My part of the world has entered the so-called dog days of summer, which means I'm thinking about a mundane item like deodorant more than usual; and, as a scent-obsessive, I can't use even the most basic body product without thinking about its fragrance. I used to buy antiperspirants at the drugstore, and any unscented variety would do. However, since I converted to deodorants a few years ago, I've become hooked on Lavanila. Lavanila's "Healthy Deodorants" actually do their job, they don't irritate my skin in any way, and they happen to smell great.
Lavanila recently launched a new collection called Sport Luxe, "created for an active life in motion," including a Sport Luxe Deodorant. It has a "crisp" scent with notes of jasmine, honeydew, green apple and "a whisper of powdery vanilla." This scent is much lighter and less vanilla-y than Lavanila's other deo fragrances; in fact, it's more like a mainstream deodorant/antiperspirant scent that you might find at the drugstore. It has a lot of apple, some melon, and a very sheer white musk beneath the fruit. For reference, my favorite Lavanila deo scents are Vanilla Lemon, Vanilla Lavender (especially nice in cooler weather) and Vanilla Passionfruit. This one isn't as "me" as some of the other scents, but it's actually easier to wear in very warm weather when I'm paring everything down and I can't tolerate even a whiff of a stronger scent. I wouldn't necessarily wear it as a perfume, but it works nicely as a subtle body-product fragrance.
Like Lavanila's original deodorant line, the Sport Luxe formula is aluminum-free. The ingredients look very close to the original formula, with a few minor tweaks further down the list; the main difference, to me, is that the Sport Luxe looks and acts a bit more like a solid gel and less like a white stick. (This means less potential residue on clothing, incidentally.) It works just as well as the original formula for me, and it has gotten me through some very steamy, sweaty days over the past month. I really wish Lavanila would make more of its deos available in mini-sizes (the only one, for now, is the Pure Vanilla) — but that's a minor complaint.
How are you keeping cool, if you're experiencing hot summer weather right now?
Lavanila Vanilla Breeze Sport Luxe Deodorant sells for $16 (1.8 oz. stick) at Sephora and the Lavanila website.
Ha! I actually just got back from buying deodorant (among other things) at the store. I spent 10 mins sniffing before giving up and buying the least offensive one. Why do they all smell so bad? Or have I spoiled myself by wearing high-end perfume all the time? I guess I can’t expect a $10 stick of deodorant to smell like a $200 bottle of Chanel.
The Lemon Vanilla sounds lovely, though I wonder if an aluminum free formula can handle a sweltering DC summer…
I agree about most conventional antiperspirant/deodorant scents — they’re too loud and they’re either Fake Floral, Baby Powder, or Sporty Fresh Air. They distract from whatever perfume you apply afterwards! That’s why I’ve been buying unscented ones for so long. I really do like the Lavanila scents, though — they’re more complex yet more subtle. I’ve been wearing them through hot and humid NYC workdays and commutes — although I do keep a stick of Almay unscented in the medicine cabinet for job interviews, big presentations, etc.!
I started using the lavender vanilla during my pregnancy because I wanted to use products with as few chemicals as possible. It was really surprised at how well it worked. Oddly, I had a stockpile of antiperspirants to finish up. Now that I’ve worked my way through them, I’m looking for a new Lavanila one. Which of the others you’ve tried has the lightest/least noticeable scent?
Hi, Lucy! This one — the Sport Luxe Vanilla Breeze — is the lightest one I’ve tried so far, definitely. Of the others I’ve tried, I think the Vanilla Lemon is light-ish, followed by the Passionfruit, then the duskier Lavender. Vanilla Grapefruit is the *strongest* — I used to get comments on the scent, and people didn’t know what they were complimenting!
The Lavanila shelf in Sephora is one of my “must-stop-by”s whenever I am in the shop.
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I tried quite a few of their products but I have never tried their deodorant. In fact, I have never tried ANY deodorant in gel/stick form. I only use roll-on because somehow my mind thinks that the liquid dries and adheres to the skin better and performs better than a film left from a stick (does it even leave a film? I don’t know.. I am too scared to try it out on a really hot day and find disaster on my doorstep :/ )
But your review got me interested! (There is this Sunkissed Deo Trio now. Looks goooood
I totally forgot to mention what I use!
I use Youth Dew roll-on deodorant. It has enough scent to make you feel good but not so intense as to disturb you on a hot, humid day. I adore it
Wow, I had no idea there was a Youth Dew deodorant.
Me neither! but I’m intrigued.
Lavanila is the only deodorant I’ve found at all effective, so I’m glad to see your review of a new addition to the line. My one complaint is that over time, the sticks dry out and become more difficult to apply. But I don’t use it every day; perhaps it’s not a problem if you use them up more rapidly.
For antiperspirants, I find Secret Clinical Strength Smooth Solid hypoallergenic unscented to be a life saver during really hot humid weather when my skin sometimes becomes sensitive, and I don’t detect any scent at all from it.
I’ve also tried tons of deodorants (including French drugstore brands that others have sworn by–totally useless for me) and Lavanila is the best. I’ll be trying this one as well. Maybe it’ll be good enough for everyday use.