Ms Humdrum recommends Clean Deodorant Balm, available at Southsea Bathing Hut

Mmmmm, smells good
(Pic from www.southsea
bathinghut.co.uk)

Let me start by saying I'm a Mitchum Girl. Those of you who recognise the name will know the safety promised (and delivered) by that green container. You won't sweat. You won't smell. Most of us probably aren't sweaty Betties, but the confidence offered by Mitchum keeps us purchasing. It's actually an antiperspirant-deodorant, a deodorant hiding BO and an antiperspirant preventing sweating. These green (ironic) scent-sentries lining up are recyclable in most areas, but still they add up. I am not an eco-warrior as such, but I am trying to be aware of what I consume. But I don't want to smell. So it was with a heavy pit that I made the decision to try out a natural deodorant brand which didn't contain nasties, was ethically created and, most of all, worked. 

I love Southsea Bathing Hut's own facial oil (reviewed here) and the chocolate lip balm they sell. Mr Humdrum loves their stuff (also in my review) so they were my first stop for a suitable product. SBH sells The Natural Deodorant Company's clean deodorant balm. Mr Humdrum has been using the men's version for four to five months, but each pot (priced at £11) lasts him only six weeks - although he does say he has been using too much! After discussion with the shop assistant, we decide that having hair there doesn't help. I come away with a pot of palmarosa and mandarin priced also at £11. There is a smaller tester pot at £6 if you're unsure, but I thought in for a penny...

The blurb on the website claims: 

A clever combination of antibacterial magnesium and sodium bicarbonate provide all-day odour protection. Coconut oil and shea butter nourish delicate underarm skin.

Sweaty work,
drinking cocktails

A week on the Balearic Isles was going to be a great test for this deodorant. A 45 minute walk in late 20s degrees Celsius - check. Five hours by the pool in 30 degrees Celsius - check. Evenings out in the balmy (see what I did there?) air drinking caipiroskas - check. So a week in Menorca hasn't put me off. Mr Humdrum confirmed there was no wretched whiff around me. 

Fast forward to the weather here in the UK this week. Today was 22 degrees Celsius. Clammy too, if I'm honest. I did feel sweaty but I have to admit, not uncomfortably, and a dear friend did sniff my affected area and verified no reek present. I have been for a swim, didn't shower and still I smell of the new deodorant. 

Sitting on the sofa,
still not smelly

One thing that I find difficult is the application - for those of us with nails, I wonder just how much we remove from underneath after each use. I would like to use a fish and chip fork, but with the points shaved down. Actually a wooden ice cream spoon would do. 

Another point is that I haven't returned to work yet. And right there's where I start paying, in sweat. Yes I know I've just paraphrased Lydia Grant from Fame but you know what I mean. My return in September will be a true test. Watch (or rather smell) this space!