Ira Pope Sage
Named Las Vegas’ top hairdresser twice by Las Vegas Life, Ira Pope Sage lives by
the mantra: Practice makes perfect. “That’s when extraordinary things happen and
you own your skills, not just rent them,” he says. Sage spends a lot of time engaging
clients in stimulating conversation that spurs them to laugh and think more about
life. “Doing that has the power to make you unforgettable in your clients’ eyes,” says Sage. “People are
inclined to remember how you make them feel more than what you say.” ✂—Kelley Donahue
AHA MoMent
In trAInIng
Style Preference
BeAuty MuSt-HAve
My Mentor
BeSt PIece of AdvIce I ever got
greAteSt AccoMPlISHMent
I started cutting my hair when I was 13 years old, and by age
14, I was doing it for most of my buddies. It was cool because
I had the chance to experiment with some happening shapes.
A salon owner who’d seen them asked me if I intended to get
into the industry. When I saw his house and cars, I realized that
hair had its merits. I can’t think of another career where I’d be
able to have as much fun and make a good living too!
I went to school at a Maly’s Excel Academy of Cosmetology
in Grand Rapids, MI, then worked at a local salon nearby. In
1999, I headed west to Las Vegas for my dream job: working
for Robert Cromeans at his namesake salon.
BIggeSt cHAllenge
I’m a huge fan of the last decade primarily because I was a
part of it. There’s nothing I love more than putting a modern
spin on retro hair.
My Infinity scissors, B. W. Boyd Shears Carbon Comb, and
Paul Mitchell Express Ion Smooth 1. 25, Spray Wax and
Gloss Drops—with them anything is possible.
I’ve got two: Robert Cromeans and South Park’s
Cartman—I love ‘em.
A little voice inside my head constantly reminds me that if
you do and serve everything with happiness, passion and
love you’ll have no worries.
On a personal front, it’s been finding my beautiful girlfriend—
she’s the love of my life; having my sister affirm what a great
brother I’ve been to her and being a role model for three family
members who now aspire to be hairdressers. Professionally,
getting this spot in American Salon is an honor, as is the
upcoming education I’ll be doing in Germany this spring.
Remembering names! Whenever I have to make any
requisite introductions, I draw a blank.
next SteP
Next on the horizon is Third Eye Vision, a project I started
with two colleagues that involves laying our cuts and color
techniques onto DVDs. Check us out, please.
40 American Salon April 2011
What
Inspires You?
Concerts are inspiring
and so are rock stars.
I love the way they
distinguish themselves
both by their music
and their hair.
