Dear Familia,
In Guatemala I was lucky enough to have a great laboratory to try some all natural health and beauty options...the lack of funds, the one very tiny mirror in my house, and the shift of concern to much more important things than how I looked all helped me get over traditional beauty rituals. These next few post are going to be on my experiments with all natural beauty products.
As a few of you may know, I've stopped using antiperspirant and switched to all natural deodorant. I'd always been a little leery of putting gunk (chemicals) into my pores to block exits (pores) my body was using to get rid of the unwanted (toxins). In the last few years I had also been hearing more and more buzz about just how bad those chemicals were and the links they had with breast cancer or Alzheimer's (both diseases having taken women very near and dear to my heart). While the juries are still out on the true effects of ingredients in traditional deodorants and antiperspirants, the fact remains that once I get in the shower all of those nasty chemicals get washed into our water supply. Plus, logically speaking, just because they have not been able to prove a link exists does not automatically prove that a link does not exist...
So began my search for a better option. As I mentioned above, Guatemala gave me a great testing ground for alternative beauty options. Deodorant was ridiculously expensive and really, not too many in my little village used it so I didn't feel like spending a few months experimenting with other options would be that bad. In early 2010, I googled my way to this blog post with a recipe for homemade deodorant . I just did the baking soda and cornstarch option for the first couple of months. I put the mix in a small plastic travel container I had from the States and used a make-up brush to apply. Luckily, my good friend Alana came back to visit us in Tikal for Semana Santa and she brought me some tee tree oil which definitely increased the effectiveness of the mix. I used that for though the end of my service with great results. Lifestyle and climate wise, there wasn't a lot of sweating going on to begin with and anywhere in town I was 5 minutes away from my house if I needed to go home and reapply my powder mix.
When I got home I transfered my homemade deodorant to a mason jar my Mom had around and continued with that my first few months back home. It was fine and dandy most of the time. However, there were a few drawbacks. First, traveling with a powder/brush combination is not ideal. It's a bit of a messy application, especially if you are not home when you are applying. Second, I noticed that for whatever reason I needed to reapply more often. Probably because I was not cold 75% of the time like I was in Guatemala. When I decided to start substitute teaching, I knew I had to look for a better option.
Enter Soapwalla Deodorant Cream. Aka, best deodorant ever. "This all-natural yet powerful deodorant cream utilizes superfine vegetable powders, clays, and lavender, peppermint and tea tree essential oils to absorb moisture, inhibit bacteria, and ensure a long-lasting and highly effective experience." I ordered my first jar in late January and started using it at the beginning of February. I still have a bit of my first jar and just ordered my second jar with a credit I had to Spirit Beauty Lounge. I was a bit nervous about the cream, but it's pretty easy to use and absorbs right away. From February through mid-April I would apply in the morning and be good to go all day. If I was running around there was some sweat (duh!), but never any smell. When it's hot (and humid...oh, DC), I need to reapply at mid-day, but that is easy as pie** with the cream application. I'm a huge fan.
There are a few downsides: #1 Price. It's only $10 a jar which is worth it for 4 months of regular use. But when you add $4 shipping, it gets a little on the pricey side. I know she's at farmer's markets in the Brooklyn area, but that is not super helpful to me ;) #2 It comes in plastic containers. She did offer to use a glass jar of mine though and she will reuse my containers if I send them back in...with the two I have now I should be good for a long while.
So ya, that's my looong deodorant story. Up next? Let's talk shampoo/conditioner.
Love,
Jem
**I don't really understand this saying...pie is so not easy to make!
