Distilled Is Not Just a Beauty Bar. It’s a Beauty Bar That’s Licensed

For decades, the biggest missed opportunity in local salons and spas was that they weren’t licensed. Who wouldn’t want to add a glass of Pinot to their pedi? Surely a little cocktail would help with the trauma of a bikini wax. A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, right?

Part coffee shop and part spa, it’s hard to put your finger on Distilled Beauty Bar, so we just call it heaven. Situated in trendy Marda Loop, this licensed salon allows busy caregivers to get beauty, hair and wellness treatments all while enjoying a craft brew, glass of wine or locally roasted coffee.

Distilled doesn’t feel like your typical spa. It’s more of a living room experience with furniture you can just flop into. Delicate and dainty it’s not. Nor is it particularly quiet. It is, however, warm and inviting – a spot where everyone feels comfortable. Says owner Lisa Maric, “I didn’t want people to feel anything was breakable. I’m a mom of two boys!”

Local art is on display gallery style in the three treatment rooms. More local artisans are showcased throughout the space with Wrinkle and Crease paper products set along the nail bar (which doubles as a legit bar). Plus there’s delicate gold jewelry by Cinder & Sage. Visit on a Saturday and you’ll be treated to different artisanal pop up each week.

Hair, Makeup, Spa and So Much More

Ladies and gents can pop in to get a haircut, colour or a simple blow out. They offer make up application and the lash technical applies individual extensions. For spa services, there’s waxing, a killer hot stone massage and a variety of facials. The customized facial is the most popular, but peels and microdermabrasion can be had, too. All facials include pore extraction (if you’re up for it), facial massage and a mask. While the mask sinks into your skin, you have the option of either a scalp or arm and hand massage. Posh french line La Biosthetique is used on the face as is OM Organics handmade in Invermere.

Unlike many mani-pedi joints in the city, Distilled only offers dry treatments. That means no soaking your digits in a pool of water. Nothing gets spread that way and your file and nail buffer can be taken home – as can your bottle of Essie polish. Naturally, if you opt for a gel manicure, you won’t be taking that polish home. Customized lotions and foot scrubs are made by zero waste Unwrapped Life.

We’re especially fond of Distilled Beauty Bar Happy Hour. Monday is mani day with 15% off manicures. Pop in on Thirsty Thursday for half price bottles of wine and 20% off all blowouts. You can see how this would be ideal for your next girls night out or even date night. Yes, gentlemen are welcome and can be treated to services that range from cuts to waxing to bro nail and foot care.

Not into a service? Grab a coffee.

Distilled is also a proper coffee shop serving up local Rosso Coffee Roasters. In addition to daily food and drink specials, there are baked goodies from Pretty Sweet and gluten-free donuts made by Mountain Rhino Donuts. For more substantial eats, try the all day breakfast, flatbread or a charcuterie board. Fantastically, your food and drink can be transferred from front of house into the salon and spa part of the shop.

While Distilled doesn’t offer childcare, we spotted a little boy sitting in the comfy pedicure chair next to his mama while she had her toes done. This is something they can accommodate during school hours, but not when they’re super busy.

There’s heated underground parking, but you have to pay for that. It’s free on the street and for two hours in Safeway parking lot situated across the street. Distilled is open seven days a week and until 9 pm Tuesday to Friday. The cafe at the front of house open earlier and way later though. With free WiFi, it’s a hip hub for knocking off a few work emails while getting glam.

Multi tasking never looked so good.