Soon enough, the glory days of summer will fade into a warm, pleasant memory, and the dry, chapped reality of winter will set in once more. We don’t mean to alarm you, we just want you to be prepared. With warm weather, sunshine and vitamin D comes much happier, rejuvenated skin, but as we all know sometimes happy complexions take some extra help to come to life.
Here at University District, you probably already know we’ve got a meticulously curated batch of retailers taking root in our community, so we have only the finest, most exciting business coming to provide your boutique, skin, nail and hair care.
Curious Salon has been making waves all over Calgary, especially in the Northwest with their North Hill Centre and Tuscany Market locations. Its blend of positivity and community engagement are a perfect reflection of the higher priorities we all share at U/D, so when we came together it was meant to be!
Nails, skin and hair aren’t everything when it comes to health and hygiene! Take a peek at our conversation with Dr. Jan Jaffer of the future U/D Dental, to keep your smile healthy and brilliant. Take a read here.
Michael Rizzuto is the founder of Curious Salon, and not by coincidence the co-founder of Denim & Smith Barbershops, another style retailer that will be physically linked to Curious when the storefront is built. We caught up with him to hear about what Curious is about and catch a few DIY skincare tips along the way.
Michael’s role encompasses nearly anything on a given day at the salon, but he’s been in charge of the higher-level elements of the salon and Denim & Smith like branding, franchisee matters, staff coaching, and even the occasional haircut when the situation demands.
So when it comes to the University District salon, what can residents and visitors expect?
“We are really focusing on an open concept,” Michael begins. We want to reflect University District as an inviting space for people to connect with what we do, a community within a community, really. Having our uniquely branded Denim & Smith Barbershops co-existing with the salon within the same space is a concept that’s being well received, and we are excited to introduce that to residents and neighbours of U/D.”
The marriage of Curious Salon and University District is more than apropos. Where U/D is dedicated to conscious lifestyle integration and grassroots community connections, Curious Salon has also been contributing to that same community in its own fashion.
Part of its own efforts to integrate and support causes they and its customers care about is to donate for causes near and dear to their own community of staff and clients, causes that keep Calgary ticking. The Alberta Children’s Hospital is much loved by U/D residents already, but some causes and charities farther afield also define their unique character:
Curious Salon’s eventual University District location will be in the heart of U/D’s highly walkable retail district, along the main meeting place upon University Avenue, not far west from where Central Park is currently being built. The unique, open concept design blending Denim & Smith and Curious will naturally invite pedestrians to book an appointment or shop for products.
“Our luxury retail selection, educated staff and service value are unmatched anywhere in Calgary,” Michael explains. “Our stylists appreciate our balanced focus, and our emphasis on work-life balance. Happy staff and world-class salon products are a big part of why we’ve separated ourselves from the pack and stood out from the crowd.”
With the connected. walkable lifestyle University District encourages, Michael and the rest of the team can expect a significant uptick in regular customers as the community grows and takes root. “Our regular customers have a great chance to get deals with us. Anyone in our rewards system can make 10% back on any retail purchases made in-store.”
Catch some more summer before it’s gone with these sassy drink recipes, courtesy of our friends at Market Wines. From buzzy fruity sangria and strawberry lemonade to classic cocktails, there’s something for everyone!
The list of culprits that can cause dry, itchy skin is a long one. From daily hot showers and Calgary’s wicked winter weather to a lack of natural oils in your skin as you age. The good news is that your kitchen, not the drugstore, may hold the secret to achieving healthy, vibrant skin! The experts at Curious shared three super simple DIY skincare ideas that will keep your skin feeling fresh, supple and nourished as fall and winter come down the pipe. Let’s take a look!
DIY: Purify your skin with a morning refresher
Fall can be a time for new routines and new schedules. Our bodies, in particular our livers, can find this taxing with all those stress hormones, meals on the go, and just maybe a little more coffee then lazy summer months! Our tip: purify!
Upon waking every morning start your day with a glass of warm (as in room temperature) lemon water. Squeeze it fresh or use the pure stuff from the bottle.
Try it for a week before you decide, but chances are you will feel the difference from day one! It helps clean out what your body worked so hard to get rid of while you slept.
DIY: Exfoliate the natural way
Exfoliation isn’t a magic formula. You just need some organic material with enough rough edges to take off that first layer of skin. Add to it some smooth, soothing fats, salts and sugars and teasing out your skin’s natural health and moisture couldn’t be easier!
Exhilarate your nose as much as your skin with a coconut coffee scrub. Simply mix a cup of coffee grounds (used or unused) with a cup of cane sugar, stir that into ½ a cup of cool liquid coconut oil, and scrub away! If you want to add a special flavour to the whole experience, sprinkle some cinnamon or add a drop of vanilla to really soothe your senses. Thanks to The Coconut Mama, you can find the recipe here!
DIY: Hydrate your skin with a soothing mask
Do your skin a favour and prepare it for the protection it will need during Calgary’s cooler months. A fresh little face mask using natural everyday ingredients can go a long way to moisturizing and rejuvenating your skin, sealing in all the goodness your body has!
First, purée half and avocado. Mix it with a teaspoon of olive oil. If your skin is drier than others, mix in a tablespoon of honey. Apply and leave on your face for 15-20 minutes, then wash off with warm water.
Do this once or twice a week and those healthy fats and oils can seal in all of your body’s natural healing properties!
Do you have a simple DIY skincare idea to share or how about an easy and natural regimen that will keep skin feeling nourished? Share them with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
The University District blog is a resource for Calgarians who want to live, work, play, visit or buy in the northwest. We will provide you with information, stories, news and a closer look at the things that matter so you can live a more inspired, active and connected life in NW Calgary at University District… Life works here.
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