Salon Maher opened its doors on Avenida Ramon and Cajal in May to bring Maher Mansour’s unique brand of hairdressing to Marbella. Leaving behind his two successful salons in the Netherlands, he’s bringing 25 years of experience, international training and qualifications and a desire to push the boundaries of what is possible in hairdressing to the Costa del Sol. He aims to enhance the natural beauty of every customer that walks through the door, and make them feel a million dollars. As he says, “Hair is a woman’s ultimate beauty asset – the only thing that she never takes off”.
The spectacular salon is a place where hairstyling becomes an art form. Maher and his team dare to try new things, blending intuition with expert skill to discover what truly works for each individual, enhances their natural beauty and represents their individual style. Star services include the latest hair extension techniques, legendary blow-outs, fantastic cuts, colours and highlights. The team speak English, Arabic, Dutch and Russian and aim to create the ultimate destination in Marbella for great hair and an amazing experience.
Marbella and Salon Maher, a match made in heaven
Maher and his family were searching for the perfect place to live and expand their business. They were considering Monaco, Dubai, Miami and Marbella as their new base. They felt Monaco was beautiful but lacked energy, Dubai was too hot and Miami too far to keep their business in Holland running. Maher had visited Marbella ten years ago and his wife Mariya had always loved Spain, so they visited again in January 2023 to see if this could be the perfect place. From the first moment, they knew that it was a match made in heaven and felt in their heart and soul that this was the place for them.
Maher comments, “We could see a lot of opportunities for our business in Marbella, as an internationally recognised brand, which is going from strength to strength and which attracts tourists all year round and has a strong international community. We wanted to be part of the growth and development of this great place and didn’t think twice about taking the jump to move here and open our business. Marbella for us is a true mix of perfect climate, stunning surroundings, international community, friendly people and a great atmosphere and we’re already feeling at home!”
As well as looking after the local resident community and tourists, he wants to bring people from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany to Marbella too. Loyal customers from Northern Europe will be invited for pampering and wellness breaks and they are setting up collaborations with other local businesses to generate new revenue streams to benefit the community.
But Maher’s journey to Marbella has not been a smooth one and his success has been hard won.
A story of courage, ambition, perseverance and talent
Maher Mansour reached the highest levels in hairdressing in Syria, with a celebrity following and an epic reputation. He had two salons, a team of 20, appeared on TV, in magazines and was a hairdresser to the stars. Unfortunately, he had to flee the war in 2013, leaving his salons behind, and arriving in the Netherlands as a refugee, with nothing but his experience, talent and a desire to work.
Within eight months he had started his own business, opening a small salon in Utrecht, expanding to a larger premises and opening a second salon in under two years. He’s trained a loyal team of male hairdressers, bringing many of his team from Damascus with him, to care for the hair of women all over the Netherlands.
Quickly his reputation grew in his new country and Maher became a favourite of celebrities and high-profile people once again. He’s cut and styled the hair of actresses, singers, entrepreneurs and more. His client list includes; the 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 personality and entrepreneur Melany Slief, business woman and coach Naima Amdaouech, YouTuber Selma Omari, model and influencer Danique Hogguer and more.
After 11 years building his business in the Netherlands, and with a highly trained team, Maher was ready for a new challenge and international expansion. After several years of planning and the creation of a new stunning salon, right in the centre of Marbella, he’s excited to bring his unique techniques and epic style to the Costa del Sol.
