A Salon Hideaway Fit for Celebrities (and Non-Celebrities, Too)

When a team of top hairdressers joins forces, success is inevitable. That’s what happened when Hollywood hairstylists Mara Roszak and Alex Polillo and colorist Denis De Souza opened Mare Salon in Los Angeles nearly three years ago after their paths fatefully intertwined. Now, their quaint salon is the place A-list celebs like Kate Mara, Emma Stone and Cara Delevingne head for cuts, color and a relaxing escape.

 Denis De Souza, Mara Roszak and Alex Polillo

Tucked away in a well-manicured bungalow, Mare Salon offers all of the components of a luxury destination without the stuffiness. With the help of interior designer Richard Petit and his firm The Archers, the trio set out to design a space that embodied their aesthetic, and in turn created an environment that’s warm, inviting and private, like visiting someone’s home. The space is paparazzi-proof with glass-block windows and a lush private garden where clients can relax while their color to processes.

Inside, a small retail space displays an assortment of products, including haircare from Davines, Leonor Greyl and Sachajuan; Le Feu De L’Eau candles and scented terracotta amber balls by L’Artisan Parfumeur; and hair tools by GHD and Parlux. The salon itself is a 12-chair, open concept space with white oak flooring and mid-century collectible furniture, and the walls are lined with art curated by Paul Rusconi, an American contemporary artist based in Los Angeles. “The overall energy is relaxed and laid-back, much like our approach to hair in general,” Polillo says. “It’s not about giving the trendiest style but customizing a look for the individual. All of our stylists and colorists are really versatile, but as with any southern California salon, that effortless beauty vibe is something people can’t get enough of.” 

As for the future of Mare Salon, Roszak, Polillo and De Souza would like everything to progress organically. “Over the last few years, we’ve been playing around with product lines that work well for us and now we have this perfectly curated collection of products, but it didn’t happen overnight—it came together over time,” Polillo says. “Similarly, we’ve been working toward opening another location, but it’s unfolding naturally.”