COLOR ME BEAUTIFUL

Vo, whom Vogue called the “best blonder,” works out of his new salon at The Mirage, aptly called Kim Vo Salon, on the one day of the week most hair stylists take off. If the long hours have taken their toll on the blond Vietnamese-born colorist, they have yet to show. The same sunshine personality he displays on such shows as “Extreme Makeover” and E!’s “The Daily 10” comes through on this particular Monday and warms a room full of reporters about to tour his new salon.

After sharing a story about an excited fan who bounced her way over to him one afternoon at Bare, The Mirage’s topless pool, Vo puts everyone at ease. A self-important, unrelateable snob he is not. In fact, Vo’s work station enjoys a center-stage position at the salon. From his chair, the celebrity colorist can get a good look at clients and, more importantly, clients can get a good look at Vo. His station is wired to deliver live broadcasts on “The Daily 10.”

“I love it,” he said of the recognition. “I’m like the Bill Clinton of hair; I love people.” (Both Bill and Hilary Clinton are former clients.)

In his Vegas salon, Vo aimed to capture the same decadence his Beverly Hills and Los Angeles locations are known for while also bringing a down-to-earth element into play. He calls it “approachable luxury.” The concept addresses every step of the beauty process, beginning when clients sign in.

As guests arrive they’re handed buzzers similar to those used by chain restaurants. Vo had tardy stylists and bored husbands in mind here. The Beauty Bar features a buffet of Great Lengths extensions (some with roots built-in), actual blenders for color mixing, a custom nail polish station and a saving grace for the impulsive types: celebrity-inspired wigs. Current looks include the long layers and wispy bangs Reese Witherspoon debuted at the Golden Globes, Jennifer Lopez’s ‘do circa Bennifer and the latest cut that’s inspired a slew of unfortunate chops — the Victoria Beckham bob. As the trends change, so will the wigs. They serve the stylist just as well as they do the client.

Vo cites “unrealistic expectations” as his primary pet peeve among clients. Self-cut bangs come in second. “You’re going to have to get them fixed right after and you know that,” he said while sitting in what is arguably the single coolest feature in the salon: the hair dryer lounge.

With a backdrop that resembles a disco ball and a wall-hugging microfiber lounger, having your hair dried becomes an event worthy of cocktails. Luckily, Vo and his team have that one covered. His signature Hairtini, a shine-boosting conditioner treatment, is offered on the salon menu for $45. A mojito conditioner, lemon drop conditioner or champagne rinse come served on a silver tray. The concept finds its roots in the old practice of using beer to rid hair of damaging chemicals. “But, in Vegas, why use beer when you can have champagne?” Vo asked.

His nothing-but-the-best approach transcends throughout the salon. Billion Dollar Brows provides the brow shaping and waxing. Product lines include Kerastase, Shu Uemura, Smashbox and, of course, the Kim Vo collection. A men’s full-service barbershop, complete with a barbershop pole and Truefitt & Hill products, connects to the salon, as does The Mirage’s newly renovated spa.

The salon encompasses everything a hair connoisseur, and his clients, could ask for. Now that the doors are officially open, Vo’s next focus will be marketing his product line. Once that’s taken care of, he can set his sights on getting his next celebrity client.

“We’re working on Victoria Beckham,” he said. “She has that English guy (Ben Cooke) we have to bump.”

Contact fashion reporter Xazmin Garza at xgarza@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0477.