corals + cognacs works with third-party affiliates and advertising companies to serve advertisers. These companies may use aggregated information (not including your name, address, email or telephone) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about products and services that may be of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, click here.
In addition, sometimes I'll share affiliate links of retailers that I personally support via Twitter or Facebook. If you click through an affiliate link when buying an item, I will be partially compensated for your purchase. You're under no obligation to click through via one of the links when shopping online, but, if you do, you'll be supporting my blog as well.
You, my readers, and overall editorial integrity are the two most important aspects of corals + cognacs. Know that I will always retain 100% control over the content on corals + cognacs, all opinions are that of my own, and that I will always disclose to you the items for which I have been paid and/or gifted.
Lastly, please note that the sentiments expressed on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent those of my employer. If you have any questions, I encourage you to contact me. Thanks again for reading corals + cognacs!
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.
Having worked in advertising for much of my post-graduate life (pre-SoulCycle), I like to think I’m somewhat immune to the consumer marketing ploys of beauty brands….
But when there’s a product on the market that promises Your Best Hair Day, you give it a go. Am I right?
Back-story:
About a month ago — in late December — I made my way to XO Studio, a hair salon on Chicago’s northern side. I was scheduled to have a cut and consultation with salon’s Owner and Creative Director, Charlie. (This was set up by Living Proof, a line of hair products I’ve worked with and used for a few years now — remember the everyday curls hair tutorial?)
XO is my kind of salon – laid-back and just the right amount of noisy, candid conversation. Charlie and I chatted for a while about how he quit his corporate job to ultimately open the studio – something I could totally relate to having made the foray into nearly a year prior.
At any rate, the topic of conversation eventually turned to hair. My hair, more specifically.
I learned about Living Proof’s complete collection of products — and specifically, which would work best for my hair type and needs. (I have always used the “Full” and “No Frizz” collections in the past.)
I explained to Charlie that my schedule requires me to sweat (at least) once every day, and I was beginning to feel like I was stripping my hair from washing it so much.
Some days, I teach up to three classes in a day – and often times, I have less than 12 hours over each day before I’m back at it again the following morning. As a result, I don’t like to wash my hair all that much. (Why bother, you know?)
Thus, Charlie and I agree that I was a perfect test case for one of Living Proof’s most popular product lines: Perfect hair Day (PhD).
PhD is a revolutionary hair solution (shampoo, conditioner, Night Cap Perfector) that’s patented by the brand’s Healthy Hair Molecule – a fancy way of saying it delivers all the benefits of “Your Best Hair Day:” Volume, conditioning, strength, smoothness and so on. Not only does it claim make your hair healthier overall, it keeps it cleaner for longer. The ideal scenario, no?
So, I set out to try it for myself.
I’ve been using the products (shampoo and conditioner, Night Cap Perfect0r and 5-in-1 Style Extender) consistently for the last few weeks. I’m down to three or four shampoos each week (with the frequent aid of PhD Dry Shampoo), and I can honestly say that my hair feels fresher, cleaner and bouncier. Accordingly, results are instant but actually improve your hair over time.
So – over time – that’s what I’ll continue doing. For now, I’m liking PhD, but I’ll switch back-and-forth between the Living Proof products that Charlie recommended to me last month (all listed below) so that we can compare the difference between them — and find the one that’s best for you.
In sum, though: As far as shampoo and conditioner sets go, PhD may a bit pricier than your standard grocery store alternative – but considering you’ll wash your hair less frequently (and it’ll improve over time), it kinda evens out.
What are your hair woes? Have you tried Living Proof’s PhD collection? What did you think? (It also comes in a travel-sized package, so you can test it out guilt-free.)
Back to you with more hair care discoveries soon, my friends!
I have been on the fence about using Living Proof’s PhD line and this review gave me the nudge I need! I have fine hair and while it gets oily easily, I hate washing it too much, so it sounds like this line may be the perfect fit for me. I have tried a couple of their volumizing styling products and seen great results from those as well. Thanks for sharing this review
I have really fine hair too. This post is in partnership with Living Proof (full disclosure), but I honestly love their products for the simple reason that they DO what they’re advertised to do. I think you’d like the PhD line, but absolutely check out their thickening cream. It has worked wonders for me!!!
My husband & I have been using Perfect Hair Day for well over a year now. It’s an excellent product but you just have to be mindful about amount you use, much like any product. IMO, this is their best product.
I actually currently work in advertising, but that’s a hard ploy not to fall for! Might give it a try because I feel like I’ve been having a lot of blah hair days this winter.
-E
Go with the travel-sized kit, then if you like it you can “invest” in the fuller products. The shampoo and conditioner would be the first place to start, in my opinion!
I’m in the same boat. I teach or work out at least once a day, so dry shampoo and having my hair up has been my great friends lately. This definitely sounds like a great idea and I may have to check it out!
I work out a lot too and feel like my hair has been such a mess lately - a bad combo of dry scap but also feeling oily at the same time. I try not to shampoo every day and have even reverted back to good old Head & Shoulders instead of boutique beauty brand shampoo but wondering if giving this a try could help!
My hair is baby-fine and gets really oily as a result — you should check out their Dry Shampoo if you’re looking for an alternative. I usually have to use powder-based products, but this one is aerosol and has worked wonders! #seconddayhair #skippingshowers (lol)
Just wondering what they experts say with regard to the type of water you have and the results of using the shampoo. When I say water type I mean hard or soft. Winding if some products are recommended over others depnding on water type
You know, I’m not sure — but I’ll look into this for my follow-up post. My water pressure is “normal,” if that helps. At the studio (where I teach), it’s light.
I have been on the fence about using Living Proof’s PhD line and this review gave me the nudge I need! I have fine hair and while it gets oily easily, I hate washing it too much, so it sounds like this line may be the perfect fit for me. I have tried a couple of their volumizing styling products and seen great results from those as well. Thanks for sharing this review
xoxo Nicole
http://www.brazenbrunette.com
I have really fine hair too. This post is in partnership with Living Proof (full disclosure), but I honestly love their products for the simple reason that they DO what they’re advertised to do. I think you’d like the PhD line, but absolutely check out their thickening cream. It has worked wonders for me!!!
My husband & I have been using Perfect Hair Day for well over a year now. It’s an excellent product but you just have to be mindful about amount you use, much like any product. IMO, this is their best product.
So interesting that your hubs uses it, too! I didn’t even think how this might be a great solution for men as well. Thanks for sharing!
I need to try these products! My hair is a hot mess in the winter, and based on your experience with this, I think this would be the perfect solution.
Baubles to Bubbles
Hmmm, interesting. Definitely need to try this out! Can’t wait to hear about how it works for you!
Pink Champagne Problems
I actually currently work in advertising, but that’s a hard ploy not to fall for! Might give it a try because I feel like I’ve been having a lot of blah hair days this winter.
-E
Go with the travel-sized kit, then if you like it you can “invest” in the fuller products. The shampoo and conditioner would be the first place to start, in my opinion!
I’m in the same boat. I teach or work out at least once a day, so dry shampoo and having my hair up has been my great friends lately. This definitely sounds like a great idea and I may have to check it out!
I have been obsessed with this line for forever- it’s SO good!
I work out a lot too and feel like my hair has been such a mess lately - a bad combo of dry scap but also feeling oily at the same time. I try not to shampoo every day and have even reverted back to good old Head & Shoulders instead of boutique beauty brand shampoo but wondering if giving this a try could help!
My hair is baby-fine and gets really oily as a result — you should check out their Dry Shampoo if you’re looking for an alternative. I usually have to use powder-based products, but this one is aerosol and has worked wonders! #seconddayhair #skippingshowers (lol)
Just wondering what they experts say with regard to the type of water you have and the results of using the shampoo. When I say water type I mean hard or soft. Winding if some products are recommended over others depnding on water type
You know, I’m not sure — but I’ll look into this for my follow-up post. My water pressure is “normal,” if that helps. At the studio (where I teach), it’s light.
Just want to clarify. I am not asking about water pressure but rather the degree of minerals in the water which I would imagine would have an effect on the success of the product. Here is a link with a bit more information about hard and soft water. Thanks in advance for checking on that http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/a10893/expedited-explainer-hard-vs-soft-water-17008740/
Pingback: Signature Style - corals + cognacs
I love love love Living Proof’s PhD collection! Got one as a sample and was really impressed with it!
Do you know if this is safe for color treated hair?
It is, yes! I have color-treated hair : )
Pingback: JILL Jill Stuart Two-Tone dress