Today, we’re revisiting a recent topic: Lume Deodorant. I’ve tried, and like, the unscented cream version. Target sells Lume Deodorant Minis, though, and I figured that would be a halfway decent way to try one of the other options.
I picked up one of the Lume Deodorant Minis in Clean Tangerine. This time, I got the mini stick which comes in a small, slender tube not unlike the Native minis’ older packaging. Certainly very travel or purse friendly. I really dislike having fragrance on my hands, so the squeeze tube was not an option.
I switched away from antiperspirants years ago. In the time since, I’ve tried a few different things with most of my use being in Old Spice-land and more-recently a 0% Aluminum Dove option that I prefer the fragrance of (Pomegranate and Lemon Verbena).
I heard of Lume before and while I was curious, I had mixed feelings. I hate their marketing. Hate. It. Happily, my distaste is for reasons other than the usual.
At some point, I ended up on a mailing list of theirs (thanks for selling my info!) and was appalled that it was very heavily along the lines of (I’m paraphrasing), “Got intimate area stink?” This isn’t just an unfortunately-targeted e-mail campaign, this is de rigeur for the brand.
Why?!
The founder happens to be an OB-GYN. Her intent was to formulate a whole-body deodorant product that won’t cause mayhem near the area(s) she most commonly provides care for. Noble enough, but the marketing is appallingly tactless. (But, spoilers, I did try the product – more on that after the jump).
What’s this? A doctor fulfilling unpleasant stereotypes about abysmal bedside manner?! If someone really DOES have those concerns, I’m sure they’d appreciate a more delicate and tactful approach.
There’s also an insinuation that everyone suffers from all of these complaints. We don’t! Just because these things are normal to encounter does not mean everyone experiences all of them, so its uncomfortable at best and presumptuous at worst.
Anyway, Lume ads are cringe. Whyyy:
If you can get past that, it is inclusively marketed to be suitable for myriad purposes – for everyone’s anatomy if they have and/or wish to address unwanted odors.
After Abra’s endorsement and a timely sale, I decided to give Lume a try.
Before I got into gel manicures, I used to do nail art all the time. This also consumed a lot of time, which was okay back then because I HAD time. Then, I got into gel and got 10-21 days out of a manicure. As my time faded, so too did my interest in nail art. Even now, I don’t dislike it. I just can’t spend hours on my nails 1-2x a week, and I never picked up gel art.
Enter Ohora Semi-Cured Gel Nail Strips
I had never tried nail strips – neither classic nor curable gel. Though I appreciate the art-on-demand aspect, they didn’t strike me as something I needed to try. I have good polishing skills, and I can live without art. So, I dismissed them for my own purposes. This goes for both gel AND classic strips – just had very little interest at their price point.
I was pleasantly surprised that using these things is pretty damn easy! Match up sizing much like you’d do for a press-on nail. Carefully peel from the backing. Align with your cuticle and gently but firmly press to adhere, ensuring no bubbles or gaps.
We had a post go live today, but I sat down this afternoon and wrote a whole entire ‘nother because this is NONSENSE. First, sunscreen. Now, there’s a multi-brand recall due to carcinogens in dry shampoo. It’s the same we’ve been seeing in sunscreen: benzene.
The amount of things being recalled for benzene in the last few years is too damn high. Carcinogens weren’t even really top-of-mind for me when I stopped buying dry shampoo a while back (which I JUST shared before this news hit), but there’s a hell of a good reason!
The Affected Brands
Per the release, which you can read on FDA.gov, this recall applies to products under Unilever’s sprawling umbrella. If you use any of these,
Dove
TRESemme
Nexxus
Suave
Tigi
You need to check the UPC and lot codes, which you can do here, to see if you need to take further action. Please note that just because you bought it recently doesn’t necessarily mean it was manufactured super recently! CHECK.
If it isn’t one of these, you may be in the clear – but I’ll come back to this.
Busy. Tired of spending money to try to find a good product. Tired in general. Got better things to do than troubleshoot why your hair is acting like an unhinged psychopath? Does this sound like you?
I could pitch you some expensive, fancy, salon or prestige product and you could spend an arm and a leg on it…
…or you could just chill and get Costco’s liter-sized Kirkland Signature Shampoo and Conditioner.
While I’m a content Costco customer, don’t worry – I’m not a sample-rabid zombie. I just appreciate a good value – and Kirkland Signature Shampoo and Conditioner is certainly that.
Since my hair loss disaster (I’m all better!), I switched primarily to the wholesaler’s in house product. I didn’t do extensive product testing or sampling; I just picked it up in my usual groceries because my time is currently at a premium.
Why?
First, Quality
The formulas of Kirkland Signature Shampoo and Conditioner are salon-tier, and that is not just marketing hype. We’re talking a sulfate-free conditioner (its main surfactant is used by Ethique bars). It is gentle on my balayage, doesn’t dry my hair out, make it brittle, make it flat, etc.
