BellaSugar

What Do You Know About Deodorant?

BellaSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:00:39 -0700

Back around the fifth or sixth grade, I distinctively remember our teacher declaring, "We all need to have a talk." It wasn't the standard chat about monthly cycles or why boys sometimes don't want to leave their desks to go write at the chalkboard. It was a nun's version of personal hygiene. In her speech, we heard all about how often we should be bathing, washing our uniforms, and not offending others with our stanky pits.

Deodorant is not just a 20th-century convenience. In fact, various cultures have been using some form of odor-blocking for centuries. In modern times, it's estimated that upward of 95 percent of Americans wear deodorant. So, whether you choose antiperspirant over deodorant or you prefer a more natural approach for your underarms, see what you know about this odor-reducing product now.

Source: Flickr User lolaleeloo

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What's Your Underarm M.O.?

BellaSugar — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 04:00:00 -0700

People have widely varying philosophies when it comes to covering their underarm stank. Some slather on the antiperspirant, some only use deodorant, and the bravest souls go totally without. Everyone has their reasons for feeling the way they do, and people tend to feel very strongly about their choice. Which group are you in, and why?

Product Review: Stella McCartney Soft Deodorant

BellaSugar — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 08:00:00 -0700

Bear with me a moment while we talk about something a little unusual. A couple of years ago, I decided to make the switch from antiperspirant to deodorant. At the time, I was suffering from some pretty gross breakouts, and I had a crazy theory that antiperspirant, by blocking my sweat glands, was sending toxins to my face and turning them into pimples. (Like I said, it was a crazy theory.)

Anyway, when I went shopping for aluminum-free deodorants, I wasn't too excited by the, er, natural selection. Tom's of Maine left a slimy trail in my underarms, and the "crystal" deodorant irritated my skin. Then I tried Stella McCartney's deodorant (well, not hers-but you know what I mean). To find out how it works, read more

I love Stella eau de parfum because it's soft but complex, and the deodorant is just as pleasing. It's a roll-on, and the formula itself is a milky, watery liquid that takes about 30 seconds to dry. By design, a deodorant doesn't stop you from sweating, but after about a week I realized that I just don't sweat that much in the first place. Having softly scented underarms that match the fragrance on my wrists made me feel luxurious-or at least as luxurious as one can feel when we're talking about perspiration.

Stella Soft Deodorant is $19, and I've found it only at Nordstrom. As a sweat-blocker goes, it's pricey, but the cost is completely justified if you love the scent (which I do) and you treat it as part of your "fragrance wardrobe." Have you tried it? What do you think?

Bellissima! Kiehl's Superbly Efficient Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant Cream

BellaSugar — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 10:00:27 -0700

What is a lotion that serves as deodorant, leaves no residue, smells like citrus, softens and conditions your underarms and actually helps stop you from sweating? This isn't a riddle, it's an amazing product from Kiehl's called Kiehl's Superbly Efficient Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant Cream! The title alone immediately caught my attention. It's the perfect remedy to those awful and unsightly white marks that are left behind on clothes from solid, roll-on and spray deodorants.

What I especially like is that it's not at all sticky and icky like you might imagine. It's exactly what it says it is: a smooth cream that conditions sensitive skin and fights odor without any grimy or residual after mess.

Also, it claims that it's unscented but it's made with orange, lemon and linseed extracts so there is a slightly refreshing and citrusy scent. Not so bad, right?

One last notable mention is the rounded and raised top of the tube, which has a small hole for monitored distribution. This has been developed for hard to maneuver areas like your underarms and backs of your knees (does anyone else do that)? I've tried and now I'm in love! I can't wait to hear what you think, too.

Kiehl's Superbly Efficient Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant Cream is available in a 1.7 oz tube ($11.50) and in a 2.5 oz tube ($16).

Doing Drugstore: Dove Ultimate Clear Cool Essentials Anti-Perspirant and Deodorant

BellaSugar — Tue, 15 May 2007 16:03:51 -0700

Ever since Dove branched out from its old-school White Beauty Bar, I've been really impressed by the brand's hair and skincare offerings. Its shampoos, conditioners, and body washes are both gentle and gentle on the pocketbook.

So when I saw that brand was now in the deodorant business, I had to try the Dove Ultimate Clear Cool Essentials Anti-Perspirant and Deodorant ($4.49). I will definitely be buying this cucumber-scented deodorant again; to find out why, read more

I have a weakness for cucumber scents, and I'm always on the lookout for a good translucent deodorant to wear with sleeveless tops. In both these regards, Dove succeeds. I thought cucumber in a deodorant might be weird, but it's actually a very unobtrusive scent that simply smells clean, unlike fragrances like baby powder, which can be overpowering.

The stick goes on to my skin almost entirely clear, and unlike some other transparent deodorants, it has no sticky texture. But this best thing about Dove Ultimate Clear is its anti-sweat protection. You know how with some deodorants, you want to reapply between daytime and night? Never with this stuff. Even at the gym, when the rest of me is sweaty, this stuff keeps my underarms dry. I'd also recommend it for people with sensitive skin, as I've never had any problems with irritation. If you've tried it, tell me what you think.

The Great Debate: Does Antiperspirant Cause Breast Cancer?

BellaSugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 09:00:40 -0700

There has been much speculation about antiperspirant being linked to breast cancer. While no scientific evidence has been found to validate such claims, it certainly has people thinking more about their choices in how to banish their B.O. Let's get down to the stink of things, shall we?

First thing's first: Deodorant is an antiseptic enhanced fragrance that kills the odorous bacteria in your sweat. Antiperspirants work to block the pores in your sweat glands so that you don't perspire; ergo, you don't emit body odor. They contain paba, aluminum compounds and parabens, which mimic estrogen (and estrogen promotes the growth of cancerous cells in the breast). These chemicals can get into your blood stream through razor nicks in your armpits.

While studies have found parabens in breast cancer samples, there is no hard evidence that using antiperspirants leads to breast cancer.

The choice is yours to make. For anyone who worries about breast cancer, it is important to get regular mammograms, eat right, exercise and control your stress level. For those of you who choose to wean yourselves off of any controversial deodorants or antiperspirants (products are often a combination of the two), here are four safe and natural alternatives to antiperspirants. Although they aren't going to keep you from sweating, they will help mask your special odor. Plus, you might be surprised to find out that even with a deodorant, you don't sweat all that often in the first place.

Source

No Sweat: Four Ways to Quit Overheating and Start Looking Hot

BellaSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 06:00:22 -0700

It's sweltering out, and no matter what you do, you are gonna get sweaty, which also means stinky. Little old Southern ladies dust on loads of scented talcum powder to absorb and deodorize body sweat, but I can't say that it's the best modern solution to the problem. Instead, I've come up with a few forward-thinking tips to help you nip the sweat monster in the bud, so keep reading.

This Natural Deodorant Doesn't Stink

BellaSugar — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:00:16 -0700

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.

What's Your Irrational Beauty Tip?

BellaSugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 07:00:37 -0700

A few years ago, I successfully (and inadvertently) cultivated a fertile field of acne on my chin. It was completely out of control; I'd go to bed, then wake up with five or six new spots on my chin. Over-the-counter creams did nothing, and Retin-A Micro made my skin flaky and red. With no real evidence to back it up, I decided that my body was somehow trying to get rid of random toxins, hence the breakouts. "I've got to let my skin breathe," I thought. "And antiperspirant keeps you from sweating, and it blocks pores, so maybe all of the crap that is supposed to go out when I sweat is somehow turning into pimples."

On the, er, face of things, this makes no sense whatsoever. It's highly illogical. Yet... within a few weeks, my chin started to clear up. (What's more, as it turns out, I don't sweat any more with plain ol' deodorant anyway.) Even though I know this "solution" is probably all in my head, I've sworn off anti-perspirant for good. What about you - any irrational beauty tips that you swear by?

Doing Drugstore: Almay Clear Gel

BellaSugar — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 09:00:11 -0800

While deodorant's perhaps not the most exciting bath and body product out there, it's definitely a necessity. My pal PetSugar was raving about this brand so I pulled up her review to share:

I don't care if it says sheer, clear, invisible, or any other synonym, but it seems like nearly every solid deodorant I picked up left a white mark on my brown skin. After trying numerous products, I was fairly happy with Lady Mitchum Clear Gel except that sometimes it leaves subtle flakes on any dark clothing. One lucky day, I picked up this Almay antiperspirant on a whim and now I'm hooked.

Find out why she loves this sleeveless-friendly deodorant when you read more.

It's great for sensitive skin prone to those annoying bumps and redness and I love that there's no overpowering fragrance either. The one drawback of gel vs. solid deodorant is that this takes longer to dry so you'll need to plan accordingly before pulling a shirt over your head – luckily it takes me a while to get ready in the morning anyway!

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