The Stylish Life Loves Carol’s Daughter Almond Cookie

Hello Lovely Ones! I hope everyone had a great weekend.

I have been thinking about fragrances a lot lately. Some people have signature scents and wear the same scent every single day, year after year. I can’t commit to a signature fragrance. There are so many amazing scents out there and I like a variety of blends. Sometimes I like a crisp, clean scent, other times I gravitate towards florals, musks, or tropical and fruity perfumes. My scent preferences are all over the place.

I rarely wear the same fragrance more than two to three days in a row. The top of my dresser is completely covered with perfume bottles and their accompanying lotion or body cream so that I can layer my scent.

                   

Carol’s Daughter Almond Cookie has been one fragrance in heavy rotation since I purchased it earlier this year. I tried a little sample of the Shea Souffle on the back of my hand and while I was trying on shoes I kept smelling the amazingly warm scent of Almond Cookie. I was hooked. I went back to the Carol’s Daughter section within Macy’s and purchased the spray and souffle. When I purchased the set the weather was still cold and I thought Almond Cookie was more suitable for chilly temperatures. To my delight I have found that it is a great year round scent. The scent is warm and inviting but not at all heavy. There is an air of sensuality to Almond Cookie and nothing about it says a fresh baked batch of cookies. This is a scent that will surely get a guy’s attention ;)

The notes in Almond Cookie are almond, marzipan, sandalwood and vanilla. The perfume is heavily concentrated and will last all day and well into the night. The matching shea souffle is lightweight and very moisturizing that leaves your skin soft with a lovely sheen. If you’re in the market for a new scent for the fall, check out Almond Cookie.

For more information: Carol’s Daughter Almond Cookie collection

A Life of Style: Hair Care Boot Camp - My Hair Story Pt. 1

In this segment of Hair Care Boot Camp, I'm going to discuss my hair again. I'm the first to admit that I'm very lazy with my hair and that's why the majority of my hair care takes place within the salon.

My hair is thick and relaxed so I really have to nurture it. Earlier this year I decided to grow my hair long. I was tired of my bob, and didn't want to go back to the short tapered cuts that I wore a few years ago. Starting a growth plan is essential to achieving the desired length. I took three months to really get to know my hair. During the get to know my hair phase, I discovered what products worked best in my hair, invested in more natural oils, and paid close attention to my shedding problem.

My hair was growing quite nicely until I hit a bump in the road in May. I had surgery and was hospitalized for three days. A week before going into the hospital, I got a touch up and a deep conditioning steam treatment. Thanks to my overprotective mother, I wasn't able to get my hair done again until the third week in June. The anesthesia dried my hair out and caused some breakage. My stylist cut the damaged ends and I started taking two 500mg biotin tablets along with my daily multivitamin. I began researching vitamins more extensively in August and seeking advice from friends who were also growing their hair long. I'm telling you guys vitamins are the key. I noticed a change in my hair within a couple of months. Some days I do slack and forget to take my vits and on those days I try to at least take my GNC program. I really need to come up with a better way to take all those pills in one day. Any suggestions????

The latest hair challenge I'm facing is Chicago winter. The ridiculously cold and below freezing tempertaures cause major hair trauma so I use two Carol's Daughter products religiously, Hair Balm and Khoret Amen Hair Oil. I take both products to the salon so my stylist can use them before he curls or flat irons my hair. If I opt for a roller set, he applies the hair balm and a tiny drop of the oil after he removes the rollers. Protecting my hair during the winter is my main concern so I wrap my hair in a silk scarf before wearing any kind of winter hat.

My hair loves avocado oil, pure silk amino acids, Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Leave-in Conditioner, and organic coconut oil. I apply a pea sized amount of avocado oil to my hair when it feels dry. The silk amino acids are added to my moisture spray, thermal protectant, and leave in conditioner. I apply organic coconut oil directly to my scalp twice a week and my hair has been shiny, full of body, and, dare I say growing a little faster? I'll keep you guys posted, I've been using coconut oil for two months and the results have been pretty amazing.

My next Hair Care Boot Camp will focus on finding a salon and stylist. Stay tuned!

Oh, before I forget! My blogger bff wrote a great article entitled "Make the Most of Your Salon Time". Check it out!!!!