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In 1986, when 15-year-old Michael Kanaan first stepped into a salon in Mt. Lebanon, it wasn’t with scissors in hand or dreams on his mind — he was simply there to work as a cleaner. “The civil war was going on and I needed a part-time job,” he says. “I heard a salon [in Lebanon] was hiring and decided to apply.” But from the moment he stepped inside, something clicked. The energy, the elegance, the transformation happening all around him — it was magnetic. “Everyone looked so beautiful and happy,” he remembers. “Right then, I knew I didn’t just want to sweep the floors, I wanted to be part of the magic. I wanted to become a hairstylist.”

That spark turned into a decades-long career spanning Beirut, Cairo, Dubai, and now Pakistan. With salons thriving in Islamabad and Lahore, and a reputation that precedes him in the Arab and South Asian beauty scene, Michael is not only a master stylist — he’s a mentor, a visionary, and, for many of his clients, a trusted confidant.

Lessons from apprenticeship

In his early days, Michael’s role was to observe, absorb, and quietly master the craft. And he saw that the salon’s owner left quite an impression on visitors. “He had this je ne sais quoi — a charm and poise with which he treated clients. I admired him so much,” Michael says, chuckling. “But between you and me, I think I turned out better!”

Michael’s artistry carries the imprint of the cities he’s worked in. “Beirut was about precision and flair. Cairo brought volume and drama. Dubai was a game-changer.” In the UAE, he was exposed to a wide range of European clientele, which broadened his understanding of hair types and preferences. “European hair is so different from Eastern hair, and it challenged me in all the right ways,” he reflects.

Each cut added layers to his technique and philosophy — which has translated into the globally informed service at Michael K. Salon.

Michael Kanaan with Iffat Umar

For Michael, hairstyling goes beyond technique — it’s emotional. “We’re not just cutting hair. We’re tuning into people’s moods, lives, insecurities.” The salon, he says, is often a sanctuary where clients feel safe to talk and be vulnerable. “Sometimes, someone walks in during a rough patch and wants a drastic change. I listen, but I also guide. I tell them, ‘Let’s wait. Let’s do what truly suits you, not what your emotions are telling you right now.'”

This emotional intelligence — part intuition, part empathy — is what clients value most.

Launching the Lahore branch of Michael K. Salon this year was both a dream and a logistical minefield, he admits. “The biggest challenge?” Michael laughs. “Dealing with contractors. I really wish people would say what they mean and mean what they say!” Yet the final outcome speaks for itself: a luxe space brimming with elegance, professionalism, and a team trained to international standards.

Sometimes, someone walks in during a rough patch and wants a drastic change. I listen, but I also guide. I tell them, ‘Let’s wait. Let’s do what truly suits you, not what your emotions are telling you right now"

Managing over 30 professionals across locations is no small feat, but Michael remains hands-on. “I’m always one step ahead — coaching, guiding, ensuring the brand standard is never compromised. Growth only happens when the whole team levels up together.”

Power couple

Michael’s personal and professional life beautifully intersect through his partnership with Elizabeth Whitney-Kanaan, who first walked into his life as a client in Islamabad. “She came in for an appointment, and the rest is history,” he smiles. “We’re both strong-willed and passionate, which makes us a powerful team. Once we commit to something, it gets done.”

After nearly four decades in the business, Michael has styled some of the biggest names in the Arab and Pakistani celebrity circles — Najwa Karam, Sherine, Ahlam, Ali Zafar, Iffat Umar, and Mikaal Zulfiqar, to name a few. And there was even a brush with US political royalty; he was once asked to style Hillary Clinton’s hair.

Despite the glam and glitter, Michael’s true legacy lies elsewhere. “I want to be remembered as a good person first, and then as one of the greatest hairstylists. I hope to inspire the next generation — especially those who dream of becoming internationally acclaimed hairstylists. I want to be a teacher and mentor they can look up to.”

Michael with Amber Liaqat

There’s no slowing Michael down. He plans to open more branches in Pakistan, partner with an international brand, and most notably, launch a hairdressing institute. “It’s the need of the hour,” he says firmly. “Pakistan has immense talent. We just need to channel it the right way.”

What keeps him going every day? “Passion,” he says, simply. “When I pick up my scissors or colour brush, I’m in my zone. It’s my therapy, my safe space. And I’m still as excited about it as I was at 15.”  

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