Salon Envy: Where Clients Are Family

By Edie Weinstein
Photography by Alison Dunlap

Walk through the doors of Ambler’s signature Salon Envy, and you will be greeted with warm smiles, professional service and product lines and as a bonus, coffee and fresh baked goods, in which the not-so-secret ingredient is love.

Owner Maria Fabiani opened those doors in 2006 and welcomes a consistent stream of loyal clientele, with good reason.

“We make sure we listen to our clients, giving them options and making sure they understand exactly what they are asking for and show them how to get the same results at home. We make them feel like part of our family and offer the best products!”

Maria, a graduate of the Empire Beauty School, has been working in the beauty industry for 22 years. In 2005, she realized the dream of owning a salon when she decided to open Salon Envy in downtown Ambler.

Maria is conscientious about what she uses, both for the well-being of those who sit in her chairs, as well as Mother Nature, as she says, “We offer organic color and products that are cruelty free (not tested on animals), as well as gluten free and phosphate free.”

A Family Affair

Behind the scenes are mom Esther and dad Vincenzo Lapa; she who creates the delicious treats and he who helped her start the business from scratch. Although her father passed in 2010, the spirit of love that he embodied remains. Maria’s husband Andre’ assisted in opening the salon in grand style. Taking a team approach is part and parcel of the appeal of the business.

The nimble fingered creative staff consists of her sister Jessica Montalvo who has been working in the salon since 2009 and she adds, “Emily Huntowski joined our family in 2013.”

Maria’s daughter Nisa has also been working at Salon Envy since 2011, shampooing hair and answering the phone.

It is an environment that welcomes every member of the client’s family as well. Maria enthusiastically shares, “Our salon is very family oriented: moms, dads, and children!”

Coloring Your World

The salon features fashion hues to dazzle the eye and turn hair into a work of art and services that include cut and styling, perms and straighteners, as well as waxing and makeup. Their reputation and a stellar referral program draws new clientele on a regular basis.

“Because of referrals, clients know clients and it’s like a gathering.” Both clients and those they refer receive generous discounts.”

Celebrating Special Moments

“We have an amazing reputation for wedding, prom, and formal up do’s.” Since they want their client’s special days to be that much more extraordinary, they put their all into the pre-event experience.

Listening from The Heart

As stylists are privileged listeners, they find that “we learn so much from our clients. Advice from moms in raising our children. Inspiring family stories. And I would like to think that we do the same for our clients. We see them often enough that they become real friends and work becomes an enjoyable social experience.” Dozens of 5 Star reviews on Facebook hail Salon Envy as the “best hair salon ever” featuring a “friendly staff” and “affordable services”.

The key to the success of Salon Envy is that they “enjoy and are passionate about what we do. We care about the health of each client’s hair. We want everyone to be excited about their next visit and trust that we are doing our best each time.”