Review: The Healthy Deodorant from LAVANILA

Lavanila Healthy Deoderant in Passion Fruit

As summer kicks into full swing, the last thing I want to worry about is irritated skin under my arms. Between shaving, waxing or depilating, deodorants and antiperspirants can make an already sensitive area erupt with fury. Over the last few years, I’ve gone through a variety of products trying to find something that wouldn’t irritate my skin. Most antiperspirants seemed to never wash completely away, leaving a plastic feeling on my skin, and deodorants seemed to lead to intense itching. So, I began searching for something a little more natural to use instead. Unfortunately, many of the organic products that I tried irritated my skin as well and caused intense reactions to certain plant-based ingredients.

Finally, I found a company called LAVANILLA at Sephora a few years ago and I fell in love with their body butter. Then I found out that they make The Healthy Deodorant, which comes in a variety of fragrances (I use Vanilla Lavender and Vanilla Passion Fruit, though I’m tempted to try Vanilla Coconut). After a year of using it everyday– I’m hooked. It’s formulated without parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes, petro-chemicals or phthalates, nor does it contain aluminum or mineral oils. Best of all, it doesn’t irritate my skin or cause itching, and it leaves no residue when I attempt to wash it off.

I do have to say that in the summer, I carry it in my purse because it does seems to wear off faster than other deodorants (there is a travel-size option available). It’s completely worth it to have smooth, healthy-looking underarms after years of discomfort.

It is a little pricey at $18, but I’ve found that it works so well that I can’t bring myself to use anything else. Has anyone else tried it? What are your own suggestions for sensitive underarms?

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Quick Breakfast Idea

My favorite breakfasts on weekday mornings are ones that don’t require much preparation. As much as I hate to admit it, I don’t even want to think about turning on the stove before noon. One way I get around this is by keeping hard-boiled eggs in the refrigerator. Not only do hard-boiled eggs make for a great snack throughout the day, they also work for quick breakfasts.

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The Farmer’s Market and Recipes: French Toast with Maple Strawberry Sauce and Heirloom Tomato, Basil, Green Garlic, and Cheddar Cheese Frittata

Welcome to the wonderful world of locally grown and harvested fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, and even eggs!  This happens to be one of the local markets that are held twice a week and I am now officially pledging my love and admiration for all the farmers who grow and harvest such wonderful things.  Going to the market is a great way to get inspired to create something in the kitchen.

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Review: M2 Skin Refinish

Lately I’ve been experiencing annoying breakouts on the surface of my skin. So after looking at my diet and lifestyle, I decided to repurchase a product that I had once used faithfully some years ago. It was called MaMa Lotion then and was effective in aiding exfoliation, clearing skin congestion and reducing hyper pigmentation leftover from breakouts.

It’s now known as the M2 HP Skin Refinish serum and from what I’ve read on the MCK Laboratories web site, it’s been reformulated without parabens. I ordered mine online and couldn’t wait to see if it would help me as it once had. And I am so glad that I did! The serum uses a combination of mandelic and malic acids, along with other ingredients, and my skin seems to respond well to the new formula. It comes in two strengths, 12 percent and 20 percent. I’ve started with the 12 percent version and will likely move up to 20 percent when I run out. This is definitely a product that I will be repurchasing.

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