“Hair is a woman’s ultimate beauty asset, the one thing she never takes off.”
Maher Mansour is a well-known hairdresser who already has two hairdressing salons in his home country and twenty-five years of experience in hair care, bringing his personal way of understanding hairdressing.
His main goal is to enhance the natural beauty of every client who walks through the door and make them leave feeling unique.
When you arrive at the salon you are struck by its decoration and the large space of a luminous off-white that makes you feel peace and tranquility. It gives you confidence and you feel like you are going to come out looking like a Hollywood star.
His treatments are completely personalized, discovering the needs of each client to bring the best of their professional years to achieve the desired image.
Top services include the latest hair extension techniques, legendary straightening, fantastic cuts, colors and highlights. The team speaks English, Arabic, Dutch and Russian, making it easy to communicate with clients.
Maher and his wife Mariya have found in Marbella the perfect city they were looking for and time has confirmed that they were right in choosing it. With more than seventy nationalities and a luxury brand established over the years, Marbella has become the ideal location for the couple.
Maher has cut and styled the hair of actresses, singers, businesswomen and more. His famous list of celebrities includes actresses Lotte Verbeek, Sulafa Memar, Kinda Hanna, Heba Nour, Jenny Esber, Nadine Nassib Njeim and Hala Yamani, singers Ahlam Alshamsi and Bessan Ismail, singer and DJ Robin Roxette, DJ Kelly Ross, fashion designer Laila Aziz, TV presenter and entrepreneur Melany Slief, entrepreneur and coach Naima Amdaouech, YouTuber Selma Omari, model and influencer Danique Hogguer and many more and I’m sure that in Marbella she has also styled celebrities who live here.
When was your vocation to be a hairdresser born? Did you have any external influence?
My vocation to become a hairdresser was born during my teenage years in Damascus, Syria. Growing up, I was surrounded by a culture that deeply values beauty and elegance, and I was fascinated by the transformative power of hairstyling. Hair is such a personal and expressive aspect of someone’s identity, and I quickly realized how much joy it brought me to help people feel more confident and beautiful. I was inspired by local professionals who had mastered the craft, and I would spend hours observing their work, learning how they used precision and creativity to enhance someone’s natural features. Over time, my passion turned into a calling. Encouragement from mentors and clients in Syria played a significant role in motivating me to refine my skills and aim for excellence in the industry.
You started by opening your first hairdressing salon in Holland. What do you remember from those early days?
Actually, my journey as a salon owner started in Syria, where I opened two successful salons and led a team of 20 talented professionals. These salons became well-known in Damascus, and I had the honor of styling celebrities and appearing in TV shows and magazines. It was a time of growth and recognition, but everything changed with the onset of war. In 2013, I was forced to leave everything behind and start over in the Netherlands as a refugee. Those early days in Holland were both humbling and challenging. Within eight months of arriving, I opened my first small salon in Utrecht. I started with very little, but I poured my heart into building something meaningful. I worked tirelessly, often seven days a week, and focused on delivering exceptional results for my clients. Within two years, I expanded to a larger salon and opened a second location. It was incredible to see how quickly my reputation grew, thanks to my loyal clients and the team I trained. The resilience and hard work during those times are memories I will always carry with me.
And then you chose the city of Marbella to open another salon. How has the experience been since you started in this Andalusian city?
Choosing Marbella was a deliberate decision, one based on a desire to expand internationally while maintaining a connection to Europe. Marbella’s charm lies in its unique combination of luxury, culture, and natural beauty. When my wife and I visited in January 2023, we immediately felt that this city resonated with our vision for the future. It has a vibrant international community and attracts visitors from all over the world, making it the perfect place to bring our brand. Since opening the salon in Marbella, the experience has been exhilarating. The clients here are diverse, stylish, and open to innovation, which allows us to push creative boundaries. The Mediterranean atmosphere inspires not only our work but also the overall experience we provide in the salon. It’s about creating a space where clients feel pampered and confident, and Marbella has embraced us wholeheartedly.
Is there any difference between clients from Holland and Marbella? Is there a demand for different styles and coloring?
Yes, the differences are striking, and adapting to them has been part of the fun. Clients in Holland tend to prioritize practicality and understated elegance. They often prefer classic, natural styles that fit seamlessly into their everyday lives. On the other hand, clients in Marbella have a flair for glamour and boldness. Blonde tones, highlights, and extensions are particularly popular here, reflecting the sunny, vibrant lifestyle of the Costa del Sol. In Marbella, there’s a strong appreciation for detail and luxury, and clients are willing to invest in treatments that enhance their hair’s health and appearance. This has allowed us to offer a wide range of premium services that cater to the local demand while maintaining the high standards that define our brand.
There has been a big transition in the hairdressing world in the last few years. Not only in terms of cuts and coloring, but also in the type of treatments that are offered nowadays.
The hairdressing industry has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, evolving beyond simple cuts and coloring into a more holistic approach to hair care. Today, it’s not just about appearance; it’s about health, sustainability, and empowerment. Clients are more informed than ever and seek treatments that protect and rejuvenate their hair. Keratin therapies, bond-building treatments, and organic products are now at the forefront of what we offer. Additionally, sustainability has become a key focus, with eco-friendly practices and products gaining popularity. Another significant change is the way people view hair as an extension of their identity. Trends are more diverse and inclusive, allowing clients to embrace their individuality. This evolution has made the industry more dynamic, and I’m thrilled to be part of it.
I have been struck by the fashion of hair for men. Dyes, cuts … What do you think and how do you see the future of fashion for men’s hair?
While my salons focus exclusively on women’s hair, I admire the creativity and innovation happening in men’s grooming. The growing demand for tailored, high-quality services for men reflects a broader cultural shift towards self-expression. I believe this trend will continue to grow, with a focus on personalized styles and advanced grooming solutions.
After traveling around different countries, I have noticed the great preference of women to wear blonde, luminous hair colors. Why are blonde shades so attractive, and what care do they need?
Blonde hair has a timeless appeal. It’s associated with sophistication, elegance, and a sense of radiance that enhances any look. Achieving the perfect blonde, however, is a delicate process. It requires expert knowledge of tones and techniques to ensure it complements the client’s complexion. Maintaining blonde hair involves regular toning, hydration treatments, and using professional-grade products to prevent damage and keep it looking vibrant. It’s a labor of love, but the results are worth it.
Are hairdressing trends presented as fashion trends, but are they accepted by the clientele or do they prefer to wear their own style and color without imposed rules?
Trends inspire creativity, but clients ultimately seek styles that reflect their personality and lifestyle. Our role as stylists is to interpret these trends and tailor them to each individual. By doing this, we help clients achieve a look that feels both fashionable and authentic.
How do you see the world of hair in the next ten years? Do you think there will be an interesting evolution or will it remain similar to recent times?
The future of hairdressing is filled with possibilities. I envision a world where technology plays an even bigger role, from AI consultations to highly personalized treatments. Sustainability will also drive innovation, with more eco-friendly products and practices becoming standard. Customization will be key. Clients will demand services and products that cater specifically to their needs, whether it’s a bespoke haircare regimen or unique styling techniques. Hairdressing will continue to evolve as both an art and a science.
And how does Maher see himself as a stylist in the future?
I see myself as a mentor and innovator, constantly striving to elevate the industry. I want to continue expanding internationally, nurturing talented stylists, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in hairdressing. Most importantly, I want to stay connected to the core of what I do—helping people feel beautiful and confident through my work.