natural deodorant sweat test review

soapwalla deodorant cream
overall sweat test rating: 8/10
price: $12.00
pros: scent, overall performance
cons: application, price

review:
I knew I had a winner when I stopped feeling the need to apologize in advance to everyone around me. After a workday and sweat session I had a few (brave) friends do a sniff test and I got the thumbs up all around. I loved the lavender-peppermint-tea tree scent (sensitive noses beware, it is quite strong). The price is a little steep and it did take me a while to get over the application of the product – you have to apply it like you would a moisturizer (they’re serious when they use the term ‘cream’).  Regardless, this would be my go to recommendation for anyone serious about going natural.

kiss my face – active life (lavender)
overall sweat test rating: 5/10
price: $5.99
pros: application, price
cons: scent

review:
What I loved most about this deodorant was that the application didn’t require any additional instruction (up against the other brands I tried this really did set it apart). For the most part it held up during the day to day although I do remember leaving one particularly warm meeting room in a bit of a sweat (pun intended). I also found the “lavender” scent to be a little strong and sort of smelt like a glue stick. If you’re willing to reapply for your workout and you’re looking for something easy and affordable then I’d recommend this deodorant as a decent option.

crystal body deodorant
overall sweat test rating: 3/10
price: $6.99
pros: hypoallergenic, price
cons: application, overall performance

review:
This one felt like I was wearing nothing at all and not in the good way. From application to performance this deodorant was my least favourite. In order to activate the “rock” you have to moisten it with water first (which dripped onto the clothes I was wearing - ugh). I wasn’t very confident that I’d transferred any product to my underarms and by the end of each day I was pretty certain I hadn’t. What it does have going for it is that it’s hypoallergenic and fragrance-free making it a good option for those with sensitive skin. If it does work for you, it also lasts up to a year so you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck. Overall if you’re an active person like me than this probably won’t hold up to your liking.

Finding a good deodorant (and making a recommendation for that matter) can be tricky since everyone reacts to formulas differently. While this test did prove to me that there are some great options out there, it made me realize there was a much bigger question I had to ask. Was I ready and willing to switch from an antiperspirant to a deodorant? Smelling fresh and staying dry are important to me and these options (for the most part) undelivered when it came to the latter. Anyone know of a natural stick that combats both these issues?

workout playlist - may 2010

Is your workout playlist stuck on repeat? Here are some old & new tracks to get your headphones (and body) jumping.

BULLETPROOF – LA ROUX
Super-fun summer pop perfect for, like, team workouts and getting-ready parties and stuff!

LITTLE LION MAN – MUMFORD AND SONS
The vocals are so warm and the lyrics so familiar-feeling on this track, you’ll swear you’ve heard it before. It IS new – but will be an old favourite in no time.

ZERO – YEAH YEAH YEAHS
Karen O is the coolest lady on the planet by a country mile. This song is solid proof.

MEMORIES – DAVID GUETTA FEATURING KID CUDI
It’s time to jump on the Guetta bandwagon – why not throw in some Kid Cudi for good measure?!

ONLY – NINE INCH NAILS
Five years later & I’m still upset that Trent Reznor cut his hair, but no matter: this is one heck of a diss track – Reznor makes getting dumped good enough to dance to! The worship continues…

B.O.B. (BOMBS OVER BAGDHAD) – OUTKAST
When people argue that electronica is the only music high-octane enough for cardio, I bring up this little ditty. Point – Lex!

PARIS IS BURNING (CUT COPY REMIX) – LADYHAWKE
Cut Copy + Ladyhawke = your new favourite song. It’s science!

STOP ME – MARK RONSON FEATURING DANIEL MERRIWEATHER
You know when you pull up to a red light and bust the guy next to you singing at the top of his lungs? It’s probably this song – it might have the catchiest chorus ever.

LISTEN UP (MSTRKRFT REMIX) – THE GOSSIP
Beth Ditto gives you some useful advice over a wicked beat. Where was this song when I needed it in high school? I could’ve used the wise words from Beth AND the street cred from MSTRKRFT. Sigh.

LET THE BEAT BUILD – LIL WAYNE
Do you have a set of intervals that hurt so good? Let Lil Wayne burn with you – this song will mimic the pain and the satisfaction at the finish.

ROAM – THE B-52’S
“Love Shack” gets all the credit – meanwhile, this hilarious track languishes on long-forgotten tape mixes. Put this on when you’re driving to the gym on “I don’t feel like working out” mornings – you’ll be ready to rock by the time you park.

TENNESSEE – ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT
Another feel-good track to lift your spirits – and we can never have enough of those, can we? We can also never have enough rhetorical questions, can we? Hmmm. Think about it and get back to me.

BANQUET (PHONES DISCO EDIT) – BLOC PARTY
“Silent Alarm” was one of the best albums of 2005 – and then Bloc Party went one step further and remixed it, causing a million hipsters to lose their collective minds. Listen to this and you’ll see why.

SKELETON BOY – FRIENDLY FIRES
One of the most unusual beats in years – you’ll spend so much time trying to figure out if this is 4/4 or 6/8 time that your run will be over before you have an answer. Running and partying at the same time – what a concept!

SHOOTING STARS (PARTY ROCK REMIX) – BAG RAIDERS
If Cut Copy and Massive Attack had a baby, it would be the Bag Raiders. Check out the remix version of the wicked “Shooting Stars” for added oomph.

MOMENT OF TRUTH – GANG STARR
Put this on during an introspective run and let Guru spit some truth at you. One of the most underrated MC’s ever.

STRANGE OVERTONES – DAVID BYRNE AND BRIAN ENO
The men behind Talking Heads reunited for an album last year, and contrary to must reunion acts, it kicked a$$ instead of sucking. This song is a thin slice of heaven.

Do you have any suggestions for the next playlist? Leave Alexis a comment below.

Here at lululemon athletica’s Store Support Centre, we have a truly wonderful yoga and fitness program. Five days a week, instructors come into our light-filled studio to conduct classes consisting of various styles and degrees of difficulty throughout the day – and all you have to do is grab a (provided) mat and show up. With all these resources at my fingertips, you’d think I’d be the downest dog in town, right?

Wrong. Exceedingly, surprisingly, embarrassingly incorrect.

It’s time for a shameful admission: In my four months of working here thus far, I have NOT been to a yoga class at the Store Support Centre (editor’s note: those meowing noises are the symphony of a litter of inflexible kittens pawing their way out of the bag).

Alexis is going to her first yoga class today!

It didn’t start this way. I had the best of intentions, sure. But like many of you, I was so caught up in the workings of my new job that I completely forgot what attracted me to lululemon in the first place.

The reason I’m sharing this with you is to prove a point – this can happen to anyone with the best of intentions, even someone working in a building BASED around yoga. It doesn’t matter how near or far you are from your yoga facility, or gym class; how cold it is outside, how much work you have, or how your running crops are in the wash. If you want to make excuses, you can.

Clichéd, but true: you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. Well friends, get ready, because this old chestnut (neigh?) is getting ready to take a trot (scratch that: CANTER!) through the Hatha fields on Monday with Ingrid, one of our lovely instructors. As for her correcting my woeful use of animal metaphor, it’s too soon to tell.

What are you going to do today with no excuses?

I am in love with the RUN Swiftly Racerback, paired with a Flow Y.  (Cold days you'll find me in a RUN Swiftly Tech LS).

Super lightweight, wicks my sweat and literally puts a bounce in my step, but not my bust. (I am an A- B+ cup on a good day, so I do not need a ton of support).  But I can still bend over or drop it like it's hot without falling out.

I cannot run with sunglasses on. Don't get me wrong: big sunnies are one of my first loves, but they do not function well on my runs. (We all know I've tried).

So thank you lululemon design gods for the amazing Flight Running Bonnet. Lightweight hat that is comfortable and protects my eyes? Yup, it was love at first flight.

Pony tail rests comfortably without snagging my locks, and a secure zipper pocket protects my cash. The sides and pocket are lined with Circle Mesh an,d my hot head can breathe.

Now let's talk about downstairs. The RUN Empower Crops are the best things that have happened to my legs since self tanner.

My legs and butt are simply in love with stretch power luxtreme. Holds my badonk in place, supports my hamstrings, and wicks my sweat really quickly!

My waistline is smaller than my hips and bum. So the drawstring holds everything up, and the waistband holds everything in.

P.S. Who doesn't love hidden secure pockets?

Best lesson learned as a runner, you have to spoil your tootsies with good socks! Seamless, built-in arch support and moisture-wicking, the Featherlight Socks are my favorite.

I made the mistake of running my first half marathon with big bulky socks that did not moisture wick, and had big fat seams on the toes. By mile 10 my feet were killing me, and I ran with a hitch in my giddy-up the last 3 miles. I could barely walk at the end of the race, and my toes had 2 big new blisters.

You may not see me winning any races anytime soon. But I will always finish, I will always be comfortable and I will always be confident with my lululemon running gear. It's like my favorite coach used to say "If you look good you feel good, if you feel good, you do good." Agreed.

Fit Guru Whitney Stats: 5'6", wearing a size 8 in everything, and 2 half marathons complete!
Gear Worn:

• RUN Swiftly Racerback in antidote (colour available in store only)
• RUN Empower Crop II in black/bold blue
• Flow Y Bra IV in bold blue (colour available in store only)
• Flight Running Bonnet in grey
• Featherlight Sock in yellow

Below are some of the photos that capture what happened in January from our team and photos that were sent in from guests:

Mark and Matt at the Store Support Centre doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

 
A lovely afternoon yoga class.

Whitney embracing the cold weather.

Upward dog in the snow!

Embracing the mountain snowboarding.

Snow angels afte a good run.

Just hanging around.

Tree pose in Toronto.

Janice at her gym working out. She actually documented the entire through her own flickr album.

Jackie about to go to circuit training after a hard day at work.

Jenna sweating it out on the treadmill.

The coolest ladies around.

Summer can't come soon enough. The best way to do yoga is on the beach.

The Run club is ready to brave the cold!

Ready to sweat in her new gear!

What was your favourite way to sweat this month?

Personally, I am a sweaty beast running through the trails, and the feel of power luxtreme is wonderful as it is inherently wicking, and though my eyes sometimes well up with tears, my body stays relatively warm and dry well past mile 6. If you haven’t worn power luxtreme on a run before, you haven’t truly ran. Smooth like butter, supportive and inherently wicking. It’s truly the trifecta of performance fabrics, and your muscles will thank you for it.

If you’re carrying a little extra junk in your trunk from those holiday nightcaps and gingerbread men, not to worry the firm support of these bad boys act as an anti bounce so you can hit the ground running without worrying about what your bum’s doing behind you and whose watching it.

The real reason why we love love love these crops…ruching is a girl’s best friend. The diagonal ruching of these beauties are truly flattering and slimming, what girl doesn’t love a little optical illusion for their curves? The ruching celebrates our muscles, but doesn’t wrap them up so tight that they beg for air after a few hours of wear.

So dream up some daring running goals this year, add these delicious crops to your closet and we promise they’ll put a little bounce in your step but not your bum!

Happy Trails in 2010!

Why We Made This
• A knee length running crop to support your muscles and reduce bounce
• Made of power luxtreme with inherent wicking
• Low rise fit with smooth wide waistband
• Continuous drawcord that won't come out in the wash
• Gusset to prevent chaffing or riding up
• Secure pocket for cards, keys & sport snacks
• Flat seamed for chafe resistance & comfort

The Run: Team Spirt Crops are available online: http://shop.lululemon.com/RunTeam_Spirit_Crop or at your local lululemon store.

Sweat once a day with the online community team.

We are running, walking, doing yoga, circuit training, flexing in Daily Method, swimming, and sweating with tight deadlines. Our team will be capturing all of this all through photos and challenge you to do the same! You can either email your sweaty photos to onlinecommunity@lululemon.com or upload directly to our monthly pool on flickr here: Sweat Once  A Day Flickr Set

For more sweaty details check out our monthly challenge page: http://lululemon.com/community/challenge

What are you doing to sweat once a day?

"What in the world is a 'run date', Elyse?".

"Only my favorite kind," I replied.

I was chatting with a friend during an easy jog, and as what frequently happens in the world of a twenty-something single female, the topic of dating came up. For me, running is my life. I work in run, I run for fun, and I train competitively. So, by default, I meet a lot of runners. Hence, the run date is no stress, a lot of fun, and keeps me right in my element.

No matter how running fits into your life, I find the run date to be a perfect and practical first date. What could be better than a few miles to chat and get to know one another? I guarantee that during the run there will be far less awkward pauses than meeting up for drinks or dinner. Additionally, you will both be in running clothes, so there will never be a question of "how dressed up should I be?" And, if anything, you will have gotten your workout in.

Neither person has to be a hardcore runner, but even for a casual jogger nothing can beat a run date. The most important thing is to keep it simple. At the end of the run, grab protein shakes, coffee, or brunch. Save your excruciating post-run ab routine for the second date!

Here are some guidelines for the run date:

1. Route: Plan out a route in advance. Decide before how many miles you are going to cover. I like to let the guy to pick a route, but I will always have a back-up in mind, in case we need it.

2. Pace: This isn’t a race. It is a casual run and conversation. Run a pace that is comfortable for both of you. You should run next to each other. One person should not be a few steps ahead of the other. If this is happening, not a good run date! Save the racing and speed work for serious training sessions. Resist the temptation to compare times and race stats.

3. Attire: Yes, it is a date, but you still need to be able to run comfortably. Avoid a lot of jewelry, unless you normally run with it (some of us can’t run without our pearls), and wear functional running clothes that you are comfortable being active in. And don’t wear perfume or cologne…sweat, running, and designer scents don’t mix.

4. Have fun: You are doing what you love, running, and you are sharing that with someone else, who probably loves running too. Keep the pressure off and enjoy being outside and each other’s company.

See if there is a running group in your community to meet fellow runners and let us know about the roadside romance!

Meet Haley, the Lake Oswego Showroom manager, in Lake Oswego, Oregon

What is your role at lululemon?

Lake Oswego Showroom Manager

What is the difference between a showroom and a store?

The intention of a showroom is bring the lululemon culture to a community where we do not have a store. Unlike stores, showrooms are not open every day. This gives us time to be active in the community, hold trunk shows, arrange shop nights and kitchen parties, take yoga and fitness classes, meet with the local instructors and gym owners, and get to meet our community. To sum it up, our goal is to spread the lululemon love.

How did you come to lululemon?

I always found myself shopping at lululemon even though I worked at other athletic apparel stores. After reading about the company culture and manifesto, I just had to be a part of lululemon!

What is a typical Wednesday like for you?

It includes hitting up a class, regional manager call, working the floor, getting our new product for the week, sending a product notification, getting the product on the floor, working with the fabulous Lake Oswego guests, possibly taking a studio owner or instructor out to coffee, fit sessions, fun and sometimes class number two after close!!

The inside of our Lake Oswego Showroom!

How do you usually sweat once a day?

I love running or hitting up a class... spin, yoga, anything!

One of the complimentary yoga classes in the showroom.

What’s one activity/fitness trend that you’ve been dying to try?

Kettle balls.

Why do you have the best job in the world?

I am surrounded by the greatest people in the world. Everyone is dedicated to creating new possibilities, setting goals and dreaming BIG! Ever since I joined the company, my personal and career development sky-rocketed! I am absolutely in love with the company, the people, the culture, EVERYTHING!

What piece of advice do you have for future showroom managers?

Talk, talk, talk!! Find out all about events in the community, gyms, studios, and get to know the locals. Hire a rock-star team and travel as a pack.

What's your Big Hairy Audacious Goal!? (one year)

The Lake Oswego Showroom will be the best showroom in the US by May 2010!

Come visit Haley and the team in Oswego!

I just returned from a week-long vacation on the west coast. Relaxing? Of course. Interesting? Always. Hot? Definitely! How convenient that I was escaping the rarity of rain in Toronto to be greeted by record-breaking heat in Vancouver and Seattle.

While I had no problem leaving my email and work behind, I found it difficult to keep up my usual fitness regimen on the road. By the end of the week, my total number of workouts equaled zero and I was tallying one meal per waking hour. The only sweat I was breaking was from the spicy French food I had for dinner in Seattle.

After being back home for a few days, I quickly fell back into my routine of yoga, spin & weights. I had no problems getting into the groove and my body actually felt stronger than ever. Could I attribute my newfound strength to my vacation?

I gloated to my boyfriend about my new insight, on how basking in the hot Vancouver sun built my muscle strength, just as well as any hour long spin class. He laughed. “Are you kidding me? We were sweating once a day. At least!”

How did I manage to break a sweat every day of my vacation without once hitting the gym or getting to my yoga mat? I ran after cabs, walked up miles of steep hills, danced like a maniac at a wedding, and even managed to fit in a quick stretch while waiting to cross the border. I guess you can find a decent workout anywhere in the world without even realizing it!

With summer at its end, plenty of last minute vacations are to be had. How do you manage to “sweat once a day” during your time off?

What is your role at lululemon?

I am one of the graphic designers in the Community Relations department and I work out of the Store Support Centre in Vancouver. I work with my partner Any and we design graphics for store events, ambassador posters, in-store artworks, ads, packaging and pretty much anything creative that prints out of a printer.

What is a typical Wednesday like for you?

Oh hump day... Definitely start the day off with coffee, checking emails and dockets, put on my creative luon and it is design go time.

What has been your biggest career achievement, to date?

I think simply being part of this company has been a huge achievement for me. I was working on my BA in Communication Design at Emily Carr University of Art and Design and applied to work at lululemon for a 3 month co-op, and after 3 months I was hired on full time. I started at lululemon the day after I put up my grad show and that’s when all the fun started. I feel really lucky to be part of a company with such amazing core values and the unconventional marketing strategies that keeps me challenged and on the top of my game. How will I ever work for a place that does traditional marketing?! Who knows.

How do you think your co-workers would describe you?

I am crazy crazy passionate about my job. I don’t mess around

What's your favourite yoga class? Why?

Hot yoga! I am a sweat machine and hot yoga lets me embrace my sweat.

How do you usually sweat once a day?

I play a lot of volleyball (indoor and beach) and I'm a b-girl (breakdancer) in training.

What’s one activity/fitness trend that you’ve been dying to try?

CrossFit and Aerial Dancing (haha...they are quite different than each other but im dying to try both!!)

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?

supfattie.blogspot.com

If we were to see you during (however it is you say you sweat) what would you be wearing?

Volleyball: Boogie On Shorts or Rock On Shorts, Run: Swiftly Tech Top or Racerback Tank, Flow Y Bra and Knee High Socks. (Everything needs a matching accent color... Very important)

What are your future career goals?

Other than helping this company grow from 100 stores to 200 and expanding out of North America, I do want to expand my horizons and work in a design/advertising agency where I can design for multiple brands.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

The difference between a goal and a dream is writing it down – Chip Wilson

Inspired by Bev's story? Apply to join our team! We are looking for a rad Graphic Artist with fresh ideas and amazing talent! Who knows.... we might write a blog post about you soon.

When I first started hot yoga, I somehow always ended up next to the heater. I was usually running a little late because I tried to get my cardio in before the class. So picture me - sweaty from my previous class with an old mat my dog loved to chew on. Hot vinyasa was my favorite style and while the beginning of my practice was great, I felt like I was ice skating by the end of the class. It was challenging when my hands and feet slipped constantly. My abs got a great workout in trying to hold myself up, but my slip n' slide yoga classes were beginning to hurt! On occasion, I would accidentally slip on my sweat puddle, falling into the yogi next to me and knocking them over (yes, this really happened)! I needed a solution.

Yogitoes are colorful blanket/towels with orange dots on the front that yogis put down over their yoga mats. These skidless mat-covers are thin enough to prevent bunching, but they have grippies on the bottom to prevent my "yoga ice skating."

If you are willing to go to yoga and have your own mat, it's practice-altering to invest in your skidless Yogitoes.

Many of you on Twitter have been talking about Yogitoes, and I have @replied how they have changed my practice. I no longer have to worry about slip-injuries, I can focus more on my alignment, and I can say goodbye to sweat puddles on my mat!

Above: Vanessa uses the Yogitoes mat to keep her grip on a hot Vancouver day.