while celebrating her 25th wedding anniversary.

Cristina Schaad, a 54-year-old former teacher from Cincinnati, Ohio, traveled to New York City with her husband, Ed, in the hope of being plucked from crowd in the Today show plaza for an ambush makeover.   

Both Cristina and Ed were teary-eyed as they explained how much the trip and the surprise makeover meant to them after a difficult couple of years. 

  

Before and after: Cristina Schaad, 54, from Cincinnati, Ohio, received a stunning ambush makeover on Thursday's episode of the Today show

Before and after: Cristina Schaad, 54, from Cincinnati, Ohio, received a stunning ambush makeover on Thursday’s episode of the Today show 

Emotional moment: Cristina's husband, Ed, surprised her with a trip to New York City for the anniversary in hopes that she would be picked for a makeover 

Emotional moment: Cristina’s husband, Ed, surprised her with a trip to New York City for the anniversary in hopes that she would be picked for a makeover 

Good argument: She carried a sign that said: 'After 25 years of marriage and 3 kids I need an ambush makeover'

Good argument: She carried a sign that said: ‘After 25 years of marriage and 3 kids I need an ambush makeover’

After being diagnosed with lung disease 10 years ago, Cristina decided to retire from teaching to focus on her family. 

‘This is really exciting,’ she told Today fashion expert Jill Martin. ‘My kids had planned this as a surprise with my husband for our 25th anniversary.’

Ed was just as emotional when he explained all the reasons why Cristina deserved to be primped and pampered. 

‘She’s been the most wonderful wife I could have asked for,’ he said. ‘She’s been ill for a few years now, and now we’re here to celebrate our 25 anniversary. We’re very excited.’

Story: Cristina (pictured on her wedding day) was diagnosed with lung disease 10 years ago and made the decision to retire from teaching to spend more time with her family 

Story: Cristina (pictured on her wedding day) was diagnosed with lung disease 10 years ago and made the decision to retire from teaching to spend more time with her family 

Thrilled: 'Wow, look at you!' her husband gushed when she stepped on stage 

Thrilled: ‘Wow, look at you!’ her husband gushed when she stepped on stage 

Tears of joy: Cristina's eyes started tear up when she saw her new look for the first time

Tears of joy: Cristina’s eyes started tear up when she saw her new look for the first time

Cristina looked amazing when she stepped on stage to show off her transformation, and Ed couldn’t wait to take off his blindfold to see her. 

‘Wow, look at you!’ he said, prompting his wife to joke: ‘I can’t.’

‘You look gorgeous,’ Ed gushed, and Cristina was just as stunned when she turned around and checked out her new look in the mirror for the first time.

Cristina’s eyes started to well with tears, and Today host Kathie Lee Gifford admitted that they couldn’t tell if she liked her makeover.

‘I do,’ she assured them. 

All smiles: Cristina's hair was cut a few inches shorter, and she was given warm highlights

All smiles: Cristina's hair was cut a few inches shorter, and she was given warm highlights

All smiles: Cristina’s hair was cut a few inches shorter, and she was given warm highlights 

Look of love: Ed couldn't wait to give his wife a big kiss after her makeover 

Look of love: Ed couldn’t wait to give his wife a big kiss after her makeover 

The mom’s hair was cut into a sleek bob that is longer in the front and shorter in the back. However, celebrity hairstylist Louis Licari admitted he had a bit of a ‘conundrum’ when choosing her hair color. 

‘The husband likes dark hair; the wife likes blond hair,’ he explained. ‘So what do I do? I try to come up with something in the middle.’

Louis opted to give her brown highlights to warm up her chestnut-colored locks.  

Meanwhile, Jill dressed Cristina in a flowy black blouse, skinny black pants, black pumps, and red statement earrings. 

Transformation: Roberta Anderson, 60, from Denver, Colorado, also received a new look on Thursday morning's show

Transformation: Roberta Anderson, 60, from Denver, Colorado, also received a new look on Thursday morning's show

Transformation: Roberta Anderson, 60, from Denver, Colorado, also received a new look on Thursday morning’s show

Surprise! She had woken up to go for a walk around the city, and she ended up at the Today show plaza, where she was chosen for a makeover.

Surprise! She had woken up to go for a walk around the city, and she ended up at the Today show plaza, where she was chosen for a makeover.

Kathie Lee could tell that Ed was eager to go over to his wife, and she couldn’t help but ask: ‘Do you want to go kiss her?’ 

‘I do,’ he said, and he happily walked over to Cristina and gave her a sweet smooch. 

Roberta Anderson, 60, from Denver, Colorado, also received a new look on Thursday morning’s show, but hers was a true ambush makeover.

She had woken up to go for a walk around the city, and she ended up at the Today show plaza, where she was chosen for a makeover.    

'You look beautiful': Roberta's friend Sheryl was stunned when she saw her new look for the first time 

‘You look beautiful’: Roberta’s friend Sheryl was stunned when she saw her new look for the first time 

New 'do: Roberta was given a short layered haircut with long bangs, as well as warm highlights

New 'do: Roberta was given a short layered haircut with long bangs, as well as warm highlights

New ‘do: Roberta was given a short layered haircut with long bangs, as well as warm highlights

‘I’m sort of excited, sort of nervous,’ she told Jill. ‘I mean I just rolled out of bed this morning to walk over here — literally rolled out of bed — so I’m surprised.’ 

Roberta was all smiles when she stepped on stage in a flattering A-line dress and a new ‘do. 

‘You look beautiful,’ her friend Sheryl told her.

She was given short layered cut with long bangs, and Louis made her highlight a bit warmer. 

Roberta’s tweed dress was paired with nude pumps, and she was also given statement earrings to pull together her look.  

‘Just wonderful,’ her friend said. ‘What a great end of our vacation.’



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk