Tag Archives: Nourish

Do I Smell? (And Other Questions I Constantly Ask Myself)

Natural Deodorant

I want to talk to you about B.O. YEAH. That stank can knock you out. I mean, it’s basically what happens to me every time I go to CorePower and a man lays his mat next to mine. Sorry, gents. I am fascinated by our bodies. Definitely my body. Though your body, too. And the body of Mr. Namaste. For starters, I swear drinking kombucha has transformed my immune system into a military fortress — seriously, everyone I know has been sick. And I ride public transit, am a close talker and even share beverages (kombucha pusher) without thinking. Somehow, I’m more than surviving. Knocks on wood.

More on topic, however, is what goes on deep in the underarm. I’ve been really into quoting song lyrics lately, and this one just feels right, so I’m going with it:  “Your Body is a Wonderland.” More specifically, a wild ecosystem. Our forearms, a desert. The head = cool forest. And obviously, the pits, some type of rainforest (according to a 1968 essay on human skin by Mary J. Marples) Are you still reading?!

It was just ‘Body Week’ on FastCo and this article on body odor really struck a chord.  In short, antiperspirants mask a short term problem but might actually lead to more bacteria. Actually, more diverse types, which may be problematic because they are all competing to be THEE bacteria. I know, I didn’t realize that bacteria was so competitive with each other, either. That fight might be what leads to le odor as “bad” bacteria flourish.  I’m no scientist but I am fascinated by this—it’s like there is a whole other world occupying our body and waging constant war. The bigger question:  are we so anti-bacterial that we are doing our bodies more harm?

I tend to think so. My kombucha-dranking self has been a full-on natural deo convert for more than a year. Everything I read had me questioning why I was clogging my pores up with aluminum. So I quit. The transition wasn’t without struggle. The body absolutely goes through an adjustment phase and not all formulas can handle a day in the life. For me, I need a deodorant that can hack a full 15+ hours. No, I don’t want to reapply mid-day . Yes, I expect to smell like roses. I require that I maintain a pleasant aroma.

I’ve tried this cult classic and liked it until I didn’t (burn-like rash but no pain) and this newcomer (really love but use a tube too quickly) but I always go back to Nourish. The traditional stick packaging is a winner and I don’t feel like I’ve sacrificed anything.  I’m not afraid to raise the roof, ever, and actually think I smell better. I feel more in balance under there than I ever have. This is a long winded way of telling you that you can do it, too, if you want. Also, your body is a freaking wonderland. John Mayer cooed as much back in the day and I’m adopting it for the sake of my point.

The Birkenstocks Revival

Birkenstock-Beauty

Birkenstocks are back and now that I’ve got my feet in a pair I’m concerned I may never wear another shoe again. It’s like a cozy cocoon for my feet and I’m just wondering who I have to thank for these being “fashionable” again. I completely get why some people stayed in their Birks since 1994. There really is a better way. Consider me a convert (for now). As my friend Lindsay joked, is this a slippery slope to the land of tangled hair and no makeup for me? Hardly, though the Birkenstocks revival is inspiring a whole new wave of simplified summertime living for me.

Nourish Fig Deodorant. I’ve long gone natural with my deo and Nourish is the one I always go back to. I need reliable in the summer months. // Fez Body Serum. Patchouli and Birks, what can I say, they just go together. But there’s more to this body serum than a stereotype – there’s rose, orange blossom layered with vetiver, ylang-ylang and hints of cumin and clove. Please make this into a perfume, Kahina! //  S.W. Basics Toner. I discovered this apple cider vinegar toner last summer and it balanced my skin and prevented breakouts like a champ. It’s back in action again, morning and night on a clean face. // Madewell Piazza Maxi Dress. The great thing about Birks is they go with everything.  Shorts, jeans and especially flowy dresses. I love this in red and white. // Birkenstocks. I went with the Gizeh Birko-Flor in Golden Brown. On my foot, I thought this fit was the most flattering. A requisite for wearing these non-stop: a great pedi color. // Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Castile Soap. This is the soap equivalent of Birkenstocks. The question is: what can’t you wash with Dr. Bronner’s? The rose is my favorite. //  Meow Meow Tweet Tweet Camper’s Kit. Mosquitoes are enemy number one in summer. For a night out on the lake, bring reinforcements. MMTT’s Insect Repellent doubles as a perfume. For real…not just when you’re wearing Birks. // One Love Organics Healthy Locks Dry Shampoo. The longer I go between washes, the better my hair looks. The key is a great dry shampoo and powder formulas are the best.