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Hi, nice to meet you.
I'm Hallie, a Midwest native, New York City transplant and the mind behind corals + cognacs. If you're looking for an online destination for stylish inspiration and musings on Manhattan living, you've come to the right place.
Here's a bit more about me (and if you'd like to keep in touch, you can find me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook).
I hope you enjoy reading corals + cognacs as much as I enjoy writing it.
FAQ //LOCATION: New York, New York •BY WAY OF: The Midwest (Cleveland/Chicago) •HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE? Attainable, trendy and fun. I’m constantly wearing unexpected pairings – like statement pumps and a graphic tee. •FAVORITE ITEM IN YOUR CLOSET? The vintage Gucci clutch I thrifted for $40. •ANY OBSESSIONS? I like my coffee black, my heels high and my martinis dirty. •GUILTY PLEASURES? Complex carbohydrates and shoe shopping -- both in excess. (And SoulCycle, as a result.)
ARE YOU A FULL-TIME BLOGGER? No, I work as a Development Manager and Contributing Editor at Glam.com. •WHY DID YOU START YOUR BLOG? I've spent nearly seven years on the corporate grind, where sartorial humor and an expertly crafted color-block can get lost in the boardroom. As a result, I decided to create a blog -- a space where I’d hoped my writing, styling and excessive shoe collection would be better comprehended. •WHAT’S IT ABOUT? Living stylish and spontaneously in New York City – and beyond. I aim to inspire others to have fun with fashion and to live lightheartedly •HOW’D YOU THINK OF THE NAME? To be honest, the name just came to me. I’m a big color-blocker and a sucker for alliteration in writing. It just fit. •WHAT’S THE CORRECT WAY TO WRITE IT? corals + cognacs.
HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE IT? corals and cone-yaks. •WHAT KIND OF CAMERA DO YOU USE? A Canon T3i with a 50mm f/1.4 lens. •DON’T YOU FEEL WEIRD TAKING PHOTOS OF YOURSELF? Absolutely. Everyone looks at me like I’m insane – especially when it’s cold. Wouldn’t you? •DO YOU WORK WITH ADVERTISERS/SPONSORS? Yep! Shoot me an e-mail and let’s talk. •HOW ELSE CAN WE KEEP IN TOUCH? On Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
I’ve been wanting to create an everyday curls hair tutorial for awhile now, so I’m really excited to share that I finally got around to shooting one last week.
I wear my hair in loose waves almost everyday, and I’ve gotten the process down to such a science that it only takes me around seven minutes total to do my hair….
Seriously.
Before we get into it, let me preface this by saying: The most important part of your everyday hair routine is having the right products. If you’re using the right creams, sprays and styling tools, even your “bad hair day” won’t look as such.
///
Now, here’s the before.
I know.
This is what mah weave looks like when I’m fresh out of the shower after a quick blow dry. Not great, right?
I’ve been a Living Proof convert for a few years now, so I’m really excited that they’ve asked me to partner up in producing this post. Their products are sulfate-free, silicone-free and oil-free. Plus, they’re safe for colored or chemically treated hair. Simply said, it’s a line where there’s truly something for everyone.
Today’s tutorial (my everyday curly hair routine) is centric to Living Proof’s perfect-for-summer No Frizz collection. There’s shampoo, conditioner, styling spray — the works. Though my absolute favorite, can’t-live-without-it item from the collection is the Humidity Shield (it blocks lit-er-ally 100% of those humidity effects), but we’ll get to that.
///
So that said, let’s get to step one:
Typically, I start by separating the top portion of my hair, pinning it up and focusing on the longest layer first. I didn’t today since I forgot a clip — and I actually don’t usually have to, since my hair is so thin/fine.
Start anywhere on your head you’d like by separating a small, one-inch section from you head. Wrap it around the wand away from your face. Curl it three or four times around the wand — not too tight — for looser-looking, tousled waves. I’ve been using this Jose Eber curling wand for about two years now. It’s the best!
Keep your hair wrapped here for a few seconds, then release the curl. I like to hold each coil in the palm of my hand for a few seconds until it cools, which helps set each of the curls.
Grab another small section and curl this one toward your face.
Continue curling in this pattern (alternating directions) around your head until you’ve curled your longest layers.
Now, un-pin your top layer (if it’s pinned — again, mine usually isn’t) and begin to curl those pieces in the same fashion. Remember to hold each curl in the palm of your hand until it has a few seconds to cool.
This product quite literally repels all effects of humidity and weightlessly eliminates friction, so it’s a total post-shower essential for us city girls. Has anyone else tried it? If so, do you swear by it, too?
Unlike a lot of finishing or holding sprays, this one doesn’t leave your hair stiff and sticky. It’s brushable — and by that, I mean it allows for movement while also keeping your curls in-tact- and most importantly, frizz-free.
A little bit goes a long way with this game-changer, but I tend to add an extra blast since I’m always on-the-go (and on that subway — holy humid).
After you’ve sprayed your hair with the Humidity Shield and your curls have set, brush out the ends (and ONLY the ends) for an undone look — the messier, the better.
///
So, there you have it. Simple, right?
Start with the right tools, curl your hair in alternating directions, and make sure you’re using a frizz-free finishing spray. Easy!
If you have questions, feel free to leave ’em in the comments below.
In the meantime, you can click here to check out more of Living Proof’s No Frizz line (and if I were to recommend one product to you beyond the mini starter kit, it’d be the Humidity Shield).
Where was this when I needed it over the weekend!? It got close to 100 here in Kansas City and the humidity levels were out of this world. You look gorgeous and the tutorial is perfect!
Love love love this post, Hallie! Living Proof is amazing but I’ve yet to try the Humidity Shield - I think this calls for a lunch break trip to Sephora today.
i’ve been meaning to try living proof and i think you’ve convinced me! hair products are always such a crap shoot so it’s nice to hear that this works well for you. i have the same hair routine as you so i’m looking forward to checking it out! although my hair is crazy thick so we’ll see how that goes 😉
I just learned how to curl my hair with a curling iron but this humidity isn’t doing it any favors…I’ve been looking for something like the Humidity Shield so definitely going to give it a try!
Your hair looks awesome, and, umm, the Humidity Shield sounds amazing! I’ve used their Prime Style Extender (a sample from Sephora) which I enjoyed, but haven’t branched out to their other products yet. Their curl line sounds intriguing!
Oh I know, I was just saying because of my curls! I’ll let you know what I think if I do try it! Do you have a specific product you’d recommend by them for creating volume at the roots?
Your hair looks perfect! I love Living Proof (especially their Perfect Hair Day line) and will have to try that spray next! Humidity has been a killer this summer so far, so I need that 🙂
Try the starter kit! Then see if you like it enough to purchase full-size. The way I consider it is that your hair is an accessory you wear EVERY day, you know? It’s okay to splurge a little on that (in my opinion). : )
This reminds me so much of my hair routine, but I haven’t tried the Living Proof Humidity Shield. That one is definitely going on my shopping list! I have had the worst luck with anti-frizz products, but if you say this one works I’m totally down to try it! Your hair looks so cute in those wavy curls!! -N xo
goldentoempire.com
Curling wands are the best! Living in DC, I always have been looking for a great no frizz, humidity product (and my hair is EASY…that humidity is just a killer), so I’ll have to check out that Living Proof product. Thanks for the tip!
I was in Sephora the other day and was looking for a anti humidity hair product and spotted Living Proof’s line but in the end I ended up leaving without anything because I just wasn’t sure if any of them would actually work. I have just been having the hardest time with my hair these past few weeks in the heat. So glad to hear that you have really liked their anti-frizz products. If you were going to only suggest one or two products from the line, would it be the humidity shield spray? Just wondering if I should try that first or the shampoo/conditioner?
Such a quick and easy way to do your hair, love it! Thanks for sharing, will def give it a try!
http://ladydianaspearls.com
I love your hair. I’ll have to try this.
Thank you, Cathleen! So happy to finally post this tutorial. Let me know if you have any questions!
I’ve been LOVING the humidity shield. Seriously awesome!
I’ve been stalking Living Proof for a while, since I’ve been using Bumble & Bumble forever. The heat is killing my hair so I have to try this!
Pretty curls! And I LOVE Living Proof!
Her Heartland Soul
http://herheartlandsoul.com
Where was this when I needed it over the weekend!? It got close to 100 here in Kansas City and the humidity levels were out of this world. You look gorgeous and the tutorial is perfect!
Your hair is GORGEOUS! Thanks for sharing how you get those iconic curls!
LOVE this look on you girl! And I am a HUGE Living Proff fan so I am totes down to add some of these to my collection!
xx,
Lauren
FashionablyLo
Love love love this post, Hallie! Living Proof is amazing but I’ve yet to try the Humidity Shield - I think this calls for a lunch break trip to Sephora today.
xo- Justine
I love Living Proof! Their thickening cream is literally THE best for someone like me (and you it sounds) who has finer hair. Love. It.
Also, I love all of the gifs! <3
The thickening cream was the first LP product I tried — it was my “gateway drug” to the brand, shall we say : )
i’ve been meaning to try living proof and i think you’ve convinced me! hair products are always such a crap shoot so it’s nice to hear that this works well for you. i have the same hair routine as you so i’m looking forward to checking it out! although my hair is crazy thick so we’ll see how that goes 😉
Honestly, this is the only brand that consistently works in volumizing my hair (and in keeping it frizz-free) — I love it!
I just learned how to curl my hair with a curling iron but this humidity isn’t doing it any favors…I’ve been looking for something like the Humidity Shield so definitely going to give it a try!
Your hair looks awesome, and, umm, the Humidity Shield sounds amazing! I’ve used their Prime Style Extender (a sample from Sephora) which I enjoyed, but haven’t branched out to their other products yet. Their curl line sounds intriguing!
I haven’t tried the curl line — just No Frizz and the Thickening line, which I also swear by!
Oh I know, I was just saying because of my curls! I’ll let you know what I think if I do try it! Do you have a specific product you’d recommend by them for creating volume at the roots?
Your hair looks perfect! I love Living Proof (especially their Perfect Hair Day line) and will have to try that spray next! Humidity has been a killer this summer so far, so I need that 🙂
This is such a great tutorial post! (Love the GIFs) 😉
Xx Taylor
lightscameracatwalk.com
This is so helpful, thank you! I have to try Living Proof!
I’ve been wanting to try the LP line - it’s just SO expensive!
Try the starter kit! Then see if you like it enough to purchase full-size. The way I consider it is that your hair is an accessory you wear EVERY day, you know? It’s okay to splurge a little on that (in my opinion). : )
This humidity has been horrible for my hair, so definitely hoping to try that humidity spray!!
Lauren
http://oliverstwistblog.com
Loving these moving photos!!!
This reminds me so much of my hair routine, but I haven’t tried the Living Proof Humidity Shield. That one is definitely going on my shopping list! I have had the worst luck with anti-frizz products, but if you say this one works I’m totally down to try it! Your hair looks so cute in those wavy curls!! -N xo
goldentoempire.com
Cute!! Love the gifs! And a 7-minute hair style sounds right up my alley!
Seriously awesome tutorial! I especially love the gifs!
Xo Ally
http://www.allysoninwonderland.com
Gorgeous! I just recently discovered the humidity shield and LOVE it!!
I love Living Proof products. Their perfect hair day styling cream is the best!
I wrote about humidity shield today as well-it is the BEST! Although nothing could help my hair during NYC’s insane weather yesterday…
http://comfortablycasey.com/2015/06/24/consider-living-proof-humidity-shield/
Your hair looks gorgeous and the humidity shield sounds like something I need to try! The humidity here is no joke!
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Curling wands are the best! Living in DC, I always have been looking for a great no frizz, humidity product (and my hair is EASY…that humidity is just a killer), so I’ll have to check out that Living Proof product. Thanks for the tip!
I was in Sephora the other day and was looking for a anti humidity hair product and spotted Living Proof’s line but in the end I ended up leaving without anything because I just wasn’t sure if any of them would actually work. I have just been having the hardest time with my hair these past few weeks in the heat. So glad to hear that you have really liked their anti-frizz products. If you were going to only suggest one or two products from the line, would it be the humidity shield spray? Just wondering if I should try that first or the shampoo/conditioner?
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Love this! I need to get a hold of some of the living proof products! I have been itching to try them!
Emily
http://www.deltachic.com
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