Is It Worth It? — Carol’s Daughter
Most of you who’ve been reading Afrobella for a while now know — I love me some Carol’s Daughter. I love what the product line stands for, and I’ve openly admired the efforts of brand creator Lisa Price even in my earliest days of Afrobella, in fact, Lisa and I met almost two years ago when Afrobella had just, just begun. I was SO excited. Her story — from stove top stirring to the shelves of Sephora — inspired me to dream that someday my little new blog could be bigger than I ever thought it could be.
I fell head over heels for most CD’s hair and body products as soon as I tried them (with the notable exception of Khoret Amen anything. That smell is not my fave, to say the least). But the Black Vanilla Leave In conditioner was an instant fave, and the Hair Milk remains one of my go-to styling products. Since then I’ve tried and loved many more CD products — I use the Gelee de Soleil browning oil every time I go to the beach — it’s the sexiest sunscreen out there, IMO. Keeps the legs shiny shiny and protected, too.
The latest object of my Carol’s Daughter affection is the Tui Hair Smoothie, it left my hopelessly tangled coils smooth, soft, and smelling like a tropic dream. My husband didn’t want to get his nose out of my hair, I swear! An 8 oz tub is $19. And these things are flying off the shelves like hot cakes. A recent trip to my neighborhood Sephora revealed a CD section mostly depleted of their hottest products. Carol’s Daughter is doing big biz these days. So when I read a review titled Not Anymore on one of my new fave beauty blogs, Product Junkie Diva, it got me wondering — do I see this brand through rose colored lenses because I love what CD stands for, or do I stan for these products because I genuinely adore them?
Product Junkie Diva’s post begins by saying, “I am sure you have been there before, the point where you realize you no longer like a product that you once enjoyed. My latest “I don’t like you anymore” product is Carol’s Daughter Black vanilla Leave-In Conditioner for Dry Hair,” and the comments revealed a range of products that had fallen out of favor with the beauty loving crowd — some of whom admitted that they were never fans of CD to begin with. After reading all of them, I had to question — is Carol’s Daughter really worth it?
Well, it ain’t cheap — but you don’t walk into Sephora expecting to find cheap cosmetics to begin with. I was skeptical when I first bought a bottle of Hair Milk (which I believe was $16 for 8 oz a few years back). But my curls loved it like no other product, back in those early days of my transition. As a bella who indiscriminately switched between drugstore-quality petrolatum and mineral oil-laden products and all-natural, often pricey, sometimes unrefined hair treatments, I was thrilled to find a high quality, mid-priced, beautifully scented hairdress laden with the oils I knew I should be using on my natural tresses. It remains a keeper.
Even though the 8 oz bottle has gone up two bucks, I continue to repurchase whenever I run out of Hair Milk. But is it my ultimate, if I was stuck on a desert island and only had one product, product? No. But it’s definitely my I’m going on vacation for a week and need some good moisturizers to keep my fro looking fly product. It’s in my top five hairstyling faves right now, alongside Miss Jessie’s, Curls Milkshake, Creme of Nature, and the latest discovery that will be the focus of a big upcoming review. Keep your eyes peeled, bellas — it’s coming soon!
I still also regularly use Lisa’s Hair Elixir, especially on those days when my hair is extra-dry and feels brittle and hard. This minty-fresh hair oil makes my scalp feel refreshed, and it gives my hair just the right amount of moisture, especially if I slather it on right after a shower. My bottle has lasted me over a year — a little goes a long way with this hair oil. Will bellas who love mixing their own hair oils agree with me that it’s worth it? Maybe not — but I am not a hair-product chemist, as much as I’d like to be, I tend to go for convenience. Hair Elixir FTW.
If you’re a bella on an especially tight budget, I can see where some Carol’s Daughter products might not seem worth it. I’ve retired my bottle of Rosemary Mint Shampoo with Sea Moss — my curls didn’t love it as much as I hoped they would. This shampoo had the same clumping effect as Aveda’s Rosemary Mint shampoo to me, and my hair kind of hates both of them. So this seems to be an ingredient thing for me to take note of. I love the smell of Mimosa Hair Honey, but it isn’t a crucial part of my hair care regimen. I like this product, but I don’t love it and need it. I do like how it melts in my hand and into my hair — bellas with relaxed hair who need a good shine product for their ends would most likely love this stuff more than I do. And the Black Vanilla leave in that PJD mentioned still smells like heaven to me, but over time, my year-old bottle isn’t quite as nourishing to my hair as it used to be. Now I use it just as a scented refresher for any dry looking curls after I’ve applied a thicker moisturizer.
In my opinion, Carol’s Daughter still rocks. I still love what Lisa Price has done, and I’ll certainly always try my best to review their newest additions to the product line. But for any bella who isn’t sure if it’s worth it, take my tidbit of shopping advice — read lots of reviews, and don’t buy online if you don ‘t have to! Get yourself to a Sephora, where any well-meaning salesperson can squeeze out some product into a little jar for you. I’m a big believer in try before you buy, and it’s great that CD is at the stage where they can compete with the big dogs in a store that does that.
What say you, bellas? Are Carol’s Daughter products overrated, or just fine?
** PS — I discovered Product Junkie Diva’s blog thanks to my homegirl Natalie the Frugalista! Thanks, girl!
** PPS — I wanted to let you all know, the folks at Carol’s Daughter are reading this! So if you have any constructive criticism or advice, definitely share it in the comments. Also, Carol’s Daughter isn’t only at Sephora — Lisa Price will be on the Home Shopping Network next Monday and Tuesday. Tune in to see her discuss the brand in person.
Category: Hair, Product Reviews
Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
Comments (138)
Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed
Sites That Link to this Post
- Don’t Believe the Hype « Socialite Dreams’s Weblog | July 14, 2008
I’m a little shocked that so many women are still in love with CD products, and a part of me feels that it is mostly hype. I have an issue with Carol’s Daughter being played up as “all natural” when chemical preservatives ARE included in the hair products. DMDM hydantoin is included in most hair products, from Motions to the mess found in drug stores, I’m sorry ya’ll but if I’m paying $20 for a product that is supposed to be ALL natural, I don’t want to get anything less. I want a NATURAL product, not a product that is half way natural.I’d rather go to the grocery store and buy aloe vera gel and coconut oil to detangle my hair, than by a Carol’s Daughter product that is far too expensive and not even 100% natural. I respect Lisa for what she is doing, but it’s a shame that these products are looked at for what they STAND for instead of what they consist of. I purchased everything from the Hair Milk, Mimosa Hair Honey, Healthy Hair Butter, and the Khoret Amen Smoothie and none of the products did anything for my hair but give me a greasy feeling. I’ve started using Mineral Indulgence hair care product as their products are actually 100% natural. I’m also able to purchase samples, get products “unscented”, and get MUCH better customer service. I’m glad that so many women have been able to find “natural” alternatives for their hair (even if CD isn’t 100% natural), but ole’ girl ain’t gettin’ a dime from me until her products go back to the way they were before….before she went “Hollywood”.
I’m glad to hear I am not alone in this. I just received an order from Carol’s Daughter and was shocked by the ingredients label. The integrity of the “all natural” brand is shot, and I sent correspondence to the company.
At one time, she represented a God-sent source of education and help for our hair. What happened to “if you can’t eat it, don’t put it on your skin or your hair???”
I am terribly disappointed and intend to check out the Mineral Indulgence products you mention here.
I totally agree about the conflict of the brand being branded as all natural when it has chemicals in it that are dangerous especially to women of color. I have been using their facial cleanser but none of the hair products. Sorry Carol’s Daughter, I expect natural to mean JUST that!
I really do not care for the hair milk from CD- I bought it for my son, and although it works, the smell is terrible. I don’t want to throw it away since it wasn’t cheap, but I don’t want my baby’s head smelling weird, so in the bathroom cabinet it sits…
However, I do LOVE CD’s candy paint lip glosses- those are fabulous.
I wish I would have found this site BEFORE I spent over $50 on CD’s website last night. I definitely would have given it more thought. I purchased Lisa’s Elixir, the Hair Milk, the Healthy Hair Butter, and the Black Vanilla Leave In Conditioner. I feel so apprehensive about their results now! I have relaxed hair but my ten y/o has natural hair. I’ve always kept her at the salon with fierce natural braids, but she wants to have a more freeing style. Her hair is long, thick, coarse, dry, and EXTREMELY kinky when wet or in the humidity. I choose not to relax her hair, so if these products don’t work, I’m gonna be back at square one. ***************ANY SUGGESTIONS?*****************
Hello: I use Carol’s daughter product for my entire family and we love them. The healthy hair butter is great for the scalp – my hubby and daughter have eczema and it keeps any ich or irritation under control. It also moisturizes well and has shine. Great for braids, pigtail etc. When I take my daughter’s hair down it stays smooth and soft and ready to ready to restyle. The scent is strong in the container, but smells fresh in the hair. Hair milk is great,I seal it with the hair honey or the balm. Good Luck!
Howdy juicyjellee…
Comb when wet AND with conditioner on it. I know this may sound so old school, but definitely give coconut oil a chance (or avocado, or both). I recently had good success with a mix some call “moeshealoe”: shea butter whipped with coconut oil and a little aloe. Whip a little together and use a little bit on wet hair. As long as you’re not heavy-handed the hair won’t feel “greasy”. Also look online for tips on washing/detangling in sections instead of all at once. Giovanni also has a GREAT leave-in conditioner. HTH…
Ohhhh…thanks so much b.!!! Girl, I’ve been watching this site like a hawk for a response to my inquiry!!!! Thanks a bunch sis!
I’m surprised no one else mentioned the Gelee de Soleil browning oil. Its my summer staple and give me the ultimate bronzed look. As I am not a fan of CD’s fragrances, I love the scent of this oil. My skin looks sunkissed and moisturized after a day on the beach. And my tan lasts forever, to the envy of all of my girlfriends! It’s definitely worth a try.
I talked to a bus driver and she told me that she try your product and I like to try some of your sample of your product on my client.
I’ve been using only all natural products for some time now, and when I found my way to CD I thought I’d finally found something specifically for my hair that was also 100% natural. The website didn’t list ingredients (big no-no for me) but I figured they were getting around to it and decided to email them and inquire about the ingredients of two particular products I was considering. The response was that this lady didn’t have the products at her desk and so she couldn’t answer my question and that I should go to a Sephora store to check the ingredients. Damage done, potential customer lost!! I replied that this was not half-a$$, but quarter-a$$ customer service and how dare they tell anyone to go to the store and see for themselves, perhaps I was asking them because there isn’t a Sephora store close to me and I’m not driving all over creation wasting my oh so precious gas just to see what’s in something! Sorry I can’t give a product review but I wanted to let them know that the ingredients for everything need to be clearly visible on the site, and when someone asks a question please give a better response than ‘you’re on your own’!
I’m sorry I just don’t think it’s worth the money! i spent $60.00 on that stuff and was not at all impressed, I was actually very upset. I went back to macy’s and she gave me all of my money back. I bhought it because my friend screamed about it for so long since and it does so much for her hair. I tried it and was like “womp womp” Some of the products even made my hair dry! I think it works great for certain hair textures, but not mine!
I really wanted to like the CD products, but I hate the scents! I rushed to sephora and all of the scents are way to strong and just not to my liking. I would like to see unscented or softer scents. I do not have allergies or anything by the way.
Karen’s body Beautiful is a good example of great scents.
I do not understand the objection to price. CD has great ingredients and I am happy to support black business or any business for that matter that produces a quality product. (I save money by not going to the salon all the time so the $$ is an even wash).
The
Co-signing on Karen’s Body Beautiful. Coco-mango is a soft subtle scent and you can get all of your products scented the same or unscented. Also, the hair mild from Karen’s Body Beautiful is light but effective on my curls!
Hi Afrobella,
As my hair is naturally curly I find Carol’s Daughter products very appealing – although I use others as well. However, as I am from London UK, it is ridiculous that CD do not ship to the UK. They go on about the “support” from The Smiths and Jayz yet they can’t ship to London in this day and age. Instead, I have come across people selling the CD products with a 200% mark up. By contrast Miss Jessie’s ships to the UK.
Love what CD stands for.
Love the products!
However,customer service is a joke.
While talking to them, I couldn’t beleive I placed an order with a company who’s employees couldn’t give a crap about you or the money you spent. I should have just went to a street corner and handed $150 to a random person. Maybe I would have gotten a thank you.
I will NEVER order online again. My 6 year old neice could provide better service!
Get it together people!
I’ve just had a texturizer put on my newly birth hair after chemo. (I had a short ‘fro that I had been nuturing). Now, I’m in search for a product to keep my hair healthy. Carol’s Daughter products were mentioned,and I rushed to a local Sephora store to make a purchase. Although I had done some research about the product, I was just as confused at the store as I am now as to which product to use on my “now” processed hair. Everytime I think I have it figured out as to which products to use, I read a review about how it works on natural curly hair. I ended up purchasing the hair milk during my visit to Sephora (the associate assisting me didn’t have a clue about CD products). Needless to say, when I contacted a CD rep., I was informed that the hair milk is for curly hair. I’m confused and need help with my texturized hair care.
I send a message on CD website asking what was the best products to use and they responded ASAP with a recommendation. I’m excited to be trying CD products. I don’t care about the price… If the products are good quality then it’s worth it for me. I am a true believer you get what you pay for.
Is it just me, or does it look like Lisa uses other products than her own? I mean, I have tried everything from that line Hair Milk, Black Vanlla Leave-in, Mimosa Hair Honey, ect and I can never get the results that Ms Lisa seems to achieve. I’ve never understood why people put up such a fus about there being corn oil in her products though. I mean, there are other ingredients in the product right? My motto is that if it works…it works…it just so happens that CD ain’t workin’ for me right now…though I do love me some Pearls and Almond Cookie. I have “tex-laxed” hair, and use the Mineral Indulgence line and LOVE their customer service, I swear they responded back to me right after I sent in my inquiry and helped me out (no attitude) along the way. THAT’s how you do it! I use the Dress To Impress when I straighten (silky smooth) and use the Coily Locks moisture whipped for twist outs. I just think the Mineral Indulgence products work best on my hair, and from my experience their honey almond fragrance is similar enough to almond cookie for me to be able to resist buying from CD for a while. *sigh*
I have never thought her products were worth the price, but that may be because I make almost all of my own products. Also, the things that I did buy didn’t do what I wanted them to do. The loc butter was a bit too greasy for me, plus the smell of the Mimosa Hair Honey got old quickly before the end of the day. Also, their customer service was absolutely atrocious! CD once carried a product called Honey Pudding. Now, I loved that one! It was extra rich, thick, and very moisturizing. I ordered the 32 ounce jar, which they inappropriately packed by stacking two glass jars ON TOP of each other. The smaller jar broke the top of the 32-ounce glass jar thereby pushing crushed and broken glass into the butter. I tried calling and e-mailing. After MANY attempts, they replaced my 32-ounce jar with a SAMPLE jar of butter. I got attitude big time from customer service, as if I was inconveniencing them!! That butter was NOT CHEAP and that was quite a while ago. I’ll never do business with them again.
P.S. There are two other sites out there that may be of interest, too! Hairveda and Karen’s Body Beautiful.
Hi
Could u pls tell me where u found CD products in london? As i would like to try some!
Great site by the way!
I started using CD when a friend of mine from ATL shipped me some of the products after raving about them. I was never really a fan of the smell of that first product, ironically, (I thought it wasn’t strong enough!) the Mango Aloe Shea or MASH product, but after a few uses my skin loved it. I was a fiathful customer from 2001-2006. After the big change, and the price increase and the elimination of many of my favorite items, I am only an occasional user. I still support the CD vision, but for me aside from the Marguerite’s Magic, there isn’t really a product that she has that I can not find cheaper and better some place else. It is like being in a marriage that falls apart slowly over time. I am saddened, but it is what it is.
Love the products, but I just can’t seem to get anyone to pick up the telephone so that I can place an order. I’m holding now and I’ve called twice and all I get is “we are sorry all of our representatives are busy.” It will be a total of an hour shortly with no results. Must hang up now.
I love Carol’s daughters products. I’v been buying her products since, The early 90′s. Everytime I’m in New York I still enjoy buying The Body scrubs. And by far is still the best. The only thing is why she has stop selling a lot of other terrific products, and scents. That is my only disappointment.
I use Carols Daughter products (Healthy Hair Butter/Hair Milk) and I think her products are ok.
At first, I did not like her products, I felt like the above mentioned products were just way too oily for my fine 3c/4a hair texture. I have found that a little goes a loooong way with her products.
As far as price is concerned, I don’t find her products to be too pricey considering her products don’t contain mineral oil, pertroleum oil, etc. There are “big name labels” that charge way more and contain mineral oils and other synthetic products.
I would love to try other products that are truely all natural, but with shipping cost, having to wait, and then that added fear of a particular product not working for my hair, is keeping me a repeat customer of CD.
So, as long as her products are in stores locally and continue to moisturize my hair, she will continue to have me as a customer.
I have tried several of her products such as the hair smoothie, the rosemary mint shampoo and conditioner. My hair smelled good but was extremely dry and tangled. I love the perfumes and lotion.
Wondering if this is a product placement/sponsored post? If so please alert readers to such. You have so many posts about CD that it just seems unusual to me that you’d be gushing on and on going from the manicure at the CD in Harlem to their hair products in general.
I don’t mind a sponsored post here and there. Hey, a girl’s gotta eat. But please don’t don’t accept money and not let the people who trust your opinion know. You’re a respected opinion leader, but this has also turned into your business.
Just sayin…..
Hey Lala, according to FTC rules and regulations, bloggers must disclose if they are paid or sponsored for anything. My disclosure page is right up there at the top. I have never been paid by Carol’s Daughter to endorse or feature their products. If I did, I would disclose that because that is what I do as a professional.
I like the brand – I always have – and I’ve reviewed Carol’s Daughter products on this blog since 2006. Most of my reviews here are positive because I don’t have the energy or desire to write negative posts bashing products or entrepreneurs. I suppose that could come across as “gushing on and on” to some, but I personally have always prided myself on honesty and positivity. And I will continue to do so.
I had an amazing experience during NYFW and decided to share it with my readers. So sorry you read that and came up with the conclusions that you apparently have.
I used to LOVE Carol’s Daughter products when they were just a hole in the wall shop in Brooklyn. Back then the products were homemade, all natural, and AFFORDABLE. Once CD got endorsed and moved to Harlem it all ended. When I stayed in London a few years back I couldn’t leave without packing my Almond Cookie shower gel and body butter!
Now I’m in college and off to Madrid for the Spring semester and I WISH I had some natural products to stock up on before I leave… but I have no where to turn. No student in their right mind should be spending more on body and hair products (that aren’t even natural) than they do on souvenirs. If anyone can recommend a brand please let me know!!!
Fabulous blog post, plenty of superb info. I want to show my friend and ask them the things they think.
THERE ARE NO ALL NATURAL PRODUCTS. DON’T YOU GUYS GET IT YET. IT’S ALMOST 2011. STOP USING ALL THAT BS.SAD……
It would be GREAT, Bella, if you could do an interview with Lisa Price. And, perhaps, she can address these comments directly. BTW: I just purchased my very first Carol’s Daughter product: Some of Marguerite’s Magic. Can’t wait to receive it.
I want to get my BF carol’s duaghter products as a gift. She is studying in the UK. Where in the UK can I get the Carol’s daughter products? I want to order on line and mail them to her.
Please help.
Nice post. I study one thing more difficult on different blogs everyday. It is going to all the time be stimulating to read content material from different writers and apply just a little something from their store. I’d favor to use some with the content material on my weblog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a hyperlink in your internet blog. Thanks for sharing.Useful info ipad
I heard of Carols Daughter back when the owner Lisa Price had the small shop in Brooklyn. I did not however use her products until recently. When purchasing a product based on reviews that you have read..you take a chance. What appeals to another person may not appeal to you..and even more it might not go well with your unique chemistry! In my opinion that is the case with any prone to the store to smell and test it for yourself. I know that Almond Cookie is one of the most popular Carols Daughter scents.and read rave reviews about it for years prior to purchasing it for myself. I can honestly say that I love the smell of it, but it is not concentrated enough for me.I layer the scent by with the cleansing gel, Shea souffle cream.. and dry oil mist and the smell although nice does not last long on my skin. Some people have said that the Jamaican punch is too strong on the spice content..but I love it for that very reason and it smells good on me.I sometimes use it with the Almond Cookie.On the downside it , along with other signature Carols Daughter scents have been discontinued, so you may have to look for them online (Ebay..Amazon… I love the Reminisce 4 oil tin.. It comes with 1) Goddess Flower, 2)Amandeep-(1 of my personal favorites)3)Roses&Honey, and 4)Amaretto Truffle(yummy)… Other favorite scents are the Orange Ambrosia and Goddess Flower products!
I have yet to try her hair products. Well… excuse me I tried a sample of the Hair Milk (which I got free when I purchased an Almond Cookie set)It smelled great! I will try some of her hair products! I say try the products with an open mind.If something doesn’t work for you return it to store(see store policy first), give it to a friend.. family member that might enjoy it ( that way it isn’t a total waste of money), or put it up for sale on online. (the product that you hate might be one that another person loves .. and they may buy it from you).
OH NO…are you saying that Almond Cookie EDP has been discontinued? I could only find the roller ball on her site and feared this was the case :0(