Clash of the Eco-Deodorants: Soapwalla vs. Leaves of Trees

Poor deodorant. . . we put such pressure on this small odour battling- perspirant fighter; always cursing it and blaming it for foul body odour when it fails us at our best and worst of times.

Good news though! We put some eco-deorodant titans to the test which we consider superior to some others we have tried. Here’s a look at their strengths and some of their weaknesses.

Soapwalla Deodorant Cream

Soapwalla Deodorant Cream

Lina:  I’ve had my fair share of trial and error with eco deos. I’ve tried products that are homemade, high-end, scented, and unscented only to result in utter disappointment. My main concerns are application and effectiveness. I want a no-fuss product that keeps me dry without having to re-apply halfway through the day. I also prefer a fresh scent but not overpowering to the point where it’s basically perfume. Until now, soapwalla is the only product that has risen to the occasion, with its high-end appeal in an adorable little blue box. The instructions recommend stiring the pot before use in order to combine the natural agents that may have separated. I instantly noticed its gritty texture that felt rich and substantial between my fingers. At first, application was a bit awkward because you had to literally rub the solution into your hands before applying to the underarms. While I typically prefer a stick over a cream for this very reason, the formula was relatively easy to apply and didn’t leave a sloppy mess on my hands. I did have one major setback: the deodorant initially caused some discoloration on my underarms. After my first few tries, I noticed a reddish brown rash-like patch where I had applied the cream but there was no itchiness or irritation. After using it a few more times, the pigmentation returned to normal and hasn’t returned since. . . strange indeed! Ultimately, this product is highly-absorbent and left me feeling super fresh all day long. I’m actually still in denial that I have found a natural deodorant that works!

Shown here: Lavender Tangerine Deodorant

Leaves of Trees Deodorant

Seanna: On a recent trip to the Eco- Beauty Market, hosted by Environmental Defence, I came across this lovely brand which specializes in argan oil products. The lotions and the lip balms all smell and feel divine, but what really attracted me to the booth that day was the deodorant (unfortunately this product is so new that it is not yet on their website).

Ever since trying Soapwalla I was on the hunt to find other deodorant creams to see how well they stood up to the competition. On first impression, I really loved that the Leaves of Trees deodorant came in a tube (unlike many that are packaged in a jar). It comes in two scents, Lavender Tangerine and Eucalyptus Mint. Both smell amazing, but I love the latter, which smells so fresh and reminds me of the spa. The texture is soft and creamy just like a moisturizer –but no surprise there since it is based on the same formula as the argan hand and body lotion. Even though it is extremely moisturizing, it does leave a slight white residue and the soft texture can get messy. . . I have accidentally smeared it all over my shirt (apparently it’s best to apply before you put on your clothing). All in all, I quite like the Leaves of Tress deodorant. I don’t normally perspire too heavily (outside of the gym and job interviews) and it has not failed me yet. It doesn’t always keep me dry (I must give that one to Soapwalla), but in terms of smell, it keeps me just as fresh and leaves no skin irritation or discolouration –a big bonus for someone with sensitive skin.

The Verdict: Choosing a victor between these two was harder than we had anticipated considering we have our own preferences centred on our individual beauty needs, i.e. Lina prefers Soapwalla for its staying power, while Seanna is happiest with the texture of Leaves of Trees.  While there is no clear winner, we both agree that deodorant creams are definitely the best option over deodorant sticks. After all, they let us work up a sweat without fear of losing friends.

But let us know your own experiences and what you think!

– Lina & Seanna

Heating Up the Winter Blahs

Winter blues and winter blahs; we know them all too well. As soon as temperatures drop, our skin dries up and our complexions get pale. I can certainly attest that my fair complexion and sensitive skin are no match for old man winter!

That said, despite the bone-chilling winds and dark days, winter is the best time for glamour and is definitely my favourite season for beauty trends. The cool colours of winter are the perfect contrast to fiery red and rich burgundy, which can be adapted to suit any complexion.

So spice things up a little, wear that rouge lipstick, and go glam for winter! Here’s how:

Ilia lipstick is an organic brand established by Vancouver native Sasha Plavsic. Her concept was simple; create an organic product with the same quality as commercial brands. I love this! Ultimately, there is no need to sacrifice a hot trend or product performance in order to use the green and clean alternative. I was at the Environmental Defence Eco Beauty Market the other day and picked up Ilia’s lipstick in “Wild Child”. It’s a fantastic fiery red, perfect for the season and exactly in line with this year’s trends. Bold red lips with minimal makeup were showing everywhere on London and New York’s Autumn/Winter 2012 runways including Marc by Marc Jacobs and Zac Posen.

Ilia Lipstick in “Wild Child”

“Wild Child” Application

Marc by Marc Jacobs Fall 2012-RTW

The texture is creamy and quite moisturizing –something that is extremely important for me especially in the winter when my lips get very chapped. The moisturizing component is attributed to jojoba, sunflower, sesame and castor oil, which make up the lipstick’s main ingredients.

The colour is highly pigmented, which is great for impact but can be a bit messy. The colour stains clothing quite easily and will appear on every cup that you use. (Thank goodness it’s organic!) The good news though, is the deep pigment can create a long lasting lip stain. So if you are worried about leaving a lipstick trail, you can create a stain instead by applying a coat on bare lips, blotting with a tissue, then repeat.

Another colour that is showing up everywhere this season is oxblood – it’s not really the blood of an ox, but it is vampire inspired and meant to channel that inner vixen. And great news, Ilia carries the perfect colour in line with this trend and is appropriately named “Femme Fatal”.

Oxblood lip colour is great for both fair and dark complexions and just like the fiery reds is best worn with minimal makeup. If you have fair skin like me, I recommend a light sweep of blush on the cheekbones since this colour can easily wash you out. If you are new to such a dark, rich colour, try dabbing a bit on your lips first for a softer look.

Ilia Lipstick in “Femme Fatale”

So go channel that inner vixen and fight the winter blues with fire and oxblood!

– Seanna