Salon Maya: More Than Just a Hair Appointment

What started as a leap of faith nearly three years ago has quietly grown into something far more than a hair salon.

Mel Higgins has created something special with Salon Maya in Mona Vale. It’s a one-on-one space, built from the ground up by Mel and her husband, where every client is seen, known, and looked after from start to finish.

“I wanted to create a salon that felt welcoming, relaxed and genuinely comfortable,” Mel says.

“Somewhere that reflected me, my creativity, and the way I believe people should be treated.”

After years of managing and owning salons, going out on her own wasn’t just about business. It was about balance. About creating something that could support her family while still allowing her to be present in their lives.

And like most things that matter, it hasn’t always been easy.

Running a business solo, raising a young family, and keeping everything moving day to day is, in her words, “go-go-go.” School drop-offs, full days in the salon, early finishes for pick-ups, straight into after-school activities. It’s a constant juggle, but one she wouldn’t trade.

“It’s busy, there’s not a lot of downtime, but I’m really grateful I can do both. Work I love, and still be there for my kids.”

That sense of care carries through everything Mel does. While Salon Maya is known for beautiful hair, it’s the relationships that really define it. Clients don’t just come in for a cut or colour, they come in for connection.

Many have been with Mel for decades, long before Salon Maya even existed. Over time, those relationships have moved well beyond the chair.

“We’ve just done life together really. Celebrating the good stuff and being there through the harder times too,” she says. “I even had clients at my wedding.”

It’s that level of trust that shapes the entire experience. With no staff and no handovers, every client is with Mel from start to finish. Every colour, every cut, every conversation. Nothing gets lost, and nothing feels rushed.

“It’s more personal. I get to know people properly, and that connection is a big part of what I love.”

But the impact of Salon Maya doesn’t stop at the door.

For Mel, being part of the Northern Beaches community means showing up in ways that matter. Sponsoring local junior sport, supporting school events, donating to charities, and quietly doing what she can where she can.

One of the things she’s most passionate about is taking the pressure off families in small but meaningful ways. First haircuts are free, recognising that for many kids and parents, it’s a big moment that can take time to ease into.

And every Christmas, the salon transforms into something else entirely. The front window fills with presents as part of a toy drive for a local children’s hospital. A simple idea that’s grown into a tradition, with clients and the wider community coming together to make sure children in hospital have something to open on Christmas Day.

“It’s such an amazing time. Everyone really gets behind it.”

Like many small business owners, Mel is honest about the challenges. There are tough days, moments where everything feels like a lot. But the motivation is clear.

“Family is what keeps me going, 100 percent. And my clients. The support and loyalty I get from them makes a huge difference.”

In a time where so much feels fast, transactional and impersonal, Salon Maya offers something quieter, more considered. A space where people can come in, sit down, and be looked after properly.

And that, it turns out, is exactly what people have been looking for.

“It’s not just about the hair,” Mel says. “It’s about how people feel when they walk out.”

And judging by the community she’s built around her, they’re walking out feeling pretty good.

Salon Maya | Hair Stylist in Mona Vale