Life & Work with Debbie Aguilar of Miracle Mile, Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbie Aguilar

Hi Debbie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I had always leaned more to my artistic side growing up. Excelling in art and music. I never saw myself in a traditional 9-5. Like some young girls in high school I loved not only getting my hair done, but helping other friends get ready for dances and also getting my fellow Cheerleaders get ready for Friday night football games. To be honest, I hadn’t considered a career in hairdressing till one day when I was 20, a manager at my job at the time had seen pictures of me done up for a night out and she really loved the way I looked and put myself together. so she had asked me if I would be willing to do her hair and make up for special event she had. I agreed and after I finish doing her hair and make up, she took a look at herself in the mirror, she turned to me and said you are definitely in the wrong industry. You should be doing this. I absolutely love it. At the time I was a college student (a nursing major) having no direction and having no idea what career was really for me. I found myself not really paying attention in classes and usually not being able to finish out a semester. So when she said this to me, it had given me a boost confidence and sense of direction that I needed. the following semester I enrolled myself at one of the most top rated beauty schools at the time, at a community college near my house that had a 98% passing rating of not only graduating from the course, but also passing the state licensing exam. Once I started taking classes. I realized that getting up every morning going to school eight hours a day had become something a lot easier for me to do because I had discovered something I was truly passionate at realized how many doors were open for me and how many different roads, I could take as a Hairdresser. one day halfway through my courses a company came to give a presentation. that company was Toni and guy. I fell in love immediately with their style and the way they did hair. The different techniques of cutting and hair coloring. I got lost in the whole presentation. The emphasis they had put on education and getting their apprentices ready for the real world of taking clients. This is where I wanted to go and work. Once I graduated a short while later, I took my state licensing exam, and Began the process of applying for Toni and Guy. It took a couple months but by the end of 2008, I was hired and I began my journey as a hairdresser. I took in all the education I could fit in my brain, all the tips and tricks stylists and educators could give me. And that began my now 16 year career as a hairdresser.

I was with Toni and guy for 11 1/2 years. I learned so much with them and truly wouldn’t be The Hairdresser. I am today if it wasn’t for the education, I received there and the people I have met. They were definitely an important chapter. After I left in 2019, I did a lot a freelance work and worked part time at a Dry Bar in Los Angeles. Through there I met more incredible hairstylists one of whom, pointed me to the direction of my current boss and mentor Kristin Page, owner of Halls of Ivy in Mid Wilshire. I began working here in late 2023 and it has been an amazing revitalization of my career as well as my passion as a hairstylist.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I feel like most stories of people working towards their ultimate goals and dreams, the road is truly never smooth. Mine is no different. While where I began my career was amazing, there were times that were hard to find my voice. To really know who I was as a hairdresser. I found myself molding into what others wanted. But, No matter how hard I tried I was never really comfortable. And that affected really myself esteem. When your self esteem is low, you can be hard on yourself and not take chances when things are presented. It’s something I am still working on to this day.

Because of this it’s also been difficult to find the right space to work in. Especially post pandemic. To find the right place where I could not only be myself but also learn and grow as a hairdresser.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a full time hairstylist at Halls of Ivy in Los Angeles, Ca. My specialty is haircuts and hairstyling but my passion for hair color is definitely on the rise. I’m currently known for my blowout, up styling and on set work. One of my most proudest moments was winning Toni and Guy’s coveted Avant Garde award in 2018. It’s something I had been working towards for 9 years and it was amazing feeling to finally achieve it.

What sets me apart from others is my imagination and determination. Once I have an idea, I get tunnel vision and I will sit and work it out till the idea comes to life. I’m also a great listener. I think it’s one of the things clients like about me is my willingness to sit with them and really get down to the root of what they’re looking for.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I think an important key to finding a mentor is looking for Someone who is where you want to eventually be at. They don’t necessarily have to have the same story that you do, sometimes I feel like it’s better that they didn’t. I feel like it can show you the different roads you can take to get to your goal. In my experience with mentors, I guess you can say that I have been blessed with them kind of just coming into my life without me, even realizing it. Haha I’ve had about two real mentors in my life, both different in many ways as they are the same and it felt like I just looked up one day and they were there. In that same token, this is why I feel like networking, especially in the hair world is important because you never know when you will find the person that will help steer you in the direction you were trying to go and give you the right advice to help you get there.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hallsofivyintl.com
• Instagram: @hairbypineapple