When Kim Hill got her first job at Clarkston Hair Salon in 1985, she didn’t know styling hair and putting on makeup would become more than just ‘enhancing physical beauty.?
Hill, a 1983 Clarkston graduate was diagnosed in 2002 with fiberticulitus, (weaking pouches in the lining of the intestine) which has led to five abdominal surgeries, a ruptured colon, a colostomy, severe adhesions, and muscle tears- mesh panels-chronic bowel obstructions, and tissue transfers. In addition she also has a compressed L4 and L5 spinal discs, which she has to go to the hospital every 12 weeks for ultrasound guided spinal injections.
‘Because of all the trauma my body endures each day, I have Fibromyalgia as well, which causes sever muscle pain and weakness, but yet I am so blessed with an amazing husband & two terrific young men as sons, 18 and 21 years old now, they have learned compassion about life and people with disabilities,? she said. ‘My friends are also a huge part of my uphill battle they help when they can and make me smile.?
Hill also noted her salon co-workers at ‘It’s Shear Madness Salon? in Goodrich have also stepped in to help when physical limitation or pain becomes too much.
‘Helping with an offer to do the final shampoo on a color client when my intestines are spasming & my internal adhesions are pulling me apart from the inside out,? she said.
Despite living in constant pain every day and experiencing additional internal complications, that has a sixth abdominal surgery ‘lurking around the bend,? Hill finds herself inspired to help other woman who are suffering with health problems, low self-esteem, possibly depressed about the worries of the world raising children today or just everyday life.
‘As I attend my monthly series of Doctor visits over the years I have met some amazing women who I have seen don’t have the same inner strength I have found. They clearly have ‘become? their challenge. They sit in the waiting room to be called in with their hair ascue, no makeup on feeling so overwhelmed that they have put ‘caring? for themselves on the back burner,? she said.
‘Women I have spoken to don’t ‘feel pretty?, or beautiful any more and that breaks my heart because I believe ‘every women is beautiful in their own unique way.’?
That is when Hill began her quest to start her own makeup & skin care line called “Beautiful U Cosmetics,” to help woman ‘Enhance their outer Beauty & Embrace their inner beauty.?
‘I want them to know that ‘they are worth it?, that no hurdle or obstacle put before them can take away the beautiful woman that they are,? Hill said. ‘By learning to take the time for themselves, be it a full face of makeup, or just some mascara and lip-gloss will actually make the ‘feel? better about themselves, and in turn help them feel better all together.?
Though she has lived in Ortonville with her husband and sons for the past 20 years, she still has fond memories of growing up in Clarkston.
‘My best friend Sue Manley Burns and I met in seventh grade at Clarkston Junior High and have been blessed with an amazing friendship,? she said. ‘We love to tell our stories about growing up in Clarkston, walking up to Hallmans and Rudy’s after school.?
For more information visit www.beautifulucosmetics.com