Tag Archives: skincare

Natural Deodorant vs. Anti-Perspirant

July 19, 2020

Beauty, Body, Deodorant, Personal Hygiene, Skincare

Well here is a post I really never intended to write… haha! But I have learned so many things in my quest that I felt compelled to share them with you… in case you are also curious about the differences!

Do you want to know which is more effective at controlling underarm odour? Read on, friends!

(You should also know this post was not sponsored, none of the products were freebies or PR-sent, and this entire piece shares my own experience and opinions!)

Over the past few years I have tried to change my dependency on certain beauty products, and that change included switching away from mainstream anti-perspirants.

What is the difference?

Deodorants typically “mask” body odour with their scent, and could provide some protection against sweat depending on their ingredients. E.g. if they contain some kind of powder like baking soda or starch, they will help absorb both odour and sweat from your underarms.

Anti-perspirants are designed to prevent sweating. Aluminum salts in anti-perspirants help to block pores on the outer skin layer, essentially turning into a gel upon contact with sweat. This leads to “plugging” sweat glands and limiting both moisture and body odour from forming.

Without getting into the hot debate for or against anti-perspirants or its active ingredient, this was a personal choice I had wanted to make for some time. And so I started purchasing deodorants and occasionally switching between my deodorants and anti-perspirants.

Here is where things became very interesting.

While using my deodorants regularly (for an extended period of time of days or weeks), I felt pretty good about almost never smelling odour on myself, even on days when I sweated more, despite the fact that I did occasionally feel some sweat! How could this be? Shouldn’t the anti-perspirant be more effective at controlling odour because it actually prevents you from sweating as much? Let’s hold this thought while I share my experience with the main brands I’ve tried.

One of the first brands I tried was Tom’s of Maine. I use (and LOVE) their toothpastes, even the toddler paste, and am a devoted fan of brands I already like and trust. Tom’s also had a pretty good variety of scents. I will say… I was dedicated to making this deodorant work for me. I’ve tried this brand on and off for years.

But — their deodorant just did not work for me. While smelling amazing on me, the deodorant left behind a sticky, tacky residue that did not dissipate. This stickiness left me feeling even more wet and uncomfortable throughout the day than if I wore nothing at all! I finally started dabbing some cornstarch baby powder on my underarms to combat the wet, sticky feeling which helped.

I decided this was the magic ingredient that was missing! Powder!! Do I try making my own? Do I try one of the deodorant pastes in the marketplace? I decided I still needed a ‘stick’ formula…

I searched and searched until I found Schmidt’s Deodorant, containing both arrowroot powder and baking soda. Arrowroot apparently helps absorb the sweat while baking soda is meant to neutralize any odour. Now this was something I could get behind!! You can immediately feel the dry finish of Schmidt’s on the skin, compared to the sticky, tacky residue left behind by Tom’s Deodorant. And the scents… wow, did Schmidt’s smell good! My favourite by far is Rose + Vanilla, but their Bergamot + Lime and Lavender + Sage are equally incredible.

Fast forward a few months of daily use… and I started getting itchy and red underarms. (insert very sad face here)

I felt like the baking soda (also listed as sodium bicarbonate) was the culprit… and sure enough, when I stopped using Schmidt’s Deodorant (and with the help of some hydrocortisone), the itching and redness started to fade. Being the brave blogger that I am, I even experimented a few more times by going back to my various scents of Schmidt’s (I have three or four), in case the different essential oils were the trigger, and each time… the same indications of contact dermatitis. You will find dozens and dozens of articles about why baking soda is bad for your skin – and to summarize, the alkaline properties of baking soda (a pH of around 9) are harmful to our more neutral/slightly acidic skin pH of around 4.5 – 6.5, throwing off our skin’s natural pH levels and causing dryness, itching, redness, or rash.

Feeling a little sad that I can no longer use this effective deodorant, I set out to find an alternative. And not having anything else to safely use, I reverted back to my anti-perspirants… and this is the part of the “experiment” that became interesting.

After just a few hours of wearing the anti-perspirant (and this is one I had used for many, many years prior to switching!), I checked… smelled… and woah. There was some not-so-pleasant odour emitting… As the day wore on, the smell did not disappear, and the worst part was, it had mixed in with the anti-perspirant fragrance and it was just not… very fresh-smelling. It was bad enough to warrant a shower. (Thank goodness I was working at home.)

Imagine that.

In the battle of ‘natural’ deodorants vs. antiperspirants… the anti-perspirant was not really cutting it! My trustworthy, long-depended-on anti-perspirant may have been blocking some sweat glands, but it certainly was not reducing underarm odour. And this explained why my previous back-and-forth switching from deodorant to anti-perspirant was not really helpful, leaving me feeling slightly not-fresh one day, yet without any issues the next when I only used deodorant (even with some moderate exertion and sweating on a warm summer day).

I am truly surprised. Never did I think that my anti-perspirant could have been behind those less-than-fresh days! Every vacation, especially the hot ones, I used to revert back to anti-perspirant thinking it was the wiser choice… and every day that I wore it, I felt a bit less fresh. (Can I also add how much I loathed trying to remove the coating of anti-perspirant in the shower? Do you have that, too?)

So here we are in my quest for a powder-containing, yet-skin-friendly, odour-and-sweat-absorbing, deodorant. On the advice of my blogger friend Mai I have ordered some discovery sets of Each & Every Deodorant, and while I await this (hopefully) effective and amazing shipment, I share with you my thoughts. (I’m also blown away by the delicious-sounding scents Each & Every offers!)

Would you like an update on my experience with Each & Every Deodorant?

Is there a deodorant you use and love? Please share in the comments!

~xoxo

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Vita Liberata Ten Minute Tan & Body Blur

September 20, 2017

Beauty, Body, Obsessed, Skincare, Vita Liberata

1 Comment

With summer coming to an unfortunate end for us sun and summer lovers, there is no better time than the present to talk about Vita Liberata, the most recent tanning it-brand. Earlier this year, Vita Liberata launched Ten Minute Tan, their answer to tanning in no time. VL calls this “the world’s fastest tanner;” it will provide a natural, medium tanned colour in just 10 minutes. Organic and super-charged with anti-aging ingredients such Matrixyl 3000 and Rosehip which work together to promote collagen production, this hydrating lotion cares for your skin as it tans.

Vita_Liberata_tan

Too good to be true? I put it to the test.

Application is easy: apply generously to clean, exfoliated skin using the Vita Liberata mitt or your hands. Massage it in with long, circular movements. Wash palms immediately after application. Wait 10 minutes, or, for a deeper tan, wait 15 – 20 minutes. Rinse in the shower, gently pat dry. Et voila! The tan will develop over the next 6 – 8 hours.

I’ve tried other self-tanners in the past and while some will provide a nice tan, many can be streaky or difficult to apply. Or, there is the difficulty of applying the product, letting it dry enough so that one can get dressed, then dealing with the awful scent of the self-tanner. VL Ten Minute Tan eliminates these issues by allowing you to apply it, wait 10 (or more) minutes, then rinsing it off!! No more worrying about ruining clothing with self-tanner stains because once you’ve showered, you can get dressed as you normally would. Amazing! And while there is a faint scent that does linger, especially as the product deepens over the next few hours, it is subtle and completely bearable.

With my olive-toned skin, I have tried leaving the product on for different increments of time and found that the best duration for me was approximately 15 or 20 minutes before rinsing for a natural, deep result. I also loved the way my skin felt moisturized and had a beautiful glow. I cannot wait to use this throughout the winter months to keep my summer glow!!

(Note: I am not including swatch photos as with my summer glow, the photos just would not show the depth of my Vita Liberata tan. I’ll post photos on my Insta when I’m paler.)

Vita_Liberata_tanning_products

In addition to glowing, tanned skin, Vita Liberata also has a best-selling HD finish skin all-over makeup, Body Blur. According to Alyson Hogg, Vita Liberata’s founder, Body Blur is an instant body makeup that gives the most flawless skin finish and reduces the appearance of imperfections like cellulite and spider veins. It’s like wearing luxury sheer stockings! Launched with two new additional shades this past spring, Body Blur perfects the skin not only by masking blemishes, but also by adding a beautiful glow to the skin. Key ingredients include aloe, shea butter and vitamin E.

As easy to apply as the Ten Minute Tan, apply sparingly by dotting on the skin, then blending in long circular movements.

I’ll be honest, when I first saw this product, I did not want to believe the hype. Body makeup products are not a new category, and though can look beautiful, the work involved is not usually worth it to me. Plus the product transference is a pain, not to mention, dangerous when you’re wearing a stunning outfit that you risk ruining with smudged makeup! Alas, I finally relented and tried VL Body Blur. And was I ever glad I did! Body Blur has become my go-to leg and arm beautifier, especially when we are looking pale and lacking that summer glow. You’ll see in my arm swatches below how beautifully finished your skin looks with Body Blur, adding both a blurring and subtle tan effect, while providing a light veil of coverage to hide flaws and veins. And I love the glow it imparts! I used the shade 001 Latte.

Body Blur – shade

Body Blur – sun

I will warn you that you should definitely allow a good 5 or 10 minutes for Body Blur to dry after application to avoid getting any product on your clothing. And even with that, I did find some slight smudges on my car seat from behind my knees, and along the inside hem of my dress. It was very little product transference, but definitely something to be aware of especially if you’ll be sitting on, say, a white leather sofa.

Vita Liberata luxury at-home tanning solutions are available exclusively at Sephora stores and at sephora.ca.

Have you had a chance to try a Vita Liberata product, and what were your thoughts?

~xo

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(Products were provided for consideration and review. All opinions are my own.)

Dior Hydra LIFE Skincare

July 12, 2017

Beauty, Dior, Skincare

4 Comments

Dior recently added a new generation of skincare, Dior Hydra LIFE to its skincare regimen. The collection includes nine new products that hydrate the skin using gentle, effective, natural-derived ingredients, in bright and fresh packaging.

I had a chance to try out four Hydra LIFE products consistently, and have my review for you below, after the Collection List!

In creating Hydra LIFE, Dior is also the first brand to partner with the Human Microbiome Project, a worldwide collaborative project based on the research of Skin Flora Genes, wherein research has discovered that rebalancing and preserving the skin flora is essential in maintaining a healthy glowing complexion, while an unbalanced skin flora leads to dehydration, redness and imperfections.

Another added bonus about Dior’s Hydra LIFE? The line features 90% natural non-toxic ingredients and is free from silicones, parabens, petrochemicals and allergens. Its lightweight glass packaging and streamlined outer carton made with natural inks and produced without cellophane reduces the line’s impact on the environment by 30%.

The Collection:

Dior Hydra LIFE Fresh Hydration Sorbet Creme
Hydrates and nourishes the skin with a Mallow and Harberlea flower leaves mixture in a fresh gel-creme.

Dior Hydra LIFE Deep Hydration Sorbet Water Essence
Also including Mallow and Harberlea leaves, this 3-in-1 essence offers ultra-concentrated moisturization, skin refining and toning for the skin.

DiorHydraLife Sorbets

The Masks:
This collection of three nature-infused masks is meant to be applied all over the face, left on for 3 minutes, and rinsed off with water.

Dior Hydra LIFE Glow Better Fresh Jelly Mask
Highly concentrated smoothing citrus fruit extract and exfoliating apricot seed powder, this radiance mask offers a powerful yet gentle exfoliation in a water-rich gel texture.

Dior Hydra LIFE Pores Away Pink Clay Mask
Highly concentrated natural jojoba and natural pink clay allows this mask to purify the skin and minimize the appearance of pores. Its creamy pink texture transforms into a fine foam when rinsed!

Dior Hydra LIFE Extra Plump Smooth Balm Mask
With natural pine oil and nourishing botanical ingredients, this plumbing mask provides intense nourishment in a creamy but lightweight texture.

DiorHydraLife-masks

The Cleansers:
Four transformative cleansers to cleanse, purify, exfoliate and remove makeup with natural cleansing agents.

Dior Hydra LIFE Lotion to Foam Fresh Cleanser
This fresh lotion containing naturally infused white tea transforms into an airy foam cleanser to remove makeup and deep clean.

Dior Hydra LIFE Oil to Milk Makeup Removing Cleanser
Upon contact with water this highly effective makeup-removing oil containing sweet almond extract transforms into a rich creamy emulsion, and removes makeup without an oily residue.

Dior Hydra LIFE Micellar Water
Enriched in echinacea flower extract, this soothing micellar water offers a concentration of powerful makeup removing properties, and a soft, comforting texture.

DiorHydraLife-Cleansers

Dior Hydra LIFE Time to Glow Ultra Fine Exfoliating Powder
Enriched with natural lotus seeds and sugar crystals, this gentle exfoliating powder transforms into a light foam upon contact with water, and gently polishes and deeply cleanses the skin for a natural glow. (To be used 2 – 3 times/week.)

Hydra-LIFE-2017-TIME-TO-GLOW72

Last but not least, the Dior Hydra LIFE line includes the existing Hydra LIFE Pro-Youth Silk Creme, Hydra LIFE Pro-Youth Sorbet Eye Creme, and the Jelly Sleeping Mask.

The Film:

My Review:

I was sent four items for review from Dior: The Hydra LIFE Oil to Milk Makeup Removing Cleanser, Pro-Youth Sorbet Eye Creme, Fresh Hydration Sorbet Creme, and Extra Plump Smooth Balm Mask. Rather than just try them a few times, I put the line through the wringer, and have been using them faithfully as part of my regular skincare regimen for the past 6-8 weeks.

Dior Hydra LIFE bottles

Let me just start with the packaging and initial thoughts on the line… Wow. I absolutely LOVED the packaging and jars Dior used for this line, as it really seems to suit the airy, fresh image I feel this line has. The jars are gorgeously minimalistic, matte (for the masks) or shiny (cremes), and just look decadent once opened! All the items I tested had a very light, deliciously subtle scent, not at all overpowering like some skincare lines, which I know is music to the ears of some of my more sensitive readers. And the texture… also very decadent — more on that below.

Those who know me well know that I love my cleansing oils (I really do!), and was super-excited to try the new Hydra LIFE Oil to Milk Makeup Removing Cleanser. I use my Dior Instant Gentle Cleansing Oil all the time, and was eager to see how the new Hydra LIFE Oil to Milk Cleanser compared. As promised, once water is added, this oil becomes a creamy emulsion that is then massaged over the face and rinsed with lukewarm water. Personally, I prefer to use a facial cleansing cloth to massage off the cleansing oil, which removes my makeup. I did find that the Oil to Milk Cleanser had a bit of a harder time with my mascara, but removed all other makeup easily. And it leaves the skin supple and moist.

Eye creams are absolute must-haves to me and Hydra LIFE’s Pro-Youth Sorbet Eye Creme was a nice surprise for me. This eye cream promises to reduce puffiness and visibly lighten dark circles, and despite usually favouring richer eye creams, I was not disappointed. A delicious sorbet (gel-cream) texture, it spreads over the delicate eye area gently with a cooling feeling, absorbs very quickly and makes a perfect base for makeup (no creasing of makeup overtop). I will say that it is a very light texture, and thus, may not be moisturizing or rich enough for some, but I find it perfect for the warm, humid summer months. The only negative comment I have about the Hydra LIFE packaging is that with the small container, it does get a little difficult to get the cream out from the sides of the jar once the amount dwindles…

My favourite of the four products had to be the Hydra LIFE Fresh Hydration Sorbet Creme! With the same sorbet, gel-cream cooling texture as the Sorbet Eye Creme, this light moisturizer absorbs quickly enough to apply makeup right overtop. I found it refreshing, hydrating with a delicious texture. I love its lightness for summer, and absolutely love the subtle scent! I will definitely continue using this Sorbet Creme for the remainder of the summer!

Dior Hydra LIFE

My last product to test was the Hydra LIFE Extra Plump Smooth Balm Mask. What I loved about the mask was the quick, 3-minute application and super-quick results! Intensely hydrating and nourishing, this mask promises to leave skin instantly soft, while becoming plumper and more comfortable day after day. And nourishing it was! A great quick treat, suitable even for daily use, I loved applying this Mask and and being able to remove it almost immediately. I’m much more used to wearing masks for 10-20 minutes, which I still love to do as a relaxing treatment, however, it’s so nice to be able to garner similar results without a time commitment especially when we’re in a hurry. I will definitely be trying the other two Hydra LIFE masks after this and recommend you do the same!

The Dior Hydra LIFE skincare line is now available at Dior Counters nationwide, including at TheBay.com, Sephora and Holt Renfrew.

Have you tried any of Dior’s Hydra LIFE products yet, and how do you like them?

~xo

If you liked this post, please take a moment to ‘like’ this post and/or comment! I love to read what you think.

(Products were provided for consideration and review. All opinions are my own.)