I've been using Olive and Oud's deodorant for almost three years now. That's a weird sentence to have just typed. But it's true. It'll be three years in April (I checked my Etsy purchase history to confirm this). I sound like I'm celebrating an anniversary with a loved one. It's pretty close to the truth. If I had to marry a deodorant, it'd be Olive and Oud's Lemon Myrtle Deodorant. There are lots of natural deodorants out there that work well. I know, I've used them. But I can only wear them with light colored clothing that I don't need to pull over my head. Why? Because of my streaking problem. Too much information? But you know what I'm talking about--sooo many of them have baking soda which leaves those dreaded white streaks on your clothes. Which is why I call Olive and Oud's deodorant my little black dress deodorant. Or LBDD for short. I can wear it with a little black dress and no streaks! Mostly I wear it with a t-shirt and jeans, but the point is--no streaks! Of course, there is beeswax and oils so don't over apply because you can get oily/waxy marks on your clothes. I've never had this happen, but regardless, there's no need to over apply.
It smells lemony, citrusy, and delicious! With a touch of something herb-y. But mainly that lovely lovely lemon scent! And it works too. No stinky pits at the end of the day. Of course, you're still going to sweat, this is not an antiperspirant. But why would you want to try to stop your body from sweating. Imagine all that nasty sweat clogging your pores and fermenting into something icky. Plus, sweat helps the body release toxins. Sweat it out! Unfortunately, Laura's Lemon Myrtle deodorant isn't listed in her Etsy shop at this time, but convo her on Etsy (Laura is the scent & soap magician behind Olive and Oud, and she's awesome!) and she'll make up a custom listing for you! And no weird synthetic fragrances. Check out the ingredients:Ingredients in Olive and Oud's Lemon Myrtle deodorant: local beeswax, organic extra virgin coconut oil, cocoa butter, castor oil, lavender, lemon myrtle, blood orange, frankincense, and myrrh essential oils.
Aside from my favorite natural deodorant, Laura makes some fantastic soaps. Her scents are amazing. And all natural. No mysterious synthetic "fragrances." Just essential oils, absolutes, and resins. Check the ingredient listings at her Etsy shop. And what gives her soaps their color? Things like rose petals, alkanet root, and clays. Oh, and she only uses sustainable organic palm oil! The most recent soaps I ordered were Vetiver Mint and Mocha Orange Scrub.
The Mocha Orange Scrub has organic fair trade coffee grounds for exfoliation (anyone else need to exfoliate their dry winter skin?) and it smells delicious. I smell coffee, with hints of chocolate and vanilla, and a splash of orange. This is one of my favorite soaps.
Laura describes Vetiver Mint as a combination of "light, refreshing spearmint, grapefruit and lemon with sweet, earthy vetiver and vanilla-like Peru Balsam and benzoin. Spearmint is the dominant note, but the scent combination is probably richer, warmer and more complex than the mint soaps you're used to." I smell the vanilla-like sweetness with the slightest touch of mint and something more. It's comforting and warm, yet refreshing. It's like showering in a warm breeze while eating fresh baked sugar cookies and drinking mint tea all at the same time. Laura is scent artist. I wish she made this in a perfume. I don't think Laura has these soaps available right now, but she also makes a fantastic Lavender scented soap. And her Almond Cookie soap is divine! Hint hint, Laura...
