Introducing: Consonant Skincare, a flagship store for an all-natural, Canadian-made brand
Consonant, 2479 Yonge Street (Image: Supplied)
The place: The clean, sleek storefront of Consonant Skincare’s first Canadian flagship location sits just north of Eglinton at 2479 Yonge Street. The very white space radiates a relaxed, spa-like atmosphere that almost demands a white terrycloth bathrobe and slippers. Products are carefully displayed along the walls with precision that would make even the most O.C.D. customers happy (of course, this might mean standing and straightening out of place items if you work there, since people like to read the labels). The cleansers and tags state the scent, colour and notable features of the products they accompany, and a nearby sink invites the consumer to try before buying. The building also houses Consonant’s offices above the street-level store, so consumer feedback can be heard and considered.
The stuff: The full range of Consonant’s products are featured in-store, and since the stuff is made in small batches, information, such as when it was made, is readily available. For those new to Consonant, one of their Healthy Skin Detox kits is the best place to start, since it is filled with full-sized bottles of product. The body kit ($49) includes the Organic Foaming Face Wash, Organic Body Lotion and Organic Body Wash, while the face kit ($99) contains the Ultra Moisturizing Organic Face Cream, Organic Foaming Face Wash, Ultra Firming Organic Eye Cream and Ultra Moisturizing Organic Lip Conditioner. Educating the consumer is of the utmost importance for Consonant, and the space offers in-store education seminars ($99, including an $80 gift card), which are two-hour classes led by Marina Cortese (B.Kin, RHN, NNCP) and Donna Bishop (editor-in-chief of Bamboo magazine and “Green Beauty Expert” on The Marilyn Denis Show ). The seminars range in topics from “Skincare 101” for teens and young adults to skincare for healthy aging. A collection of books, such as Slow Death By Rubber Duck by Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie, are also available.
The shoppers: Considering its uptown location, it’s a destination spot for those loyal to the Consonant brand, as well as those who have heard about the wonders of their products. Well-dressed locals can be found stopping in while shopping the strip of stores, especially mothers-to-be who are in search for natural skincare products to minimize the chemicals absorbed during their pregnancies.
Our favourite things: The Antioxidant Superhero Serum ($63) does it all to keep any face looking young by helping to protect and rebuild collagen, smooth lines and wrinkles and even out skin tone. With the cold Canadian winter looming, the Ultra Moisturizing Organic Face Cream for Dry Skin ($54) will keep chapped skin at bay, while the Manicouagan Marine Clay Facial Cleansing and Exfoliating Bar ($18) sheds dead, flaky skin.
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Great piece on a great store which I just discovered this past weekend. It’s a terrific addition to our neighbourhood, the products have a great reputation.
If these products are all natural, what shelf life do they have and how can they stay on the shelves and not in a refrigerator. I have used “natural” products before and the inventors reminded that 2-3 weeks is all they will take and in a cool place as well. Can someone please comment. Thanks
The science of natural skin care is evolving and new ingredients are being introduced all the time. Consonant uses natural-source preservatives, Glucose Oxidase and Lactoperoxidase which are effective, but gentle. In addition, Consonant uses airless pumps for their products. Airless pumps have a vacuum inside, inhibiting the growth of impurities. There is such a thing as natural skin care that has a healthy shelf life, and Consonant makes it.
If you can’t visit the store in downtown Toronto, you can find products at goodroots.com