MH resident was youngest to graduate from her Gav cosmetology school class
By Staff Report
Gia Firato has been busy styling hair for proms and weddings.
Photo by Marty Cheek
As a student at Lana’s Dance Studio, Gia Firato danced competitively from the age of 8 to 16. She recalls looking at some of the older dancers and wishing to be as beautiful as they were. That’s how she started “experimenting a lot” with make-up and doing her hair on herself and her young sister. She taught herself to French braid on her American Girl dolls when she was sent to her rooms for time-outs. And her grandmother took her to local beauty supply stores to get products to do manicures and pedicures, which she would give to her dad and grandfather — “they only did it for the foot rubs,” Firato said, jokingly
Morgan Hill Life asked Firato about her work as a stylist.
You obviously have a passion for making women look beautiful. How did you get into the stylist business?
Once I got into high school and wanted my hair dyed, I went to just about every salon in town but never got what I wanted. When it came time to start figuring out what career I was going to choose, I had my mind set on cosmetology school. So after graduation, the next fall I went to Gavilan Community College and began studying in the cosmetology program there. I was the youngest in my class to graduate. I started working at Shear Color & Design the week after I passed the state board exam. I have to thank my sister for letting me experiment with her hair during school. Every time we learned something new, I would come home and try it on her. She was my faithful “guinea pig” through the good and sometimes bad color jobs that I would do on her.
Prom and wedding season is now upon us. What advice might you give high school girls and brides/bridesmaids in getting beauty services for these special occasions?
Book early. Don’t wait until the last minute to book your appointment. You want the peak time for your appointment so that you’re not rushed or stressed out. Have an idea so we can create the hairstyle that you’re really looking for. If possible, have a picture of your dress and a picture of the hairstyle you are thinking of getting. Come to your appointment with clean, dry hair for best results.
I always have my brides come in a few weeks before the wedding to decide on the hair and make-up that we will do the day of the wedding.
What advice do you give your clients to maintain a healthy head of hair — especially during the hot summer months?
My advice for healthy hair during summer time is hydration. It’s so important, especially if you color your hair. Products you purchase from a salon are the best for your hair because they are formulated to make your color last. Your color will not last if you are using a product that is stripping the color out of it. I also recommend washing your hair in warm water and rinsing with cold to close the hair cuticle to hold your color in. Getting regular trims will keep your hair healthy as well.
You also do make up and air brushing services. What special tips might you give women to get the most out of their make-up?
Getting your make-up done professionally for special occasions is very noticeable when being photographed. I use camera-ready foundations that look amazing in photographs. I like to make brides look more soft and natural. At a prom you can go more glamorous and daring, depending on the style dress you’ve chosen. Make sure that you tell your stylist what you feel comfortable with so that you leave feeling beautiful and not overdone and unhappy. I want to know that you feel beautiful when you leave my chair. That’s why I got into this business in the first place.
Gia Firato Stylist
Location: Shear Color and Design, 16375 Monterey Road, Suite F
Contact: (408) 310-1469, or giafirato.com
