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Finding The Right Fit For My Pits
As someone who’s struggled with…productive armpits all my life, I’d consider myself a professional deodorant tester. I’ve tried every big deodorant brand I could get my hands on over the years, but I always found something I didn’t like, whether it was the smell, the feel, the residue, or, the odor-blocking ability (or lack thereof).
But the one thing I never dared to try in all of my years of testing? Natural deodorant. And that’s because I didn’t think the chemical-free stuff could really stand up to the ruthless stench of my pits after a Barry’s Boot Camp sesh. Oh, and because it’s 3x the price of the stuff at CVS.
That said, I’ve been seeing a lot of very aesthetic photos of natural deodorants on Instagram recently, and curiosity got the better of me. So, I decided to see if any of the popular brands actually do anything. After extensive research, I narrowed it down to four contenders: Long Wknd ($18), Nécessaire ($18), Kopari ($18), and Salt & Stone ($20). Spoiler alert: only one of these natural deodorants was up to snuff for me.
First, What Makes a Deodorant “Natural?”
Until I started doing research, I had no clue that most conventional deodorants and anti-perspirants are packed with chemicals that do a great job of blocking odors, but are unfortunately not so great for your health. Many have aluminum in them, which has been linked to a laundry list of negative health outcomes, and actually blocks your body from sweating (aka regulating itself).
There’s a reason why natural deodorants have gained popularity among health-minded consumers: they’re made from plant-based ingredients and they’re free of toxic chemicals. Basically, natural deodorants help neutralize odor, well, naturally.
Now, that all sounds fine and dandy, but if they’re not neutralizing enough odor, I’m not interested.
The Great Deodorant Experiment
I embarked on a journey with an arsenal of natural deodorants, but I soon discovered the reasons why most of them failed spectacularly:
1. The Sticky Situation: I personally could not stand the sticky feeling of a gel deodorant like Nécessaire’s. On the days I wore this deodorant, I felt like I was a human fly trap.
2. The Funky Freshness Fiasco: Now, let’s talk about the one that promised to keep me smelling like a meadow, only to leave me smelling like a swamp after a few hours. As a long-time fan of Kopari products, I had high expectations, but I had to reapply this one multiple times a day to get the coverage I needed.
3. The Sensitivity Conundrum: Even when ingredients are naturally sourced, they can still irritate skin. Though I loved the smell of Salt & Stone’s Santal Natural Deodorant, my sensitive skin got really inflamed using it.
I have to admit I was disappointed, especially because all three of these natural deodorants are really popular choices. But to my surprise, the newcomer Long Wknd, shined brighter than any of the heavy-hitters I tried.
Insider Tip: Get 10% off your first order when you sign up for Long Wknd’s email list on their website. 👀
Meet Long Wknd’s Heavenly-Smelling Natural Deodorant
Long Wknd proved to be the solution I’d been searching for. Here’s why it’s my new one and only:
Scent-sational Fragrances
Unlike most deodorants that smell like Febreeze, Long Wknd’s deodorants smell like something you’d get at Jo Malone. The scents are named after dreamy destinations like St. Barths and Palm Springs, designed to evoke the feeling of being on vacation.
St. Barths is sweet, fruity, and warm, with notes of coconut, jasmine, and vanilla, while Palm Springs has a sexier, leather-and-musk kinda scent with notes of sandalwood, iris, and amber.
The scents last all day long, and they’re powerful enough to give me all the fragrance I need without overwhelming the scent of my favorite perfumes. I also love that they have an unscented option, called Staycation, for days when I’m feeling like going scent-free.
Yup, This Stuff Works
As I mentioned before, I’m a Barry’s Boot Camp girlie, and Long Wknd’s powerful deodorant is strong enough to withstand an hour of treadmill-running and and strength training in a sweaty, packed workout studio. Not only does it keep me from smelling bad—I walk out of one of those classes still smelling like a freaking tropical vacation.
Sweating, But Healthy (and Stain-Free)
Long Wknd gets it—sweating is healthy. This deodorant lets me sweat just the right amount, keeping me smelling fresh without compromising my body’s natural processes. The best part? The easy-glide, invisible formula feels like butter and, doesn’t leave white skid-marks on all of my shirts.
Natural Ingredients FTW
Long Wknd is all about clean, science-backed ingredients, which means I can finally bid adieu to those questionable chemicals lurking in my old deodorants. Their aluminum-free and certified organic formulas contain nourishing ingredients like Shea Butter, Tapioca Starch, Grapeseed Oil, and Vitamin E—using only nature’s finest to keep my pits healthy and hydrated all day long.
And of course, they embody a truly harmless lifestyle. All of their products are vegan and cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny Certified), and free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and preservatives.
Stinky Pits? Don’t Know Them. At Last, a Natural Deodorant That Actually Works
After months of deodorant drama, Long Wknd swooped in like a heavenly-scented superhero with its irresistible scents, effective odor control, and the wholesome power of natural ingredients. Plus, the brand’s commitment to the environment means that when I use Long Wknd products, I feel good knowing that I’m being kind to my pits AND the planet.
At $18 for a one-time purchase, is this deodorant cheap? No. But it’s something I use every day, and for me, having happy pits is more than worth the cost. Plus, you can get 10% off by subscribing to monthly shipments, or if you buy in bulk, you can get 6 sticks for $15.30 each—and score free shipping on all orders $50+ USD or $70+ CAD.
