Blonde in Dubai? Godspeed. Between the sun, salt, and suspicious water quality, keeping bleached hair alive here is a full-time job. But tucked away in Jumeirah is the place every flaxen-haired girlie ends up eventually: mariadowling.
You’ve probably heard the name whispered like gospel in local WhatsApp groups. The salon’s been open since 2002, and Maria herself—known, unironically, as the “Queen of Colour”—has been painting heads for over three decades. It’s worth noting that mariadowling isn’t just a regular salon—it’s the only color-specialist salon in the Middle East. That alone should give you an idea of the level of mastery happening here. Dowling built the salon to be the region’s gold standard for hair coloring, and it shows. The salon has racked up more than a dozen awards and 300+ five-star Google reviews—none of which feel exaggerated once you’ve been in the chair yourself.
I booked in for the holy trinity: cut, color, and blowdry. My stylist was Maja—blonde whisperer, damage-control expert, and all-around hair angel, who, fun fact, trained under Chris Appleton in L.A. Yes, the same Chris who touches J.Lo’s ponytail and Kim K’s platinum. Before moving to Dubai, Maja worked at one of Canada’s top salons, and it shows. She’s a pro at color transformations, corrections, balayage, and blondes—the kind of stylist who speaks fluent toner and somehow knows exactly what you meant when you said “soft golden but not yellow but also not beige.” She took one look at my overprocessed strands and instantly knew what to do. No guesswork, no pushing product, just calm expertise and real advice. Her tone-lifting technique was subtle but spot-on—brightening my blonde without compromising the health of my hair. She even offered a few low-maintenance tricks to keep my color fresh (Pro tip from Maja: brush your hair in the shower after conditioner, and please, for the love of all things good, invest in a heat protectant.)
The space itself is like Sistine Chapel meets supermodel moodboard. Picture geometric tiled floor that plays tricks on your eyes in the best way, softly lit chandeliers dripping like branches, plush mustard armchairs, and walls adorned with Renaissance-style murals and high-gloss campaign portraits.
What sets this place apart isn’t just the technical skill (although that’s obviously part of it). It’s the way they make you feel like you’re part of the process. No gatekeeping. No mystery formulas. No “let’s see how it turns out.” You’re consulted, educated, and involved—so you leave with not only great hair but also the knowledge to maintain it. And that’s especially crucial if you’re blonde. Because blonde, particularly in Dubai, is a full-time commitment. It’s like owning a high-maintenance pet—you need the right products, the right environment, and someone who actually knows how to keep it alive.
Would I go back? Absolutely. Not just for the flawless color or the bouncy blowdry that made me late for dinner (I had to stop and take pictures), but because I left feeling like someone had actually listened to what I wanted—and somehow made it better than what I asked for.
So yes, the hype is real. mariadowling isn’t just the most celebrated salon in the Middle East for nothing. And if your bleached hair is crying for help—or you’re just ready to look like the best version of yourself—it might be time to make the appointment.
Just don’t forget the purple shampoo– Maja said so.
For booking inquiries visit www.mariadowling.com or call +971 4 345 4225.
