Photo by Roberto Ligresti
Laura Gunter is a respected hairstylist, educator, and creative force based in Marietta, Georgia. With more than a decade of experience, she’s built a dynamic career that bridges artistry, mentorship, and industry leadership.
When we featured Laura Gunter and her beautiful editorial work, it was in the middle of the worst of COVID but Gunter didn’t let a pandemic stop her from creating.
As a key member of the Ulta Beauty Design Team, Laura works on national campaigns, trend education, and stage presentations—all while serving a loyal clientele behind the chair. She’s also a Matrix Artist, known for her expertise in hair color and for sharing knowledge through in-salon classes and virtual education.
Laura’s path began in Alabama, where she earned her cosmetology license and went on to teach at an Aveda Institute. Since joining Ulta Beauty in 2015, she has held a range of roles, including salon manager and Services District Educator, mentoring stylists across multiple locations.
In 2024, Laura was recognized as a MODERN SALON 100 honoree and continues to contribute to an award-winning Ulta Beauty Design Team, which was named Salon Team of the Year at the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA).
At America’s Beauty Show, Laura Gunter offered onstage education and inspiration.
Photo Courtesy of Laura Gunter
In addition to her technical accomplishments, Laura is a vocal advocate for inclusivity in beauty. She’s spoken candidly about embracing Black hair culture as a white stylist, encouraging others to expand their skills and cultural awareness.
Through her teaching, artistry, and thoughtful leadership, Laura Gunter continues to elevate the beauty industry and those working within it.
We asked Gunter to answer some short Q and A questions to give us a quick peek at her preferences, her passions, and her path.
Q&A with Laura Gunter
My professional mentors: Danielle Keasling and Michelle O’Connor. I’m so grateful to have access to such amazing and talented women that share their insight with me.
My guilty pleasures: Romantasy novels and cozy video games. I average a book a week easy.
My favorite hair product I can’t live without: Food For Soft Oil from Matrix–the smell is amazing!
If I hadn’t become a hairdresser I would have been: A fashion designer, it was my first passion! I wanted to create cool alternative clothes that were size inclusive.
Every beauty professional should: Make sure they plan financially for emergencies and retirement. I’m very passionate about personal finance.
Most people would be surprised to learn: I’m not sure, maybe that I’m a huge nerd and I love cosplay!
Person whose hair I would love to cut/style/color and why: Lady Gaga, because she’s so smart and talented and creative, I just feel like she would be really cool.
The best advice I ever received: “Perfect is the enemy of done.” I get paralyzed by perfection sometimes but doing something not that great is better than never doing it at all– how else do you get any better at it?
Favorite streaming service: I’m an audiobook girly so I would say Libby or Libro.fm; it’s for audiobooks but supports local book stores. Not enough people know about it.
Favorite social app: TikTok! I spend way too much time on there!
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