This time last year I wrote a post about my armpits. To date it is the post that received the most comments. It turns out you ladies just want to talk about the space between your arm and your torso - and you're in good company. Consider this a safe place to discuss all things armpit.
DEODORANT:
Just to recap - here are my thoughts on the deodorants I post about last year:
• Scent of Samadhi - I still love this stuff but on the hottest days of the year it doesn't hold up. It's still my favorite when the weather is cool.
• Aromarant by Lush - This bar dried out and kind of hurt to rub on so I wound up never using it much.
• DeoDry by The Body Shop - It smells really great on it's own but the way it reacts to my chemical makeup makes it smell funky when it goes on. It also seemed to make me extra sweaty and didn't really last when it came to holding down these powerful pheromones I've got.
So basically, I smelled like a hippie through the hottest summer ever. But I was working by myself so it didn't really matter. This summer I work with two other people and out of consideration I figured I needed to grasp control of the situation. But now along with aluminum in my deodorant I'm kind of freaked out about parabens and other toxic chemicals not just in my deodorant but in my cosmetics.
THE ONE:
So, I recently read this article on Rookie Magazine (yeah, I read an online magazine geared toward teenage girls. What of it!?) that reviewed a few different types of deodorants - including those that fit my criteria of being non-toxic and aluminum free. And if I'm going to trust anyone with a solid deodorant recommendation it would most definitely be a teenager.
I immediately ordered the Soapwalla Deodorant Cream. I've only used it for a couple weeks now but it's worth every penny. I don't stink a bit! I'd venture to say that now my armpits smell lovely. It's not an antiperspirant but it didn't seem to make me sweat more than normal. This cream did irritate my underarms when applying right after shaving. The seller warns you of this but I always tend to think I'm exempt from the rules.
A note on sweating: I think it's healthy to sweat! I feel for those of you who perspire lots but I had a friend tell me that it just means your body is really really efficient at cooling itself. And I happen to think (and this is not verified with research or even a Google search) if you block your underarms from sweating it will find it's way out elsewhere... so consider that for a minute.
GROWING IT OUT:
Yeah, I'm going there.
I feel like it's an injustice in life that I have to shave my underarms. I do it no more than once a week and when I do I get some angry razor burn (and I use a fancy Venus razor that I'm always changing out the blades on). Jeremy also has this theory that underarm hair actually helps you from getting stinky - I mean, it makes sense that it grows there for a reason.
So I considered letting it grow. I like to think of myself as a pretty bold feminist and non-conformist but I caved to societal pressure to shave. So I do.
GETTING RID OF IT PERMANENTLY:
So then, I considered the alternative: what if I had my underarm hair removed permanently? And just as I started considering it a Groupon for 6 laser hair removal treatments for $100 landed in my inbox. I went for all 6 laser hair removal treatments and while at first it seemed to work now it has proven itself completely ineffective. I not only have a burn mark on my skin my hair seems to be growing back at double the rate. I also felt sleezy every time I walked into the liposuction / skin care clinic to get my treatments. I would think "why can't I love my body the way it is? Hair and all." That's still the burning question. Pun intended.
So I want to hear from you. What are your favorite natural deodorants? Do you let your arm hair grow? If not, do you have a favorite hair-removal method? Let's talk pits ladies!
After your post last year, I decided to get OFF MY ASS and try some deodorants that were "natural." I tried about 4-5 different ones from our Whole Foods and NONE of them worked worth a damn toot. I even tried a powder. It just made my pits itch. I hate being smelly, and for some reason I feel like my pits always have a bit of an odor. But I just can't seem to find one that helps me out that isn't full of harsh chemicals. Maybe I'll give these a try.
ReplyDeleteAnd by the way... I was pretty sure ALL cool ladies read Rookie.
Naurnie - You MUST try the Soapwalla. Order it. Now. And if you don't like it I'll buy it off you.
ReplyDeleteRyan and I still swear by coconut oil, baking soda, and cornstarch. I throw a little lavender oil in my batch and smell lovely. It held up on the longest and hottest chicken bus travel days in central america.
ReplyDeleteDoing it. Thanks, K. xxo
ReplyDeleteI was considering a similar Groupon deal for the same reason! I'm glad I didn't do it I guess. Maybe someone else has had better results?
ReplyDeleteWhen I started reading your post I thought, does she know about Soapwalla?! It was a good scroll-down. I read about it on thehairpin.com and they were obsessed too. Thanks for sharing your armpit hair struggles, I feel similarly conflicted as I get razor burn too and I would love to just not care but I do like not having underarm hair. I don't shave my legs regularly, and I have a very small amount of armpit hair (the whole patch is maybe an inch wide by 2 inches long, or less?). That sucks that laser hair removal didn't work for you because I've considered it too...
ReplyDeleteI guess I wouldn't mind something that still had me sweating, but I don't like feeling STICKY in my armpits...does this Soapwalla prevent that?
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ReplyDeleteI've heard this one is good.
ReplyDeletep.s. I love Rookie. xo.
I have actually been wanting to try that deodorant for a while now. I need to order some. Why didn't laser work for you? I did it 10+ years ago and it never grew back!??! Not sure how I feel on the grow it out move.....
ReplyDeleteSo I bought the Soapwalla last week. And I LOVE it. Except I've discovered I can't use it right after shaving because if I don't wait 20 minutes it burns. That makes me wonder what I've been doing to myself with store-bought deodorants all these years.
ReplyDeleteI've even considered the laser hair removal thing, but I haven't given it a try yet, mainly because I've been concerned about scarring and whether it would actually be effective. Maybe I'll just stick to shaving every day.
i'm veering slightly off subject here. i also tried laser hair removal from a groupon, but on my lip and chin. first of all, it hurt like hell, which i was not prepared for, and secondly it was completely ineffective. blah. waste of time and pain and money. back to my awesome lady named soodie, who threads my face for me - and gives me great advice and entertains me w/ her fascinating life stories. :)
ReplyDeleteSo about 10 years ago I fell in LOVE with Crabtree and Evelyn Swiss Skin Care Deodorant. It worked AMAZINGLY well and smelled good and seemed natural-ish. Then they discontinued it (of course) so I stocked up. I managed to go for years on that stash when I found myself in Singapore on a business trip and stopped into a C&E on the off chance...and YUP - I came home with another stash.
ReplyDeleteWhile I was on my last bottle (again) I was on another business trip, this time in Paris, and discovered Vichy 48 hour Sensitive Skin Anti Perspirant. THIS STUFF IS THE BOMB. Unfortunately it's got aluminum salts in it...I think. BUT they have another type that doesn't. http://www.vichyusa.com/_us/_en/bodycare/24H-Ultra-Dry-Roll-On-Deodorant.htm
Yeah, it's $20 but your pits deserve luxury.
If you are just changing over to natural deodorant, it may take a bit of detoxing to get the smelly out. Also the more good food you eat, the less you smell bad. Stay away from the processed stuff.
ReplyDeleteI think I need to try this Soapwalla...have tried Tom's to no avail, except it makes me smell super gross and also like fake apricots. Not pleasant. Thanks for the review of this new product!!
ReplyDeletePaige - I need to try that!
ReplyDeleteCheryl - I think lots of people have great results with laser hair removal. It seemed to work at first and then it didn't. Maybe it has something to do with my skin / hair pigmentation?
Monique - Okay! I'm going to try waxing (if I can make it the 4-6 weeks without shaving first).
Brandi - You shave every day? I feel like I would shave off little razor burn bumps! That's why I only do it once a week. I'm going to have to try waxing, clearly.
Abi - I bet it was the same clinic. :/
Allison - Ooh, I'll try it out. Probably the non-aluminum version. I don't mind shelling out for my pits.
Jana - I've only been wearing natural deodorant (or no deodorant at all) for a year now. Aside from alcohol, I only eat unprocessed, vegetarian (mostly vegan) whole foods. BUT I do eat A LOT of curry and the smell comes out of my armpits. I'm actually wondering if it's more of a hormonal issue?
KP - TRY IT!
I am ordering this immediately! I have tried a ton of non-aluminum and none of them work. So excited! I'm not vegetarian, but I eat mostly whole, healthy foods and not very much meat. I eat a lot of onions and garlic though, and I'm sure that contributes to the stink.
ReplyDeleteI purchased a groupon for three laser treatments for my underarms back when I lived in Texas and I loved it. It was painful, but not any worse than I anticipated. It apparently works best for dark hair on light skin, and I fit that profile. Over a year later, I still have some hair (most places recommend six-eight treatments for full removal), but it's finer and I no longer get razor burn, even if I shave every day. It was way worth it for me but it's different for everyone.
Since no one appears to be representing the growers-out among us, and I so rarely get to talk about my pit grooming choices ...
ReplyDeleteI haven't shaved my underarms for about 3 years, and don't have any plans to start again. The original impetus was pure laziness, not any radical feminist viewpoint (although I definitely champion a girl's right to wear whatever hair she likes, styled however she chooses!) There are so MANY good reasons not to shave! Fewer razors mean less plastic manufactured, less trash in landfills, more money in the bank, and maybe best of all -- no gross sticking-to-myself on hot days.
Admittedly, my hair is pretty light and sparse, but I think even dark pit hair on women can be really sexy.
As for smell, I don't think hair makes much of a difference besides making deodorant look weird if I put on too much. My response to the aluminum/non-organic concerns has been to not wear deodorant unless I know I'll be sweating and then hanging out within people's smell-range. (But again, extreme laziness, see above :D ) I keep hearing about the Soapwalla stuff and I may have to try it! Thanks for giving us an opportunity to talk about these very. important. matters!
ohhhhh I am a grower-outer too and I'm very excited to be having this conversation! Mine was borne from several extremely busy months at work. I've been a die-hard waxer for about ten years so admittedly my hair is pretty soft and fine but to be honest, i rather like it - i find it kind of cute! And much to my delight, my husband seems to find me just as sexy as ever. I'm not sure if i'll keep it long forever but i'm enjoying it for the moment and I'd definitely recommend giving it a go!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking out for the unshaven feminist/hippie (and really, really lazy) demographic I'd say the only side effect of having hair under your arms is that it seems to make other women uncomfortable for reasons not really unknown. No extra smell, no extra sweat. Just free time in the shower to contemplate soap.
ReplyDeleteAlso this: http://vagendamag.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/hair-not-musical.html
i was blissfully unaware (you could say ignorant) of what was in antipersperant!
ReplyDeletei just ordered soapwalla and there is no turning back. im going to have to scrutinize my shampoo (already use natural skincare line from pure + simple)
My friend recently gave me an epilator as a gift. Although it is scary sounding, I love it! It doesn't really get fine hairs too well, but they are so fine that no one sees them anyway. It hurt the first time I used it as my hair was pretty much 2 week growth from shaving, but since then I use it ever 1-2 weeks and it barely pinches if you catch them before they are comnpletely grown out & thick!
ReplyDeleteI have been there with the laser hair removal. It doesn't work. Lame.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try the Soapwalla. I make my own cream and spray deodorants, which work great, but it's fun to try new things. Thanks for the tip.
I posted my recipes here http://desimckinnon.blogspot.com/2012/03/diy-spray-and-solid-deodorant.html
P.S. I read Rookie too.
My husband and I both use Soapwalla Deodorant and we love it! We found out about it through a friend's website/book: http://nomoredirtylooks.com/
ReplyDelete"The Book: NO MORE DIRTY LOOKS: The Truth About Your Beauty Products and the Ultimate Guide to Safe and Clean Cosmetics"
This has become my go to source for all things natural when it comes to health and beauty products.
-crystal
I had laser hair removal done about six years ago on my pits and I LOVE it.ove love love. It took many treatments spread way out to catch the hair in the right growth phase, and there's still a few hairs left, but it's been great. I had very thick, course hair that was very hard to shave. And the best candidates for laser have fair skin and dark hair, which is definitely me. It always looked like I hade stubble, even if I'd just shaved, because you could see he hair under my skin. I love having way less hair there now.
ReplyDeleteI am personally anti-armpit-hair because I went to a kind of hippie college. The girls who didn't shave their pits frankly STANK. Part of that was apparently bathing infrequently and never wearing any deodorant at all, which were traits that overlapped with not shaving. But when I say STANK, I mean STANK, so that's all I think about when I see armpit hair.
Though you know, most dudes have armpit hair and they don't stink. I'm still glad my bf naturally doesn't have much, though.
Seraph - Yeah, if I didn't shave I would be channeling my inner French girl vs. my inner hippie.
ReplyDeleteJeremy doesn't have to wear any deodorant at all! He's naturally stink-free. I'm jealous about it.
I recently discovered the same stuff and I have been telling everyone about it! I got mine off of Etsy, but my friend from Brooklyn told me about it. It ACTUALLY works. I should do an infomercial for them.
ReplyDeleteI love using doTERRA's "Purify" essential oil. It's awesome and it smells amazing. Plus, you can use it for a bunch of other things as well. I'm all about multi-purpose products.
ReplyDeleteAs for growing it out...I'm not personally a fan of bushy underarms. I like mine nice and smooth. I shave mine every other day with a Venus.
not all natural but Arm and Hammer Essentials Deodorant unscented is the best I have found.
ReplyDeleteI love this --- I don't wash my hair and people think I'm crazy! (Perhaps that's a lie, I wash my hair but only 2 times a week maximum.)
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried natural deoderants but it's something I'd like to experiment with. I also shave my armpits but not because of cultural preference - more just because I don't like the look of hairy armpits.
But I do say - do what you want. Who cares what people say!
Sophie - Haha! We should totally team up and make one of those testimonial infomercials. My line will be "If it works for me it will work for you."
ReplyDeleteMelissa - I'm going to have to check that out. Do you have to dilute it first?
Andrew - Paige (commenting up top) makes deodorant using baking soda if you ever want to go the natural route with Arm & Hammer. ;)
Jay - Amen! My motto in life is totally "Do what you want."
I've had laser hair removal onmy pits and it was one of the best things I've ever done. It hurt like a mutha' but I used some numbing cream and that helped out a lot. I had five treatments and all that is left is one super fine strand of hair. It all depends on the type of laser used and treatment schedule they put you on. So if you ever decide to try it again, I highly suggest doing a little research before. As far as it helping with sweat, it hasn't done a thing for mine! I still sweat like a pig and I'm sure the lovely humid Florida climate doesn't help matters. I can't wait to try Soapwalla!
ReplyDeleteAmy - I'm pretty sure the technology of laser I was privy to had received lots of great reviews. It totally hurt (but nothing I couldn't tolerate) and scorched the hairs. It even stopped the growth for a little while. I had 6 treatments and a month later they're all growing back! It's kind of a bummer.
ReplyDeleteI once had a friend who got Botox injections in her armpits to keep from sweating. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it but it made her really happy to not have to worry about ruining every shirt she wore.
I fell for the laser treatments as well except I didn't have a groupon and it was my who ha area, not the armpits. It cost me a fortune, took a year to complete, and didn't work at all. Such a bummer. I worry about all the chemicals and tried to go sans deodorant but I only lasted two weeks. I'm a sweaty mess all the time and I started to really smell. So, for the sake of everyone, I went back to using. I shave every single day because I can't stand the hair and sometimes when I have an ingrown hair I'll tweeze it. Hurts like hell but gets rid of the bump.
ReplyDeleteI recently started going sans anti-perspirant after many discussions with friends about how bad it is. I tried Tom's first because it was the only thing I could find and it was horrible! Not sure I've ever smelled worse. I then started using Dove for Men and it was okay. At least I wasn't too stinky. I also tried a powder that a friend recommended... it was expensive and stung my armpits and didn't work any better than the Dove. Then another friend recommended the Arm & Hammer Essentials and I love it! I'd have to look at the ingredients, but I don't know what's not natural about it... I know it's aluminum and paraben free. It smells nice (unisex) and it's not sticky. Bonus: it's only $3 a stick!
ReplyDeleteAs for the lasers - I've never tried it, but I hate shaving too... I've been seriously considering waxing, but I don't know if I could handle the growing out period... maybe in the winter?
I have this one too and I love it!!
ReplyDeleteI also shave my armpits every single day (or every other, whenever I shower...)! Its only a teeny tiny bit every time, but I find that if I wait and shave once a week or more, it actually irritates my skin MORE. I get razor burns then, and end up shaving them off if I wait that long. But I also think that I have a bit finer hair (on my legs, armpits, and you-know-where) than some of my friends. So that might be dependent on what kind of hair you have.
ReplyDeleteJust my two cents!
Allison
http://dotluv.blogspot.com
Ok- Soapwalla purchased. I thought that the DeoDry was working well, but apparently summer sweat is just too much for it. My pits thank you!
ReplyDeleteI've recently discovered that I'm actually allergic to store-bought deodorants - so I'm on the hunt for a new, natural product. Soapwalla, here I come!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I stopped shaving my armpits in high school. It was a pretty big deal, which made me want to keep them nice and bushy even more. I mean - shaved or unshaven, they're just armpits. And I feel kind of classy and European, with a touch of barefoot hippy when I wear a tank top with my hairy pits. Best feeling in the world.
Yep, Soapwalla is my pick:)
ReplyDeleteI love that you write about this!!!
ReplyDeleteI let mine grow out! They were full length for about a year.
I just waxed my armpits for valentines day and now I am missing my twistable underarm hair.
I really do get less sticky and I don't have any rasor burn, ingrown hairs, and it less sweaty!
I am all for the natural look. It is embarrassing at first, but my husband still makes love to me, and my friends just know about it now and it's not a big deal. If you'd like me to guest blog about it, I'd be happy to. I could take some attractive photos of long pit hair.
Cheers,
Anna