Scent of a Woman: “Give BO a TKO with DIY Deodorant”

Bust the magazine recently made a new Bust the book (The Bust DIY Guide to Life: How to Make It Through Every Day, out now), and they offered us something to excerpt, so I chose the DIY guide that sounded the worst, because I’m jealous. No, the book is great and would make a terrific present. Another thing that would make [the opposite of] a terrific present is this DIY deodorant, about which I am even more jealous. From the Bust DIY Guide to Life:

Materials

  • Double boiler
  • 3 tablespoons unrefined
  • shea butter, preferably organic
  • 3 tablespoons baking soda
  • 2 tablespoons arrowroot
  • powder or cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons organic
  • unrefined cocoa butter
  • 2 vitamin E oil gel caps (optional)
  • 4-ounce jar, with lid
  • 10 to 20 drops of your favorite essential oil

Conventional deodorants contain none-too-natural ingredients like parabens, artificial colors and fragrances, sodium lauryl sulfate, and aluminum. To keep your stink at bay and enjoy that fun stick-it-to-the-Man feeling, make your own. The best part is that you know exactly what you’re putting on your body. Keep in mind, this isn’t an antiperspirant, so you’ll still sweat. But at least it’ll smell like roses (or whatever essential oil you choose).

Directions:

Step 1: In a double boiler, combine the shea butter, baking soda, arrowroot powder or cornstarch, and cocoa butter. Puncture and squeeze the oil from the vitamin E oil capsules into the pot — this serves as a natural preservative, so it’s worthwhile. Give the mixture a good stir.

Step 2: When the mixture is liquefied, remove it from the heat, pour it into the jar, and stir in the essential oil. Place the deodorant in the fridge for a few hours until it’s solid.

Step 3: Let the mixture come to room temperature (you don’t have to store it in the fridge) — the texture will be somewhere between a firm cream and a soft solid.

Step 4: To use it, scoop out a pea-size amount with your fingers and apply it to your armpit. Be gentle, especially after shaving. A slightly wet armpit makes for easier spreading. This little jar will give you at least three odor-free months.

End excerpt.

Has anyone made this? Does this work? Lauren!?

The Bust DIY Guide to Life is out now.