Today we’d like to introduce you to Gunnar Koleznar
Hi Gunnar , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hello! Im Gunnar I’m a makeup artist and hairstylist and have been for almost 9 years. I have always been creative and into beauty for as long as I can remember. I remember seeing fashion magazines and looking at all the models and the clothes they were wearing, bust most importantly their makeup and the way they wore their hair was what fascinated me the most. As I got older I loved playing with all the colors and started experimenting on my own face, by “borrowing” what ever eyeshadow my mom had. Growing up in the Midwest, makeup was my way to express myself. It turned everyday routines into colorful moments and let me create my own story in a place where I felt boxed in. I grew up doing theatre, and I took a theatrical makeup class and found out you can make an actual career out of this. After I graduated highschool, I moved to Nashville with my parents and I worked with multiple different cosmetics company’s and saved up enough money to go to makeup school in New York City. My time at makeup school was a game changer. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, taught me to think outside the box, and shaped me into the artist I am today. After graduating from makeup school l attended cosmetology school at the Aveda institute in Franklin. Hair school was where I learned the art of hairstyling and color, I realized how much I loved the creativity it allowed me to explore. It wasn’t just about shaping a look—it was about using hair to transform someone’s confidence.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My career has come with its share of challenges, but each one has taught me something valuable. They’ve shown me the importance of patience, resilience, and constantly pushing my limits. When you first start out, it’s all about learning. You’re going to make mistakes. I guess my main take away from what I’ve learned so far is two main things that I constantly am learning everyday. First Is having patience, Learning patience has been one of my biggest lessons—both in my craft and in life. And the second one is always keep learning, no matter how much you think you know you can always take something away from what you’re doing and learn something new.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a hairstylist and makeup artist with my specialty being weddings and photoshoots for editorials and fashion. Im also a hair color specialist with an emphasis on red head/ copper + balayage. I love that I get to bring together my passion for both hair and makeup—creating complete looks that make my clients feel confident and beautiful. When it comes to working on set for photoshoots I love the creative energy that comes with working on set—whether it’s for a photoshoot, editorial, or fashion project. There’s something so exciting about collaborating with a team, bringing a vision to life, and pushing my artistry to new levels. It’s where I get to be my most creative, experimenting with hair and makeup in ways that tell a story and make an impact. I love diving into hair and makeup references—whether it’s vintage looks, high-fashion editorials, or bold runway moments—and putting my own spin on them. It’s so fun to take inspiration and make it my own, blending creativity with technique to create something fresh and unique.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I love using Pinterest to create mood boards and gather inspiration for my clients. It’s the perfect way to bring ideas to life, whether we’re planning a hair and makeup look for a special event or experimenting with something completely new. I love using Instagram to stay up-to-date with what’s new and trending in the world of hair and makeup. It’s such a great platform for discovering fresh ideas, trends, and techniques, and it inspires me to keep pushing the boundaries of my own creativity. It’s helpful to see what’s trending on the runway, or finding creative twists on classic looks.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Photos by
– Hunter Hart @hunterhartphoto
– Elizabeth Ratliff @ellejacksonphoto
– Drae Brown @draebrown615
– Austin Gros @austingros
– Taylor Farrant @taylor_rose_photos
– Chelsea Rochelle @chelsearoc
