Have you ever walked into a high end salon and found more Prada than personable service, more attitude than artistic expression? Well I have, and I for one have no interest in that kind of pretense. Thankfully, once you get out of the downtown core most Calgary salons aren’t terribly pretentious, but it’s a beautiful day when you stumble on the one that leaves you planning your next return.

If you’ve been into Russell’s Cobalt in the heart of Calgary’s beltline community, you already know their artistic flair, colourful personality, and great customer service will have you coming back over and over again. At least that’s what the majority of customer’s will tell you since they not only returned, but followed the gang to their new digs across from the Safeway on 8th Street and 12th Avenue South West.

Yes, Pretense be damned, this place is laid back, fun and full of character! I had the pleasure of chatting with Kim, Barb and Kelly this past weekend and found the story behind Russell’s Cobalt both tragic and deliciously heartwarming.

Barb, the salon’s manager, has a smile that could knock your socks off, and the creative ambition to be both a stylist and esthetician. Barb’s fashionista attire is all about the levis and she’s thankful the salon owner Kelly Zook, “like a book but with a zed”, is the kind of boss we’d all like to share… not too intrusive, but far from detached, and appreciative of everything she brings to the table. Kelly is warm, friendly, and happy to pitch in whenever needed.

Another stylist at the salon, Kim, is also thankful for her work environment. The salon is open and friendly, so it is no wonder that she would be there. Kim left Cobalt for something a little more certain and landed herself in Prada Pretense Hell, so when Kelly opened Russell’s Cobalt all three, Kim, Barb, and Kelly were happy to be re-united.

So what’s so tragic about that you ask? Well you may have noticed that while the salon’s new name is Russell’s Cobalt I have yet to mention Russell. Russell wasn’t able to sit around the salon and talk with us on Saturday because earlier last year Russell succumbed to cancer and left both Cobalt and his loving husband Kelly behind. The two married early last year on BC’s west coast and couldn’t have done it without friends and family to witness their nuptials and cheer on their new life together. Unfortunately however, wedded bliss was short, and with a terminal diagnosis Russell began planning for his passing. He did his best to take care of all the necessary paperwork, and sold the salon to Kelly in order to keep his legacy alive. And as if this wasn’t enough for Kelly to digest, it took an even shorter period of time for members of Russell’s family, once supportive of the two together, to express that Kelly had no place with them or with caring for Russell’s business. Sadly, they owned part of the salon and were able to push Kelly out.

So how is it then, that Russell’s Cobalt is alive and well and full of Russell’s spirit? Why it is because of Kelly’s determination of course. Kelly wasn’t about to walk away, especially when he had rights; rights as beneficiary of Russell’s insurance and rights as Russell’s husband. So with that in mind, and the promise to carry on Russell’s legacy, Kelly opened Russell’s Cobalt. The salon’s previous life was a dining area so Kelly completely gutted and rebuilt it from the ground up, including the polished concrete floors and refurbished bathroom area. It’s no surprise then that it was only a matter of weeks before the old Cobalt was out of business and both staff and patrons jumped shop. Even I, who never met Russell personally, can say he would be proud. The salon is industrial in style, but warm with charm. A floor to ceiling chalk board houses quotes that friends and customers remember Russell saying, from “Turkey in Tuscany” to “I’m a beautician, not a magician.”

I suspect if you knew Russell, the very mention of his name probably has you smiling right now. He was full of life, love and from what I understand, the sassiest sense of humor this side of Uranus. With Russell’s zest for life and Kelly’s warm and welcoming personality Russell’s Cobalt can only continue to succeed. So if you’re looking for a change of pace from pretentious “poo-poo head(s)” to a warm and delightful experience, I suggest you take Kim’s lead and head to 735 12th Ave. SW, where the staff at Russell’s Cobalt will be happy to spend their time making you look beautiful and feel like one of the family.

Russell’s Cobalt is currently hiring. For more information or to book an appointment, call 228-7822, and be sure to tell them I sent you!

Russell’s Cobalt - Hair & Aesthetics
735 12 Avenue SW
Calgary, AB, CANADA
T2R 1J7
(403) 228-7822