Salon and Spa Directory: Kim Vo Salon at the Montage Hotel Beverly Hills

Who's on your bucket list of people to meet? I don't know about you, but my list includes way more hairstylists, makeup artists and manicurists than Hollywood celebrities. (What can I say, I'm definitely a beauty blogger.) So when I had the chance to not only meet Kim Vo but have him COLOR MY HAIR during my recent trip to Los Angeles, you might say I ran faster than my legs could carry me.

I've been a huge fan of Kim's work for years. He has the ability to transform anyone's hair into the absolutely perfect shade of blonde. He's also always just seemed like such a genuinely good human being, especially from his time on the short-lived TV show, Shear Genius. (Remember that gem? I'm so sad it's not around anymore.)

I knew that I wanted to visit his salon at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills, but honestly never dreamed that I'd actually get to have him color my hair. And to be honest, I didn't even know it was happening when I made the appointment with my (very nice) PR friend for the salon! I just thought she was scheduling me with a colorist there, not with the actual KIM VO HIMSELF.

But lo and behold, I walked into the bright, airy salon and checked in for my color appointment at the front desk ... at which point the receptionist said, "You're here for your 1:00 with Kim?" Well, I just about fainted right there on the spot. My face must have registered shock, but I quickly recovered and said, "Yes, of course" like I knew it was happening this way all along. (Thank you, years of acting in community theater.) After changing into my robe, I was led over to Kim's private work station -- he commands the front corner of the salon -- and waited for him to come over and assess my hair.

The moment we met, it was love at first sight. I don't know how to make this sound less melodramatic, because I really and truly was so overwhelmed with excitement at the prospect of Kim coloring my hair! I tried to contain myself and act nonchalant, but it was seriously so difficult. But there Kim came, and after giving me a hug, started playing with my hair and asking what I wanted to do. I wanted to go even blonder than before, and my roots were definitely in need of some love as it had been about three months since my last color appointment (eek).

Kim took it all in stride and said he wanted to perform his signature Smudge Technique on my roots before going in and highlighting the rest of my tresses. The smudge basically bumps and lifts your color without bleaching and makes it look much more natural at the beginning and as it grows out. Kim wanted to keep my hair as healthy as possible, which I definitely appreciated, so he didn't want to perform allover color.

Waiting for the color to start. I was seriously so excited!

Then the real fun started. Kim mixed up the color and started applying it, and the whole time we just chattered away like long lost besties. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in his chair and definitely appreciated that he didn't rush through our appointment -- he really took his time and made sure I was going to be happy with the final result. Kim is so meticulous and painstaking when it comes to applying color, and he just knows color so well that I felt immediately at ease and knew I was in the best possible hands.

When all was said and done? My hair was blonde, blonde, BLONDE. Kim actually gave me the same color he has himself, so I felt even more super special!

I really can't say enough wonderful things about the salon and Kim himself. My hair never looked or felt better than after my time in his chair!

And of course I had to be a fangirl and get a picture with him -- how could I not?

For more information about the Kim Vo Salon at the Montage Hotel Beverly Hills, visit kimvo.com.