PopSugar

Do You Use Fancy Deodorant?

BellaSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:00:32 -0700

A few weeks ago I received a sample of Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant ($18), and I have to confess, since I'm so used to wearing your basic drugstore varieties, like Tom's of Maine or Secret, I have yet to try it out. It's not like I'm opposed to the fragrance, it's more that I'm unaccustomed to it and the shiny packaging it brings to the table. If you wear deodorant, are you all for the inexpensive drugstore varieties, or do you like fancier department store options?

Do You Ever Use Other People's Deodorant?

BellaSugar — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 05:00:14 -0700

This week, and I'm not entirely sure why, I've got deodorant on the mind. Perhaps you took my deodorant quiz? All this talk of the odor-fighting product got me to thinking. In a pinch, I've shared my deodorant with only my family and closest friends, and they've shared their deodorant with me in my times of need. Sharing a toothbrush may be one thing, and sharing a razor may be another, but when it comes to swapping deodorant, are you OK with giving and/or receiving, or do you think that's the pits?

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

Take the quiz

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?

Denise Van Outen Is The New Face of Bionsen Deodorants

BellaSugarUK — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:30:00 -0700

Denise Van Outen has been named the latest spokesperson for the Bionsen Deodorant range. These four Japanese deodorants have been developed as a healthier option for those concerned with body odour, and Denise has been asked to help educate women about the difference between deodorants and dangerous anti-perspirants.

For example, aluminum is a potentially hazardous ingredient in all anti-persiprants. It works to prevent skin from sweating by clogging your pores, which in time, may lead to serious problems like cancer. Since Bionsen is both aluminum and paraben free, it allows your skin to breathe. Instead, the range contains a gentle fragrance and nourishing ('Onsen') minerals found in the volcanic spas of Japan. They are created for all skin types and leave your underarms feeling cool and smooth.Charlotte Smith from Bionsen said,

"We are delighted to have Denise on board because she’s a natural beauty and embodies just what Bionsen stands for. A positively beautiful and natural role model to young women all over the world, Denise is also admired for her great work to support breast cancer charities and will act as the perfect ambassador for Bionsen."

Additionally, 10 pence from every sale off of this site will be donated to breast cancer research. For pricing information on each of the four products and to find out what Denise has to say about her new gig, read more.

View 5 Photos ›

Deodorant Stick is 40ml and costs £2.49
Deodorant Roll-On is 50ml and costs £1.99
Deodorant Pump Spray is 100ml and costs £2.49
Deodorant Aerosol Spray is 150ml and costs £2.99

Denise said,

"When I was asked to be the face of Bionsen I didn’t even have to think about it as it stands for an issue close to my heart. The entire Bionsen range is free from harmful chemicals, aluminium and paraben, which have been linked to breast cancer. Having lost my grandmother to breast cancer, it’s important to me to raise awareness of the issue and if I can use my celebrity status to do that, then that’s great. As the face of the brand, I want to get women thinking about the issue and encourage them to make informed choices. Any woman who buys a product from the range during Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, will be supporting the cause."

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.

Nylons Breathe New Life Into Crumbling Deodorant

BellaSugar — Tue, 26 May 2009 07:00:07 -0700

Before this breakthrough, when my favorite solid deodorants crumbled, I used to shout, "That stinks!" in my head. Since I don't want to smell my own stank (or waste products), I had to battle that inevitable crumble with a makeshift solution: Using extra hose from holding broken soap to create a makeshift cap.

To make like me, grab those small pieces of deodorant and shove them back on top of the stick. Instead of reaching up an underarm with resulting bits all over clothes and the floor, I first slip a cutoff stocking foot over the top, twist it tight, and secure with a rubber band. This way the deodorant's still handy, the cover still fits - and you can keep a handle on your purse strings and your hand on the bus strap, too.

Source

How-To: Keep Deodorant on You, Not Your Clothes

BellaSugar — Fri, 01 May 2009 12:00:08 -0700

No matter how careful I am (OK, sometimes I'm not all that careful), I still get those annoying white "zebra stripes" on my shirts caused by a morning application of deodorant. While animal prints can be done tastefully, unintentional ones are just the pits. (Sorry.)

To keep your deodorant on you, and not your new blouse, I've gathered together some tips on remaining streak free. Check them out when you read more.

The culprit: Probably the biggest culprit of those blotchy white marks is an overapplication of deodorant. To prevent this problem in the future, apply a very thin layer before getting dressed, blot if necessary, and allow it to completely dry. Tip: Hold your arms high and get under a fan or use the "cool" button feature on your blow-dryer to speed the process along.

Dress first: Some people prefer to dress first, then apply. It works OK in a pinch, although you still run the risk of staining on the inside of your shirt, and you have to use a pretty steady hand. Somehow I'm reminded of the game Operation.

Check the label: Just because it says "clear" on the bottle, doesn't mean it actually will be. Sprays, gels, and clear/invisible formulations will most likely be less guilty of causing streaking. However, nothing beats checking out some reviews to see what kind of results others have had.

Crystal ball: It's inevitable. Some natural deodorants still leave residue behind, but many people have had success with crystals (aka crystal stones), such as Crystal Roll-On Body Deodorant ($4).

DIY: Make your own danger-free deodorant, or consider using an essential oil, like bergamot under your arms.

If worse comes to worst: Thankfully, most of these white stains will come out in the wash, but if you find yourself with the stuff all over your clothes, try rubbing it out with another part of your shirt over the stain to help lift it out in a pinch.

Cheat: The Dress Sure Deodorant Streak Shield ($20) is a temporary garment you wear that helps you avoid staining by covering up your armpits altogether while you get dressed.

Source

You Asked: Is It Unhealthy to Wear Antiperspirant While Exercising?

FitSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:10:00 -0700

Dear Fit,
I'm a big fan of wearing antiperspirant because I don't want to be stinky. Recently though, a friend of mine told me it was unhealthy to wear it while exercising because antiperspirant prevents your body from naturally excreting harmful toxins. Is this true?
- Pondering Antiperspirant Pam

This is a wonderful question as exercise and sweating go hand in hand. To hear what I have to say on the matter, read more.

Sweating is your body's natural way of regulating your body temperature. When you're hot, your body emits moisture from its sweat glands to cool you down. If you wear an antiperspirant, the aluminum used in them penetrates your sweat glands and squeezes them shut, which prevents you from perspiring. Don't worry about the idea that sweating releases toxins, since only trace amounts of toxins are present in your sweat. Remember that sweat's only purpose is to cool you off. Since your armpits aren't the only place you have sweat glands, your body can still find a way to lower your body temp if you get too hot while exercising. So as long as you can wear antiperspirant while working out without overheating, you can feel good about slathering it on to prevent odor. If you do feel it's unhealthy to stop your body from sweating, you can buy deodorant without antiperspirant, which will help control odor but won't prevent perspiration.

On a related note, you may have heard that aluminum in antiperspirants causes breast cancer, which is what your friend may be referring to as harmful, but that myth has been debunked.

Source

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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