MANAYUNK

By Rachel Jenkins

Photography by Ian Sterling

Step through the doors of Salon L at 4120 Main Street, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by muted light and a floor of busy stylists. It’s an impressive space, with floor-to-ceiling windows and three massive light fixtures hanging above.

"It makes you wonder how many chandeliers the law allows per square foot,” General Manager, Meredith Hankins, joked.

Salon L’Etoile had been a fixture in Manayunk for over 20 years, but last year, owner Michael O’Connor moved from their original location at 4360 Main Street and expanded in the large, airy space that once housed Restoration Hardware. He also made the decision to update the name to match his other salon in North Wales: Salon L.

“It was time to start a new chapter to bring out more creativity in our day-to-day work,” Meredith said. “We don’t fit the brand of a regular salon. Of course we’re always onto the next big thing, but there’s no snobbiness. You can feel it as soon as you walk in the door.”

It’s true, Salon L is “a big small business” that looms large in the world of hair styling on Main Street. But one conversation with an employee, and you’ll see that it runs on down-to-earth client services—especially from this year’s Best Stylist winner, Dana Tobin.

Dana has spent her entire 13-year career with the salon. She began her journey through a high school co-op program in the beauty industry, and at just 19, landed her job at what is now Salon L. Like every budding stylist, she started as an assistant shampooer to learn the ropes. But her talent and top-notch customer service were obvious. Within a year, she was given her own stylist’s chair.

“In our world now, people value their time and don’t want to be kept waiting,” Meredith said. “Dana’s here on time and she runs on time. She gets you in and out the door with the most quality service.”

Dana’s strengths go far beyond her styling talent and timing. She excels in forming long-term relationships and meeting the changing needs of a variety of clients.

“Dana is reliable to the nth degree, it’s crazy,” explained Meredith, “She’s one of those people that a client could easily talk to, but if they’re not in the mood to talk, she doesn’t force them. She can read people really well.”

True to the Salon L philosophy, Dana was confident in her specialities and diverse styles.

“I specialize in cutting, color, and hair extensions,” she said, “And my style is trendy, edgy, creative, and conservative all in one. I think that’s why I can cater to so many different kinds of people with different personalities.”

Dana believes that the best part of her job is the feedback that she gets from her clients. Giving a great haircut doesn’t just leave people smiling. It starts a trusted relationship that lasts, and Dana’s clients depend on it.

“One client got up and said, ‘You can never leave me!’ No one has ever made me feel that good about myself,” Dana said. “It’s an amazing feeling hearing things like that from someone who’s a complete stranger.”

So what keeps her clients coming back for more? One might say it’s because Dana is a style chameleon. She strives to stay educated on the latest trends, and techniques that bring classic looks to life. This year, all of Salon L is excited by what the spring season has in store.

“Right now we’re learning more natural coloring techniques like balayage, which is a freehand type of coloring,” Dana explained. “And of course, bobs and asymmetrical cuts are always in—rounded underneath, and a little longer in the front.”

Honing her craft and making a career in Manayunk has been a rewarding experience for Dana. Besides loving the convenience of the restaurant scene and coffee shops, she has found comfort in the people she’s encountered as a hair stylist on Main Street.

“I love that Manayunk has become my home. I’ve made a lot of friends just from working on the street and seeing familiar faces every day,” she said.

Even with her Manayunk clients, Dana thinks making friendships is easy from the very first visit to her chair.

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