Beauty, privacy and comfort are the vision behind a ladies-only salon in Oak Creek

Photos by Cherrie Hanson

Stylists Majdoleen Aldaoud and her mother, Sanaa Ahmed, opened a ladies-only salon this year in Oak Creek, combining decades of industry experience into a space of their own.

“What makes a ladies-only salon so special and truly beautiful is the absolute comfort, peace, and freedom it provides,” said Majdoleen Aldaoud, co-owner of Sama Beauty Salon in Oak Creek. “For many women, especially those who wear a hijab or simply want a private environment to truly unwind, walking into a space where they can let down their guard and relax without a second thought is priceless. It transforms a routine hair appointment or a beauty day into a genuine sanctuary.” 

Located prominently above Howell Avenue in Oak Creek’s Rawson Avenue Business Center, Sama Beauty Salon opened this year, along with Bora Bora Smoothie Cafe, Hello Shawarma and Goldfish Swim School.

The name “Sama” reflects the business collaboration of the mother-daughter duo, combining the first two letters of their names, Sanaa and Majdoleen. 

“When we decided on the salon name, we wanted something that is short and has meaning, targeted to my client base, since we were starting from scratch here,” said Aldaoud. “And Sama is an Arabic name that means “the sky” and we feel like the sky is our limit.”

“The sky is the limit” for mother-daughter team, Madjoleen Aldaoud and Sanaa Ahmed as they continue to upgrade and add stylists who share their vision.

Coming to Oak Creek

Aldaoud was working in Kenosha until last year, while her mother, Sanaa Ahmed, worked in Illinois. The two decided to find a location where there was a need for a ladies-only salon, and combine all their talent and desire for a completely private salon rather than a separate room. 

Ahmed began her career in Jordan 40 years ago, where cosmetology training takes twice as long as it is in the United States. Aldaoud initially planned to attend law school but instead pursued cosmetology training at Gateway Technical College in Kenosha, graduating in 2013. Her mother’s passion for the industry has been a life-long influence and shaped the salon’s design, both taking the best operational practices of all their experiences.

“The cultural and operational differences between salons in Southwest Asia and those in North America go far beyond the service menu. The entire framework reflects different cultural values around privacy, beauty maintenance, and community,” explained Aldaoud.

“If you’ve ever had your hair styled overseas you know the salon experience hits completely different. It’s not just a quick appointment; it’s a full experience. You get that incredible team-based energy, signature high-heat blowouts, precision threading, and a warm, hospitable environment.

“That’s exactly why I opened Sama Beauty Salon. I wanted to bring that rich overseas salon culture right here to our community, but with an elevated twist. I took everything I learned in US beauty school — from strict state sanitation and safety standards to mastering techniques for all hair types and textures  and combined it with the authentic overseas experience.

“As a strictly ladies-only salon, we offer complete privacy, top-tier cleanliness, and inclusive care so every woman can walk in, feel safe and relaxed, and walk out looking incredible.”

An modern, cutting-edge salon

Aldaoud and Ahmed crafted their salon with both clients and stylists in mind, incorporating an earthy color palette and state-of-the-art technology.

Saturn-like ceiling fixtures cast a soft, diffused glow, while dimmable lights around each station mirror allow stylists to adjust the brightness based on the time of day. Beside each client chair, a stand for dryers and other hot tools doubles as a sculptural accent.

Oversized upholstered chairs in the shampoo area feature modern, arched waterfall spray heads that create a gentle, even stream of water for a spa-like experience. Behind the chairs, a partition made of textured metal sheets glistens like sunlight on water. The stylists dressers, shelving and accent furniture are all in a rich wood tone.

A plate of Ma’moul cookies sits atop the beach-glass-green reception desk, where clients can access QR code payment options, online booking, social media accounts or leave Google reviews.

Becoming a salon owner

Aldaoud recognized a shortage of ladies-only salons in Milwaukee and saw an opportunity to fill that gap. In doing so, she took on a new role not only as a stylist in an unfamiliar market but also as a business owner with added responsibilities. Drawing on her understanding of client preferences, Sama Beauty Salon offers two dozen services such as bridal services, microblading, keratin smoothing treatments and makeup application. Aldaoud recently added two new stations to meet the growing demand of stylists.

“Being self-employed and owning a salon is so empowering, but people don’t realize you’re essentially running two jobs at once. Behind the chair, I’m the stylist, but behind the scenes, my mom and I are handling inventory, marketing, taxes, and scheduling. It’s rewarding to build our own vision, but the challenge is that there’s no traditional safety net—if you take a day off, your income stops. Things like setting up your own health insurance or managing business expenses fall entirely on you. You really have to balance the creative passion with the business side every single day,” said Aldaoud.

Sama Beauty carries their own line of hair extensions.

Misconceptions about the business

Cosmetology school is more than cutting and styling different hair textures. There is anatomy, disorders and diseases of the skin and scalp that are part of the training. And because stylists are dealing with chemicals, there is a great responsibility in how they are handled. 

“When people look at styling, they often just see the final look, but there is so much science and precision behind what we do. Cosmetology education requires mastering chemical reactions, pH balance, and scalp health so you can transform hair without damaging it. 

“On top of that, cuts demand constant math and geometric angles to fit each client’s unique features. Beyond the technical skills and long physical hours on our feet, there’s also a deep emotional side—our clients trust us, and we are there to listen, uplift them, and build their confidence every single day,” said Aldaoud.

Recliner lounge chairs with foot rests add a touch of luxury and pampering to the shampooing experience. 

Stylists choice for impactful transformation

“My favorite, other than highlights, is eyebrow shaping,” says Aldaoud enthusiastically. 

“Changing the eyebrows does a lot for your facial features. How crazy is that? A simple thing on your face, but it makes a big difference. 

“I love the line in here,” she said pointing to the space above her eye. “I also do threading and microblading, a technique where fine lines are scratched into the surface of the skin to embed pigment. It’s a semi-permanent makeup technique and lasts for a couple of months.”

Tea and refreshments reflect the owners’ tradition of welcoming guests with warmth and generosity.

The clients respond to their experience 

“Reviewers often talk about how fresh, clean, and welcoming the atmosphere feels, and you can really sense that it’s more than just a place to get a haircut or a blowout; it’s a community hub built on trust, sisterhood and care.

“I would estimate that 60-70% of our clients are Muslim women who want a private salon experience but the rest are women who love the service style, the space and the privacy too. I read a Google review that melted my heart, to know that me and my mom and our team make people feel comfortable and welcome, no matter what they look like,” said Aldaoud.

The Google review that reflects their success 

I feel like I don’t have enough words to express how wonderful this salon is, as well as its owners, Sanaa and Majdoleen.

The salon is modern and equipped with state-of-the-art technology, yet it has a beautiful Middle Eastern touch that makes every visit feel like a complete cultural experience, that includes dates and music.

Sanaa and Majdoleen are incredibly talented and professional, but they are also warm, charming, caring, and genuinely kind. Even though I’m Catholic, I have always felt welcomed, respected, and valued.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn more about another culture and language, especially when Majdoleen thoughtfully emphasizes the many things we have in common, and the staff is willing to teach me Arabic as per my request.

I also love that this is a salon where the dignity of women is highly valued, protected, and respected. It is something I truly appreciate.

I’m so happy to have this salon in our area. The services are excellent, the prices are reasonable, and the atmosphere is wonderful. Sanaa and Majdoleen deserve nothing but the very best. I highly recommend this beautiful salon and their amazing personnel!   (current client, M.W.)

Sama Beauty Salon has five styling stations with comfort and quality built into the thoughtful design.