Today we’d like to introduce you to Hilary DeGidio.
Hi Hilary, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I knew when I became a stylist that I wanted to specialize in curly hair. I had always struggled with my curls, and when I started seeing a stylist who specialized in curls, it changed my perception of my hair. I wanted to help other people who were struggling with their curls find solutions. After I graduated from Keune Academy in 2017, I began investing in my curl education. I took classes in Florida and NYC to really delve into curl cutting, styling, and coloring. In 2019 I opened my salon suite Curls by Hilary in Sugar Hill, GA. Soon I was fully booked and had a completely curly clientele! Unfortunately, I was also experiencing significant, and rapidly worsening, elbow pain. I had MRIs, and found that I had torn four separate tendons away from the bone. I had four surgeries to repair the damage. Not only were the surgeries and recoveries difficult, but I missed being in the salon with all of miy Curl Friends! Now that I am back in the salon full-time, I am filled with gratitude for all of my clients and friends who have continued to support me during my health difficulties and time away. Curls are my passion, and I am thrilled to be back to doing what I love to do!
In July 2021, I found Dr. Timothy Griffith at Peachtree Orthopedics. MRI showed my tendons were frayed and pulled off the bone. I elected to have two surgeries, one on each elbow, to fix the issue. I had to take 12 weeks off of work after the second surgery, so I was out September 2021-March 2022. As I started working again, I had pain in a different part of my elbows! It was unrelated to my previous surgeries. I was healed on the lateral side still inflamed and torn on the medial side. I made the decision to repeat the surgeries on the opposite side of my elbows. I took off from September 2022 to February 2023. Not only were the surgeries and recoveries difficult, but I missed being in the salon with all of my Curl Friends! Ultimately, I am so glad I did all four surgeries. What they found was not fixable without surgery, so if I had continued to push through the pain, I only would have caused further damage. Now that I am back in the salon full-time, I am filled with gratitude for all of my clients and friends who have continued to support me during my health difficulties and time away. Curls are my passion, and I am thrilled to be back to doing what I love to do!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not always been a smooth road. I encountered people in the industry who thought that specializing in curly hair was not a smart choice. My passion for curls was always the easy part, working with others who didn’t understand could be difficult at times. I also certainly encountered physical health difficulties! That really has been my biggest challenge as a stylist so far.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Curls by Hilary specializes in curly hair! My goal is to empower clients to have a better relationship with their hair. I coach clients on how they can style their hair at home so that they can recreate their look after they leave the salon. I am a one on one stylist, and I’ll send you home with written instructions and curly guidelines! I also use all organic styling products, with no silicones, sulfates, parabens, or other questionable ingredients. Hair care is self-care, and loving your hair can really shift how you see yourself. I’m here to help everyone find the best routine for their unique curls and lifestyle!
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is people actually love their hair! When I can follow someone on their journey from struggling with their hair, then seeing the health of their hair improve, and their happiness level grow, that’s what fills me with joy! Anytime I can help someone see themselves and their hair in a more positive light, that’s a huge win for me.
Pricing:
- $90/hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://curls-by-hilary.square.site
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/curlsbyhilary
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/curlsbyhilary
Image Credits
Kat Bonilla
