I opened Gustav Studio of Hair Design and Make-Up Artistry in April 2009. As a hair stylist and make-up artist, I made the decision to open my own salon with the hopes of creating an atmosphere that is conducive to a relaxed and open state of mind. The result is my hair and make-up studio located on #289 Main St. in Norwich which feels very much like stepping into a friend’s living room. Complete with wide board pine floors, a French door, two fireplaces and a cozy saffron couch, it’s easy to sit back and feel open to my creative ideas.

I first obtained my cosmetology license in 1990 and then went on to study make-up artistry under world renowned make-up artist David Nicholas on Newbury Street in Boston, MA. As David’s assistant, I worked on projects including fashion shows at the Ritz Carlton and Tom Bergeron’s day time talk show “People are Talking.” After that I became a freelance make-up artist on the Seacoast doing personalized make-up instruction, photo shoots, and weddings.

When my husband and I relocated to the Upper Valley in 2002 to live closer to my husband’s son (we also have a 3½ year old daughter), I first worked at Hilde’s Salon in Hanover. While there, I decided to concentrate my efforts on hair color and quickly began to recognize the similarities between hair color and make-up and realized that many of the same concepts could be applied to both mediums with limitless possibilities. I also began to recognize a notable difference in client’s receptivity to change when were they were relaxed…thus the reason for my living room-like studio. I am constantly told that what my clients love the most is the feeling of being in a friend’s living room, chatting over coffee and being pampered. It truly enables folks to relax and let their hair down (into my creative hands, of course!)

I chose Norwich for my business location because it was important for me to be in a town that had a relaxed, yet sophisticated feel to it. I wanted clients to feel as though coming to the salon was a mini reprieve from their day-to-day running around. I’ve been told on numerous occasions by clients that they love coming across the river to get their hair done, browsing through The Norwich Bookstore, getting some lovely bread at Allechante, picking up some wine from Peter, and maybe a few baubles or a sweater from the JList or Zuzu’s, etc...all without ever having to pay a meter!

The services available at Gustav include in-depth consultations for both hair and make-up, creative techniques for dimensional color, hilites, and lowlites, innovative cuts designed with the client’s lifestyle in mind, facial waxing, and personalized make-up instruction. Also featured is my full line of Gustav professional cosmetics in which debuted in October with everything from Ultimate Lipsticks to a superb Foundation Primer, to a variety of mineral powders, and everything in between.

Gustav Studio

802-649-8838

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