Carol’s Daughter and Ursula Stephen
I’ve known about the Carol’s Daughter for a while now. I’m a huge fan of R&B superstar Mary J. Blige and know she has been using the line for sometime as well. However, I’ve always been too intimidated try the products because the line seemed to be targeted to African-Americans.
Then last week I was invited to meet celebrity hair stylist Ursula Stephen and learn more about the products. It was awesome to meet the woman responsible for the daring Reverse Mullet Rihanna is currently rocking. Ursula has also been called on for her hair expertise by some of my favorite magazines: InStyle, US Weekly, and People Magazine.
On a brisk Saturday afternoon, I headed up to the Carol’s Daughter flagship store in NYC up on West 125th in Harlem. Although it was quite a trek (the weekend subway schedule is a mess), walking into the deliciously smelling store made it all worth it. The store was more spacious and better laid out than the tiny pop-up store I was familiar with in Brooklyn’s Atlantic Terminal. The products were arranged by product type (body, color, hair) and then cross-referenced by scents. They have 7 scents to choose from: Ecstasy, Jamaican Punch, Groove, Ocean, Mango Mélange, Unscented and Almond Cookie.
By the time I finished browsing the store, Ursula was ready to sit down and chat with me. Since I had the celebrity hair stylist right next to me, I had to ask her about tips for my crazy, crunchy Asian hair. Ursula and the brand expert Mayumi recommended both Rosemary Mint and Khoret Amen Sea Moss shampoos, the Tui and Khoret Leave In conditioners and the Black Vanilla Leave In Conditioner, using the products sparingly.
The fellow Brooklynite was also rockin’ an awesome outfit – a white cotton top, jeans and heels but the way it was put together looked so stylish. I asked her what her secret is in pulling it all together and she said “Make-Up, Hair then Outfit. Oh! And some cute underwear–in that order.” If only it was so easy for this rest of us!
Before I left, I asked her for some insider hair tricks. She gave me two good ones. The lipgloss we all carry in our purse can double as a tamer for flyways. She assured me even the super glittery kind works as it gives an extra sparkle. Ursula also recommended a more classic stylist trick: baby powder on a hair brush to take away greasiness and extend the life of your 3 day old blow-out.
There are a couple of interesting products that I can’t wait to get my hands on – coconut scented Gelee de Soleil Browning Oil with SPF 15. It reminds me of a vacation in the Dominican Republic where I downed my entire body weight in pina coladas. There is also a Hair Milk that multi-tasks to define wavy hair, keeps it neat and conditions while walking. There is also a special Best Tressed kit that bundles all the hair best sellers into a reusable jute pouch – Rosemary Mint Shampoo with Sea Moss, Black Vanilla Leave-In Conditioner, Lisa’s Hair Elixir, Hair Milk, and Mimosa Hair Honey.
Just this Saturday, I popped into the Atlantic Terminal store to try to pick up anything from the Almond Cookie line. Ursula says she loves Carol’s Daughter products for the smell – the Almond Cookie scent, like Mary J., is her favorite. Unfortunately for me, the store was packed and I couldn’t fight through the crowd to get to the Almond Cookie section. Everyone was picking up a little something for Mother’s Day.
If you are ever at Sephora, Dillard’s, Macy’s or any of the 7 free standing Carol’s Daughter stores, pop in and treat your nose to a whiff of the Almond Cookie scent. It’s my personal favorite.
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On May 18th, 2008 MandyPandy said:
Carol’s Daughter seems to be really popular, but I’ve never found anything from that brand that I really liked. The Mimosa Hair Honey was irritating, and the Unscented Body Jelly has got nothing on the real thing (though it is really great for waxing your floors and polishing your furniture and shoes).
On May 19th, 2008 kia said:
omg @ mandypandy’s comment!!! LOL!
great experience!!! so envious!
On May 19th, 2008 Jen said:
Never be intimidated by products marketed to certain ethnic groups. If I did that, wouldn’t use half of the products I use including Indian Eye Kohl. Until recently there was little marketed toward us (black people.)
Carol’s Daughter used to be a great line for those of us with curly/kinky natural hair. It’s since changed formulas, so it’s not as wonderful as it used to be AND it used to be one of the few of it’s kind. Now us curly girls can go mainstream with choices, we aren’t limited. I’d say go back to basics and go for the natural products that Carol’s Daughter used to be. http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com is a great website.
On May 19th, 2008 elizabeth said:
I’ve never tried Carol’s Daughter products before, but now I can’t wait. Btw, thanks for passing along the tips about the lip gloss and baby powder.
On May 20th, 2008 MandyPandy said:
No, Kia, I’m dead serious: UBJ leaves an amazing shine on my wood floors are marble counter tops. As for petroleum jelly alternatives, I use Alba Botanics’ version.
On May 20th, 2008 tricia said:
i been to the store here in culver city,ca opening day, and the experience was SOOOOOO HORRIBLE. i promised myself i was never ever going back, and i stuck to my promise ave not been back not even when mary and jada was there recently. besides i think it is the same as using drugstore hair products
On May 21st, 2008 Amina said:
I discovered her products in 2004 and I used to use them exclusively. Since she got endorsed by the big celebrities, i think she had to produce more and the formulas have changed as well, so now i hate her hair products. They’re so greasy!I have to give it up to her: they smell good and i read her book, she is an inspiration
Her body products also increased in prices so much! Now, the only thing i get from her is the almond cookie fragrance because it smells so good! Other than that, it is hard for me to say because i admire Lisa Price but i find her products to be overrated. The customer service is also terrible!
On May 27th, 2008 Stephanie said:
I really like the hairstyles that Ursula creates. Does she have a salon, how do i get in contact with her? I want her to style my hair.