Colorist Denis De Souza is bringing his hair genius to the masses with the opening of his new salon, Mare, in Los Angeles. A self-described beauty oasis, Mare will seek to make client pampering as much of a priority as creating stunningly beautiful hair.
The salon is co-owned by De Souza's partners, celebrity hairstylists Mara Roszak And Alex Polillo, and will as a space for the trendsetting colorist to continue to bring his gorgeous hair colors to life.
Recently, Joico sat down with De Souza to discuss the opening of the new salon.
Joico: Denis, you’re sought after by scores of celebrities, beauty editors, and clients every single day. What made you take on the enormous adventure of opening your own salon on top of everything else you’re doing?
Denis: Truthfully, I’ve never been one of those people who stay comfortable focusing on just one thing — which is why I’ve been juggling my busy schedule as a hair colorist and an ambassador for Joico. I truly believe the possibilities for growth in our industry are endless… so for me, it was just about reaching the next step in my career and acknowledging there’s always room for more!
Joico: Ok, we’re curious. Why the name, Mare?
Denis: There’s no secret behind the choice. It’s such a pretty word — in English, Mare is the feminine term for a horse; and in my native Portuguese, it means ocean — so when my two partners suggested the name, I jumped on it. Sounds so lovely, I think.
Joico: Tell us about your salon… what’s it like when a client walks through the doors?
Denis: Mare is an intimate salon — only 12 chairs total (seven for stylists, five for colorists); but we’ve turned it into a pretty special beauty oasis for our customers. Designed by Richard Petit, the salon has a definite Franco-Japonaise influence… tons of natural light; an indoor/outdoor zen garden where clients can enjoy a cappuccino and take advantage of the California weather. I’ve been dreaming about this salon forever; and creating it took almost two years. But it’s been soooo worth the wait!
Joico: What sets your salon apart from, say, any other high-end LA space?
Denis: Mare isn’t just a salon… it’s a lifestyle. Everything in the salon is for sale — from furniture, to art, to jewelry. Clients walk in and the vibe is chic and elegant, yet super cozy; like you’re in the gorgeous home of a best friend. In the end, we’re striving to create beauty in hair and in life.
Joico: Does the salon specialize in a particular look? You know… that calling card that says we’re the experts in one particular hair trend?
Denis: Our staff has a wide variety of skills and expertise… if anything, Mare’s specialty is creating refined but effortless hair; making sure clients don’t become slaves to the salon for touch-ups and can replicate their style at home.
Joico: What’s the ONE thing you’d like everyone to know about your new baby?
Denis: It’s absolutely this: We want every client who leaves our salon to feel special and pampered; after all, they’re spending hours with us. Those should be hours well spent. Fortunately, in the short time we’ve been open, lots of clients have been complimenting us about our great energy and warmth… and for me, that’s the most important thing to hear.
Get more on the latest with Denis including his formulas and step-by-step videos at Joico.com or via the JoiColor System Mobile App. For more on Mare Salon visit: maresalon.com.
