It’s been said that those who look for beauty, find it.

For 20 years now, Lois Burak has found it in her Mayfair salon.

Burak, 41, will celebrate the 20th anniversary of BeautyWorx Salon and Day Spa this month. After renovations are complete, she expects a grand re-opening of the full-service salon this spring.

When Burak and her brother first came to Mayfair, they opened an 800-square-foot shop on Cottman Avenue. They tore up the old linoleum, bought their nail tables from Ikea and spruced up the front desk with mirrored tile.

Soon after, the two went to the International Beauty Show and saw posters of sketched hair styles selling for $60 a pop. Lois Burak was comfortable with a camera in hand thanks to her family’s film business, so she decided to make their own posters using client photos.

"It took off. Families would come in in groups," Burak said.

Twenty years later BeautyWorx, which has locations at 7242 Frankford Ave. in Mayfair and in Huntingdon Valley, is still known for its Client Model photo shoots.

When photos are taken, clients get several copies. If the photos are used in print ads, clients are welcome to use them as part of their modeling portfolios.

In addition to hair styling, BeautyWorx offers hair extensions, thermal recond-

itioning straightening, waxing,makeup application, facials, body massage, body wraps, tanning, manicures and pedicures.

"We’re full service and we know how to do it," Burak said.

The BeautyWorx team is comprised of hair designers, a colorist, makeup artist, nail and skin specialists.
"I have a great staff — seven people in two salons," Burak said.

Burak also has a loyal clientele.
Netty Mason first came to Burak as a client more than 15 years ago to have her eyebrows waxed. Today she manages BeautyWorx.

Mason has seen BeautyWorx evolve over the years, with the changing styles and advancement in processes.

"Years ago, we did perms altogether differently. The styles of 2006 are very lightly curled and soft. The colors are much different. We can color and tone at the same time. There are a lot of options for different hairstyles for different shaped faces. We did not do pedicures years ago. I get so excited when the girls apply makeup and different tones of coloring. It’s really a blessing," Mason said.

Mason has also seen the metamorphosis of the salon as well, including the store’s new upscale facade.

"I have customers come in who think there is a new owner, because Lois is putting a lot of money into it," Mason said.

Burak is also overseeing a major re-

modeling from top to bottom. Thefront room on the top floor is being transformed into a Mediterranean oasis, for cooling down and couple’s massages. Other top rooms are being made over into facial and body treatment rooms.

The main floor will still be dedicated to hair styling stations, with a loft that Burak plans to turn into a hip lounge with a big-screen TV for playing music videos. Questions about the leopard carpet there and on the stairs down to the pedicure area linger, however.

"We’ve become known for our leopard rug," Burak said.

Two tanning beds and a stand-up unit will be moved to basement rooms when construction is complete.

Burak oversees everything from the shop’s renovation, looking out for new, cutting edge products and educating her staff, to being the style coordinator for makeovers and style shoots.

"Netty and myself live, eat and sleep this business. I take things personally," Burak said.

After 20 years in Mayfair, Burak doesn’t measure her success by money. Most everything she’s earned, she says, she put back into the business.

Burak does measure success, though, by the lives she’s touched.

"There is something to be said (about) knowing I was giving an opportunity to people, promoting them, showing off their talents, by looking at how many lives I’ve changed," she said.