I don't think I've ever reviewed a deodorant here before, but there's a first time for everything. This happens to be a brand of deodorant that I particularly like — and, before I begin, you'll want to note the basic difference between an anti-perspirant, which prevents perspiration by plugging up the sweat ducts, and deodorant, which allows perspiration but neutralizes it with odor-absorbing ingredients and a (hopefully) pleasant scent.
Of course, everyone's body chemistry is unique, and what works for one person may not for another, but I've been using Lavanila for over a year and it's my favorite deodorant. It works for me on all but the very hottest days of the year, and it happens to be available in a range of appealing fragrances. The newest fragrance is Fresh Vanilla Lemon, which features notes of "crisp lemon, pure bamboo and powdery vanilla." Its ingredients do include actual lemon peel oil, as well as a mysterious "botanical fragrance blend."
Don't let this product's namesake vanilla scare you off; I wouldn't wear a strongly vanilla-scented deodorant by any means, and I happen to like the smell of Fresh Lemon Vanilla. It's definitely lemony, with some green, herbal notes. And it is "fresh" and "clean," but not in an ozonic or laundry-detergent way. It reminds me more of a traditional Eau de Cologne than anything else, and the vanilla is very, very subdued. This deodorant could easily be worn by men, although male shoppers are probably not Lavanila's customer base. The scent was very light on me by the time I left the house, and I didn't notice it again until I returned home and I was changing my clothes.
I've tried a few other Lavanila scents: Vanilla Lavender, which is far more "powdery" than Fresh Vanilla Lemon; Vanilla Passion Fruit, which smells more like pomegranate and red currants; and Vanilla Grapefruit, a lively citrus-vanilla blend that seems stronger than the others. I've avoided Pure Vanilla and Vanilla Coconut, because I know that I don't like coconut fragrances, and because an overly gourmand scent wafting from my underarm region would just confuse me.
If you're curious about the rest of Lavanila's ingredients, you can read about them on the company website. Basically, the deodorant's base is a blend of aloe, cornstarch, and various coconut-derived ingredients, and it's free of aluminum, parabens, petrochemicals, phthalates, propylene glycol, and so on and so forth. I haven't tried the matching Fresh Vanilla Lemon perfume yet, but if it's close to the deo's scent, it would be an easy and appropriate choice for summer.
And, à propos of nothing, I have to say that I'm always happy to spot some potential competition for Fresh's overpriced and overly scented Sugar and Sugar Lemon product lines. Lavanila's Fresh Vanilla Lemon deodorant is actually the same price as Fresh's Sugar roll-on anti-perspirant, without all the potential irritants and preservatives. Just a word to the wise, if you're thinking of splurging on something along these lines.
Lavanila Fresh Vanilla Lemon Deodorant sells for $18 (2 oz. stick) at Sephora and the Lavanila website.
Thank you! I don’t think I knew they made deodorant. I am always on the lookout for something new to try. I had no luck with Tom’s. I have been using a crystal for a while but I might give this a try. Thanks!
Tama, I bet that the deodorant fans aren’t always aware of the fragrances, as well as vice versa! And they also have a facial sunblock that’s supposed to be pretty good.
I’ve tried many natural deos, and this is the only one that really, truly works for me. As for the price, well… it’s less than a fancy lipstick!!
I’ve used the Pure Vanilla scent of this deodorant. It worked OK for me, but not well enough to use it daily. It is very gentle on the skin and I appreciate the green ingredients. I recently tried a whole lot of “natural” type deodorants, trying to switch from antiperspirant. Unfortunately, not a single one worked well enough for me, but this one has many fans and is rated well (scenthive also likes this I believe) so I bet it would work for people less smelly than me! I am eager to try this Vanilla Lemon in the perfume – I have the Vanilla Grapefruit roll-on and Fresh Brown Sugar is a favorite as well, so I’m sure I’ll love the scent.
Odonata, ScentHive’s review was one of the reasons I finally tried this product! It *is* gentle to the skin, another reason I like it.
I should also mention that a travel-size is available, for anyone who wants to make a slightly smaller commitment.
And I haven’t seen this new scent at Sephora yet, but I’ll definitely give the fragrance version a sniff when it arrives!
Ooof! $18 seems dear for deodorant — as it is I feel like I’m splurging when I spend full retail of $6 for my usual Tom’s of Maine (as opposed to the $3.79 Trader Joe’s price or whatever).
Thanks for this review, though, Jessica, and I may actually look for and check these out. I can’t stand typical antiperspirants at all and have been using various Tom’s scents for years. Vanilla Lemon and Vanilla Grapefruit sound good to me.
Oh, I know what you mean, Joe!! It’s a pricey item. But I do use it every single day, so… I try to justify it.
Tom’s of Maine, I can’t do, I am left totally sweaty and yucky feeling. I stay away from all natural unless I want to be embarrassed with pit spots later. Maybe the LV one would work but doubt it. Love the idea of a lemony deodorant though.
I had a bad reaction to Tom’s, so it’s off my list. And I’ve tried so many others, but I just can’t keep worrying about sweat and smelliness in the middle of a workday. My favorite conventional anti-perspirant, actually, is an unscented gel stick from Almay!
Ha – that is what I use too! My minimum requirement for body products is that they are not tested on animals and Almay is just about the only conventional anti-perspirant out there that meets that. There is a Tom’s one, surprisingly, but I’m not crazy about the texture/consistency. I’m worried about the Almay – I used to get it online at drugstore.com and now I see it is no longer there : ( They do still have the powder scented one but I HATE powder scents.
Those pit marks are so awful! I find that I almost always get them if I wear certain fabrics. I’m not sure whether it is that some fabrics make me sweat much more or just that some fabrics mark more than others. Its often silky or satiny tops that do this to me:(
As someone who sweats quite a lot, especially for a woman, I gave up on crystal type deodorants a long time ago! I also stopped using ordinary deodorant because I just hate sweating. I always get the strongest, longest lasting anti-perspirant I can find – 48hours, say, and apply it daily. So far I am liking the Vichy one – and though I prefer to use brands that don’t test on animals, and I’m not sure about Vichy, its one thing I cant give up on!
I don’t know if I’m likely to buy this anytime soon (I like my deodorant unscented) but your review made me giggle, thanks.
I admit I have always wondered about the vintage deodorant flankers I see pop up in my perfume trawls of *bay. Ever sampled one of them? Some see so…unlikely… (No. 5?)
Hm… I think that some things just should not be purchased as “vintage,” and deodorant is one of them!!
I can’t work out if this sort of product contains chemicals that are really supposed to deodorise. I suspect they may just be weak versions of the given perfume. And put in a can to look more functional!
and see PekeFan’s comment further down…
I’ve never really been certain about that, either! Maybe it varies from brand to brand…
I like the Lavanila line a lot. In the worst of winter, I actually use the Healthy Baby Butter as a hand cream. As for the deodorants, since I was looking for a small size for travel and only the Vanilla Lavender was available in the .9oz size, that’s what I bought.
The Vanilla Lemon sounds good although that botanical fragrance blend worries me a little.
I recently read on the company website that the travel size will be offered in more scents now, which could be good news for shoppers.
Jessica, I’m glad you are reviewing Lavanilia again, it’s such a great product! I was having increasing problems with skin irritation from deodorants a couple of years ago and tried a lot of different products. Lavanilia works quite well, and the skin problems disappeared. I’ve used both the vanilla grapefruit and vanilla coconut scents, which are fine and disappear after a few minutes, anyway. As for the price, these sticks last a long time.
By the way, I think Gaia’s approach was to reapply Lavanilia after four to six hours.
Noz, I do apply when I get home after work, if it’s been a hot day. And I keep an almost-used-up stick in my desk at work, for emergency touch-ups, but I’ve rarely had to use it, which is a good sign!
I’ve tried the Vanilla Coconut deodorant – very nice scent, quite edible but not the strongest one out there. Would be good for the cooler months.
Hm, maybe the Vanilla Grapefruit really is the strongest scent of the lot! I’ve actually gotten favorable comments on it, from people who assumed that they were smelling my perfume.
Sorry I should clarify, it doesn’t have the strongest *deodorising* qualities.
I have a L’Heure Bleue deodorant that I use as a body mist. It’s a soft veil of the scent for warm weather -lovely. It cost much less than other concentrations too.
Oh, nice! L’Heure Bleue can be a bit “much” for me, but this could be a solution.
I have the Vanilla Summer deodorant and I swear it smells like Chanel No. 5 Eau Premiere. It’s the weirdest thing, the perfume smells nothing like it. People have actually asked if I was wearing Chanel.
I looked for the new Lemon scent in Sephora this past weekend but no luck yet. I was anxious to give it a try. The line is reasonably priced and I like natural products. I’m a little leery of the deodorant though…Texas summer days routinely get over 100 degrees, and I teach college students. Of course, the ac is usually cranked up so high I need a sweater, but still….