LaVanila

Natural deodorants are great in theory, but sometimes just so-so in practice. (Tom's of Maine, I'm sorry, but you may want to rename your version Stanky Pits.) I'm always on the lookout for a natural deodorant that smells fresh and clean, and Lavanila the Healing Deodorant ($18) does the trick.

This all-natural deodorant has no parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals, phthlates, or synthetic dyes. Instead, it uses lichen and tea tree oils to keep the funk at bay. I like the vanilla-lavender scent, which is strong enough to cover any BO without being overpowering. Because it's deodorant and not antiperspirant, you'll still sweat; this doesn't bother me, but if you have to stay completely dry, you might want to take a pass. However, if you like your green deodorant more luxurious than jam-band groupie, this is worth the splurge.

Okay, seriously, how is it November already? It seems like it was just last week when we were gallivanting in warm weather, and now I'm already planning my Thanksgiving shopping list. Sheesh, time flies. But along with the Tofurky shopping, I'm going to be doing some beauty shopping for this chilly month. Here are my picks:

For a description of each, read more

The teen magazines I used to read in middle school always suggested that vanilla extract could be worn as a cheap, delicious-smelling perfume. But whenever I dabbed the foodstuff on my wrists like the magazines suggested, I just smelled like a cake in progress.

I love vanilla, though, so ever since I was a teen, I've been on the hunt for a natural, wearable vanilla fragrance. Here are a few I've found; if you have other favorites, please share!

Satu Vanilla Infusion Eau de Parfum ($48 for 3 ounces) is a crisp, floral-leaning vanilla scent that's more summery than sweet.

Two more wearable vanilla scents, so read more

To celebrate the very exciting launch of BellaSugar, we're giving away a different product every day in May, thanks to our very generous friends at Sephora. A big congratulations to Ninayang, who won yesterday's giveaway for a GHD Professional Hairstyling Iron.

Today's prize is one of those great products that's good for you and good-smelling. Available only at Sephora, the LaVanila Vanilla Grapefruit Rollerball Fragrance is a refreshing citrus scent with a handy roll-on application. Made with pure essential oils, it's completely free of nasty petrochemicals and mineral oils. That's important, since my friends at Sephora tell me that 60 percent of what you put on your skin is absorbed into the bloodstream. Do you take natural ingredients into account when buying a scent?

To enter today's giveaway, just leave a comment below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Thursday, May 24, and we'll announce the winner when we post the next giveaway. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. Also, you must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, just click here. Good luck!