In Costa Rica, few names in the grooming world carry as much weight as Edwin “The King”. Known for his precision cuts, creative flair, and charisma, Edwin has styled some of the country’s most recognizable figures—celebrities, public officials, and even Olympic athletes. For years, his barber chair was a symbol of status and transformation.
But Edwin’s most meaningful transformation didn’t come from a fade or a fresh line-up. It came from a story.
When he first heard about Unspoken Smiles, Edwin was deeply moved. The mission resonated with him on a personal level—reminding him that true greatness isn’t just about who you serve, but how you serve.
“We all have it in our DNA to do good,” Edwin reflects. “Sometimes we just need a little push to act on it. And sometimes, it can come from something you already do every day.”
Cut & Smile: A Movement Born in the Chair
That push gave birth to Cut & Smile, a simple yet powerful idea. If Unspoken Smiles could transform lives through prevention and oral health education, why couldn’t he use his own craft to spread the same message of dignity, confidence, and joy?
Edwin joined one of the Unspoken Smiles outreach program in San José, where he set up his chair not in a luxury salon—but in a local MEP school classroom filled with eager children. With the support of their parents, both boys and girls received a fresh look from the King himself.
Kids walked in shy, some with uneven haircuts or none at all. But they left transformed—heads held higher, faces lit with smiles. Parents who watched their children walk back home in a completely new light described the experience as nothing short of magical.
The joy, Edwin says, was “inseparable.”
Beyond the Haircut: The Zero Cavity Initiative
What made the day even more impactful was that the fresh cuts were paired with an equally transformative initiative—the Unspoken Smiles Zero Cavity Program. Designed to tackle one of the most preventable health issues in children, the program distributes oral hygiene products, teaches kids how to properly care for their teeth, and provides preventive check-ups.
At this outreach, Edwin’s scissors worked hand in hand with another group of changemakers: dental students from the University of Costa Rica (UCR). Together, they ensured that every child not only left with a confident new look but also the tools and knowledge to maintain a healthy smile.
The result was more than an event—it was a movement. A convergence of style, health, and humanity.
A Shared Vision
For me, seeing Edwin step into this mission was proof of a much larger truth.
“Unspoken Smiles has always been about more than oral health—it’s about dignity, opportunity, and joy. When Edwin brought his talent into our outreach program, he reminded us that anyone can contribute to positive change by using what’s already in their hands,” .
“That is how we build sustainable impact—together.”
The King’s Legacy
Edwin has built his reputation on shaping appearances, but today he is shaping something far greater: a culture of giving back. By joining Unspoken Smiles, he discovered a new stage for his artistry, one where his clippers become a tool of empowerment and hope.
The lesson? No matter who you are or what you do, impact starts with what’s already in your hands.
For Edwin the King, it was scissors. For me, it was a vision. For the children, it was the gift of confidence and health.
Together, they proved a universal truth: sometimes, the smallest changes create the biggest smiles.